Minutes of Executive Committee - 17 February 2007

Present: Colin Jackson (President), David Farrar (Vice President), Chris Streatfield (Secretary), Michael Wallmannsberger (Treasurer), Simon Riley.

In Attendance: Keith Davidson (Executive Director), Jordan Carter (Research and Policy Officer).

The President opened the meeting 9.40 am.

1. Minutes of Exec Ctte meeting 18 November 2006

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.

2. Matters arising
None. 

3. Council agenda

Keith spoke to the draft Agenda as circulated to Executive Committee. The Committee discussed this, additional items, and other matters relating to the meeting. It agreed a few revisions of the Agenda, which included among them the following.

New items:

• Fee Setting
• Remuneration Panel to be established
• Report on Copyright Amendment Bill workshops and issues
  

AP:      Invitation for John Truesdale of National Library to be formally sent to Graham Coe. To fit on the Council agenda in March.

AP:      Executive Director to prepare papers on Remunerations Review and Appointments Panel for Council consideration at March meeting.

Keith also updated the Committee at this point on work on peering, in response to a query about whether the item should be on the Council agenda. Work is under way, and a report could come to Council with a draft position probably by the June council meeting latest.

This moved into a discussion about the budget implications.

4. Members Consultations

Many issues were previously discussed.  The meetings provide a two and a half hour window for this discussion. The main items are:

• Strategic Plan
• Business Plan / Budget
• Structural Review
• Telco Reform
• Copyright Bill
  

DPF suggests a one-page major summary of big changes from the previous budget. Jordan pointed out that the only large change is Netsafe, and that this year’s presentation is at a higher level.

A couple of other items were discussed.

5. Structural Review
Keith asked for guidance on the timetable – DPF replied that we need to wait until post the members consultations to work out how to proceed next.

Chris reported on his meeting with Vaughn yesterday. The presentation from WCL is updated, and explains the current structure too.

AP: Chris Streatfield to talk with Frank March regarding consultation of the Fellows.

The meeting broke for Morning Tea at 10.47am, and resumed at 11.03am.

6. Siblings

a) 2020 Trust

Keith briefed the Committee on the new arrangements. InternetNZ is sponsoring the value of the accommodation to the Trust – around NZD 8,000 per year. There was a brief discussion on the use of the 10^th floor.

Simon Riley, as a Trustee, notes he was not involved in any of these discussions. Discussions continue. An official note to go to Council about this.

DPF noted that there is a prospective rent increase on the way for the building. It is possible to consider naming rights for the Building if they become available. View is that it would be a negotiating point, and external branding is a requirement.

b) TUANZ

Keith reported on the negotiations regarding joint representation on policy committees. Correspondence is under way. In terms of sharing staff, the suggestion is that the senior staffers look at this and confine the current discussions to governance level arrangements of sharing representation.

Keith reported on other discussions with TUANZ. Council should be briefed on the situation as it stands today.

c) ICT NZ

Keith reported that they are close to launching, membership questions still to be settled for a few possible organisations.  Government does need a consolidated view, but does not require a one stop shop as a matter of policy.  Keith also discussed with the Committee options with respect to joint membership.

d) NZ Computer Society

Keith noted the re-emergence of this as an issue. We offered a TCDF sum to achieve technical scholarships. They have now done so, one year late but completed. There are people selected and prizes to be given. Note that this was not in the forecast to year end, but there is plenty in the Fund to cover it. Each scholarship will be worth around $2,500.

e) NZNOG/IPv6

The popularity of the session was reasonable, and good feedback was received. NZNOG-InternetNZ relationships are warmer than for years. There is a good awareness of the Society’s role and people are constructively engaged. The participation this year was a success, including some new members being signed up.

Keith also noted the prospects of IPv6 training, and how it could be mingled with the proposed IPv6 Hui. Chris noted it would be good to be able to be involved with the IPv6 training if it occurs.

Simon noted material on this done through NGI NZ has Creative Commons licencing. It may be useful. REANZ ought to have the material. So a course has already been developed, and has already been paid for.

f) TCF

Keith noted that with respect to the Customer Complaints Code, Susan Wells may usefully come to explain this. The code and our own ICOP do need to interact. DPF noted that the Minister will take action if the industry does not get its act together. The proposed CCC would be an alternate to the disputes tribunal/small claims tribunal.

View to ask Consumers Institute and ISPANZ what they think on the question of the draft. Feedback to be circulated to the Executive Committee.

There was a question regarding the Access Grid proposal for the 10^th floor. To be discussed under General Business.

Finally on REANZ – there is the possibility of joining KAREN. We can VPN over our existing connection. KD to sit down with technical Councillors to determine the costs etc.

7. APTLD Board / Secretariat

Keith reported that he has been elected to the Board of APTLD, but is also the APTLD Secretariat Director. This creates an obvious issue of possible conflict. A range of issues were discussed.

Noted that APTLD is getting a new Chair from the AGM in February.

8. Draft Communications / Membership Plan

Keith noted that this has been circulated, and outlined the background to the creation of the document.

Simon was pleased with the document, apart from the omission about outreach and networking opportunities. He also noted that there is quite a lot of work already going on, it has just not been pulled together.

DPF – note resource requirements. InternetNZ blog not mentioned in the plan. There needs to be some thought about the use of the blog which is only being used by Colin at the moment. Ernie is blogging much more successfully than InternetNZ has been doing. It does require some staff resource.

9. Media Relationships

Keith introduced the issue, which was discussed in camera.

10. Website Roadmap

Keith reported that a roadmap is on the way. Next steps: some minor improvements, Zope and Plone being upgraded to see what the impact is on the site. Nick Wallingford is doing some work on this by contract.

Simon advocated for a clear roadmap to be developed as the first step to be taken. KD replied that he will do that after documenting current practice, and upgrading the software.

Colin noted his thanks for quick changes to the website in the Copyright arena made by Susi, and asked that this be recorded.

11. General Business

Throne Speech – Simon noted the Speech had two items: first, the government’s ICT Summit, and the need to develop a position on what it should be, and second, the fibre items.

Simon thinks on the summit, ICT NZ should be the lead organisation to liaise with government on how to do it. Needs to cover procurement. Support a joint industry meeting cycle along the lines of the ICANN meeting cycle.

KD suggested driving a paper together on this.

On fibre, the PMs speech mentioning this means there is the chance of a taskforce. We need to follow up on this.

Access Grid – Simon noted that there is some agreement to go ahead with this for a few nodes, and approaching NZT&E for support. EDANZ applying. If not to go ahead, will need to make a decision regarding how to go ahead.

Accounting education for Council – Keith knows who could do this (contractor on new GL) but now avail on 16 March. Can go ahead on 16 June, which was seen as a good idea. He can give Acct101, and a once-only look at the new GL. Michael Wallmannsberger as Treasurer needs input into this at an early stage (especially the GL).

Reporting – this could be raised as a future discussion for Executive Committee.

AP:      To note this as a new matter arising for the next meeting.

12. Staffing Requirements – held in camera

13. Membership – discussion continues
 

The President closed the meeting at 1.45pm.

Signed as a true and correct record:

 
………………………………………………………

Colin Jackson, President, CHAIR