Dear All, This is a heads up about the upcoming vote on the new ccNSO internal rules. Read the proposed new rules and some frequently asked questions and answers below and find them enclosed. To learn more, join the ICANN73 ccNSO Governance Session, when the ccNSO Guideline Review Committee (GRC) subgroup on rules will inform the ccNSO membership about the vote on the new ccNSO rules, which propose to replace the 2004 rules. Voting will begin after ICANN73. This announcement will be posted on the ccNSO website as well. What is this about? The new rules will 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. The ccNSO has organized various sessions on the proposals to replace the 2004 ccNSO internal rules in recent ICANN Public Meetings, where the ccNSO Council and Members have been discussing the need to update the rules. A GRC subgroup held various consultations with the ccNSO membership to identify issues, find solutions and to update about progress. 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 24 February. The proposed Rules are now ready to be put before the ccNSO membership for adoption. What are the next steps? During ICANN73, the GRC subgroup on rules will present the proposed new set of internal ccNSO rules, and will inform the ccNSO members about the upcoming vote. Join us on Tuesday, 8 March 2022 (16:30-18:00 UTC) for a session on the ccNSO Governance. To attend, please register<https://73.schedule.icann.org/> for ICANN73. Please note that participation links will be available 24 hours prior to session start times. Session materials and recordings will be available on the ICANN73 website as well. ccNSO Members are invited to cast their votes 23 March - 6 April. As per section 8 of the 2004 Rules, in order for the new rules to be adopted, a vote by at least 86 ccNSO members is required, of which at least 66% needs to be in favor. The ccNSO Secretariat will share voting instructions post ICANN73. Read more * 2004 internal ccNSO rules<https://ccnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_25723/ccnso-rules-dec0...> * proposed new rules<https://community.icann.org/display/ccnsowkspc/Background+Material+%7C+Docum...> (and enclosed) * Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (see below and enclosed) On behalf of the ccNSO Guidelines Review Committee subgroup on rules, David McAuley, Chair GRC Subgroup ccNSO Rules Irina Danelia Stephen Deerhake Chris Disspain Atsushi Endo Ann-Cathrin Marcussen Alejandra Reynoso Sean Copeland (Observer) Katrina Sataki (Observer) Frequently Asked Questions FAQ#1 What is this vote about? To determine whether the ccNSO members support the adoption of the proposed new ccNSO internal rules. The 2004 rules clearly specify that in order for the new rules to be adopted, a vote by at least 86 ccNSO members is required, of which at least 66% needs to be in favour. FAQ#2 Who can vote? On 21 March 2022, the primary contacts of each ccNSO Member will receive a ballot. Questions? Contact joke.braeken@icann.org<mailto:joke.braeken@icann.org> FAQ#3 When will the vote be held? Voting starts Wednesday, 23 March 2022 (00:01 UTC) and ends Wednesday, 6 April 2022 (23:59 UTC). If needed, a second round will be held 21 April - 5 May. FAQ#4 Why do the 2004 rules need to be replaced? The 2004 rules are no longer fit for purpose: they were adopted in 2004, and since then the ccNSO has evolved. The ccNSO went from 40+ to 172 members, and evolved from an organisation with limited scope and mandate to being one of the five Decisional Participants. Also, the ccNSO developed in the meanwhile several Operational Procedures (Guidelines), in addition to the Rules. FAQ #5 What is included in the new rules? The new rules will 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. The new rules will contain the following sections: •(Section 0) Introduction to the Rules •(Section 1) ccNSO Decision making •(Section 2) Voting by ccNSO Membership •(Section 3) Review of the Rules •(Section 4) Change mechanisms Rules and Operational Procedures (Guidelines) •Glossary FAQ#6 What are the major changes between the 2004 rules and the new rules? * An introductory section clarifies the relation with Article 10 of the ICANN Bylaws and refers to the general principles, which constitute the foundation of the ccNSO. This introduction is not an integral part of the rules. * The decision-making processes of the ccNSO were clarified: Which decisions are explicitly reserved to be taken by the ccNSO membership and which by the ccNSO Council? Which Council decisions are subject to the members veto mechanism? What is the effective date of Council decisions? What is the decision-making process by the members? What is the quorum rule? Note that the quorum has changed from 50% of the members to 33% of the members that need to cast a vote. Please also note that the proposal includes that in case the quorum is not met during the initial members voting round, a second final vote will have to be conducted with the same quorum (33% of the members need to cast their vote). The quorum rule, however, will not apply to a decision being made on elections to the ICANN Board. * A basic review mechanism and frequency of the new Rules were specified * The mechanism to change the new ccNSO Rules and ccNSO Operating Procedures or Guidelines. * A glossary was added, with definitions of some of the terms used in the Rules. FAQ#7 Where can I read more about the vote? For the latest updates, go to the announcements page on the ccNSO website<https://ccnso.icann.org/en/news/announcements?year=2022>. Joke Braeken joke.braeken@icann.org<mailto:joke.braeken@icann.org>