No subject

a proper time table for that and the communications about it have HAD TO
BE IN PLAIN LANGUAGE. Then in as many of the languages our people speak
and read.

*I* am the main reason the communications are delayed as I refused to
agree with the language - it was too complex and too legalistic. It would
keep lawyers happy but not our membership. (Please note; many, many
lawyers are wonderful people, I just think that English has ceased to be
the first language for many of them. And these are the ones that operate
in English speaking jurisdictions!) I am also a volunteer with a family
and a day job.

The next phase of the communications has to happen soon, and I want to
know how that best happens.

What path should that follow?
Webex?
INET session?
Special sessions?
Teleconferences?
IRC?

I favour an INET session - after the strategic policy discussions as this
is internal looking not earth shattering which the policy stuff is.
Followed by separate sessions with chapter leaders and at regional
meetings both online and in person where possible.


> 3. ISOC is suggesting to the chapters to engage in negotiations on a
> draft Letter of Affiliation, which was already seriously criticized by
> many on and off the list. *Not good. *

We need to understand the real issues here. There needs to be some form of
agreement between the Society as an entity and its parts as to what it
means to be affiliated. This is what that Letter is to do. We can evolve
it, massage it, and even transform it, but in essence it needs to be a
bottom line statement of what it means to be affiliated. If it doesn't
then we can easily have groups claiming to be supporting our ideals for an
open, affordable, accessible, ubiquitous Internet that REALLY AREN'T and
NEVER will be.

The criticisms of the first drafts have been taken on board.

> 4. ISOC is running some projects, of which the chapters are not being
> informed, that include following the ITU. We have learned that funding
> for these projects does not come (only) from ISOC's funds. *Not good.*

Feel free to fully inform me about this off list. I am happy to follow up.

> 5. ISOC is hiring and allocating more people to follow the ITU
> developments, who report back to chapters. *Good.*

Yes, see point 1. WSIS is coming!

> 6. The chapters continue to feel isolated from the decision-making at
> ISOC, even when these decisions concern chapters and chapter members
> (just one example - INET-2012). *Not good.*

INET 2012 is a great looking conference and the staff are working their
backsides off to make this as successful as possible. It is coming
together more slowly than we'd hoped, and chapters are being engaged.
There is a whole day for chapters. Yes, there could be more. Yes, it could
be better.

Yes, it will be fantastic.

Again, too - please tell me of other issues. I got back last week from a
two day Board meeting and it was, as usual, open to members. We also had
meetings before and after with chapters - including a fantastic high level
policy round table with people across the region (with regulators, policy
makers, regional reps, the UN) which the chapter folk were PIVOTAL in
making happen.

These meetings reinforce to me how priveliged I am whenever I engage with
other Chapter Leaders. I am so impressed with their talent, their
contacts, their dedication, their achievements... and generally they do it
in several human languages and run businesses and chapters besides!

ISOC wants the input and collaboration of these people - the reason ISOC
is such a success is because it manages to successfully use (indeed
leverage!) the strengths of its membership: chapters, organisations AND
individuals!

> 7. ISOC is representing the technical community within the IGF/ITU
> context. *Good*.
> 8. ISOC does not represent civil society - for an independent observer
> it is an organization, which is heavily influence by its organizational
> members (companies), not by individual members or chapters. *Good and
> not so good*.

I'm not convinced I agree it is true that the organisations have a 'heavy'
influence. From where I sit, looking across both the organisational and
chapter forums, there are strengths and weaknesses in both.

As far as representing civil society goes: I agree ISOC shouldn't and
can't be the only voice in this area and we do have a responsibility to be
strong in the technical arena, and to be a trusted, well informed,
independent voice.

> This point needs clarification - it's good that ISOC does not represent
> civil society - there are many, who claim that, but ISOC is unique as
> the home of the IETF. But it is not good that ISOC would not encourage
> and empower its chapters to participate at the IGF/ITU meetings, as they
> are indeed the ones, representing the civil society in their respected
> countries.

Yup, I think we agree. [Though I can't see where ISOC has discouraged
people from participating in IGF meetings? My chapter is probably doing
the opposite.]

> ISOC's policies towards the chapter have not improved dramatically, as
> the expectations were last year at this time. *Not good.*

Please write to me off list on more specific terms - I see tireless
Regional Bureau people and Chapter Liaison folk who are outstanding. And
more.

Yes, we can improve. Please help us do this.

> ISOC need to start treating the chapters as equal partners, who are
> contributing to ISOC more than they are getting from it. ISOC could
> coordinate with chapters its messages, policies and positions, so that
> it is not caught in a situation like this morning. And while we dealt
> with this one nicely, with many people writing what they know of Paul,
> in the coming months such disruption of normal communication may cause
> much bigger issues, than just an exchange of emails within the chapters'
> list.
> The issues that we are going to deal with in the coming two years are
> too serious to not pay attention to details like relations with a
> substantial part of ISOC, the chapters.

I'm hoping you will be pleasantly surprised by the aspects of the bylaws
that are overdue for a change...

and I trust you will see that chapter representation in that discussion
has been solid!


> I'd like to urge ISOC's leadership to not simply /address /the issue,
> but require *an immediate - and positive! - change in the attitude from
> ISOC HQ towards the chapters*.

I hope you accept from this message (and it is coming at 8pm my time after
a 12hr day in the office, from which I hope to head home from soon!) that
this member of the ISOC leadership strongly has ALL the membership at
heart.

I am sure I can speak on behalf of the entire Board (and I'll have to
apologise for doing it without asking) when I say that we, and the ISOC
staff, as a whole value the ISOC membership from all its sources.

WE WANT YOUR INPUT!!! WE CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT PULLING TOGETHER!!!

[sorry for shouting]

I am *so* looking forward to INET so we can have this conversation together.


> This is going to be good for the chapters, good for ISOC, and good for
> the Internet.
> We are facing a crucial time on the international arena, and it is wise
> to stay focused on the main topic, rather than waste time on fixing
> relationship, which should have been fixed long time ago.

YES!!!!

> It is still
> not too late, but if ISOC continues to behave with the superiority
> complex towards the chapters, it is not difficult to envision more issues.
> If there is an argument between ISOC and the chapters, the latter have
> nothing to lose, but ISOC's legitimacy and confidence might suffer at
> time, when they are needed more than before.
>
> We are looking forward to seeing the next positive steps from ISOC, and
> a response to all the good suggestions that came in the last weeks by
> many people on this list of how to move forward.
>
> Best,
> Veni

Truly Veni - it is happening. None of us have a magic wand. Steps are
slower when everyone joins the group.

All the very best, and thank you Veni for keeping us honest!


Narelle


-- 


Narelle Clark
member ISOC Board of Trustees
(elected by chapters)

President
Internet Society of Australia
president at isoc-au.org.au
www.isoc-au.org.au