Dear Colleagues: The discussion here is of great interest to me not only from the perspective of an ALAC member who will vote to ratify the decision of a RALO but from my personal perspective as a member in good standing of the At-Large community. I share Darlene's perspective: It is not my position that I tell APRALO how to do its business. But it would be ill-advised if financial data for an ALS becomes part of the criteria for admission to the RALO club. I also doubt whether it is useful to encourage auditing of individual members of an ALS' membership. And while I can accept that in RALOS where the rules allows an individual membership, some minimum due diligence might be appropriate, there is no compelling rationale that says a criterion that examines funding/net worth position is necessary or, even desirable. My personal view is that the financial question is intrusive and altogether unnecessary for the purpose At-Large Structures are designed. What I care about is what they tell me. And the rationality of that can be judged by context as well as objective. ALS and individuals under the At-Large umbrella are supposed to provide perspectives on names and numbers policy from the edge. Any particular perspective form an ALS is filtered thru several layers before it becomes one of many that may eventually contribute to the formulation of a policy advice statement from the ALAC to the ICANN Board. Yes, funding and its sources or a person's netw worth may influence the perspective on a given matter from an ALS or individual. But that would not, in itself, render such a perspective illegitimate. And I am sure with the many sieves that will intervene before it gets to ALAC, there are several opportunities, in due course, to disqualify irrational or exuberant views which lack broad support. Best, Carlton Samuels ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* =============================