Executive Director's Report - 14 March 2008
Executive Director's Report to Council meeting - 14 March 2008.
Summary of Recommendations:
Standard Reporting Items
1. That the Executive Director’s report be received.
2. That the new members be approved.
3.
That the financial and activity reports by
project be received.
Items for
Decision
4. That Council set the date for the 2008 Annual General Meeting as being [Friday
25 July / Friday 1 August].
Items for
Information
5. That Council note the recent international appointments and nomination.
PAPERS
For Decision
Financial Reserves Policy
6. That the Council Financial Reserves Policy
2008/09 as set out in the paper be adopted.
7. That Council review the Financial Reserves Policy and adopt a revised Policy for the 2009/10 financial year no later
than 15 March 2009.
Communications plan
8. That the Communications Plan for 2008/09 be received and adopted.
Membership: definition and recruitment
9. That
the “Membership: definition and recruitment” paper be received.
10. That
the Executive Director should operate favouring
the “Guardianship” / “Activist” (delete one) model of membership.
If the “Activist” model is chosen:
11. That
the Shared Services Unit create a
non-financial incentive programme for Councillors and the Executive Director
(available to staff) to stimulate a modest annual membership increase in the
order of 10-30%.
Membership services
12. That
the “Membership services” paper be received.
13. That
all policy related activities of member services (as described in the paper)
remain the responsibility of the Executive Director’s office.
14. That
all administrative activities of member services (as described in the paper)
become the responsibility of the Shared Services Unit.
15. That
in developing future services for members, Council include consideration of the
most effective business unit for the location of such services.
Members’ Consultations
16. That
the feedback from the 2008 Members’ Consultations be noted, and the ED be tasked with following up the points noted,
with a report to the next Council meeting on the steps taken.
17. That
Council recommend to members the
change of name for the Society to “Internet New Zealand
(Inc)” for voting as part of the AGM voting process.
18. That
Council note the need to develop the
2009 Members’ Consultations in good time.
For Information
Policy Advisory Group/s
19. That
the model for a Policy Advisory Group be noted.
20. That
the remaining “For Information” papers be received
and noted.
Standard Reporting Items
Financial Results
Included in the Council papers
are the financial reports for the months ended 31 December 2007 and 31 January
2008. The December reports include the quarterly cash flow statement.
Looking at InternetNZ’s
performance (disregarding the DNC operation), our net deficit for December was
$156,747, and in January was $145,567, bringing the year to date actual deficit
for the 10 months to 31 January to $869,574, which was $152,842 below the
budgeted deficit of $1,022,416 for the period. It would appear likely that
InternetNZ will complete the financial year with a deficit slightly less than
anticipated in the budget.
December Variances:
Income -
Sundry Revenue: Verisign had paid more than they were invoiced for their
sponsorship of the Wellington ICANN meeting. We have been holding the
difference in the balance sheet in case Verisign wished to correct the payment,
but as two years have elapsed since receiving this amount, I believe we should
remove it from the balance sheet.
Income - Interest:
Following on from our overall tidying up on our accounting processes, we are
now in a position to report actual and accrued interest on a monthly basis.
December includes a reconciled interest earned and accrued for the 9 months of
the financial year.
Expenditure
- Sponsorship: this line was significantly below budget for December, as
the budget had anticipated half payment of the Cyberlaw Fellow sponsorship
($42,500) in December, but no invoice was received from VUW. This will self
correct prior to 31 March.
January Variances:
There were no variances during January that
would have any significant impact on the year’s financial performance.
Project Expenses for
10 months to 31 January 2008
|
Actual |
Budget |
||
|
|
|
||
|
22 Public Policy Projects |
|
|
|
|
|
2201 AntiSpam |
3,002.43 |
12,500.00 |
|
|
2202 Internet Code of Practice |
88.06 |
16,666.68 |
|
|
2203 Parliamentary Internet Caucus |
1,096.81 |
8,300.00 |
|
|
2204 Telecommunications Reform |
70,600.46 |
120,833.30 |
|
|
2205 Internet Regulatory Issues |
10,412.27 |
20,000.00 |
|
|
2206 Research - Parl Subs |
69,172.74 |
16,700.00 |
|
|
2208 Digital Copyright |
1,184.36 |
8,300.00 |
|
|
2209 Overseas Speakers |
|
10,400.00 |
|
|
2210 Internet Governance |
15,000.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
|
2211 Cyberlaw Fellowship |
43,754.28 |
85,000.00 |
|
|
2212 Internet Patents |
3,893.00 |
4,166.70 |
|
|
2213 Internet History |
50,527.93 |
25,000.00 |
|
|
2302 Digital Comm/Regional Net |
16,337.71 |
7,500.00 |
|
Total 22 Public Policy Projects |
285,070.05 |
350,366.68 |
|
|
23 Related Organisations |
|
|
|
|
|
2301 Netsafe Sponsorship |
100,000.00 |
100,000.00 |
|
|
2303 PIP Sponsorship |
20,636.15 |
10,500.00 |
|
Total 23 Related Organisations |
120,636.15 |
110,500.00 |
|
|
24 Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
2100 Public Policy Committee |
6,236.32 |
8,300.00 |
|
|
2207 ENUM Meetings |
|
3,850.00 |
|
Total 24 Meetings |
6,236.32 |
12,150.00 |
|
|
411,942.52 |
473,016.68 |
||
|
32 Technical Policy Projects |
|
|
|
|
|
3209 OOXML |
3,600.00 |
|
|
|
3206 IPV6 |
13,726.22 |
10,000.00 |
|
|
3202 Certification Authority |
|
5,000.00 |
|
|
3203 NZCERT Scoping |
8,477.96 |
5,000.00 |
|
|
3204 Broadband Measurement |
2,311.20 |
33,300.00 |
|
|
3205 Peering / Data Exchanging |
36,289.43 |
25,000.00 |
|
|
3207 Tech Capability Devt Fund |
28,500.00 |
33,300.00 |
|
Total 32 Technical Policy Projects |
92,904.81 |
111,600.00 |
|
|
33 Related Organisations |
|
|
|
|
|
3301 APNIC Membership |
|
6,500.00 |
|
|
3302 ISOC Membership |
5,166.38 |
9,000.00 |
|
|
3303 NZNOG Sponsorship |
13,928.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
|
3305 APTLD |
11,056.00 |
|
|
|
3310 WIP Sponsorship |
25,000.00 |
25,000.00 |
|
Total 33 Related Organisations |
55,150.38 |
50,500.00 |
|
|
34 Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
3401 Technical Policy Committee |
464.64 |
8,300.00 |
|
Total 34 Meetings |
464.64 |
8,300.00 |
|
|
3 Technical Policy - Other |
69.76 |
|
|
|
148,589.59 |
170,400.00 |
||
|
|
|
||
|
41 Internal |
44,948.60 |
76,076.40 |
|
|
42 Council / Governance |
195,948.90 |
171,490.00 |
|
|
43 Members |
33,499.27 |
33,900.00 |
|
|
44 Special Projects |
|
|
|
|
|
4401 Special Projects Fund |
11,722.22 |
70,833.40 |
|
|
4402 Structural Review |
22,923.38 |
16,700.00 |
|
|
4403 Internet Foundation |
|
10,000.00 |
|
Total 44 Special Projects |
34,645.60 |
97,533.40 |
|
|
309,042.37 |
378,999.80 |
||
|
829,147.17 |
1,050,656.48 |
||
Project Summaries - to 31 January 2008
This table outlines the current projects for which more information is provided in the individual (and separately bound) project reports.
|
Activity / Workstream |
2007/08 Budget |
Lead Staffer |
Status |
|
|
Access Grid |
Yes |
|
SR |
InternetNZ will be creating an Access Grid for its own and rented use on the 10th floor, demonstrating capabilities and potential for the technology through its use. To ensure appropriate choices in technologies (hardware and software) a steering group is to be set up to provide guidance and direction for the activities.
|
|
Broadband Measurement |
Yes |
40,000 |
CG |
InternetNZ continues to seek a useful broadband measurement tool for New Zealand. In November 2007 ComCom contracted Epitiro as their provider for broadband measurement. In January InternetNZ met with MediaLab to discuss broadband network testing. |
|
Copyright Amendment Bill |
Unchanged |
10,000 |
JC |
This has helped fund our response to the Government’s Copyright (New Technologies and Performers’ Rights) Amendment Bill, currently proceeding through Parliament. The Bill has currently been reported back from Select Committee improved but with some key problems around format shifting and ISP liability / Notice-Notice v Notice-Takedown provisions. With the delays getting through the second reading we continue to lobby.
|
|
Cyberlaw Fellowship |
Yes |
85,000 |
JC |
The Cyberlaw Fellowship is a Research Fellow at the VUW Law School, part funded by InternetNZ. In January the appointments committee met to appoint 2008 Fellow and the Cyberlaw management committee met to consider topics to propose for the 2008 Fellow. We will perform a review of the first 2 years of this project in May / June 2008 (Rick Shera and Simon Riley) with a view to developing a project plan for after the conclusion of this 3 year project.
|
|
ENUM |
Yes |
5,000 |
KD |
Work with the TCF on ENUM for New Zealand is currently suspended until 30 November 2008, due to workload on TCF members and InternetNZ staff and volunteers in the telecommunications area being overwhelming.
|
|
General Communications |
Yes |
35,000 |
RW |
Progressive improvements have been made to the websites. We attended NZNOG and distributed membership brochures, the browser and annual reports to interested parties.
|
|
Honeypot |
Yes |
20,000 new budget |
KD |
Victoria University project to undertake an environmental scan of the .nz domain name space to detect malicious web content using client honeypot technology created by them. In January progressed application from Vic Uni with DNC for .nz zone file application. |
|
Industry Best Practice programme |
Yes |
Part of 40,000 |
CG |
This is an initiative to facilitate the creation of Best Practice documents for how the Internet works in New Zealand. It was presented at NZNOG.
|
|
International Speakers |
Unchanged |
12,500 |
SF |
Various informal discussions indicated the opportunity to make use of appropriate speakers when in the pacific. Guests are to be invited to New Zealand with events fitted around their visits. |
|
Internet Code of Practice |
Yes |
20,000 |
CG |
The idea of a self-regulatory code for ISPs, to spread and sustain best practice in their operations, has been around for some time. InternetNZ is currently working with ISPANZ, Telecom and TelstraClear to identify how the Code can best be implemented in tandem, or without conflicting, with the Customer Complaints Code the TCF has implemented. Met with Telecom to discuss.
|
|
Internet in NZ History |
Yes |
10,000 + 15,000 |
SF |
InternetNZ commissioned Keith Newman to write a History of the Internet in New Zealand. The manuscript is complete, and is described by those who have seen it as highly credible, readable, accurate and well thought out. The book has been laid out and printing negotiated.
|
|
Internet Patents |
Unchanged |
5,000 |
JC |
InternetNZ pays Baldwins, an IP law firm, to keep an eye open for any patents which may affect Internet users. A website (www.ipwatch.org.nz) allows interested parties to subscribe and ensure that they are not caught unawares by any patents. InternetNZ’s role is simply to pay the bill each month. |
|
Internet Regulatory Issues |
Unchanged |
25,000 |
JC |
This is a budget line that allows for legal advice or conference attendance on regulatory issues in the telecoms or Internet policy area. In previous years it has been spent on Commerce Commission proceedings. If regulators or government issue discussion papers or policies to which InternetNZ needs to respond, this provides some funds if required to help develop that response.
|
|
IPv6 |
Yes |
30,000 |
SF |
This initiative is to see the New Zealand conversion to IPv6 within the industry, including telco’s, ISP’s, corporates, and home users. Work streams continue to flow from this project; in August InternetNZ and KAREN hosted an IPv6 technical workshop. Plans are being formulated to hold an IPv6 hui and workshop around the time of APNIC August 08 in Christchurch. The prime audience for the hui would be CIOs and CTOs to increase awareness of issues with the IPv4 space running out and to take into account IPv6 in network upgrades. Richard Wood filed a report from the Aussie IPv6 Summit in 2007. |
|
Membership Plan |
Yes |
30,000 |
SF |
InternetNZ has identified low membership numbers as an issue, primarily relating to the credibility of the organisation. A membership plan continues to develop in combination with the general communications plan. Events are used to promote membership by offering free entry to members. In January members consultations were held in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington and membership was promoted at the NZNOG event.
|
|
Netsafe Strategic Partnership |
Yes |
100,000 |
JC/KD |
InternetNZ is a key sponsor of NetSafe, the Internet Safety Group. Netsafe does leading work in cybersafety education in New Zealand schools, and is funded mainly by the Ministry of Education by contract. The Strategic Partners – InternetNZ and Westpac – allow the organisation to develop its capacity and work beyond those areas directly funded by MOE. In return we co-brand with Netsafe activities, and are able to attend their key events with some comp tickets. Jordan attends the monthly meetings for members in Auckland, and Keith manages the relationship with Netsafe ED Martin Cocker.
|
|
NZCERT |
Yes |
5,000 |
CG |
Scoping and investigating the setting up of a NZCERT, to provide computer incident prevention, response and mitigation strategies for members, a national alerting service and an incident reporting scheme. An NZCERT-tf mailing list has been set up.
|
|
NZNOG |
Yes |
10,000 |
SF |
InternetNZ supports NZNOG by sponsoring the annual conference $10,000 (Platinum Sponsor). This includes administering an NZNOG bank account, hosting NZNOG server and mailing lists. This was held in January.
|
|
OOXML |
Yes |
20,000 |
CG |
This project aims to develop and represent a New Zealand position on OOXML, the format used by the latest Microsoft Office suite to save documents. Council approved $20,000 for funding an InternetNZ contractor to work on the ongoing issues with StandardsNZ on this issue. Colin Jackson has been representing InternetNZ interests and is an observer on Government OOXML processes. |
|
Pacific Internet Partnership |
Yes |
25,000 |
KD |
InternetNZ funds with UNESCO New Zealand and the UNDP, the Pacific Internet Partnership. Discussions were held in January with UNDP and UNESCO on future of the partnership.
|
|
Parliamentary Internet Caucus |
Yes |
10,000 |
RW (JC) |
This multiparty, non-partisan grouping of MPs is supported by InternetNZ. Its role is to give MPs a forum where they can learn about Internet related issues in a relaxed and non-judgemental atmosphere, to help educate them and ensure that in their work they do not by accident make unworkable law or policy. The first two substantive meetings dealt with Internet broadcasting and cybersafety. The third meeting was on Internet Governance. The future format of PIC events is being considered in order to encourage higher attendance.
|
|
Peering |
Yes |
25,000 |
RW |
An external group headed by Dr Murray Milner was established to analyse stakeholder views and seek an understanding of, and to suggest industry solutions for, peering issues. This group has produced a draft report, which has been presented to Council and went to public consultation. Feedback was received from TelstraClear and and Vodafone and is anticipated from ISPANZ and TCF
|
|
Research – Submissions |
Yes |
20,000 |
JC |
Provides for any commissioned policy research or legal drafting required for submissions on legislation before Parliament. It is largely reactive, responding to agendas set by government.
|
|
Scoping for Certification Authority |
Yes |
5,000 |
CG |
This is about scoping the creation of an NZ-based Certification Authority. Received a second draft from contractor Liverton incorporating feedback from the State Services Commission and provided Liverton with InternetNZ’s technical feedback on the draft.
|
|
Telco Reform |
Yes |
80,000 |
JC (RW) |
This is a broad work area comprising our interactions with government, other stakeholders and the Commerce Commission on a range of issues including:
In January InternetNZ has lodged a submission on the revised Operational Separation plan and the ministerial amendment to the Operational Separation determination. We have also been developing a campaign plan for FTTH for consideration by the Public Policy Committee.
|
|
Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) Review |
Unchanged |
|
JC |
InternetNZ submitted on the Government’s discussion paper regarding the TSO. The key issue is how to ensure broadband for all and the relevance or not of the TSO in this respect.
|
|
World Internet Project |
Yes |
25,000 |
SF |
The World Internet Project is an international research project that aims to track the trends of the Internet over a number of years assessing its impact around the world by each country surveying both users and non-users of the Internet. Waiting final survey results. |
Staffing Report
Staff performance reviews will be
completed by 31 March 2008. Interim cost of living increases were applied to
wages at the common review date in November, but further adjustments will be
required, and will be finalised and back-dated during March, taking into
account the recommendations from the Starfish report and the performance reviews.
We are trialling internal
reporting of hours consumed on projects for all staff, with the view to
commence allocated costs of staffing and contractors remuneration to the individual
projects from 1 April 2008.
InternetNZ will hold its annual
staff retreat in Auckland
from Friday 28 March through to Sunday 30 March. The office will effectively
closed on Friday 29th but we will be available by cellphone on the
day.
Membership Report at
6 March 2008
Now December
Fellows: 14 14
Individual: 79 77
Professional Individual: 49 46
Small Organisation: 34 34
Large Organisation: 7 7
Total membership: 183 178
Rec 2: THAT the new members be approved.
Item for Decision
AGM 2008
Under our constitution we are
supposed to convene our AGM by 31 July in each year. We have traditionally held
our AGM on the last Friday evening in July. This year, the final Friday is 25th
July, which could present some problems in finalizing our annual accounts and
distributing them to members within the time requirements. While ultra vires
our constitution, Council might consider Friday 1 August as the date of the
AGM.
Could Council consider either
Friday 25 July or Friday 1 August as a suitable AGM date?
Rec 3: THAT Council set the
date for the 2008 Annual General Meeting as being [Friday 25 July / Friday
1 August].
Items for Information
Structural Review
A wide range of work is under way
for the implementation of the Structural Review. The President is the reporting
line for the Change Manager who is working with staff across the Group as well
as with Council to develop the Shared Services Unit. Jordan and I will be
working with Pete and other Councillors in the coming weeks to pick up /
support the development of a number of the other strands of work including the
development of the EDOB, the financial operations of the new structure, and the
development of the Digital Opportunities Trust.
The Structural Review and its
implementation is a critically important task, and the model that has been
developed over the past eighteen months shows real promise in securing and
improving InternetNZ’s performance across the group. My staff and I are
committed to working with Council to implement it successfully and efficiently.
I anticipate that following this
meeting, the majority of the remaining steps to implement the new structure
should be able to be completed or ready for signoff in time for the June
Council meeting.
International Issues
The APTLD members meeting and AGM
was held in Taipei,
in conjunction with APRICOT, and as a result I was able to also attend the APIA
AGM and part of the APNIC AGM. My more detailed report is appended, but major
items for InternetNZ include:
· Sam Sargeant was elected co-chair of the DNS-SIG of APNIC.
·
Keith Davidson was elected deputy chair of APTLD’s
Board.
Following on from Council list
discussions in recent days, InternetNZ has nominated Peter Dengate Thrush for
the ccNSO position on the ICANN board.
Some recent travel reports are
attached as “For Information” papers. Further reports will be forthcoming to
the next meeting (on recent travel for which reports are not yet complete, and
all travel after 7 March).
Rec 4: THAT Council notes
the recent international appointments and nomination.
Keith Davidson
Executive Director
