Dear Colleagues, In preparation to the upcoming ccNSO Governance session during ICANN70, Tuesday 23 March 2021, 15.30 – 17.00 UTC, I would like to share some details with you. The session will again be chaired by Chris Disspain who has been with the ccNSO since the very beginning. As you will know, the Rules of the ccNSO have been established in 2004. Since 2004, the ccNSO itself and the environment in which it operates has evolved. For example, when the Rules were adopted in 2004, the ccNSO had around 50 members. Currently, there are 172 members. Another example: since 2007, to address various needs of the growing (membership and areas of involvement of the) ccNSO, the ccNSO started to develop guidelines (in terms of the Bylaws: Operational Procedures). Next example: the introduction of the Empowered Community and the role of the ccNSO as a Decisional Participant – the role that was NOT envisioned at the time the Rules of the ccNSO were conceived. So, clearly, there is a need to update the Rules, and this has been recognized and discussed by the ccNSO membership at several meetings over the past 3 years. At the upcoming Governance session you will be asked to share your thoughts on what topics and aspects of the ccNSO Governance you would like to see included in future Members Rules of the ccNSO. Your input will be then used by the GRC in its ongoing work. For ease of reference, I have included a List of Topics (see below) developed by the ccNSO Guideline Review Committee based on your feedback during our discussion at ICANN69. This list will also be used during the upcoming session. In addition, it would be helpful if you could have a look at the ccNSO Rules 2004 (https://ccnso.icann.org/about/ccnso-rules-dec04-en.pdf ). Kind regards, ]{atrina List of potential topics future Members Rules of the ccNSO 1. Procedure for members to seek Ratification of Council votes (veto or confirmation) & limitations. Includes quorum rules for asking ratification, ratification vote, timelines, etc. Limitation in Bylaws, for example, as a result of the prohibitive DP related timelines (see Annex D of the Bylaws) 2. Relation constituent documents ccNSO. ICANN Bylaws and Internal rules and procedures (Rules and ccNSO Guidelines) 3. Change mechanism internal rules & guidelines. Description for change of Guidelines and Rules. Document current practice of consultation regarding the Guidelines (GRC-> Council-> Members -> Council adoption, subject to ratification). Change of Rules need to be approved by Members 4. Exceptions. ICANN Bylaws take precedence in case of conflict. Make more specific? For example, ANNEX D hardly allows for Ratification of Council Votes. 5. Membership instructions to Council. Instructions of members to Council (currently unqualified i.e. not clear) by supermajority of the membership. 6. Meetings (of membership and/or Council). The Council meeting Guideline and Membership meeting Guideline is far more detailed and reflects current practices. What is included in Rules document is very basic. Overlaps with Bylaws. 7. Quorum. Specific section on Quorum. Not consistent, what to do in case quorum is not met? Rewards absenteeism. 8. Council Resolutions. The ccNSO Council provides elaborate description of the Council decisions. Also references in various other documents, for example, removal of a director. 9. Electronic Votes. Included as separate item in 2004 Rules HOW we vote important bit more specific in specific Important to be clear how we vote 10. Committees. Currently all Committees (and WG) are created by the Council following the specific Guidelines, either at suggestion of Council or members. According to Rules 2004 the members can also establish
committees
to
 deal
with
particular
issues
such
as
finance,
staffing,
or
meeting
agendas 11. Removal of Councillors and/or Council. Currently included in the ccNSO Council election guideline and ICANN Bylaw re individual Councillors. 12. Termination ccNSO Membership. Expel a member. Substantial misbehavior. 13. Recourse Council Decisions (WS 2 Accountability Recommendations). For example, if ccNSO membership will not be approved. Petition process.