The Board of Directors for the Internet Society of Puerto Rico (ISOCPR) is quite an impressive list of names. Navigating the website was, however, not very user friendly. If you visit the site you'll be able to find the background, mission, and objectives. Yet, like most "organization"-type sites, the content is a very standard template of flowing multiple syllabic big words, and weak on specific objectives.
My intention is not to launch a full critique of the ISOCPR website. I just found it relevant to mention that the Internet Society is not demonstrating a user friendly website that enhances navigation & communication, in my opinion. This is not uncommon. These types of societies are typically run by busy professionals with limited time & often enthusiastic individuals with lots of time, yet limited capabilities. Note: I am not referring to ISOCPR specifically. I am referring to any under funded organization.
What I would like to do is pose some questions directly to the board that may help to shed some light on what they do, how successful they have been so far, and why individuals and businesses should consider becoming a member.
I will be emailing all members of the board listed on the website, providing them with the link to this question set, and inviting them to post follow-up comments or send an email to me directly from which I can post the responses.
In communicating this way, a response from the ISOCPR board, will show that they are actively using the Internet themselves for communication and "collaboration" as listed in their objectives.
Questions:
- Why should a business or individual become a member of ISOCPR? What do you provide in exchange for membership fees?
- Do you feel that you have been successful in your listed mission & objectives? How do you measure your success?
- Do you have any more specifically defined objectives for 2009, that are less generic, and more measurable?
- What is the break down on individuals versus businesses who are active members?
- How many members of ISOCPR or members of the public typically attend your events? I.e. are you reaching a large audience successfully?
- Do you have any case studies or success stories on members or Puerto Rican individuals or companies that have been positively impacted by participation in a ISOCPR event?
- What resources do you need to better equip your organization to achieve its goals?
- How do you feel about the Puerto Rico gubernatorial candidates in particular to their use and commitment to use the Internet not only for their campaigns but as an tool to be used within the government? Did any candidate, disregarding your voting or party preference or other aspects of their platform, stand out to you regarding their Internet savviness and/or plans to make it a more fundamental part of government processes?
- Do you receive any government funding, or funding outside of membership fees?
- Do you maintain any paid staff or compensate any members of the board of directors for their participation?
I thank you for taking the time to review these questions and provide responses for the benefit of my Puerto Rican Internet readers, current and future.
An invitation is being sent via email to the following ISOCPR board members: Archer Lebrón (TranXcend), Ing. Eduardo Díaz (D Systems Consulting Group), Ana T. Ramos (Oriental Group), Ernesto Cruz (Humane Society of Puerto Rico), Eugenio J. Torres-Oyola, Esq. (Ferraiouli, Torres, Marchand, & Rovira), Stefan Antonmattei (Ubinet.com), Willi Miranda Marín (Caguas Mayor), Naji Knoury (Centennial of Puerto Rico), Martín Castillo (Hewlett-Packard de Puerto Rico), Margarita LLoveras (Punto de Contacto), Ada García (TranXcend), Alba Rosa Leal Martín (El Nuevo Día), Luis Rodríguez Báez (Estudios Técnicos), Ricardo Rivera (Sony Puerto Rico), Ernesto Gonzalez (GTA Marketing).
Readers: Normally we might expect executive level citizens to avoid commenting within the blogosphere. In this particular case, doing so would be completely counter intuitive to their stated mission. So we are in a very fortunate situation to get direct feedback from this very highly credentialed board. And this goes to show that the Internet really is an effective communication device when you reach out. Hopefully we can all find a way to promote Internet use to improve our lives and the lives of others in Puerto Rico and in the world.
The Insider
