[Chapter-delegates] Join our call to stop the sale of .org

[Paul Brooks]

On 28/11/2019 7:48 pm, Borka Jerman Blazic via Chapter-delegates wrote:
> Some chapters of ISOC carry out an initiative to object to the process.  Others seem
> to agree (or ignore its implications) and others seem not to care. The call for a
> meeting that will last only 30 minutes maybe is not enough for answering all raised
> questions and concern expressed  from  the membership that care.

As leader of the Australian chapter, I hope I can speak for other silent chapters and
suggest it would be incorrect to believe that we don't care, just because we haven't
rushed in to insert ourselves into commenting on the debate.

We are deeply concerned, and our chapter leadership is watching the to-ing and fro-ing
here very closely. Our chapter members are finding and highlighting the various
articles being written in the press with dismay, and asking questions we cannot
answer. As a board, we make decisions jointly and collaboratively, and have put this
issue at the top of our next board meeting agenda, as good governance would require -
as this whole debate and change in ISOC funding arrangements forms a potential
existential risk to the future of the chapter. We take that sudden risk very very
seriously. It remains to be seen whether we will have any more facts and clarity about
this disappointing process, sifted from the heated opinions, to make any sort of
decision. And without an agreed position from our board, it would be wrong of me to
represent a chapter position in this list  - and far too premature to make a knee-jerk
policy-on-the-run statement as a 'captains call' and express support or rejection of
the Swiss chapter proposal so quickly.

That quietness should not be taken to indicate we don't care.

I suspect - I hope - there are many many other chapter reps in the same boat -
watching and listening closely, bewildered, dismayed, but not commenting until the
smoke and dust clears somewhat and facts and information emerge. I urge all the
quick-draw responders to remember we have chapters scattered all around the globe, in
all timezones - it is difficult for many of us out here in chapter-land to inject a
comment, when we wake up in the morning to an avalanche of overnight emails and see
the debate has already veered several directions, and that a question or comment would
be raking over old ground. But we are watching, and we do very much care.

As a chapter leader - a volunteer - our very position as a chapter representative is
at risk every year come election time, if we have not been scrupulous about consulting
with members, representing members concerns and members' 'rough consensus', and making
sure we canvas members opinions and keep members informed about major developments
locally, and globally, that are coming down the line, *before* they become serious
issues. It is not our chapter, it is the members' chapter, and it behooves us leaders
as custodians of the members' chapter to ensure major structural changes like this
that would shake the very core of how we operate the chapter to be canvassed with the
general membership on the principle of 'no surprises' - and if we didn't, we're likely
to find the members replace us quick smart.

The difference between how we are required to operate a chapter as a volunteer, and
the top-down, directive, often disappointingly paternal and autocratic nature  that
ISOC often treats chapter management and chapter consultation is stark.  It occurs to
me that perhaps salaried ISOC staff may not have the same perspective of consultation
and 'no surprises', as their continued involvement in the organisation is not at risk
within a matter of months if members are not adequately consulted before major
decisions about *their* organisation are taken.

Whether or not this proposed transaction pans out as a boon or a bust for ISOC, this
furore arises out of a breach of the principle of 'no surprises' - and I hope that one
positive outcome might be that never again do we wake up to an announcement from ISOC
leadership where the only reasonable response from the general global membership is 'WTF?'

Best Regards,

Paul.

-- 
Paul Brooks
Chair, Internet Australia
paul.brooks at internet.org.au
https://www.internet.org.au

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