[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] Please note that the request for Comments on ICANN Board Review Draft Terms of Reference is open until October 11, 2007 http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-20sep07.htm 20 September 2007 As part of the 2002-03 Evolution and Reform process, the ICANN community and Board established a principle of ongoing review of ICANN's structures to ensure their continuing relevance and effectiveness. This principle was embedded in the ICANN bylaws — making it a rare example in an international entity of constitutionally-required ongoing reform. In accordance with this requirement, and as part of ICANNs ongoing commitment to evolution and improvement, the Board approved at ICANN's December 2006 meeting in Sao Paulo a comprehensive schedule for independent review of ICANNs structures. The Board, on the recommendation of the Board Governance Committee, subsequently expanded this list to include the Board itself. The schedule is as follows: * Nominating Committee estimated launch — December 2006 * At-Large Advisory Committee estimated launch — February 2007 * DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee estimated launch — July 2007 * Board estimated launch — October 2007 * Security and Stability Advisory Committee estimated launch — January 2008 * ccNSO Supporting Organisation estimated launch — July 2008 * Address Supporting Organisation (ASO) estimated launch — December 2008 The reviews are intended to ensure an independent examination of the role and operation of key elements of ICANN. As with the first two independent reviews, which were completed for the GNSO Council and the GNSO , these reviews will be conducted in an objective manner by independent reviewers, under guidance from the Board on each reviews terms of reference, and with the opportunity for public comment on the results of the reviews. As specified in Article IV, Section 4 of ICANNs Bylaws, the goal of the review, to be undertaken pursuant to such criteria and standards as the Board shall direct, shall be to determine (i) whether that organization has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure, and (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness. The results of these reviews shall be posted for public review and comment, and shall be considered by the Board not later than its second scheduled meeting after being posted for 30 days. Consideration by the Board includes the ability to revise the structure or operation of the Nominating Committee by a two-thirds vote of all members. The Draft Terms of Reference for a review of the Board is to be found at http://www.icann.org/reviews/icann-board-review-20sep07.pdf [PDF, 17K]. They are open for public comment until October 11, 2007. Public comments should be made at board-review-tor@icann.org and can be reviewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/board-review-tor/. -- Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat - ICANN gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org