Hi Bruna

I’m rather surprised at your email.  As one of the participants in the PDP you should have had the various emails, so please contact staff if you aren’t getting them.  As the initial email on 17 February made clear to all WG members, Paul was identified by full consensus of the SSC as the recommended candidate to chair this PDP, and that appointment is subject to the usual confirmation by Council at our next meeting.  A motion is currently being prepared to proceed under the consent agenda, and this will be shared shortly.  The motions deadline is 1 March.  I don’t understand you to be actually objecting and intending to vote “no” to Paul’s appointment, Bruna, but if you or any Councillor does so object I would urge you to raise that promptly. 

The first ICANN 85 meeting will be opened by the GNSO Council Liaison for this PDP, which in this case is Jennifer Chung. All emails and communication to and documents prepared for the WG have been in coordination with Jen as Council Liaison.

Given the SSC recommendation, Council Leadership considers it is appropriate for Paul to take up this post on an interim basis, pending the vote to confirm by Council.  This allows for a timely start of the PDP1 and for the working group to progress with important PDP steps.  You surely would not wish to lose the valuable opportunity for this PDP WG to meet in person during ICANN 85, nor for staff to chair these four meetings when a qualified chair has been identified by the SSC?

With regards to the Vice-Chair role, again as noted in the Kick Off Email, a Call for Volunteers for the Vice Chair position has been opened with the deadline of 27 February. Once the deadline has passed, the WG leadership will reach out to the WG with the list of volunteers and decide during ICANN85 how to best select the Vice-Chair.

It’s a shame you did not join our Prep Webinar last Thursday, which would have been a good opportunity to talk through your concerns rather than having to do so over email.