The Board held a long meeting April 23, <http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/agenda-23apr09.htm> (with several of the items moved to the discussion agenda, including RAA). Minutes have not yet been posted. As Bruce Tonkin reported on the Council list and Alan forwarded here: Based upon the board discussion, it was determined that staff should prepare a letter to the DOC, confirming the benefits of the new RAA, prior to the Board's final approval. The board expects to act on the RAA amendments during its next board meeting in May 2009. The Board will hold a two-day strategic retreat mid-May. I expect major items are will include strategic discussions including security and stability functions and the conclusion of the JPA; new gTLDs; and organizational reviews (particularly the GNSO structure and stakeholder and constituency structures within it). In response to Adam's question, no decision on the location of the Africa meeting (after Seoul in Oct. 2009) has been announced. --Wendy