Hello all, Firstly apologies for cross-posting... The ICANN Board has approved implementation of the new ICANN Meetings Strategy, beginning in 2016. The board resolution is at: https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2014-11-17-en#2.a and is copied below. The new meetings strategy (applicable from the beginning of 2016) will impact the ccNSO most significantly on the mid-year meeting, as this meeting would not include a ccNSO members meeting, and will focus instead on the work of the ccNSO Council, and its liaison across the broader ICANN community. Of course ccNSO members will not be prevented from attending and observing activities. This does however have implications for the Programme Working Groups planning, and also for the various ccNSO (and Cross Constituency) Working Groups, Study Groups etc. The final report of the Meeting Strategy Working Group is available from: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/recommendations-25feb14-en.pdf And the full archives of the WG (and links to the final report in the 6 non-english ICANN languages are at: https://www.icann.org/public-comments/meetings-strategy-2014-02-25-en Margarita Valdés Cortés and I were your two ccNSO representatives on this Working Group. Cheers Keith ---------------------- Meeting Strategy Working Group (MSWG) Recommendations Implementation Plan for 2016 Whereas, ICANN intends to hold meetings in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Whereas, the Meeting Strategy Working Group produced a Final Report of recommendations to improve the overall structure and format of ICANN Meetings and on 26 June 2014 received the Board's gratitude for conducting this review. Whereas, in furtherance of the Board's 26 June 2014, ICANN reviewed the MSWG Final Report and developed an implementation plan based on the recommendations within that Final Report, identifying implementation in the calendar year 2016. In addition, ICANN identifies a five (5) year schedule and regional rotation for ICANN Meetings through 2020. Whereas, the five year schedule reflects the MSWG recommendations for timing and duration of ICANN Public Meetings. Resolved (2014.11.17.08), the Board accepts all MSWG recommendations and directs the President and CEO, through his designee(s), to proceed with implementation. For recommendations on meeting support and engagement activities, focusing on technical support for remote participants and easing of future visa attainment for attendees, the Board directs the President and CEO to provide required support to obtain relevant metrics on recurring attendees. Resolved (2014.11.17.09), the Board accepts the dates of Meetings to be held in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 as set forth in Annex 1 to this Resolution. Rationale for Resolutions 2014.11.17.08 – 2014.11.17.09 The successful operation of ICANN's Public Meetings in all of the geographic regions is an important part of ICANN's accountability and transparency responsibilities. The growing demand for more sessions and meetings spread over more days has resulted in over-scheduled agendas and reduced opportunities for cross-community interaction. The MSWG developed a constructive report that made proposals for changes to ICANN Public Meetings in the following areas: meeting timing, duration and format; rotation of the meeting location; meeting support and engagement activities; and meeting planning. The MSWG recommendations were submitted for public comment in February 2014. ICANN performed a thorough analysis of the comments submitted by the community in response to the MSWG recommendations, and prepared a comment report. The analysis indicates that the community supports the recommendations made by the MSWG. The proposed dates for ICANN Meetings 2016-2020, which provide for equitable distribution of meetings over the five (5) geographic regions, were selected based on careful avoidance of important holidays, celebrations, and observances around the globe. Similarly, every effort was made to identify and prevent scheduling conflicts with other community events. The recommended dates were then developed in accordance with the timing and duration for ICANN Public Meetings recommended by the MSWG. There will be a financial impact on ICANN in hosting these meetings and providing travel support as necessary, as well as on the community in incurring costs to travel to the ICANN meetings. Given that ICANN is committed to having regular meetings, the financial and resource impact of today's decision is not anticipated to vary significantly from the regular operation of ICANN meetings. There is no impact on the security or the stability of the DNS due to the implementation of these recommendations. This is an Organizational Administrative Function for which public comment has been considered.