[n_america] Re: Comment - NA Caucus Structure

[Elizabeth Carll, PhD]

Although I am new to this process, having been involved in a variety of
organizations, the points made by Amali appear to be reasonable.  It would
be difficult to change the format at this point in view of the tight
timeline.  However, all organizations should have input.  If there is
interest among a number of organizations to change the format, this could be
looked at in the interim work for WSIS 2005.

I look forward to participating in the NA Caucus.

Elizabeth Carll, PhD
Focal Point
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Tel: 631-754-2424
Fax: 631-754-5032
ecarll at optonline.net

-----Original Message-----
From: n_america-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:n_america-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of Amali De Silva
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 4:01 AM
To: dbronson at ichrdd.ca
Cc: n_america at wsis-cs.org
Subject: [n_america] Re: Comment - NA Caucus Structure


My concern is that a too loose a format means that the orgainzations that
are knowledgeable about the overall process and have personal ties /
communications have "power" over those who are not privy to such
opportunities. This is important in the case of smaller organizations
located in remote areas for instance. Thus a structure although a bit formal
may be easier to follow.

When working in very unstructured environments - a major concern is that
those who shout the loudest get their way and others are forgotten, and some
orgainzations new to the process feel uncomfortable / are unsure of the
process of communication.

How do you propose we reach consensus ? - open to ideas that we can
implement

Sure TU will have one vote - it will be quite difficult to keep track of the
membership profiles of orgainzations and allocate voting weightings. When we
vote in a democratic process our vote is not income determined for instance.
One vote even if a person earns $5 or $500000 !

We can leave it as an open discussion where we revert to the more formal
structure if discussions get out of hand.

NA caucus is primarily  for the discussion of issues that are important to
organizations servicing persons in NA. These organizations can be carrying
out similar activites in other countries. However, at WSIS persons residing
in NA have a right to be represented as well, although the focus is on the
developing countries.

It would be wonderful if we were to find solutions in NA that could be also
then be shared with the South - that would be true knowledge transfer. Also
there may be innovative solutions in the South that may be used in the North
and we should be open to that as well. In NA we are locally also fighting
issues such as child poverty, issues relating to the disabled etc

Will look in to a mechanism to inform all about who is participating on the
list.

Comments from others welcome, thanks !

Amali

dbronson at ichrdd.ca wrote:

Hello

I find the proposal for a voting structure a bit formalistic and not quite
appropriate for something this late in the game.     Would that mean for
example that a trade union, representing thousands of people or more, would
have one vote, as would a lone researcher or one-person NGO ?     It strikes
me that it would be better to work by consensus.     It seems that this
stucture is best suited to processes where other regions are meeting and
providing input.     In my case, we are headquatered in North America
(Montreal) but our mandate is to work for the benefit of developing
countries.

I am not trying to make the process more complicated, quite the contrary.
It strikes me that this grouping is more procedural than substantive and
there might well be many internal conflicts in 'advocating civil society
issues"

I appreciate the efforts to organize a North American caucus and think we
should keep the structure loose and informal.  If for instance we accept
only accredited organizations, then Human Rights in China would remain
excluded....   Would it be possible to circulate a list of people who are
subscribed to this list ?

Those are my thoughts,    Let's loosen up so its workable.


Diana Bronson
Rights and Democracy/Droits et DC)mocratie
www.ichrdd.ca



Amali De Silva <amalidesilva at yahoo.com>
Sent by: n_america-admin at wsis-cs.org
27-11-2003 07:56 PM Ton_america at wsis-cs.org
cc
Subject[n_america] FYI IMPORTANT - NA Caucus Structure










IMPORTANT - PLEASE DOWNLOAD ATTACHMENT

North American Caucus


Members


Full and voting members - Representatives of accredited organizations at
WSIS


Observers b Representative of organizations head quartered or carrying on
their primary activities in the North American region and interested
individuals. Observers have been admitted to the caucus so to provide
additional or specialized insight and experience. Observers can make
contributions to the list but do not vote.


Mission & Guiding Principles


To facilitate discussion amongst organizations head-quartered in the North
American region which are of interest to them
To highlight issues of particular interest to the North American region
Provide a structure through which organizations can provide input to the
Content and Themes group
To act as a source for media
To advocate Civil Society issues
To act as a source of information and to provide analysis to the content and
themes group, caucuses, private sector and government on North American
region issues
To enable a transparent, accountable and democratic processes through which
member organizations can participate at WSIS
To provide position papers / briefings / press releases reflecting the North
American region position as needed
The caucus will make a commitment to promoting on-line transparency in
general and support the activities of the virtual plenary



Voting


When there is a need to vote on a particular issue, each accredited member
organization ( not representative ) of the caucus will have one vote. A
simple majority of one is required for the motion / issue to be carried. If
organizations do not respond to the list at the time of voting it will be
perceived as an abstention. A reasonable time line will be set by which time
all votes have to be cast.





Structure of the North American Caucus


< B>North American Civil Society Caucus Representatives at WSIS:


Robert Guerra ( Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, USA /
Canada)

Amali De Silva-Mitchell ( Vancouver Community Network, Canada)


North American Caucus Administration & Drafting Team ( reports to the above)

1. Robert Guerra

2. Amali De Silva-Mitchell

3. Michael Gurstein

4. Andy Carvin

5. Open

6. Open

Thematic Leaders - Open  ( reports to Caucus administration team )

Special Representatives - Open ( reports to Caucus administration team )

Please refer to the att achment as well - thank you !





Amali De Silva-Mitchell MSc.

Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com









> ATTACHMENT part 2 application/octet-stream name=North American Caucus
Mission, Principles & Structure.doc




Amali De Silva-Mitchell MSc.
Tel: 604-736-9012 & Email: amalidesilva at yahoo.com