Before we all go ahead and force a vote, it seems that enough substantive and process concerns have been raised about the draft to reconsider the next steps. On process alone, the seven day turnaround time will not work well for many companies and especially for associations who need to consult with their members. On substance, it seems that the most productive task at this point would be to work on a more streamlined, neutral charter. Also, can someone explain the timing of when (if at all) the BC may eventually merge into a larger constituency? Thanks, Sarah Sarah B. Deutsch Vice President & Associate General Counsel Verizon Communications Phone: 703-351-3044 Fax: 703-351-3670 sarah.b.deutsch@verizon.com ________________________________ From: owner-bc-gnso@icann.org [mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org] On Behalf Of BC Secretariat Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 8:09 AM To: bc-gnso@icann.org Subject: [bc-gnso] Ballot for a new BC Charter Dear Members Ballot on revised BC Charter At the request of the BC Officers and with reference to the message below, I have today opened a 7-day voting period for the newly revised BC Charter. A majority approval vote means the new Charter will be adopted. A majority non-approval vote means the Charter will not be adopted. A ballot form is attached. Each member organisation has one vote. The vote should be placed by the principle BC contact for the membership organsiation or by notified proxy. I will apply weighted voting when I receive your ballot form. All ballots will be acknowledged. The voting period closes at midnight in your time zone on Monday 19 October 2009. Ballots cannot be accepted after this time. Best wishes Gary ---------------------------------------------------- We would like to ask all members to cast their vote in favour of the attached revised BC Charter. A definitive PDF version is attached. A Word version showing recent track changes is also provided for information. The Charter accommodates necessary changes for the re-structured GNSO in which the stakeholder groups provide representatives to the GNSO council. As such the BC will move from a situation in which its three GNSO representatives were also BC Officers, to a separation of these roles. There will be a new executive committee with a chair and two vice-chairs in addition to the two representatives to the GNSO Council. The Charter also includes other changes recommended by members and ICANN staff based on learning since the last Charter. The officers have done their best to accommodate all member perspectives given the diversity of those perspectives. The Board has requested Constituencies complete work on Charter revision by Seoul. Zahid Jamil Mike Rodenbaugh Philip Sheppard BC Officers