WITSA Board of Directors Meeting January 27, 2014 via Conference Call .

WITSA Board of Directors Meeting

January 27, 2014 via Conference Call

www.witsa.org

Call to Order

&

Opening RemarksSantiago Gutierrez

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Roll CallAnders Halvorsen

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Board of Directors

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City Name Organization Attendance1 Kabul Omar Ansari NICTAA2 Buenos Aires Dr. Silvia Bidart CESSI3 Dhaka Shaheen Mahmud Iqbal BCS4 Minsk Dr. Boris Komrakov InfoPark5 Hamilton John Kyle Bermuda Chamber

of Commerce6 Sao Paulo Roberto Mayer ASSESPRO7 Toronto Karna Gupta ITAC8 Santiago Luis Stein Gechs9 Taipei James Liu CISA10 Cairo Eng. Tarek A Monem Taha EITESAL11 Athens Yannis Sirros SEPE12 Kowloon Francis Fong HKITF13 Tokyo Takashi Igarashi JISA14 Nairobi Waudo Siganga CSK

Board of Directors

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City Name Organization Attendance15 Beirut Nizar Zakka PCA16 Kuala Lumpur Looi Kien Leong PIKOM17 Mexico City Dr. Amado Espinosa CANIETI18 Mexico City Santiago Gutierrez CANIETI19 Abuja Florence Seriki ITAN20 Seoul Ki-Chul Kim FKII21 Bucharest Dr. Vasile Baltac ATIC22 Midrand Roger Latchman ITA23 Madrid Antonio Cimmora AMETIC24 Virginia Shawn Osborne TechAmerica25 London Julian David Intellect

City Name Organization Attendance1 Tokyo Junko Kawauchi JISA

2 Virginia Dr. Jim Poisant WITSA

3 Virginia Anders Halvorsen WITSA

4 Canberra Tim Conway WITSA

5 Sandakan Jeralyn Quinsayas WITSA

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In Attendance

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Approval of MinutesSantiago Gutierrez

Sao Paulo, Brazil

November 11, 2013

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Matters ArisingJim Poisant

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Matters Arising: BOD Meeting; Nov 11, 2013

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ITEM

IT Barometer Study-The Board wanted to have more information on the IT Study presented in Sao Paulo-On the agenda.

GPATS 2015-Potential of having the GPATS in 2015 in Qatar was presented to the BOD-On agenda

2014 Budget and Business Plan –On agenda

DR. AMADO ESPINOSA

TREASURER’S REPORT

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Treasurer's Report: Income (Summary 12/31)

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Initiatives Income 144,584.64WITSA Events Income 825,000.00

Other Income 87,270.00

Total Income 1,059,747.04

ExpensesContract Services 88,579.73Operations 17,918.29Salary and Benefits 385,084.13Travel Expenses 45,153.10Bad Debts 57,425.00Other Expenses 20,013.29

Total Expense 614,173.54

Net Income 445,573.50

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Treasurer's Report: Balance Sheet 12/31

ASSETSCurrent Assets

Cash Accounts 693,784.44Accounts Receivable Net of Allowance 83,543.33Prepaid Expenses 4,635.96Investments - CD's 104,783.45Net Fixed Assets 1,798.00

TOTAL ASSETS 888,545.18

LIABILITIES & EQUITYLiabilities

Current LiabilitiesCredit Card Payables 1,548.90Accrued Expenses 29,818.96Deferred Revenue 38,541.67

Total Liabilities 69,909.53

EquityUnrestricted Net Assets 373,062.15Net Income 445,573.50

Total Equity 818,635.65TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 888,545.18

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1. Business Plan Draft – Comments and Inputs in Lisbon

2. WCIT 2014 Update3. WCIT 2014 Delegate Recruitment Support:

(a) Marketing agreements(b) Report in Lisbon

4. Adding Membership Value/Sustaining WITSA5. IT Barometer Study Status6. GPATS/MENA ICT 2015

7. Legal Assessment on Iran membership Request

Discussion Block

Santiago Gutierrez

2014 Business Plan

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Board Directors have been provided with three key inputs for the Board to come up with a new Business Model

2014 BUSINESS PLAN – Draft(Executive Committee)

Agreements on “What do we want WITSA to be?

(Planning session, Nov 10, 2013

ADDING VALUE WHILE SUSTAINING WITSA(Secretary General)

Nov. 10, 2013, WITSA Members(Sao Paulo): What do we want

WITSA to be?• Should be recognized as the

global voice of ICT and as an aggregator of this Sector with truly global reach

• Needs to become the lead reference for ICT Global Public Policy guidance

• Should enhance Trade and Business between its members

• Should be widely known globally

• Needs to bring into its focus the development of SMEs in the ICT Sector

• 1st: Ensure Short and long Term Financial Sustainability

• 2nd: Design and Implement New Business Model providing enhanced membership value

What do we want to accomplish?

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How to strengthen our presenceIn global organizations?

How do we becomeSustainable?

How do we make money?

How do we become valuableAnd relevant?

We, as Board Directors, need to address key questions in order to define WITSA´s new business model

What do we want to evolve into?

…Recognized as the voice ofThe ICT Industry?

What is the new Environment that

We need to Respond to

Which are the currentNeeds of our

Members?

REQUIRES BOD &

ALL MEMBERSACTIVE PARTICIPATION

•Study the three inputs provided •BOD will get a set of questions (no later than January 31) to guide your thinking and to answer back•Responses back from BOD (no later than February 14)•A strawman version will be presented for discussion at Lisbon•When we approve a final version, we will leverage WCIT 2014 exposure to position our new business model to the WORLD

We should arrive to Lisbon with a pretty good idea on what we want WITSA to become and how to get there

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WCIT 2014 UpdateDr. Amado Espinosa / Santiago Gutierrez

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• WITSA requested that each member consider pledging to recruit a certain amount of delegates for the WCIT 2014 in Mexico.

• Each member association will be contacted for pledges and marketing agreements.

• Report on delegate pledges in Lisbon

Board of Directors WCIT 2014 Delegate Pledges (Jim Poisant)

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Jim Poisant

ADDING VALUE WHILE SUSTAINING WITSA

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This is a draft paper intended to present initial ideas to WITSA board members A discussion on the future of WITSA will be an agenda item for our meeting in Lisbon This process is to facilitate your thought process to bring your ideas to Lisbon

PURPOSE

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WITSA has reached a critical point in its history

WITSA is too dependant on event revenue

Must seek sustainable alternative revenue resources

Must enhance its value to its members in order to remain relevant and to grow.

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BACKGROUND/DRIVERS OF CHANGE

PRESENT WITSA MEMBERSHIP OFFERINGS

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Public Policy Support Business Development Support Networking (Local/Regional Networking Events/Workshops Committee Involvement Research Grant Opportunities

MEMBERS OFFER TO THEIR MEMBERS

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What additional value can WITSA offer to members that members cannot obtain by themselves?

If so, would members pay for them?

KEY QUESTIONS

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Public Policy

Business Development for their Members

(Not necessarily in this order)

WHICH OFFERINGS COULD WITSA ADD ADDITIONAL VALUE ?

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Recommendation A select number of WITSA members assign policy

staff to work with WITSA (virtually) to increase capacity and capabilities of both members and WITSA

Members should be able to save money on staffing while increasing productivity and credibility

PUBLIC POLICY (LEVERAGING)

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All members will be able to use WITSA to provide support for their policy positions

Instead of one country/association representation members can leverage the global voice of WITSA

Adds credibility to members positions and voices

WHY DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION MAKE SENSE?

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Member associations do not possess the network

and capabilities of WITSA to aggregate information,

organizations, institutions, individuals, and

corporations on a global scale to facilitate business

opportunities for their members

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Recommendation: WITSA should establish an office for global business development

Central repository for global procurement opportunities i.e., links to government procurements, member business profiles, sub-contract offerings and global contacts.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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By providing this offering, WITSA increasing

its value to its members and in turn, members increase their value to their members

The ICT industry grows through expanded development and WITSA members benefit

WHY DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION MAKE SENSE?

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Public Policy- adding human and research resources donated by members would not cost WITSA additional funds. It should reduce member staffing costs as members will be leveraging WITSA and other members

Cost savings could be shared with WITSA

HOW WILL WITSA’S NEW OFFERINGS SUSTAIN THEMSELVES?

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Dues (INCREASE 20% BY 2016) =20K Global Partners-10 BY 2016=250K Advisory Council Corporate Members: 10 BY

2016=150K Grants-1M BY 2016 (20% Overhead)=200K Global Business Development Office- 1000 X

$99.00 Per Subscription=99K annually

TOTAL $659K

HOW WILL WITSA’S EXISTING & NEW OFFERINGS SUSTAIN WITSA W/O EVENTS?

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Add business development staff person Perhaps a member would support this person if the office was located within their offices

Hire grant writer/s for up to 10 grants

STAFFING PLANPHASE I (6-12 MONTHS)

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WITSA’s Future Organization2-5 Years (One Possible Scenario)

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Chairman

Secretary General

Dr. Silvia Bidart

Global IT Barometer Study Status

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Dr. Jim Poisant &

Nizar Zakka

WITSA Global Policy Action & Trade Summit / MENA-ICT 2015

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Assessment on Iran Membership: Input from Legal Counsel

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Due to U.S. sanctions against Iran Legal Counsel strongly discourages WITSA allowing IRAN to join as a member (even at no cost)

Penalties: Loss of non-profit status

Criminal charges against WITSA Board of Directors

Fines of $250,000 against WITSA

Discussion & Approval of 2014 BudgetDr. Amado Espinosa/Santiago Gutierrez

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Decision Block

• LINK: http://www.witsa.org/bod20140127

• DISCUSSION

• APPROVAL

2014 BUDGET (Ref. email of 1/24)

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Regional Vice Chairman Reports

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1. Africa Roger Latchman

2. Middle East & North Africa Nizar Zakka

3. Europe (EU + EEA) Yannis Sirros

4 Latin America Silvia Bidart

5. Caribbean John Kyle

6. Asia Pacific Takashi Igarashi

Africa

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Africa

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Country Organization Contact Details Description Date of Communication

Qatar Qatari Businessmen Association

[email protected]

Request for a contact person and introduce WITSA.Inform of new website

Jan 16

Bahrain Bahrain Information Technology Society (BITS)

[email protected]; [email protected]


Jan 16

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Computer Society

Sent via www.computer.org.sa


Jan 16

Oman Information Technology Solutions Center Knowledge Oasis Muscat

[email protected]


Jan 16

Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

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Europe (EU + EEA)

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Yannis Sirros

Latin America

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Dr. Silvia Bidart

Caribbean

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John Kyle


Brunei InfoCom Federation of Brunei (IFB)

Sent via www.ifb.org.bn

Reconnect with IFB from 2011. Inform about new website.

Jan 8

Indonesia Indonesian Information Technology Federation (FTII)

Silvia - [email protected]

Introduction. Oct 10, 2013

Silvia - [email protected] [email protected]

Inform about new website.

Jan 8

Timor-Leste Timor Leste Studies Association

[email protected]

Request for appropriate contact person to introduce WITSA.Inform of new website

Jan 16

Asia Pacific

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Fiji ICT Association of Fiji

Sent via www.ictfiji.org.fj


Jan 16

Macau Macau Computer Association (MCA)

Adam Lao - [email protected]

Reconnect with MCA from 2011. Inform about new website.

Jan 16

Asia Pacific

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COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

Global Policy Action & Trade (GPATS)

WITSA Advisory Council

Santiago Gutierrez / Tim Conway

Membership Nizar Zakka

Global Trade David Wong

Standing Committee Reports

51

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Global Policy Action Global Policy Action Committee/Committee/

WITSA Advisory CouncilWITSA Advisory Council

Santiago Gutierrez /

Tim Conway

WITSA’s Trade Paper Released at GPATS 2013

Trade Policy

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Continues WITSA’s commitment to free trade through non-discriminatory multilateral trade negotiations

Also reflected in São Paulo Declaration

WTO Bali Ministerial Meeting – progress “The Bali Package” Trade facilitation measures, special treatment for LDCs,

and agricultural trade measures

ITA expansion – talks collapsed due to China intransigence (wants less items covered); lobbying at WEF, Davos

Global Multistakeholder Meeting on Internet governance, to be held in Brazil in April

Internet Governance Policy

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Concerned about governments seeking multilateral models of Internet governance, vs. the multistakeholder model

Some governments continue to speak about introducing data localization restrictions

WITSA working with ICC BASIS, and IGF on this issue

Privacy and Cyber-security papers on hold Publication of draft “Six Principles” on web

site, seeking comment Reflects “Reform of Government Surveillance”

campaign Seeking member, Advisory Council comment

WEF, Davos announcement of 2 year investigation of govt use of Internet data, and rules to protect citizens’ rights online

Information Management Policy

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Global Taxation Policy

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OECD/G20 Project to develop global government action to overcome concerns about taxation base erosion due to profit shifting (the BEPS project)

OECD last week reported challenges to project; recognition the issue affects all “digitized” sectors (not just ICT)

Needs to be watched; working with Digital Europe

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Membership CommitteeMembership Committee

Nizar Zakka

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Global Trade CommitteeGlobal Trade Committee

David Wong

Trade Mission to Guadalajara; September 29th to October 1st

WITSA Trade Mission

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Type of Participation Early Bird: Jan 6 - Apr 30

Regular: May 1 - Aug 31

Final & On-site: From Sep 1

Trade Mission Pass $450.00 $550.00 $600.00

Full Conference Pass

Trade Mission Pass

World class event 1 1Keynotes and Panels with World’s influential IT speakers 1Trade Mission, B2B & Networking 1 1Coffee breaks 1 1Lunches 1 1Workshops 1Delegate material 1 1Welcome reception 1Gala Dinner 1Exhibition Area access 1 1Tours -Spouse program (Monday & Tuesday)

Request to include: Opening Ceremony, Keynote and Gala Dinner in the Trade Mission package

Request for a detailed registration for companies participating in Trade Mission (B2B registration)

WITSA Trade Mission

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Calendar of Meetings

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March 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal

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March 16 WITSA Committee Meetings

March 17 WITSA Board Meeting & Reception

March 18 ANETIE Conference

March 19 ANETIE Conference (Morning)ALETI Meeting (Afternoon)

March 20 ALETI Meeting

Other Business /

Open Discussion

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU

See you in LisbonSee you in Lisbon

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WITSA Board of Directors Meeting January 27, 2014 via Conference Call .

Documents

Transcript of WITSA Board of Directors Meeting January 27, 2014 via Conference Call .