Hello Brian, Jeff, and Jordyn, As discussed today I suggest the following approach with respect to addressing requests for data collection. (1) Role of Advisory Committees The Advisory Committees including the Governmental Advisory Committee, Security and Stability Advisory Committee, Root Server Advisory Committee, At-Large Advisory Committee are generally expected to review proposed policy changes that affect their areas of expertise as part of the public comment processes built into the GNSO policy Development process. These committees would not generally participate directly in GNSO policy development, although it is recognised that members of the At-Large Advisory Committee have been very helpful in supporting policy development on behalf of individual Internet users. In the case of WHOIS, some of these Advisory Committees are conducting their own activities with respect to considering WHOIS issues, and it is important, through the liaisons the GNSO has with each of these committees, that the committees are kept informed of the work in the GNSO. (2) Requests for data A highlight of the recent work on WHOIS policy development has been the need to collect further data. A task force should define what data/information needs to be collected, and then use the personal networks of the task force members and liaisons to ask individuals or organisations to respond to the data request within the timeframe allocated by the task force. The ICANN Staff manager can also advise the relevant Advisory Committee liaisons, the ccNSO and the ASO that such information is being sought. The relevant liaison can elect to pass on such requests as appropriate to their members, and their members should respond directly to the task force (rather than requiring a formal advisory committee or supporting organisation response). Given that there are several task forces working on WHOIS, I recommend that the ICANN Staff Manager collate the various data collection requests, and inform the Advisory Committees and the ccNSO of the information being sought. Advisory Committees, ccNSO, or other groups (e.g CENTR) that are in the process of doing their own data collection related to WHOIS, may be able to incorporate some of the questions into their own surveys. Each task force should ensure that it does not become reliant on the data collection plans of other organisations (which may occur over much longer time scales). While questions addressed directly to individuals or organisation is a useful source of information, the ICANN Staff Manager and task force members should also seek sources of information that has already been collected and analysed, potentially over a prolonged period of time. Regards, Bruce Tonkin