Good evening:

Independently of whoever ALAC selects to fulfill this important task in the WHOIS Working Group, allow me to draw attention to a possible scheduling problem, which might aggravate the conditions under which this work could be completed.

1. The WHOIS Review Team Discussion Paper, dated June 2011 has a deadline for comments 23 July 2011. The day after tomorrow. So be it. The Discussion Paper makes no reference to any on-going or prospective WHOIS studies.

2. On 12 July ICANN posted a request for proposals for WHOIS Consumer Trust Research. The deadline for applications is 25 July 2011. The deadline for completing a contract is not stated. The work is supposed to start on 15 August and be completed by 19 September.

The work includes " ... online surveys on a global scope in multiple languages and scripts, compile and analyze the results and report findings. The findings should be presented in both an overview and with appendices that show supporting details. A minimum of ten (10) key countries is required and must be reasonably distributed across countries in the Asia Pacific region, the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa and shall include, at least, three developing countries. The surveys must collect a minimum of 100 responses per country. Surveys should be conducted in the language that is local for each country. A fair and balanced approach must be employed to canvass all age and gender groups equally."

It is also stated that "... The WHOIS Review Team is planning to prepare its preliminary findings and recommendations in September 2011. The results of this research are viewed as a critical input for that task."

Independently of the merits of attempting to consult the general public about Consumer Trust in WHOIS, (the document refers to a statistical sample of a 'minimum' of 1,000 responses, world wide ... ) the proposed schedule appears unrealistic. Particularly if the WHOIS working group intends to hold a final face to face meeting in Los Angeles in September.

Are there any other ICANN WHOIS studies going on in this context?

Just a few thoughts,

CW

On 12 Jul 2011, at 00:53, Olivier MJ Crepin-Leblond wrote:

...

Dear all,

due to an At-Large representative having sent his resignation from the WHOIS Review Team because of increased work pressures, there is an opening for an At-Large member in this very important group which was created under the wider Affirmation of Commitments Reviews. The original call for applicants was made in June 2010 and can be found under:

http://www.icann.org/en/reviews/affirmation/call-for-applicants-01jun10-en.p...

So far, about half of the Team's work has been completed. It is therefore very important for At-Large to propose a replacement candidate. The difference between the original call and the one we are making now, is procedural - in that we are trying to fill an empty slot as soon as possible.

To familiarise yourself with the Team's work, please consult its current discussion paper, available for public comment from: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-09jun11-en.htm

The WHOIS-RT plan is to have a face-to-face meeting in Marina del Rey (Los Angeles) in September and to have a draft final report ready around the Dakar meeting. This means that any candidate should be prepared to travel - and work hard in the next few months.

How to Apply:

Send a copy of your CV (maximum 3 pages) in English, a one-page motivation letter and an SOI (Statement of Interest), to: staff@atlarge.icann.org

The SOI should answer the following questions:

1. Current vocation, employer and position 2. Type of work performed in #1 above 3. Identify any financial ownership or senior management/leadership interest in registries, registrars or other firms that are interested parties in ICANN policy or any entity with which ICANN has a transaction, contract, or other arrangement. 4. Identify any type of commercial or non-commercial interest in ICANN GNSO policy development processes and outcomes. Are you representing other parties? Describe any arrangements/agreements between you and any other group, constituency or person(s) regarding your nomination/selection as a work team member. Describe any tangible or intangible benefit that you receive from participation in such processes. For example, if you are an academic or NGO and use your position to advance your ability to participate, this should be a part of the statement of interest, just as should employment by a contracted party, or a business relationship with a non- contracted party who has an interest in policy outcomes. 5. Are you a member of a GNSO Constituency / Stakeholder Group, and if yes, which one(s)?

ICANN At-Large staff will compile the details and after the deadline for applications which we're setting at Friday 22 July 2011, will forward those for consideration by the GAC Chair and ICANN President/CEO who will make the selection.

Ideally, we'd like this position to be applied for by someone who is not in the "usual suspects" list.

Best regards,

Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond ALAC Chair

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