Return-Path: Date: Fri, 4 Oct 91 03:13:10 CDT From: sjackson (Steve Jackson) Message-Id: <9110040813.AA20489@aahsa.tic.com> To: eff-a Subject: Reports on the first two directors' meetings Cc: chapters-discuss@eff.org MINUTES OF EFF-AUSTIN DIRECTORS' MEETING - Sept. 16, 1991 These minutes were originally prepared by Lew Oleinick, and supplemented heavily from Steve Jackson's notes. SJ prepared the final draft; blame him for any problems. The meeting was held at Steve Jackson's home. Those attending: Steve Jackson, Lar Kaufman, John Quarterman, Smoot Carl-Mitchell, Matt Lawrence, Bruce Sterling, Jon Lebkowski, Lew Oleinick. Also present were two writers from the Netherlands, who were visiting Bruce. Status - SJ reported that Mitch Kapor had given the Austin chapter full verbal approval to proceed. However, he (Mitch) would certainly appreciate it if we didn't take any surprising public stands without checking with Cambridge. It was agreed that we would like to have some written statement from EFF proper as to how they perceive our relationship to them. Most of those present were uneasy about taking any action on behalf of EFF, or even representing themselves as directors of the Austin group, without *something* in writing. Questions were also raised as to exactly how the national group is organized, and what prompted them to become a membership organization. Since the national group has 501(c)(3) status, do we have to apply for non-profit status? Should we? Can we? It was suggested that we explore the ways that other large national organizations operate with regard to their local chapters. Smoot will check into the Sierra Club. The ACLU and Audubon Society were also suggested as possible models. Since we are the "test site" for local chapters of the EFF, it was agreed that we should prepare a proposal for Cambridge as to our relationship: our responsibilities, our duties, and our "jurisdiction." There was discussion about the obvious distinction between official statements on behalf of EFF, and interviews in which one speaks as a concerned citizen. It was pointed out that when any interview asks for a comment on a subject on which Cambridge hasn't taken a position, it would be appropriate to refer the interviewer to Cambridge for an "official" quote. Specifically, we should ask them to talk to Mike Godwin if the issue is legal, and Gerard van der Leun otherwise, unless Cambridge provides different contact people. Media - We discussed the media and how to work with them. It was agreed that if it's easy for the media to find the local EFF, we can serve as a useful information resource any time a case comes up. Education - Several education-related issues were discussed, including 1) producing a local newsletter 2) offering BBS tutorials at high schools and for the Austin police department 3) setting up a meeting with the police chief to offer our services (Smoot, as a recent member of the Austin city council, is in a position to look into this and will do so) 4) hold policy seminars at the Universities and law schools in the Austin area, discussing computers and the net. EFF-Austin bulletin board - At the moment, we are using the SMOFboard (512-467-7317) for public access, and running our e-mail through tic.com. Possible functions for a bbs: Maintain a current BBS list for Austin and Central Texas Discuss BBS-related issues (like viri in downloads) Offer virus protection information and perhaps software on a local board as a form of community liaison. Create a police-specific BBS, so that local police can get BBS experience. Civil Liberties Watch - It was agreed that, should an "EFF case" or potential EFF case appear, it would be our duty to collect as much information as possible in order to keep the rest of the Net better informed. It would also be our duty to put relevant people in touch with Cambridge, ASAP, so they could get help, but NOT to act as go-betweens once initial contact was made, unless specifically asked to do so. Computer Underground - It was suggested that the EFF can't really assure the media, etc., that the "underground" is basically small and harmless, because we don't have exact numbers. After quite a bit of discussion, no consensus was reached, but the majority opinion was that there is no point in trying to do a "cracker census" in order to say, e.g., "We know that out of every 1,000 users, only 3 are crackers or phreaks." General Meetings - We discussed the desirability of general meetings, as opposed to directors' meetings. The consensus seemed to be that quarterly general meetings might be desirable, but that anything oftener was overdoing it. However, *any* public activity we plan should be announced to the EFF-Austin mailing list, so that anyone interested can participate (and/or volunteer!). The optimum size of the board was also discussed. The consensus was that the optimum size for now was to include everyone who was interested in working regularly for the EFF. Logo - Bruce Sterling offered to procure a logo, and it was agreed that he should do so. SJ will make some buttons when we have a logo - hopefully, in time for Armadillocon. Conferences - Lew Oleinick reported that in Dallas, in early October, there will be a conference in Dallas on fiber optics. He knows a professor, Susan Hadden, who will be moderating a panel there. Lew will contact Mike Godwin to see if the national group has any interest in having a presence at this conference. national. We will definitely have a table at Armadillocon. Conferences redux - We discussed the possibility of *hosting* a conference in Austin, focusing on both futurism and civil liberties. It was generally agreed that the idea was very interesting, but that we had nowhere near enough active people . . . yet. Bruce Sterling announced that, after consideration, he thinks that journalistic integrity should prohibit him from serving on the Austin EFF board, since he is going to be reporting on the actions of that board . . . but he remains interested in working with us in any way that won't be too incestuous. The next meeting was set for Monday, Sept. 30th at Matt Lawrence's house at 7pm. MINUTES OF EFF-AUSTIN DIRECTORS' MEETING - Sept. 30, 1991 Prepared by Steve Jackson; blame him for errors or omissions. Held chez Matt Lawrence, 7:30pm. Present: Steve Jackson, Lar Kaufman, Matt Lawrence, John Quarterman, Bruce Sterling. Smoot Carl-Mitchell joined briefly by phone. Announcements - SJ had the new legal filings in SJ Games vs. US Secret Service. Also, SJ has been invited to participate in a debate as part of the ACM Computer Science Conference (CSC '92). "Approval of the minutes" - Lew not being present with his revised minutes, we decided not to worry about this. Lew has dropped off the board due to school pressures, but has provided us with his notes. Conversational Right of Way - Agreed that we don't need Robert's Rules of Order, but that we should start each meeting by running down the prepared agenda and only then should we drop into a "jam session." Our official status - Smoot has nothing new for us yet. Armadillocon - We have approval to set up a table. Cambridge is sending literature. We have volunteers for table help (Lawrence, Jackson, Therel Moore and Perry Stokes, certainly others) but we do NOT have anyone to organize the event. I (Jackson) will do it if necessary, but don't have time to do it as well as it should be done. A volunteer is really needed. There will also be a panel on electronic freedoms. Time not yet known. If anybody in EFF has a room there, hosting a party would be a great idea. Other conventions - We will have other possible targets, including a conference in Dallas on fiber optics (Lew was talking with Mike Godwin about this; Lar will check) and a hypertext conference in San Antonio in a few months. Which ones should we try to hit? Again, we may need a Con Coordinator, to deal with such appearances, but we have no volunteers. CACTUS - This organization is in need of speakers. Bruce will call them and volunteer. He strongly feels that the general public should NOT be invited to a CACTUS meeting. Perhaps other groups (Jaycees?) would be interested in an Electronic Frontier presentation? Libertarians - Robert Howard is interested in the EFF and has volunteered to liase between use and the local Libertarian Party; he perceives a commonality of interests. His offer is accepted with thanks. Texas Observer - Bruce will touch base with the editorial staff. This may not be a good time to publish an article, but it's not too early to suggest the idea. Or perhaps he will suggest two articles: a backgrounder now, and one later when a court case comes to trial. UT Law School - A liaison would be a good idea. A few interested law students would be a boon to the organization at this point. SJ will contact Mike Godwin and see what he suggests. TIC.COM - John and Smoot have upgraded their system since our last meeting. Everything may or may not be working 100%. Logo: Bruce provided the fruits of his library research on the "Come and Take It" flag logo. Lar is going to scan it, and various people will see what could be done about making an EFF Austin flag, button, or whatever out of it. Next meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 16, after Armadillocon, at Matt's.