When I saw the list of names that had put themselves forward for election
to the administration of ISOCNZ while it was being formed -- I predicted
in this column that it would become a platform for lime-lighters and the self-interested.
Unfortunately my predictions came true in pretty quick time, but now it
appears that grumblings of discontent from the members have reached a fever
pitch and moves are afoot to correct the problem.
ISOCNZ, The Internet Society Of New Zealand, has been embroiled in controversy
almost from the day it was conceived, and it would appear that a new episode
in this ongoing saga of incompetence and limelighting is about
to unfold.
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In the wake of what can only be described as the totally disastrous roll-out
of a new registry system by Domainz, a growing number of concerned Net users
and industry players are calling for major changes to the composition of
the Society, and this week's AGM looks set to be the virtual "high noon"
when matters will come to a head.
One of the leading "movers and shakers" associated with the call for change
is David Farrar, a former ISOCNZ councilor who resigned earlier this year --
perhaps having discovered, like others before him, that the democratic process
within ISOCNZ had gone well and truly off the rails.
"I have viewed with growing alarm the bad reputation DOMAINZ and by
association ISOCNZ has had within the Internet community of ISPs,
businesses and users. Much of the criticism has been justified in my
opinion. Many others have shared this alarm and we have been encouraging
people to join ISOCNZ so that their voices can be heard at the AGM on 23
June." said Farrar on Sunday.
"A number of concerned people from a diverse range of industry and
other backgrounds share a belief that the AGM needs to set a
new direction for ISOCNZ and DOMAINZ, one that introduces a Shared
Registration System into the *.nz name space and one that has ISOCNZ
and DOMAINZ working more co-operatively with the Internet community."
"A number of motions have been tabled for the AGM which will help
achieve this."
"We also are encouraging people who share some or all of these concerns to
stand for election to ISOCNZ's Council."
A number of well known individuals have put themselves up for election to
the ISOCNZ council and have created
4 a website
explaining their raison d'etre and objectives.
Farrar invites anyone who shares the concerns and visions outlined on the
isocnz.org website to also put their name forward for election to the ISOCNZ
council.
While some might see this as an attempt to hijack control of ISOCNZ, the more
enlightened amongst is will likely see this move for what it is -- an essential
effort to restore a proper democratic process and recover the society from a
tiny group of individuals who have proven that they have a total lack of
respect for the rights and opinions of members.
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
