All, The progress on recruitment of staff remains fully in line with the last update I gave you. We have interviewed short-listed candidates and identified two preferred candidates for the Senior Office Policy Coordination and the GNSO Policy Officer respectively. At this moment, we are carrying out background checks before making formal offers. I hope to be able to make an announcement on the new staff in the first weeks of January. You may be interested to know that we had some 250 candidates for a total of 3 position advertised for my group, and that the two selected candidates are really excellent with much relevant experience and, assuming that we are able to make successful offers, I am looking very much forward to their arrival. Rests me to wish you and your families a merry Xmas and a very happy New Year (at least for those who celebrate these events), and I am looking forward to work with you in the new year. Best Paul ____________________________________ Paul Verhoef Vice President Policy Development Support ICANN 6 Rond Point Schuman, Bt.5 B-1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel.: +32.2.234 7872 Fax: +32.2.234 7848 www.icann.org