[Chapter-delegates] Final Call for Input on the Chapter Charter Agreement (Deadline: 15 September)

Mon Sep 28 12:18:04 PDT 2026

Dear colleagues,

I would like to briefly summarize the main concerns that have emerged around the review of the Chapter Charter Agreement.

The first concern relates to the process followed. Before discussing a new agreement, it would be important to have a clear and documented explanation of why the current agreement needs to be amended: what has worked, what has not, which specific problems have been identified, whether those problems arise from the agreement itself or from its implementation, and which body formally determined that a revision was necessary.

There are also concerns regarding the transparency and traceability of the consultation.

Several chapters have asked how contributions are being recorded, whether comments submitted by chapters can be seen by others, and how it will be possible to know which observations were accepted, rejected, or incorporated into the next version of the text. A consultation may collect many responses, but meaningful participation also requires visibility into how those responses actually influence the final outcome.

The second concern relates to what a reform of the agreement may imply in practice. Chapters are independent organizations operating under very different legal, institutional, economic, and cultural frameworks. A requirement that may appear reasonable in one jurisdiction may create significant legal or administrative consequences in another.

Issues such as residency requirements, term limits, governance structures, reporting obligations, definitions of “good standing,” chapter autonomy, or alignment with Internet Society positions may require changes to local bylaws, legal registrations, or internal governance arrangements. In some countries, these changes require legal advice, formal approval procedures, additional administrative work, and significant costs.

For this reason, the concern is not opposition to updating the agreement. The point is to ensure that any reform is evidence-based, proportionate, and sufficiently flexible to respect the diversity and legal autonomy of chapters.

These concerns are not limited to our chapter. Representatives from Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Israel have raised similar points, including differences between national legal and cultural environments, the cost and complexity of changing bylaws, the need for greater transparency regarding submitted comments, and the importance of avoiding a single governance model for all chapters.

The discussion during the 22 September ChAC meeting appears to acknowledge several of these concerns, particularly around residency, term limits, governance flexibility, chapter independence, administrative burden, and the need to avoid unnecessary bylaw changes. This is positive.

However, one fundamental question still deserves a clear answer: what documented assessment of the current Chapter Charter Agreement led to the conclusion that it should be revised?

Clarifying this point, together with establishing transparent traceability between chapter feedback and the second iteration of the agreement, would significantly strengthen the legitimacy and usefulness of the process.

Finally, there also appears to be insufficient follow-up to the discussion itself. Questions are raised, but in several cases the responses remain ambiguous or are perceived as largely predetermined, without fully addressing the concerns expressed. This is precisely where the quality of the consultation matters.

A consultation should not simply demonstrate that a discussion took place. It should provide a genuine opportunity for concerns to be considered, answered clearly, and reflected in the outcome. Otherwise, there is a risk that the process is perceived as consultation in form, but not in substance.

So far, one of the few clear arguments we have seen for revisiting the agreement is that it is eight years old. Age alone, however, does not necessarily justify reform. Chapters also need institutional stability, and changes of this importance should be supported by a clear rationale, evidence, transparency, and a demonstrated need.

Kind regards,

Carlos Vera

Isoc Ecuador

> El sept 28, 2026, a la(s) 02:40, Borka via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> escribió:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> We agree with the most of the comments, especially with the views from Caelos Vera. The chapters differ very much  due to the different enviroment were they work, the status of independent organization and the economic and institutional environment.
> 
> Some analyisi scould be beneficial for the initiative to re-design and re-adopt the "new"agreement.
> 
> With Regards,
> 
> Borka Jerman, ISOC Slovenia
> 
> 
> Carlos Vera via Chapter-delegates je 16. 09. 2026 ob 19:48 napisal:
>> I see a serious lack of transparency here.. this process through private email and no public discussion does not sound transparent to me.
>> 
>> I wrote to support and also to flavio and copy here:
>> 
>> Sorry if I miss some previous discussion on prior Justification for Reviewing the Chapter Charter Agreement
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Dear Flávio,
>>> 
>>> Thank you for your message and for the invitation to participate in the consultation on the proposed update to the Chapter Charter Agreement.
>>> 
>>> Before analyzing the content of the draft, I believe it is necessary to address a preliminary question: what is the justification for amending the existing agreement?
>>> 
>>> According to the information shared, the Steering Committee and Internet Society staff have been working on a proposal linked to the principles of the Chapter DNA. However, it is not clear whether the current agreement was previously evaluated, whether its positive and negative outcomes were documented, or whether the full ChAC determined that there were sufficient grounds to initiate its amendment.
>>> 
>>> The fact that the agreement has been in place for several years, or that general principles regarding health, resilience, and impact have been defined, does not in itself demonstrate that the current instrument should be changed. Before discussing a new text, it would be important to understand which aspects of the existing agreement have worked, which have not, what specific problems the proposed changes seek to address, and whether those problems actually arise from the agreement or from its implementation, evaluation mechanisms, resource availability, or institutional support for chapters.
>>> 
>>> I also consider it essential that any preliminary analysis recognize that chapters are independent organizations operating under very different legal frameworks, legal structures, economic realities, social conditions, and cultural contexts. A global framework that does not adequately consider this diversity could result in uniform standards that distort local realities, complicate the work of chapters, or create administrative obligations incompatible with their capacities and circumstances.
>>> 
>>> Therefore, I propose that the discussion first focus on determining whether there is an objective and shared justification for amending the agreement. If an evaluation has already been conducted or a formal decision has been adopted, I would appreciate it if the relevant documents could be shared, including the body that made that decision and the grounds considered.
>>> 
>>> If such an evaluation does not yet exist, I believe it should be conducted before chapters are asked to validate or comment on a new contractual text. Only on the basis of a well-founded assessment and a genuine understanding of the diversity of chapters will we be able to determine whether the agreement should be amended and, if necessary, how to do so in a proportionate manner that respects their autonomy.
>>> 
>>> Kind regards,
>>> 
>>> Carlos Vera
>>> 
>> 
>>> El sept 16, 2026, a la(s) 12:39, Hank Nussbacher via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> escribió:
>>> 
>>> On 16/09/2026 18:00, Veni Markovski via Chapter-delegates wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> I submitted 3 submissions back on Aug 5 as I assume many other ChAC reps have done.
>>> What I have not seen is an archive of submissions and the status of comments/changes requested.
>>> Can someone point me to where that might be?
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> Hank Nussbacher
>>> ISOC-IL
>>> 
>>>> We almost missed that.
>>>> Among the proposed changes, there are texts that have been proposed in the pasts, and have failed in one time or another.
>>>> Furthermore, the proposed "draft feedback" is limited to preliminary populated answers, which do not necessarily cover all situations. Even more  they tend to propose that the chapters have no choice, but to accept the proposed changes.
>>>> We don't believe that some of the changes are needed. ISOC tends to bring to the chapter different requirements every few years, and we change by-laws (where applicable), register the new by-laws in court, etc. (all this costs money!).
>>>> All proposed changes are made to follow a US-based NGO space, where they make sense, but they do not take into account the cross-cultural differences.
>>>> 
>>>> The fact that such changes have slipped through the cracks of our (ISOC-Bulgaria) attention is something that we would be addressing at our next Board meeting, but we see potential problems in implementing some of these requirements, if they are obligatory for each chapter.
>>>> 
>>>> best,
>>>> v/
>>>> 
>>>>> On Tue, Sep 8, 2026 at 11:46 AM Christine Saegesser Baethge <chapter-support at isoc.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Please find below an important reminder from Flávio Wagner. Your
>>>>>    chapter’s input is critical! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏
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>>>>>     ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏
>>>>>     ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏
>>>>>     ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏
>>>>>     ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏     
>>>>>                                    
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>>>>>    View in browser
>>>>>    <https://email.internetsociety.org/e3t/Ctc/I7+113/d2kRm904/VX7xVf3y0gCKW4ZLvdz1sGwNmW7-75Mp5TJpvqN3JhCGH5nR3bW7Y9pgv6lZ3msW48Z5FJ5g7T1HW5lYXVn5XPKyrW2NjjVM5HQ45sVQv42S2SFm_7N2m05DDwfvrxW81gNXx5mC6hlW5mXLTw3BMh83W17DSj_6_JCkRW5pTxtf2gG5MdW8M-x_p3DtjBLW5GKzm57TTRjmN65CsFgYcJLXW2K_sSk21-qkxN5j969QjnKqtW310BT58pR6Z0W38LrMd2W0zpMW5w7DQ34HmcdsW32Xjmx5pRbpZW909-VT2XSNnGW2lN7RW8th2djW73msVs1ybnjzW7QmWPY69zMZWN8JKJPLwrNc9W5VwH_W8vccX_W6X000Z3QL86DW5MNrW86vpg7FV659RS1RtF2fW1ZRSNQ91YdpDW4S476P3lCkYHW5GVvn45PYKyKW30GV6v2vxsMTN7-RLxSCYdRdVgH4JG9gGjV4W6rgXKR9br-TFW2Ppvkn3mZKHJW5GJr4v3lw2KrW4Mjv762pZ3wzVNSgGt8slK8JW25KW6s9bFPR4Vn-76d275hyDN1Pb3nj3Rv0PW2jX9R54g-s_0f7PjF4C04>
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Internet Society logo
>>>>> 
>>>>>    /Please find below an important reminder from Flávio Wagner.
>>>>>    Your chapter’s input is critical!/
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Dear Veni,
>>>>> 
>>>>>    We’re working with chapter leaders and Internet Society staff to
>>>>>    update the Chapter Charter Agreement, the document that defines
>>>>>    our shared relationship, expectations, and commitment to an
>>>>>    Internet that is for everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Take Action:
>>>>>    Your chapter's perspective is important. This is your opportunity
>>>>>    to help shape how chapters and the Internet Society work together
>>>>>    to build a stronger, more resilient, and more impactful global
>>>>>    community.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Please coordinate with your Chapters' Advisory Council (ChAC)
>>>>>    representative and submit one consolidated response for your
>>>>>    chapter by 15 September. Thank you to those chapters who have
>>>>>    already submitted feedback.
>>>>> 
>>>>>      * Review the two-page summary of the proposed changes
>>>>>        <https://email.internetsociety.org/e3t/Ctc/I7+113/d2kRm904/VX7xVf3y0gCKW4ZLvdz1sGwNmW7-75Mp5TJpvqN3JhCG-3qgz0W8wLKSR6lZ3nkN5n9kQZBQ-MYV3c1D54FDLF-W42pJxG1TF4vPW1kPxvp6yjn9hMbSRqlfjLqlW1-CfmT3bv_4sV8THSh5RwdBGM8yZVZvMSH5W7vlwR88PbcgmW9bHSHN26YfddW2GRbW_3Lf9TmV2KrJh3Vpj1bW91Hcpb6MkdPPV6TNzy2L990rW73Cg472dBwk0N6SWJrL2bxSQW96Dkt58kPgpWVQhxBB3gnfwvW2343By14PbYsW7WQLkQ2qfFY7VBPd9w7DSdMrN3VGhldK-yGYW7GLjjF2w7BDkW8H5Px03-Nx25W2v8LzG3MstyJW8x6wqT85wDY5W98vRqH1lsCK3W1trk5Y502Dxjf6wcqGg04>.
>>>>>      * Submit the Feedback Form
>>>>>        <https://email.internetsociety.org/e3t/Ctc/I7+113/d2kRm904/VX7xVf3y0gCKW4ZLvdz1sGwNmW7-75Mp5TJpvqN3JhCHg3qgz0W95jsWP6lZ3m6W73MGL72xLysFW45H_0r6pcTKLW78bbzf3MTXBtW4n-2ZT34bt3QVWCcHR4zVBLbW6C3LKP4Xd2l6W4Hzgj-8r-nB3W4zqCrL4Tf8zXVw-WYy7DcsvBN8P9cbLkP42HW4YwHWm88nrQvW337JN-6kpgfPW4BYnV-264Bf1W8VDqz24Bsv5ZW5tKrv340TPMyN6gmRDdTLGpmW1x226T82l82bW7b9-hh6cBFRfVCCky04Cj6NPW7mNFlj1-n768N3KC_pd4_SpYW8Qsp8H1Rk0zgW5F0ddL4TJly2Vwn3nS8dHybCW7xZc-f7T0BggW76DFB01vq45JW3XJYD95rqK2FW3TF7gc7NhYWPW5rQTCn81SCWPW4B1bYc4W0nf9f4xTPgn04>by
>>>>>        15 September to validate the proposal, identify local legal or
>>>>>        operational considerations, or share specific comments.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Please note that feedback must be submitted through the official
>>>>>    form so it can be included in the next iteration.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Thank you for helping shape the future of our chapter community.
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Regards,
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Flávio Wagner
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Chair, Chapters' Advisory Council Steering Committee
>>>>> 
>>>>>    /PS: This final reminder to provide feedback has been sent to all
>>>>>    chapter chairs in addition to the ChAC representatives, who are
>>>>>    aware of the extended deadline of 15 September. We’d like to hear
>>>>>    from all chapters to ensure broad and global input. /
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>    /As a Chapter Leader, you are automatically added to the Internet
>>>>>    Society’s Chapter Leaders Community Group and the Chapter
>>>>>    Delegates e-list. Based on ISOC’s legitimate interests to
>>>>>    communicate with its chapter leaders, you will remain subscribed
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>>>>>    automatically when your term ends./
>>>>> 
>>>>>    Internet Society
>>>>> 
>>>>>    1551 Emancipation Hwy #1506, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-4683,
>>>>>    United States
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> _______________________________________________
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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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> _______________________________________________
> As a Chapter Leader, you are automatically added to the Internet Societys 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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