Dear ccNSO members,

This is to alert you about an upcoming ccNSO Members’ vote on proposed changes to the ccNSO Internal Rules.  The ccNSO Rules have a direct impact on the governance structure of the ccNSO, specifically on the respective roles and responsibilities of the ccNSO Council and ccNSO members.  Voting will begin after ICANN75.  To learn more, read the Frequently Asked Questions & Answers below, or join the ICANN75 ccNSO Governance Session.

Read this announcement here: https://ccnso.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-02sep22-en.htm

Best regards,

Joke Braeken

joke.braeken@icann.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FAQ 01 | What is this about and why is a revision of the ccNSO Internal Rules needed?

On 2 June 2022, the most recent version of the ICANN Bylaws was published. Consequently, amendments to Article 10, on the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), and Annex B, on the ccNSO Policy Development Process, became effective. The Bylaw change impacts on ccNSO existing rules and operating procedures, since IDN ccTLD managers are now eligible to become members of the ccNSO.

A GRC subgroup held various consultations with the ccNSO membership to identify issues, find solutions and to update about progress on the proposed changes to the Rules. Based on the feedback, the Group finalised its draft.  The ccNSO Council adopted the proposed new Rules (in accordance with section 10.3(k) of the ICANN Bylaws) at its meeting on 18 August 2022. The proposed Rules are now ready to be put before the ccNSO membership for adoption.

FAQ 02 | What are the major changes between the current Rules and the proposed new Rules?

Firstly, the voting was adjusted: once the Rules come into effect, the concept of “one vote per ccTLD” will be replaced with “one vote per Territory”.

Secondly, two new concepts were introduced:

• Representative
  Each ccTLD manager may designate in writing a person, organization, or entity to represent the ccTLD manager in matters relating to the ccNSO (“Representative”). In the absence of such a designation, the person, organization, or entity listed as the administrative contact in the IANA database shall be deemed to be the designate of the ccTLD manager by whom the ccNSO member shall be represented.

• Emissary
  the Representative selected by the ccTLD Manager in accordance with Section 10.4(e) of the ICANN Bylaws shall be the Territory’s emissary (“Emissary”) for the purpose of voting in the specific cases enumerated in Article 10 & Annex B of the ICANN Bylaws and the Internal Rules and Internal Procedures of the ccNSO.

All concepts are included in the Glossary of the proposed updates to the Rules.

FAQ 03 | Were the ccNSO members consulted about the proposed changes?

At ICANN74, the Guidelines Review Committee (GRC) Subgroup consulted ICANN74, the membership present on the proposed updates of  the April 2022 Internal Rules of the ccNSO. After ICANN74, the ccNSO membership was provided the opportunity to submit further comments on the proposals via the ccNSO members mailing list.  The GRC will remind the ccNSO membership about the proposals - as well as the upcoming vote - during the ICANN75 ccNSO Governance Session.

FAQ 04 | Can I compare the current Rules (April 2022) with the proposed new version of the Rules?

Absolutely. The current Rules from April 2022 are here.  For the proposed changes, there is a clean version as adopted by the ccNSO Council on 18 August 2022, as well as a red-line version. 

FAQ 05 | What is this vote about?

To determine whether the ccNSO members support the adoption of the proposed new ccNSO internal rules.

FAQ 06 | When will the vote be held?

Voting will begin after ICANN75.  Voting starts Tuesday, 4 October 2022 (00:01 UTC) and ends Tuesday, 18 October 2022 (23:59 UTC). If needed, a second round will be held 1 - 15 November.  Consult here the timeline for the vote, as adopted by the ccNSO Council at its meeting on 18 August.:

FAQ 07 | Where can I read more about the voting process?

The ccNSO Secretariat will share voting instructions post ICANN75.  For the latest updates, go to the announcements page on the ccNSO website.

FAQ 08 | Who can vote?

The Emissaries of each ccNSO Member will receive a ballot at its latest on Monday, 3 October 2022 (23:59 UTC). Questions? Contact joke.braeken@icann.org

FAQ 09 | How many members need to vote, and how many votes need to be in favour?

As per the current rules (See Section 2.2 and 4.1 of the April 2022 version of the April 2022 Rules), at least 57 ccNSO members (33% of the current membership) and at least three (3) members per ICANN Region need to cast their votes to pass the quorum threshold.

If the vote is quorate, at least 66 % of the votes cast need to be in favour of the proposed amended rules.