BC Members:

From time to time, as chair, I will be posting announcements about ICANN governance/non policy topics that are open for public comment to the broader Internet community. This is provided as a informational courtesy to BC members. Rarely would we be developing BC comments on ICANN governance topics, but some members who do post individuallymay wish to share their comments with the full BC, and that is welcomed. The BC has several gTLD policy priorities to address in the next several weeks, including topics like WHOIS and SSR, how to impact the intersessional session of the GAC/Board. We will be discussing those topics in our next BC call early next week. At that time, we can also briefly discuss this topic, depending on members interests and priorities. I do want to acknowledge that governance of the organization has a significant impact on the BC's larger concerns. This is not a gTLD Council issue, but has broader interests and implications for business users. If there is sufficient interest among members on this topic, I will organize a segment of our BC call in February to discuss this topic. In the meantime, please review the call for comments below, and consider your association/company's interest in developing your individual comments. And, look for a second email from me, announcing a BC members call early next week, to provide input and feedback on gTLD topics and the upcoming Council call. Happy New Year.... Marilyn CadeBC Chair ================================================================================================ Announcement: Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT): Final RecommendationsPlease visit the ICANN Public Comment Page for documents and details for public comment.

Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT): Final Recommendations

As prescribed by the Affirmation of Commitments, the Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT) now issues its final recommendations [PDF, 2.54 MB] for public comment.

These recommendations were developed on the basis of the draft proposed recommendations submitted for public comment in November 2010 and include the input received via the comment periods, email mechanisms and during ICANN meetings (38 and 39). Interviews, fact-finding and analysis led by the ATRT as well the Berkman Center's Final Report [PDF, 3.92 MB], produced by the selected external consultant - Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University - constitute bedrocks of these final recommendations which are now submitted to the ICANN community for comments.

Under the AoC, resulting recommendations will be submitted for public comment and the Board will take action within six months of receipt of the recommendations. The community is now invited to participate in this comment forum by 14 February 2011 and to provide input on the final report via: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201102-en.htm#atrt-fin....