Council Colleages - See below. The Empowered Community (EC) is seeking to convene a Community Forum in Johannesburg to discuss the proposed changes to the bylaws. Stephen Deerhake has taken the lead in requesting Staff make the arrangements for this session. I have asked that, going forward, the EC consider that obtaining approval (or non-Objection) from the GNSO will require more time, particularly for complex or controversial issues. Thank you -- J. ------------------ James Bladel GNSO Chair From: Stephen Deerhake <sdeerhake@nic.as><mailto:sdeerhake@nic.as> Reply: sdeerhake@nic.as <sdeerhake@nic.as><mailto:sdeerhake@nic.as> Date: April 3, 2017 at 15:15:59 Subject: We need to ask ICANN to convene an Approval Action Community Forum Greetings fellow ECA members, As ICANN has posted for public comment a proposed change to a Fundamental Bylaw, in anticipation of the Board approving this change at the conclusion of the 40 day public comment period, we need to formally ask ICANN to schedule an Approval Action Community Forum for the discussion of this bylaw change by the Community. See https://www.icann.org/public-comments/bylaws-bgc-2017-03-31-en for details. I suggest that it occur early on during the ICANN-59 meeting, as the timing of the public comment period, staff summarization of the comments received, presentation of the staff summary, and Board vote is heading in that direction. Since we are in uncharted waters, if it meets with approval from you, I will take the lead on this and formally submit, on behalf of the Empowered Community Administration, a request to the ICANN Secretary to provide all necessary support for the convening of a Community Public Forum for the purpose of discussing this proposed Bylaw change at the ICANN-59 meeting in Johannesburg. In lieu of any objections, I will submit a formal request to the ICANN Secretary tomorrow (Tuesday), 4 April. Best Regards, Stephen Deerhake AS Domain Registry ccNSO Representative to the Empowered Community Administration