[IRP] IRP chair

Benedek, Wolfgang wolfgang.benedek@uni-graz.at wolfgang.benedek
Wed May 11 20:02:17 EEST 2011


Dear Lisa,

I am sorry to hear that you plan to step down as the Chair of the Dynamic Coalition on IRP, which during your time has developed excellently. For the same reason I believe that I will be difficult for any successor to maintain the high level of activities and visibility. 

Anyhow, it is also fair to pass on the responsibility and every change is also a new chance for developing the coalition further. 

With regard to the overall strategy and orientation, this might be a good moment to reflect on the future. In my view the coalition is presently one of the best examples of how a dynamic coalition should function, but it could maybe try to attract more active participants from business, international organisations and states to emphasize the multi-stakeholder approach. It also could join forces on specific issues with other dynamic coalitions.

With regard to the concern for a document on rights and principles the challenge is to further develop the Charter in consultations with as many stakeholders as possible strengthening its substance and recognition. 

I hope that you will find an adequate successor and would like to use the opportunity to thank you for the excellent work you have done for the coalition. I also think that Dixie would be a good interim chair.

With best regards,

Wolfgang Benedek



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org [mailto:irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org] Im Auftrag von Lisa Horner
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 11. Mai 2011 11:14
An: irp at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org
Betreff: [IRP] IRP chair

Hi all

As you'll have seen, I sent a note to our steering committee yesterday, saying that I would be stepping down as chair of the coalition in the near future.  I wanted to run it past them first, mainly as it could potentially involve a change in our established procedures for elections (see http://internetrightsandprinciples.org/node/9).

I've very much enjoyed chairing the coalition - we've done some great and important work together, and it's been a huge pleasure to work with everyone.  However, I've decided to step down as chair for a number of reasons (although I'd still like to participate in the coalition).

IRP steering committee elections are due at the next IGF according to our
internal procedures, as this will be our 2nd IGF with the current committee and chair. However, I thought it might makes sense to have a new chair (and committee) in place before then so that they can prepare
properly for the IGF...so our energy there is focused on making impact
rather than on internal procedure.

I'm also  finding that I don't have as much time at the moment to dedicate
to driving the coalition forward as is needed and deserved.  I feel that
we're at quite a critical juncture in the development of the coalition, with
awareness and membership raised by the punchy principles, and solid work
being produced through the charter process.  I think we need someone to push
the coalition forwards at this important time so that we can really build on
what we've achieved so far.  It'll of course also be good to have someone
with renewed energy and fresh ideas at the helm.

However, there seemed to be a feeling in the steering committee that we shouldn't have elections at the moment as that would divert energy and attention away from the work we need to do with the principles and charter in the run up to the IGF.  The suggestion was made by a few members of the committee that Dixie Hawtin takes over as an interim chair until the IGF, after which we can elect a new committee and chair.

What do you think?  Would you like Dixie to step up as interim chair until the IGF?  That would give us enough time to prepare for new elections, and keep us focused on issues and impact rather than procedure. We could have the elections immediately after the IGF, so as not to disturb our work at the IGF itself, and hopefully also get some new people on board.

If we do decide on this option, we may want to revisit the rules of procedure to check that we're happy with them (e.g. including the procedure of the elected steering committee electing its own chair).

Please share your thoughts on this.

All the best,
Lisa





_______________________________________________
IRP mailing list
IRP at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org
http://lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org/listinfo.cgi/irp-internetrightsandprinciples.org



More information about the IRP mailing list