Hi Khaled
The different regions feel differently about this issue. For
this reason, each region has determined its membership rules, which may differ from
other regions. Each region has its own issues and concerns and culture, and we
try to let them determine how to manage these themselves as much as possible,
within the basic principles of self-determination and democracy. I think
it would be a very negative signal for ICANN to attempt to dictate to the
regions, by inserting a clause in the MoU that says a region must have or must
not have particular membership.
Given that the AtLarge is to represent individual internet
users, it is possible that individuals may want to participate without being
forced to join an organization that is an ALS. We must have routes for
participation for these individuals. I personally would love individuals to be
members, but the only region that is looking at giving individual members full
rights is the NARALO. I understand the issue with capture, and am as yet
unsure as to how we can structure participation to avoid these issues, but it
is incredibly important to me (and I hope the rest of the community) that ATLarge
be as inclusive as possible, rather than rejecting anyone who wishes to
participate for lack of a hosting organization.
I do not believe that allowing individual membership will reduce
the outreach to organizations. It is difficult to come up with a reasonable and
fair structure, but I hope that NARALO will succeed at that. I also believe
that given the lack of individual participation in so many of the RALOs, the
ALAC will have to look at alternative mechanisms to allow individual participation,
whether it be as has been suggested, a 6th global RALO for
individuals or any other mechanism. We are looking at this issue.
Jacqueline
From: Khaled KOUBAA
[mailto:khaled.koubaa@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:24 PM
To: jam@jacquelinemorris.com
Cc: nick.ashton-hart@icann.org; 'At-Large Worldwide'
Subject: Re: [At-Large] Global Fellowships Program
Jaqueline,
Within the Lisbon meeting we discussed within the AFRALO that there is no logic
that RALO could accept individuals as members.
I think that the basic existence principals of a Regional Organization is to
group Local Organization.
I think that if we permit that individuals may be members of a RALO, we will
encourage more individuals to become members by themself then encouraging
local-user organization to become ALS.
I would like that ICANN decide to remove this possibility from all MoU signed
or to be signed with RALOs.
Best,
Khaled
Jacqueline A. Morris wrote:
Member of the RALO , either ALS or individual - some RALOs have individual
members (we haven't seen this yet, but NARALO will have individual members -
not sure how they will pick their reps to attend - I doubt that each
individual member will be able to attend, probably more likely a person or 2
to represent the individuals ) For the other regions, I'm not sure how
individuals are represented (would need to look at all the documents, as
it's different in each region).
It's potentially infinite, yes. But right now it's quite manageable. As we
grow, we will have to really consider how we do this.
Jacqueline