Hi councillors.

Please find attached the June 2016 activity update on the GNSO.  For quick reference, it’s also copied below. 

Regards

Patrick Myles

CENTR

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CCWG - Accountability Members - Work Stream 2

Given the CCWG-Accountability is transitioning from Work Stream 1 to Work Stream 2, GNSO leadership has asked each Stakeholder Group to re-confirm its member selection for this CCWG.  If members do not plan to continue they are to determine who will assume the role starting from ICANN Helsinki.  James Bladel has already stated he will not continue and that the Registry SG will need to find a replacement.  The GNSO has requested SG’s to confirm their existing member or their replacement by 20 June 2016. 

GNSO Liaison to the CSC - Selection Committee

GNSO council received expressions of interests to serve on the Selection Committee from:  David Cake, Rubens, Kuhl, and Susan Kawaguchi.  GNSO will need to formally approve both the Liaison and the entire slate of CSC members.

GNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) Improvements

The GNSO Council in 2013 started gathering ideas to improve and streamline the existing Policy Development Process. Ideas were translated into 10 PDP Improvements many of which were closely aligned with ATRT2 recommendations. A final status update has been issued including proposed next steps on how to transform improvements into permanent features of the PDP.  Improvements are grouped as follows: include charter in issue report, intensity of WG meetings, increase pool of WG volunteers, require WG rep from each SG/G with possible liaison, improved online tools, PDP WG rapporteur, professional moderation from experts, organize workshops/discussions at outset, improved data/metrics and flexibility with public comment duration. 

GAC Liaison update

The GNSO recently closed the nomination period for candidates interested in the role of GNSO Liaison to the GAC with an ‘underwhelming response’ * from the GNSO community (potentially linked to timing of the announcement as perhaps better when other elections/positions). They have since postponed with nominations accepted until 1 October 2016.  A new liaison is envisaged by 9 November 2016. 

*none of the applicants had any previous experience with the GNSO Council or with PDP working groups (chair or participant).

GNSO Obligations in the Revised ICANN Bylaws

Following revised ICANN Bylaws and the IANA Transition, staff conducted a detailed review and analysis of the revised ICANN Bylaws with respect to GNSO obligations.  The analysis could provide guidance on where new GNSO operating procedures may be necessary, where it appears that existing procedures may apply, and where no action is necessary.  The following areas are covered in the analysis: Obligations of the GSNO as a Decisional Participant of the Empowered Community, Engagement in the new Customer Standing Committee and New procedures or existing procedures concerning voting thresholds. 

Policy implementation update: IRTP-C and IRTP-D

ICANN staff announced effective date of 1 December 2016 for IRTP-C and IRTP-D.  The updated TDRP (transfer dispute resolution policy) will also be effective on 1 December 2016.

Other

- ICANN56 scheduling: Overlap on Wednesday between the ccNSO cross community session on geographic names and the RPM PDP WG not likely to be resolved.

- RySG Propose Amendment to New gTLD Registry Agreement: After 18 months of discussions, the revisions proposed by the RySG that ICANN agreed to have been made available to the community for comment. More information

- Graham Schreiber was removed from membership to the RPM (rights protection mechanism) review WG.