There's been some discussion about bottom-up processes and how they are done both at ICANN and elsewhere. Activists, Civil Society and/or NGO's tend to have a far broader interpretation of bottom-up consultation processes. Ongoing communication, engagement and attempt at consensus is one model - imposing a process and outcome a-priori is another model. Where does ALAC stand? Does it agree with the staff position or does it instead favor those put forward by CIRA, NCUC and others ? ref: http://cira.ca/news-releases/201.html It seems to me that public statements from ICANN - both at meetings and on several lists - seem to indicate that there's a bit of a gulf between how ICANN and ALAC. But, that' just my reading of the situation. Perhaps i'm wrong .. ? Instead of getting into a debate about how things have, or not , been done in the past - let me suggest we address the issue head on at our upcoming LA ALAC meeting. regards, Robert --- Robert Guerra <rguerra@privaterra.ca> Managing Director, Privaterra Tel +1 416 893 0377