On 12/01/2010 12:31 PM, Avri Doria wrote:
Additionally, I have spoken to various Board members who sit and observe working groups. Almost to a man, I think it was all men, they indicate that while they can watch, they do not feel they can speak, except perhaps to ask a question, and even that is rare
When I was on the board I used to get the evil eye from the board's chairman when I would ask questions. He tolerated it - what else could he do - but few others were willing to risk a disfavoring look from the chair. Given that meetings are tightly scheduled it takes a bit of chutzpah to stand one's ground and ask questions while the clock ticks away. A board member's duty is to make decisions (including the decision not to cast a vote) that are the result a logical process that is both informed of the fact and independent of what others may chose to do. Given the ambiguities of language, not to mention the complexity of issues, I do not see how any board member can fulfill that duty without asking questions - lots and lots of questions. Questions don't always end in a question mark - I found that giving an opinion of my own is often a better way to elicit a reasoned response than was asking a question: people often tend to be more articulate and comprehensive when they sense that they are defending something. There are other things a board member ought to know, but that ICANN is unlikely to tell 'em - for instance, a board member *may* chose to rely on corporate counsel but the board member is not required to do so, particularly as corporate counsel is counsel for the corporation - and owes his/her duty to the corporation - and not counsel for the board or the individual board members. Remember, a board member has the legal right - a right that I went to court to prove to ICANN - to inquire into any and all parts of the corporate activities. I also suggest that board members become familiar with the US law about "intermediate sanctions". --karl--