Dear all, Here is the list of topics to be sent to the Board for discussion at their meeting with the GNSO tomorrow; please let me know ASAP if you have any specific corrections on any inaccuracies or gaps. Thank you! IMPACT ON BOARD OF NEW GNSO PROCESSES (GNSO LEADS: JONATHAN ROBINSON & CHUCK GOMES) For Discussion The need to amend ICANN¹s Bylaws if these new processes are adopted, with consequent impact on Board voting/actions BOARD DECISIONS CONCERNING gTLD POLICY AND RELATED IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS (GNSO LEAD: BRIAN WINTERFELDT) Question for Discussion - How does the Board formulate its decisions and what is its process for making decisions? This question arises specifically due to what the GNSO community perceives as growing deference to the GAC on gTLD policy and implementation issues, which could increase the GAC¹s ability to drive gTLD policymaking beyond what is contemplated in the ICANN Bylaws. Specific examples: - Some NGPC decisions seem to be based on subjective criteria rather than substantive objective information (e.g. lack of international law basis for apparent GAC ³veto² on the use of 2-character domains corresponding to country codes and its anticipated similar proposal on country and territory names) - Deference to the GAC can be illustrated by recent decisions on implementing approvals for release of 2-character domains, based on GAC/GAC member advice/comments ICANN EXECUTIVE/STAFF DECISIONS CONCERNING gTLD POLICY AND RELATED IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS (GNSO LEAD: ??) For Discussion - Community concerns that ³back door² policy is being made by the ICANN executive/staff without input from the GNSO (e.g. imposition of URS in renewals of legacy gTLD registry agreements) OTHER TOPICS (TO NOTE ONLY, NOT FOR LENGTHY DISCUSSION) Community Concerns: - ICANN¹s growing maturity and complexity increases burden of tracking multiple streams of work; beyond volunteer burnout issues this highlights the need to recognize the pressures on community time and attention - General concern about a number of parallel activities and how they interrelate with one another - Concern over organizational stability in light of the transition to a new CEO at this time Concluding Question (if time permits): ³What keeps Board members awake at night about ICANN?² Cheers Mary Mary Wong Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) Telephone: +1 603 574 4889 Email: mary.wong@icann.org