Chair's Report to Council 15/09/01

Since the last Council meeting the committees and working groups seem to have settled into their stride and into their workload, by and large. My compliments to the chairs of all these groups, for keeping a focus on moving forward, in most instances quite solidly. With some resignations from the SRSIOC, there is a need for some additional appointments to this most important group. I am sure I don't have to spell out the importance of this committee's work and need for progress to anyone.

It appears that we are not escaping the re-litigation process, perhaps that is a price we pay for openness and transparency. The TOC, despite initial acceptance by Council, has been put on hold. Perhaps as the SRSIOC makes further progress, the need for the TOC will become more apparent. Also, despite some considerable discussion prior to the e-vote on having a voluntary Council "Interests Register", the apparent view of the majority has taken an about turn.

The logo design competition has concluded, with the winning design compiled by Tracy Woollett, a graphic designer with Dashwoods in Auckland. It was a pleasure to chair the judging panel, and be involved with a broadly consultative, bottom-up process. The judging of the final 12 entries selected by the members was a lively and animated event, with consensus eventually prevailing. I have been most impressed with Rob Grindlay of Fruitful Communications, for his contribution to the process and to the judging. On behalf of Council I extend thanks to all entrants, and to the judges. Grateful thanks to 2Day Internet for their generosity in sponsoring the $2,000 prize. And also congratulations to the winner, Tracy Woollett.

I move "that the winning entry be endorsed by Council as the official logo of the Society".

I trust we will now be able to go forward with rebranding using our new name and new logo.

Asides from the logo competition, other issues involving my input since the last Council meeting have included:

• Ongoing negotiations for the internetnz.org.nz domain name

• Media interviews:
  - Tom Pullar-Strecker, Infotech (POB/AB case, DRS review, Rebranding, ING)
  - Adam Gifford, NZ Herald (POB/AB case, SRS progress)
  - Chris Barton, NZ Herald (MSIE browser tracking & cache)
  - Radio NZ (CA Bill, POB/AB case, Internet2, ING)
  - TVNZ (POB/AB case)
  - Consumer on-line (ING)

• Admin committee meeting (Interrupted by the outcome of the POB/AB case).

• Domainz 100k name celebration.

• ICANN Montevideo meetings via RealPlayer/IRC.

There have been occasions when the media have contacted me for comments on issues that other Councillors have made comment on. Unfortunately I have not had access to what those Councillors have said, leaving me in the embarrassing situation of second guessing their views. We have a policy that only the Chair and CEO will act as spokespersons for the Society. While I am not in favour of enforcing this policy, and would like the Chairs of various committees and working groups to continue dialogue with the media, I would ask that firstly a clearance of the general gist of the responses be gained from our CEO, and secondly, that both the CEO and I are informed immediately by email or phone of the comments provided, so that we are also in an informed position to comment.

It was pleasing to receive a message of appreciation from Rex Croft regarding his status of an InternetNZ Fellowship. His e-mail is appended to this report.

The ThinkQuest organisers have circulated a discussion document indicating an intention to remove all prizes from this competition (US$2,000,000 in prizes last year). The Society, along (perhaps) with 20/20 Trust, will write offering our disappointment at this stance, as the competition was gaining momentum within NZ.

I am hopeful that myself, our CEO, and Councillor Shera will be able to arrange a meeting with Minister Paul Swain to discuss a number of our policies relating to the Crimes Amendment Bill, the CDMA, and other proposed legislative changes that have implications for Internet users.

It appears that the ISP forum is well into its planning stages, for the last Thursday and Friday in November, followed by a Council meeting in Auckland on the Saturday. I trust that Auckland based Councillors will be spreading the word for an enthusiastic attendance by members in the North.

My apologies for the lateness of this report. While other reports have been filed in good time allowing all Councillors ample review time, the Chair appears to be recalcitrant in this regard.

Keith Davidson
13 September 2001

From: "Croft, Rex (DEH)" < Croft.Rex@saugov.sa.gov.au >
To: " 'exe.dir@isocnz.org.nz' "
Subject: Fellow of the Internet Society of NZ
Date sent: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 15:45:28 +0930

Hello Sue.

Thank you, and ISOCNZ, for awarding me a Fellowship in ISOCNZ. It was completely unexpected, but appreciated.

I always enjoyed my DNS work and tried to support our clients to the best of my abilities.

Regards,

Rex Croft
Middleware Officer
Corporate IT
Corporate Stragey and Business Services Division
Department for Environment and Heritage
Government of South Australia

© 2001 The Internet Society of New Zealand
Last updated 13 September 2001