I am writing to draw your attention to this discussion, which I initiated, and to invite you to share your views if you wish.
Thank you and best regards,
From: Greg Shatan [NARALO] <gregshatanalac@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Subject: Re: [ALAC] Re: My ALT Nominations
To: Alan Greenberg <greenberg.alan@gmail.com>
Cc: Pari Esfandiari <pariesfandiari@gmail.com>, Jonathan Zuck <JZuck@innovatorsnetwork.org>, ALAC <alac@atlarge-lists.icann.org>
- The Chair and Vice Chairs are automatically part of the ALT. There is no decision to be made here, so no reason to criticize Jonathan's nominations.
- With 2 Vice Chairs, there are only 2 remaining seats, which need to be from the 2 geographic regions not represented by the Chair/Vice Chairs.
- All of the members must be ALAC members (ongoing or incoming).
- The actual decision is made by the ALAC by consensus (or failing that, secret ballot).
- The only explicit responsibility of the ALT is to "support and collaborate with the Chair in the overall administration and management of the ALAC."
- Anyone can nominate an eligible candidate for the ALT, but there are not many eligible candidates -- in each of the 2 remaining regions, it has to be 1 of the 3 ALAC reps. Jonathan has invited everyone to make nominations, as required by the Rules.
- Continuity in such roles is generally a positive thing, so nominating the ongoing EURALO rep on the ALT makes perfect sense.
- I have no problem with Adebunmi Akinbo being nominated for the AFRALO seat, which is being vacated.
- As described in the rules, there is no role for RALO leadership.
- Given that the role of the ALT is to "support and collaborate with the Chair," it makes perfect sense for the Chair to suggest/nominate ALT members where there is a choice to be made.
- I think people can be too quick to criticize and too slow to seek out information.
3.5 The ALAC Leadership Team (ALT) is a regionally balanced group normally comprised of five ALAC Members, one per ICANN region:
3.5.1 ALAC Chair;
3.5.2 one or two Vice-Chairs, the number to be set at the discretion of the Chair designate who will be presiding over the ALT;
3.5.3 two or three non-titled ALAC Members;
3.5.4 the ALAC Liaisons to ICANN Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees act as advisors to the ALT;
3.5.5 other people may be invited by the Chair to participate as advisors to the ALT;
3.5.6 although advisors are invited to participate in ALT meetings, they are not formally part of the ALT. Decisions of the ALT are taken solely by the five regional representatives.
3.6 The ALT has no ongoing explicit powers other than those resting with the Chair and delegated as he/she deems appropriate or assigned by the ALAC as fully described in Paragraphs 6.1 to 6.3.
3.7 The ALT Members:
3.7.1 work with the ALAC Chair to ensure that the ALAC can focus on the most appropriate issues with the minimum of administrative overhead;
3.7.2 support the ALAC Chair in the overall management of the ALAC; and
3.7.3 help ensure that any decisions made on behalf of the ALAC are made with due consideration of regional issues.
17.3 Ordinary ALAC Leadership Team selections
17.3.1 Ordinary selections of the ALT Members will be held in connection with the AAGM.
17.3.2 The incoming Chair must be selected prior to the initiation of the selection process for the other ALT Members.
17.3.3 The Chair/Staff shall send via Approved Distribution Lists, a Selection Call for the ALT Members identifying the positions to be filled, giving the schedule and modalities of the selection process and requesting nominations (including self-nominations) by ALAC Members. The Selection Call will allow at least seven days for nominations.
17.3.4 The requirements to be met by Leadership Team nominees are listed in Paragraph 6.
17.3.5 A nominee must send a message of acceptance to the same list on which nominations were solicited within seven days of the close of nominations. The acceptance should be sent via Staff if the nominee does not have sending privileges to that list. An ALAC SoI must be completed prior to the close of the acceptance period if the nominee does not have one.
17.3.6 The selection of the ALT Members (excluding the Chair) shall be carried out prior to or during the AAGM using the standard ALAC process of Consensus if possible, and barring that, by secret ballot. If a vote is required for any position, the winner requires a majority of votes as per standard ALAC voting methodology. A voting method incorporating instant runoff may be used if deemed necessary. There must be no more than one person selected from each of the regions not represented by the Chair.
Allow me to comment wearing hats as a former ALAC Chair, and as the primary drafter of the ALAC Rules of Procedure (notice I say drafter not author, as the contents were hotly debated by a large group from the ALAC and At-Large).As a former chair, I cannot overstate the importance of having an ALT that can work well and cooperatively with each other and the Chair. This is critically important this year, since it is likely Jonathan's last year as Chair (I have never met someone who could sustain more than 4 years!). It is crucial that the Chair has a well-oiled group on the ALT to make sure that goals are carried out before his term ends.The RoP say that nominations may be made by any ALAC Member, and Jonathan is indeed an ALAC Member. Nothing prohibits other ALAC Members from making nominations (either self-nominations or for others). According to the RoP, if a final selection cannot be made by consensus, a vote can be taken.In terms of the formal rules, the RoP say that nominations may be made by any ALAC Member, and Jonathan is indeed an ALAC Member. Nothing prohibits other ALAC Members from making nominations (either self-nominations or for others). According to the RoP, if a final selection cannot be made by consensus, a vote can be taken.Alan
_______________________________________________On Sun, Oct 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM Pari Esfandiari via ALAC <alac@icann.org> wrote:Dear Jonathan, dear colleagues,
Thank you, Jonathan, for initiating the call and for your continued commitment and leadership as we move into the final year of your term. The clarity of the process and your dedication to ensuring continuity within the ALT are much appreciated.
That said, I would like to raise a concern about the process, in the spirit of constructive reflection and our shared commitment to transparency and inclusivity. While the nominated colleagues are all capable and respected, beginning the process with a Chair-proposed slate—even when procedurally valid—creates the impression of a top-down appointment rather than a genuinely bottom-up selection.
When the Chair both initiates nominations and subsequently leads the ALT—where many key operational and strategic decisions are made—the process becomes heavily shaped from the outset. This dynamic can weaken the peer-based nature of ALAC’s governance and turn what should be open deliberation into what feels like endorsement rather than decision-making. Over time, this risks reducing the broader ALAC to a rubber-stamping body, rather than a genuinely participatory one.
Beyond process, this approach can also harm our internal culture. When nominations come directly from the Chair, members may feel pressured to endorse them out of loyalty or deference. Those who hesitate or propose alternatives can appear as if they are challenging the Chair or the individuals nominated, rather than simply exercising their right to participate. This dynamic can create unnecessary tension and division, pitting individuals against one another and discouraging open, collegial exchange.
In effect, a paternalistic style—however well-intentioned—can foster a culture of compliance rather than engagement. It undermines the equality of voice that is central to ALAC’s legitimacy and the broader multistakeholder model we are meant to exemplify.
To protect both the integrity of our processes and the health of our community, I believe we should encourage a fully open nomination process, where all qualified members feel equally empowered to step forward or nominate others, free of any implied hierarchy or expectation. This would help sustain a culture of trust, transparency, and genuine collaboration—the very values ALAC seeks to promote across ICANN.
Sincerely,
Pari Esfandiari
On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 1:06 AM Jonathan Zuck via ALAC <alac@icann.org> wrote:_______________________________________________TL;DRMy inclination is to the leave the ALT alone, for the next year, while asking Adebunmi Akinbo to take the seat vacated by Bukula Oronti. If you want to make different nominations, you have until October 15th.Dear ALAC,I would like to issue a call for nominations for the members of the ALAC Leadership Team (ALT) for the period of 2025 AGM-2026 AGM, which will be my final year as ALAC Chair.The terms of the 2025-2026 ALT will begin at the end of the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) until the end of the 2026 AGM.As the ALAC Chair, I will automatically take the North American ALT slot.This call is to appoint the ALT slots for the four remaining regions.I would like to nominate the following continuing or incoming ALAC Members for the open ALT positions.· Africa – Adebunmi Akinbo· Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands – Justine Chew· Europe - Natálie Terčová· Latin America and Caribbean Islands – Claire CraigPlease let me know if you would like to nominate any other continuing or incoming ALAC Member by sending a message to the ALAC list (see: alac@atlarge-lists.icann.org ).Nominations may be made by any current ALAC Member. Nominees need not be an ALAC Member at the time of the nominations but must have an expectation of being an ALAC Member after the completion of the upcoming ICANN84 Meeting.Requirements for ALAC Members can be found in Section 6 of the ALAC RoPs. In short, ALT Members are expected to attend all ALAC meetings. I would also like ALT Members to attend the At-Large Consolidated Policy Working Group and the At-Large Operations, Finance and Budget Working Group meetings. ALT Members should be very responsive and thoughtful to e-mail requests and discussions. By mutual agreement, ALT Members may take on additional roles. Vice-Chairs are expected to take on proportionally larger responsibilities. All ALT activities are carried out solely in English.Please note the following nomination schedule below.Nomination Schedule:
Thanks,Jonathan
Jonathan Zuck | Director, Future of Work Project | Innovators Network
jzuck@innovatorsnetwork.org | O 202.827.7594 | D 202.420.7483
Jonathan-zuck |
jvzuck |
jonathanzuck |
Jonathan.zuck
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