I would like to both support Bruce Tonkin's statement, and ask that also those of us from the community who have experience in how the SOs elect/select their Board members, perhaps consider that we should be thinking about more of the Board being elected -- e.g. a return to 3 per SO, with then a minority appointed. This may also be a step forward toward accountability, as the nature of the Board is more grounded in the communities also responsible for key roles within ICANN, and with deep roots in the various SOs. This still leaves a significant number of Board seats for Nominating Committee appointment, but it strengthens

the ties to accountability from the Stakeholders.

This is somewhat a new proposal, but I am surprised it has not surfaced before.

Marilyn Cade

From: Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au
To: accountability-cross-community@icann.org
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:40:17 +0000
Subject: Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Presentation from Joint Townhall at ICANN53

Just looking at page 15 of the presentation.

“The ICANN Board represents the executive entity the community may act against, as appropriate”

I recognize that this is in the context of the new community powers – but I would like to see a little more positive an broader description of the role of the ICANN Board.

Perhaps something more along the lines of:

“The entity appointed by the community to oversee the organization on the community’s behalf”

Ie the Board comes from the community – it is not really an executive branch of the staff. In fact it is a comprised of non-executives apart from the CEO.

The board’s role is also to hold the staff accountable to deliver on the commitments agreed with the community in the strategic and operating planning process.

While the CCWG is looking at additional accountability mechanisms – I think it should also be recognized that the Board itself is one of the existing mechanisms, however imperfect it may be. It is as much tied to the community through its selection process as the AC and SO councils.

Regards,

Bruce Tonkin

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