The ISOC Kenya chapter meeting held on 16th June 2012 deliberated on the issue of membership as captured in the minutes posted here by Liz on 18th June. The meeting tasked me (Tom Oketch) and Grace Bomu to take lead of the team to chat rules of membership taking into consideration the various functions.

Our running By-Laws provide for membership as below - highlighted in yellow:

Please study the provisions and help me answer this question: Considering the various functions that some of the members undertake, the spatial differentiation of membership and availability and contribution of members, - are you satisfied by what is provided on membership in our by-laws, is there any provision/s you would want added or removed, do you support the Kshs. 500 membership fee across the board as adopted in the last meeting, do you agree that all members are equal but some are more equal than others?

We request other members able to join me and Grace in the membership committee to put forward their names, and let's all please join in the debate to help us come up with an agreeable premise across the board.

Membership

3. (1) All members of a chapter shall also be members of the Internet Society. Membership is not necessary, however, for participation in activities of the society or its chapters. All individuals and organizations falling within the defined scope of the chapter shall be eligible for membership without discrimination.

(2) Membership to the Chapter shall be open to corporate bodies and organizations promoting the growth and development of the Internet in Kenya

(3) Members shall pay to the Chapter an annual subscription fee as may be determined by the Chapter at a General Meeting from time to time.

Rights

4. A member shall have the following rights:

a) to exercise the right to vote on all matters relating to the affairs of the Chapter;

b) to be eligible to any elective or appointive office of the Chapter;

c) to participate in meetings of the Chapter; and

d) to examine all the records or books of the Chapter during business hours.

Duties

5. A member shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

a) to comply with the By-laws and regulations that may be promulgated by the Chapter from time to time;

b) to attend meetings of the Chapter;

c) to pay membership dues and other assessments of the Chapter; and

d) to uphold ideals of the Chapter at all times

Cessation of Membership

6. Membership may cease in the following cases:

a) A member may withdraw their membership by a notice in writing to the membership Committee through its Secretary.

b) A member in arrears for fees or assessments for any year shall be automatically suspended at the expiration of six months from the end of such year and shall thereafter be entitled to no membership privileges or powers in the Chapter until reinstated.

c) Any member upon a majority vote of all members of the Chapter in good standing may be expelled from membership by the membership commitee for any cause which the Chapter may deem reasonable.

d) Members who don’t participate in the Chapters activities for 3 years without valid reasons may be deregistered from the Chapter upon recommendation of the membership committee and after they have been duly notified of the committees decision.

Reinstatement of Membership

7. (1) A person whose membership had ceased as provided for in Article 6 may apply in writing to the Membership Committee provided for in Article 14 for reinstatement of their membership.

(2) The membership committee after consideration of the application, may reinstate such a member or refuse to reinstate such a member, citing reasons for their decision.

(3) A member who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Membership committee may appeal to the Board.

Kind regards.

Tom Oketch
Team Leader
Membership Committee.