Dear Working Group on the Future Structure of ICANN, Please be advised that a public comment period has been opened on an issue related to the remit of your working group. In keeping with the 'bottom up' nature of ICANN, your working group's attention is kindly drawn to this comment period, which ends on August 14th. The consultation information may be found at http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#meeting-dates. The announcement of the same follows immediately hereafter. ________________________________ Proposed ICANN Meeting Dates 2011 - 2013 Explanation: While ICANN continues to examine the overall structure of its meeting dates and geographic rotation, it is important to move forward with future planning. In an effort to secure the dates for ICANN meetings through 2013, Staff recommendations have been developed for Public review and comment. Approving the meeting dates is important to prevent conflicts with other community events and to allow all participants sufficient time to plan their travel and attendance. The proposed dates below have been selected based on careful avoidance of important holidays, celebrations, and observances around the globe. Similarly, every effort was made to identify and prevent scheduling conflicts with other community events. ICANN will not be able to accommodate every request for a date change. However, in an effort to be fully cognizant of holidays and occasions from countries and religions around the world, we'd like to provide an opportunity for comment so the ICANN Public Participation Committee of the Board can move forward with approving the dates. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: The Staff is opening a 30-day public comment forum, from 13 July 2009 through 14 August 2009, and invites community comments on this topic. To submit comments: Comments are welcome via email to proposed-meeting-dates@icann.org. This public forum will be open through 14 August 2009. To view comments: An archive of all comments received will be publicly posted at http://forum.icann.org/lists/proposed-meeting-dates. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Heidi Ullrich, Matthias Langenegger, Gisella Gruber-White ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff at atlarge.icann.org