Hi, We have had occasions lately where we have crafted motion language during the meeting. This is what I am trying to avoid, though I expect we won't avoid it completely. As far as I know we do not have any by-law regulations concerning the council practice vis a vis motions, though we do have a rule that meetings must be announced 7 days in advance:.
X.3.8 ... Members entitled to cast a majority of the total number of votes of GNSO Council members then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and acts by a majority vote of the GNSO Council members present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be acts of the GNSO Council, unless otherwise provided herein. (See Section 5(2) of this Article concerning the number of votes that GNSO Council members may cast.) Advance notice of such meetings shall be posted on the Website, if reasonably practicable, at least 7 days in advance of the meeting. ...
As you say, some topics will have already been vetted and councilors will feel free to vote, especially if the motion is on something less controversial or it is on a topic that is well known for being on the agenda - e.g. if someone wanted to make a motion regarding the new GTLD work or the Whois report. I do agree that having motions at least a week in advance is probably best, though I have also been told that one week is often not enough to get a constituency's ruling on a topic. I think that in all cases, if people aren't ready to vote on a motion we can postpone the vote on it until a future meeting, but at least we will know what we are talking about and have some advance look at the text of the motion being proposed. thanks a. On 24 aug 2007, at 14.40, Gomes, Chuck wrote:
Avri,
Having only 48 hours advance notice for motions for which it might be necessary to obtain constituency feedback is usually not enough notice. If the motion involves some issues that a constitunency has vetted well enough in advance to understand the consituency's position without testing the motion on members, it might not matter. But if a motion has some undiscussed nuances, it might be a problem. I had thought that motions were supposed to be proposed at least 7 days in advance if possible, but I may be wrong on that.
Chuck Gomes
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-----Original Message----- From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Avri Doria Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 1:22 PM To: GNSO Council Subject: [council] Council meetings and motions
Hi,
I would like to suggest that, as much as possible, council members try to float text on the list for motions they would like the council to vote on at least 48 hours before any meeting. If they relate to things that are already on the agenda, then I can just bring them up at the right time. On the other hand if they are not relevant to topics already on the agenda, they can be considered under AOB.
The agenda will still come out at least a week in advance and having any motions as early as possible would be best, but at least 2 days in advance seems helpful.
What do others think?
thanks a.