Dear Bruce and fellow Councillors It is now less than 4 weeks to the Rome ICANN meeting and I am unable to find any schedule of meetings - even provisional - up on the web site or distributed. While this has not stopped GNSO Constituencies and other interested ICANN parties organising their meetings, is it concerning not to be able to get a picture of how the 6 days are shaping up. Furthermore, it has come to my notice that the staff and Board may be contemplating holding an off-site private retreat for the Board and staff that would come in the middle of the usual whole day Public Forum - the time when the Board "officially" takes the time to listen to the community. If this were to eventuate, then the Public Forum would likely be split between the morning of Thursday 4th and the afternoon of Friday 5th. Such a move would disrupt the Public Forum and certainly lead to significantly fewer people staying around until the Friday afternoon to participate in the deferred Public Forum conclusion. Additionally, as you will know Marilyn Cade has been seeking to organise a meeting with presentations on issues raised at the recent WSIS meeting. Marilyn had hoped to be able to appraise the Council on these issues on our last call but was unable to make the call. Organising this meeting in Rome is proving to be impossible given the two problems noted above. I would like to ask for the Council's support in: 1) having the staff publish a provisional schedule; 2) confirm to this council any thoughts of deferring the conclusion of the Public Forum day and if this is a thought, to take immediate consultation on the matter; and 3) scheduling of the WSIS meeting I had planned to leave this to raise in AOB on the planned call in two days time, but on the cancellation of that call, thought it best to raise on the list. I suggest that if there is fellow Councillor support for my request, that Glen engage the staff in responding to the two requests above. Thank you for your consideration and hopefully, support of these matters. Grant Forsyth Manager Industry & Regulatory Affairs TelstraClear Cnr Taharoto & Northcote Roads Private Bag 92143 AUCKLAND ph +64 9 912 5759 fx + 64 9 912 4077 Mb 029 912 5759 - NOTE NEW Mobile Number