Be Natural, Not Plastic

Its policies should be consistent and available to the general public, like USIIA policies are summarized for all to see. Although the USIIA cannot consult with every member on every issue, those members that have specific concerns can join a public policy council and participate in the decision-making process for the group as a whole.

Before any ISP pays dues to a group representing the cause-of-the-day, McClure said they should do a little research about the organization.

"ISPs should find out whether associations are 501(c)6 organizations under federal law, whether they file a form 990 describing their management, and whether their management is affiliated with a single company," McClure said.

Furthermore, McClure said that some associations are built around a single issue and do note not provide member services. He said that real groups have real members, and that they are willing to make their membership public, like USIIA's membership list.

Most importantly, associations are founded by dues-paying members McClure said that 80 percent of of USIIA's funding come from membership dues, while the remainder comes from corporate sponsors of USIIA events. Membership dues are structured so that larger companies pay larger membership fees, but every member has to right to an equal say in the direction of the association.

According to McClure, all of these elements make up the difference between legitimate grassroots organizations and "Astroturf" groups that say they are are fundamentalists representing the ISP industry, but are actually fronts for large corporations used to manipulate public opinion.

Join your local association
When it comes to popular opinion about issues that impact ISPs' day-to-day operations in the U.S., many independent owners and operators put a great deal of stock in McClure.

"It's a labor of love," he said. "We built this organization from the ground up and I've missed paychecks and have disappointed my family. In any other business, it's a no-brainer to join your business association, but it's just not that way with the Internet."

McClure follows his own advice. He is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives and participates in the governing council of its Technology Section.

< Back to page 1: ISP Association Directory: USIIA Profile

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