Greetings, Following on my remarks on today’s teleconference Council call, here are the issues confronting the CCWG Auction Proceeds membership: First, there is the issue of whether the CCWG should recommend to the Board (via the SO/AC Community’s approval) a single Auction proceeds distribution mechanism, or multiple mechanisms. To recap, there are three Mechanisms on the table: 1. Mechanism A: An internal department dedicated to the allocation of auction proceeds is created within the ICANN organization. 2. Mechanism B: An internal department dedicated to the allocation of auction proceeds is created within the ICANN organization which collaborates with an existing non-profit. 3. Mechanism C: A new charitable structure (ICANN Foundation) is created which is functionally separate from ICANN org, which would be responsible for the allocation of auction proceeds. Second, there is the issue of solicitation of CCWG membership views with regards to the following approach to the CCWG’s report to the Board: 1. The CCWG should recommend a single mechanism to the ICANN Board 2. The CCWG should recommend the top two ranked mechanisms to the ICANN Board, leaving it up to the Board to make the final determination 3. The CCWG should recommend all three remaining mechanisms to the ICANN Board And finally 1. No strong view either way. To quote ICANN org CCWG staff with regards to this: As members serve as representatives of the Chartering Organizations, it is particularly important that all members respond to this poll. I do not wish to answer this poll without some input from you, my fellow Councilors. I realize that you have not been keeping yourselves up to speed on the deliberations of the CCWG; thank yourselves for that. I do need your input on how to proceed with respect to answering the survey on behalf of the ccNSO. From the Final Report of the CCWG, I quote the following to you: CCWG Recommendation #1: The CCWG will finalize this recommendation following its review of public comments and a formal consensus call, but based on the indicative poll results, the CCWG leadership sees a strong direction in favor of mechanism A (An internal department dedicated to the allocation of auction proceeds is created within the ICANN organization), followed by mechanism B (An internal department dedicated to the allocation of auction proceeds is created within the ICANN organization which collaborates with an existing non-profit organization). However, the CCWG leadership notes that a number of members did not participate in the indicative survey so it is possible that the outcome could change as a result of further deliberations, consideration of input received and consultations by the members with their respective appointing organizations. Based on the indicative survey results, the CCWG is expected to recommend that the Board selects a mechanism from the two ultimately top ranked mechanisms by the CCWG, for the disbursement of new gTLD Auction Proceeds. As part of its selection process, the ICANN Board is expected to apply the criteria outlined by the CCWG in section 4.5 of this proposed Final Report for which additional internal and/or external input may be required (such as providing a reliable cost estimate). The ICANN Board is expected to share the outcome of its consideration with the CCWG Chartering Organizations and, if deemed necessary, involve the Chartering Organizations and/or CCWG implementation team in any deliberations that would benefit from Chartering Organization and/or CCWG implementation team input. So things remain in flux with respect to what the CCWG will recommend to the Board. This poll is the last opportunity to influence the language of the CCWG’s recommendation to the Board. I do not want to substitute my own views on these two questions in lieu of input from you. As I noted on the call, the deadline for submitting a response is Friday, 24 April. I would therefore appreciate (on the list) any comments that you have about the matters discussed here no later than the end of the day your time, Thursday, 23 April. Thank you in advance for your input to my decision making process. Best Regards, Stephen Deerhake .as (American Samoa) Stay safe! Stay healthy!