[Chapter-delegates] Application to start an Internet Society Chapter: Canada Ontario
Joel Templeman
joel.templeman at internetsocietymanitoba.ca
Wed Jun 18 14:17:49 PDT 2025
Full support from the ISOC Manitoba Chapter (Canada) - not just because we won’t be the 'new kid’ in Canada after this, but because we believe that each province and territory needs and can support its own chapter. Canada is a vast and diverse country with varied geographies, challenges, and needs. We need all the help we can get.
Best wishes Ontario,
Joel Templeman, CD, MPA, MEd
Executive Director
Internet Society Manitoba Chapter
431-999-3953
joel.templeman at internetsocietymanitoba.ca
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On Jun 18, 2025, at 3:29 PM, Charles Mok (gmail) via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
Great to hear about this! It will be a great addition to ISOC for the North America community!!
Charles
On Wed, Jun 18, 2025 at 8:26 AM Kyle Shulman via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org<mailto:chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>> wrote:
Dear Chapter Leaders,
We recently received the application below to start an Internet Society Chapter in Canada Ontario. I kindly invite you to review it and share your comments by 1 July 2025.
If you know active Internet Society members in Ontario who are interested in joining this initiative, please let me know via shulman at isoc.org<mailto:shulman at isoc.org> . I will happily connect them to the volunteers who submitted this application.
Your comments and input will help us make a final decision on this application and move to the next steps.
Thank you very much in advance for your feedback.
Kind regards,
Kyle Shulman
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
Internet Society
shulman at isoc.org<mailto:shulman at isoc.org>
_______________________
Internet Society Ontario Chapter
A. Proposed name of the Chapter
Internet Society Ontario Chapter
B. Community of Interest the Chapter will serve
The primary community of interest is the Province of Ontario, In the 2021 census<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Canadian_Census>, Ontario had a population of 14,223,942 living in 5,491,201 of its 5,929,250 total dwellings, a 5.8 percent change from its 2016 population of 13,448,494. With a land area of 892,411.76 km2 (344,562.11 sq mi), it had a population density of 15.9/km2 (41.3/sq mi) in 2021.[2]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario#cite_note-StatCan2021-2> This large and diverse population, spread across a significant geographical area with key urban centres, presents both a substantial opportunity and a clear need for an Internet Society chapter dedicated to promoting digital literacy, accessibility, and informed Internet governance across the province. The largest population centres<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_population_centres_in_Ontario> in Ontario are Toronto<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto>, Ottawa<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa>, Hamilton<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Ontario>, Kitchener<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener,_Ontario>, London<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario> and Oshawa<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshawa>, which all have more than 300,000 inhabitants.
The Chapter welcomes participation from individuals across Ontario and Canada who share an interest in Internet governance, policy, technology, and development, particularly those operating primarily in English.
C. Purpose and scope of Chapter
The purpose of the Internet Society Ontario Chapter is to advance the mission of the Internet Society within the Province of Ontario by:
* Promoting an Open, Globally-Connected, Secure, and Trustworthy Internet: Serving as a local platform for discussion, education, and advocacy on critical Internet issues.
* Building Capacity: Educating students, professionals, policymakers, and the public on Internet governance, digital rights, online safety, accessibility, and emerging technologies.
* Fostering Community: Creating a multi-stakeholder forum for collaboration among academia, the technical community, civil society, the private sector, and government entities within the province's vibrant ecosystem.
* Supporting ISOC's Vision: Contributing to global Internet policy discourse and advocating for principles that ensure the Internet is for everyone.
* Addressing Local Needs: Focusing on issues relevant to Ontario residents, such as digital inclusion across Ontario's diverse urban and rural landscape, the intersection of technology and civic life, and supporting the region's large tech and innovation sector.
In particular, the Ontario provincial capital is Toronto, and it's one of the leading North American tech hubs (over 285,000 tech workers, major R&D presence), home to numerous world-class universities and colleges, and its position as Ontario's provincial capital makes it a critical location for an ISOC chapter. In addition to the regional hubs in Waterloo and Ottawa, these cities have a substantial population of potential ISOC membership. The Chapter will leverage these concentrated strengths and the diverse digital landscape across the entire province to build a dynamic community engaged in shaping the future of the Internet for all Ontarians and contributing to global Internet discourse. We are committed to ensuring our activities reflect the diversity of Ontario and promote inclusivity in all aspects of our work.
D. Outline of key priorities for the first year of Chapter
The inaugural year will focus on establishing a strong operational foundation, building an engaged membership base, and initiating impactful activities.
* Governance & Operations (Q1-Q2):
* Finalize and adopt the Chapter Bylaws.
* Formally incorporate as a non-profit entity in Ontario.
* Establish financial infrastructure (bank account, basic accounting).
* Elect the first official Chapter Board/Officers as per the bylaws.
* Develop internal processes using tools like Trello for project management.
* KPI: Achieve non-profit incorporation within 6 months.
* KPI: Hold first official Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election within 12 months.
* Membership Growth & Engagement (Ongoing):
* Launch membership recruitment drive targeting academic institutions, tech companies, NGOs, and interested individuals.
* Develop and launch the Chapter website (WordPress) and social media presence (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter).
* Implement the communication plan (see Section G), including a regular member newsletter.
* KPI: Recruit a minimum of 100 registered members by the end of Year 1.
* KPI: Achieve an average open rate of 25% for the member newsletter.
* KPI: Establish active Chapter presence on at least two relevant social media platforms.
* Partnerships & Outreach (Ongoing):
* Formalize collaborations with initial partners (IEEE Toronto, NASIG, VSIG, ARIN, CIRA, NARALO/NPOC).
* Identify and engage with potential new partners in the academic, tech, and civil society sectors within Ontario.
* Develop a sponsorship package and initiate fundraising efforts.
* KPI: Secure formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or collaboration agreements with at least 3 key partners within Year 1.
* KPI: Secure initial funding/sponsorship from at least 5 corporate or institutional sponsors by the end of Year 1.
* Education & Events (Q3-Q4 onwards):
* Co-organize and host the North American School of Internet Governance (NASIG) Toronto event (in collaboration with NASIG).
* Host introductory webinars/events focused on ISOC's mission and key Internet governance topics.
* Plan and deliver at least one event specifically focused on digital inclusion or accessibility within Ontario.
* KPI: Successfully deliver the NASIG Toronto event (or agreed equivalent first major event).
* KPI: Engage at least 200-300 individuals from across Ontario through [e.g., 3-4] educational webinars or public forums on key Internet governance issues.
* Diversity and Inclusivity (Ongoing):
* Actively promote membership and participation from underrepresented groups within Ontario's tech and policy communities.
* Ensure events and communications are accessible.
* Strive for gender balance and diverse representation in leadership and event speakers.
* Engage students and youth through targeted outreach and potential student membership rates.
* KPI: Develop and publish a Chapter Diversity & Inclusion Statement within 6 months.
* Initiate at least one outreach activity or event in Year 1 specifically designed to engage an underrepresented group identified through our D&I planning.
E. Founding members of the Chapter
A minimum of 25 Internet Society members is required. The following individuals are confirmed founding members committed to establishing the Chapter:
Name
Waqar Ahmad
Mohibul Mahmud
Joan Kerr
Glenn McKnight
Jason Dasti
Daniel Migault
David Cameron
Robert T Bell
Allan Aspina
Muhammad Shammaas Baig
Zulqar Nayen
Bibi Rookayya Gulmahamed
Adrian Schmidt
Mildred Weiss
Marita Moll
Arafat Al Hossain
MD Saiful Amin
Kim Therrien
Fariha Rahman
Monamee Afroze Ishika
Fred Fernbach
Caleb Ogundele,
Momotaz Mahin Khan
Abdul Ala Muhammud
Md Mokarram Hossain
F. List of supporters and partner organizations
We are actively engaging with potential partners and have secured initial commitments. We aim for a multi-stakeholder approach. Letters of support will be included in Appendix C.
* Virtual School of Internet Governance (VSIG): Educational partner. Letter of Support secured (see Appendix C). Collaboration on educational content, a potential source for speakers and student members. Contact: Alfredo Calderon, Dean of Academic Affairs) ATTACHED
* North American School of Internet Governance (NASIG): Educational partner. Letter of Support requested. Planned collaboration to host the NASIG Toronto event. Contact: Eduardo Diaz, Chair) ATTACHED
* North American Regional At-Large Organization (NARALO) & Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) (ICANN): Multi-stakeholder partner. Letter of Support requested. Collaboration on policy discussions, potential discretionary funding support, cross-promotion for membership. (Contact: Adrian Schmidt, Secretariat ATTACHED
* IEEE Toronto Section: Professional affiliation. Letter of Support requested. Potential for cross-promotion of events and membership, access to the technical community. Contact: Dustin Durwell, Chair: Pending
* American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN): Regional Internet Registry (RIR). Letter of Support requested. Promotion of ARIN Fellowships/Memberships, potential collaboration on events, exploring Community Grant opportunities. Contact: Amanda Gaudin, ARIN Outreach, Pending
G. Membership Communication, Engagement, and Interaction
We propose a multi-channel strategy to engage members and the broader community:
* Website (WordPress): Serve as the central information hub with news, event listings, resources, membership information, and blog posts. Will adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG). The domain name www.isocontario.org<http://www.isocontario.org/> has been identified as available and is planned for registration upon chapter approval.
* Email Newsletter: Monthly updates sent to members covering chapter activities, relevant ISOC news, upcoming events, and Internet governance highlights.
* Podcast: Foster spirited discussion of relevant and current Internet issues with industry leaders and civil society members
* Social Media (LinkedIn Group, potentially Twitter/Facebook): Foster discussion, promote events, share relevant news, and engage with the wider Ontario tech/policy community.
* Online Events: Regular webinars, virtual panels, and Q&A sessions on relevant topics, allowing broad participation. Recorded sessions made available where possible.
* In-Person Events: Periodic meetups, workshops, and networking events across Ontario (with initial events potentially in accessible hubs like the GTA), including the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
* Collaboration Platforms: Utilize tools like Google Workspace, Discord or Slack for internal committee work and potentially member discussions.
* Membership Management: Use tools like Google Forms or a dedicated membership platform for applications and database management.
* Feedback Mechanisms: Regularly solicit member feedback through surveys and during events.
Recruitment Strategy: Outreach via partners, promotion at relevant industry/academic events, targeted social media campaigns, direct outreach to key organizations and universities in Ontario, and leveraging the professional networks of founding members to build initial momentum.
Retention Strategy: Provide valuable content, facilitate networking opportunities, offer meaningful ways to participate (volunteering, speaking), recognize member contributions, and conduct periodic member surveys to gauge satisfaction and identify evolving interests.
H. List of requirements
We have researched the requirements for operating a non-profit organization in Ontario, Canada:
* Incorporation: We intend to incorporate as a non-profit organization under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA). This involves filing Articles of Incorporation with the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (Estimated Fee: ~$155).
* Annual Filings:
* Ontario: Annual return filing with the Ministry.
* Federal (CRA): Annual T2 Corporation Income Tax Return and potentially T1044 Non-Profit Organization Information Return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). We anticipate needing accounting services for tax preparation (Estimated cost: ~$500+/year).
* Regulatory Compliance: We will ensure compliance with all relevant provincial and federal regulations for non-profits, including governance practices outlined in ONCA and financial reporting standards.
We have reviewed these requirements via the official Ontario government websites and resources for non-profits.
I. Additional information
The founding team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in technology, policy, education, and business, deeply committed to the Internet Society's mission. The establishment of the ISOC Ontario Chapter fills a significant gap, providing a much-needed platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and capacity building across Ontario, one of North America's most dynamic and diverse digital landscapes. We are confident in our ability to build a vibrant and sustainable chapter that contributes positively to the local community and the global Internet Society network.
J. Contact Information
* Name: Mr. Waqar Ahmad
* Affiliations: IEEE Member, NARALO Unaffiliated Member, VSIG Urdu Translation Lead
* Postal Address:
* Phone Number:
* Email Address:
_______________________________________________
As a Chapter Leader, you are automatically added to the Internet Society’s Chapter Leaders Community Group and the Chapter Delegates e-list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society Chapter Portal (AMS): https://community.internetsociety.org<https://community.internetsociety.org/>.
The Internet Society has a legitimate interest to communicate with its chapter leaders, you will therefore remain subscribed for the duration of your term and will be unsubscribed automatically when your term ends.
Please note that the archive of this list is publicly accessible and may be viewed by anyone. By submitting information to this list and contributing to the communications, you acknowledge that the contents will be publicly visible.
View the Internet Society Code of Conduct: https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
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As a Chapter Leader, you are automatically added to the Internet Society’s Chapter Leaders Community Group and the Chapter Delegates e-list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society Chapter Portal (AMS): https://community.internetsociety.org.
The Internet Society has a legitimate interest to communicate with its chapter leaders, you will therefore remain subscribed for the duration of your term and will be unsubscribed automatically when your term ends.
Please note that the archive of this list is publicly accessible and may be viewed by anyone. By submitting information to this list and contributing to the communications, you acknowledge that the contents will be publicly visible.
View the Internet Society Code of Conduct: https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/
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Unsubscribe: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9b6ef0621638436ab0a9b23cb0668b0b?The%20list%20to%20be%20unsubscribed%20from=Chapter-delegates
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