to: cctldcommunity@cctld-managers.org <mailto:cctldcommunity@cctld-managers.org> ccnso-members@icann.org <mailto:ccnso-members@icann.org> ccTLDworld@icann.org <mailto:ccTLDworld@icann.org> cc: ccnso-council@icann.org <mailto:ccnso-council@icann.org> Dear members of the ccTLD Community, First, apologies for cross-posting. On 14 November Thursday, an in-person Community Policy Forum will take place at 09:00 Turkey (UTC +3), 06:00 UTC, in the Uskudar (Primary Ballroom) Room. <https://icann81.sched.com/event/1p2Dx/empowered-community-approval-action-co...> On 10 November 2024, the ICANN Board approved Fundamental Bylaws Amendments to Article 4, Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the ICANN Bylaws, which relate to Accountability and Review. The changes made have to do with the exclusion of disputes regarding the Grant Program and specifically are: Under section 4.2.(d) a new clause, clause (iv) has been added. It reads (iv) Disputes relating to decisions to approve or not approve an application to the ICANN Grant Program. Under section 4.3.(c) a new clause (v) has been added. It reads; (v) Claims relating to decisions to approve or not approve an application to the ICANN Grant Program. The Fundamental Bylaws Amendments are available here <https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/governance/uppdates-to-article-4-icann-gr...>. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO THE ccNSO? Changes to accountability directly impact the relationship between ICANN and its stakeholders, including the ccNSO. Secondly, the proposed Bylaw amendment is a change of a Fundamental Bylaw, and the ccNSO Council has to decide whether to : (a) support the proposal, (b) object to the proposal or (c) have no opinion on the proposal. That is why the ccNSO Council needs your opinion on the proposed Bylaw change. The views of both ccNSO members and non-ccNSO ccTLD managers are equally important, and both are needed to help guide the ccNSO Council. I urge you to review the materials that have been posted, give some thought to the proposal, and inform us about your opinion on the proposal, whether it be approval, disapproval, or neutral. HOW DOES THE ccNSO GIVE ITS APPROVAL? The ICANN Board approved the Bylaw change on November 10, 2024. The ccNSO and other Decisional participants were notified on November 11, 2024. This notification initiated a 30-day period known as the “Approval Action Community Forum Period.” During this period (ending 11 December 2024), the “Empowered Community Administration” (a group consisting of community members from five ICANN Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees) decided to hold a public Community Forum during ICANN81 in Istanbul on 14 November 2024 from 06:00 to 07:00 UTC. If you are concerned about the proposal, please feel free to attend the Forum and express your concern. Remote participation will be offered at the Forum. NOTE: Comments can be made until the end of the Community Forum Period, ending 11 December 2024. Following the expiration of the Approval Action Community Forum Period (11 December 2024), the 21-day Approval Action Decision Period will begin, expiring at 23:59 PST on Wednesday, 1 January 2025. Each Supporting Organization and Advisory Committee will determine their position on the Bylaw changes according to their own rules and procedures, see here <https://ccnso.icann.org/about/guideline-approval-actions-procedure-17oct19-e...>. Kind regards, Sean