GNSO Council - "Reverse Liaison " with the GAC
The objective of this mail is to kick-off a discussion thread which clarifies the GNSO Council's view on the concept of a "Reverse Liaison" to the GAC. Introduction The concept of a Reverse Liaison came up in the GNSO Council discussion with the GAC in Beijing. The discussion was focussed on improving the GAC engagement with the policy work of the GNSO. The most concept of Improved GAC engagement with the policy work of GNSO dates back to [ ]. The GNSO Council refined the Reverse Liaison concept little further in Durban, recognising that it would need to be an individual (or potentially individuals) very familiar with GNSO Council business but not necessarily on the Council due to schedule constraints. What do we mean by Reverse Liaison? . A person who is able to effectively and accurately represent the current status of all aspects of current GNSO policy work . A person who is able to be present at GAC in-person and telephone meetings What qualifications? . Familiarity with and experience of GNSO current policy work and the policy development process . A former GNSO Councillor (how long since they were on the Council? Just left in order to be completely current?) What does the Council expect? . Attendance at Council meetings? . Written and/or oral reports to GNSO Council? What does the GAC expect? . We need to discuss this with the GAC Other practical issues? . Councillors are funded? Will this position be funded for travel and accommodation? . What is the tenure? Assuming we can effectively resolve all of the above and any other related issues, I suggest that we aim to propose to ICANN in writing that ICANN funds this on an experimental basis for an initial year in the first instance. This could be reviewed for effectiveness at or before the next ICANN annual meeting (in 2014) with a view to agreeing to continue or terminate the role. Once we have agreement on the major points above, we will need to discuss and agree it with the GAC and then move forward to attempt to get it funded. A lot of effort between now & Buenos Aires! Thanks, Jonathan
Jonathan, I am glad we are trying to put a frame around this idea. As you know, I suggested such an approach for our liaison to the ccNSO Council as their meetings overlap with ours making it hard for a sitting councilor to fully participate. That same is true with the GAC and I support nominating someone with a just-ended seat on the Council. I have used the structure of your inquiry email to offer my comments: What do we mean by Reverse Liaison? · The by-laws may allow for a liaison between groups, as it does for the GAC with the GNSO Council, but practicalities may intervene. That is the case with the GAC as no single member can speak for the full advisory committee. As they have not filled the liaison seat, we are proposing a reverse liaison so that we can still benefit from a fuller knowledge of their actions and discussion as well as have a trusted representative who can participate in their discussions. It should be someone who, as you say, is able to effectively and accurately represent the current status of all aspects of current GNSO policy work. What qualifications? It is required that they be familiar with GNSO current policy work and the policy development process. That's shy a GNSO Councilor just ending his or her term makes the most sense. What does the Council expect As it would be impossible to be in two places at the same time, there should be no requirement that this person attend GNSO Council meetings, but, as with ICANN staff that are called to participate when the Council agenda touches their area of coverage, it would be expected for the liaison to be available to brief the Council as needed. Certainly, regular written reports to GNSO Council make sense. What does the GAC expect? This is a matter for you (Jonathan) to discuss with the head of the GAC. I wonder if they would be OK with the particulars above. Other practical issues? · The reverse liaison would need to be funded to attend the three international meetings and any other intercessional held by the GAC (assuming it is on-board). The term ought to be one year with a new councilor whose term is just ending filling the spot each time. My two cents, Berard
Thanks John, That moves it along and as far as I can see is consistent with what I suggested. One other point we need to consider is selection. Right now, we have Zahid as a volunteer which is great. There may be others depending on the criteria and, if so, will need to figure out how to decide. In any event, even if we only have one volunteer / candidate who meets the criteria, we’ll probably need a method for the Council to ratify that individual. Jonathan From: john@crediblecontext.com [mailto:john@crediblecontext.com] Sent: 23 September 2013 17:27 To: jrobinson@afilias.info; council@gnso.icann.org Subject: [council] Comments on the appointment of a GNSO Council - "Reverse Liaison " to the GAC Jonathan, I am glad we are trying to put a frame around this idea. As you know, I suggested such an approach for our liaison to the ccNSO Council as their meetings overlap with ours making it hard for a sitting councilor to fully participate. That same is true with the GAC and I support nominating someone with a just-ended seat on the Council. I have used the structure of your inquiry email to offer my comments: What do we mean by Reverse Liaison? · The by-laws may allow for a liaison between groups, as it does for the GAC with the GNSO Council, but practicalities may intervene. That is the case with the GAC as no single member can speak for the full advisory committee. As they have not filled the liaison seat, we are proposing a reverse liaison so that we can still benefit from a fuller knowledge of their actions and discussion as well as have a trusted representative who can participate in their discussions. It should be someone who, as you say, is able to effectively and accurately represent the current status of all aspects of current GNSO policy work. What qualifications? It is required that they be familiar with GNSO current policy work and the policy development process. That's shy a GNSO Councilor just ending his or her term makes the most sense. What does the Council expect As it would be impossible to be in two places at the same time, there should be no requirement that this person attend GNSO Council meetings, but, as with ICANN staff that are called to participate when the Council agenda touches their area of coverage, it would be expected for the liaison to be available to brief the Council as needed. Certainly, regular written reports to GNSO Council make sense. What does the GAC expect? This is a matter for you (Jonathan) to discuss with the head of the GAC. I wonder if they would be OK with the particulars above. Other practical issues? · The reverse liaison would need to be funded to attend the three international meetings and any other intercessional held by the GAC (assuming it is on-board). The term ought to be one year with a new councilor whose term is just ending filling the spot each time. My two cents, Berard
I fully agree to John’s comments. As to the role of the liaison I expect she/he having to be more or less passive and reactive. I don’t expect the GAC allowing to actively participating in discussions. This may be different to liaisons at the GNSO (e.g. Alan as ALAC liaison) but should definitely discussed between Heather and yourself, Jonathan. I agree to the one year term as the liaison needs to keep updated with the latest PDP developments. Best regards Wolf-Ulrich From: Jonathan Robinson Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 10:20 PM To: john@crediblecontext.com ; council@gnso.icann.org Subject: RE: [council] Comments on the appointment of a GNSO Council - "Reverse Liaison " to the GAC Thanks John, That moves it along and as far as I can see is consistent with what I suggested. One other point we need to consider is selection. Right now, we have Zahid as a volunteer which is great. There may be others depending on the criteria and, if so, will need to figure out how to decide. In any event, even if we only have one volunteer / candidate who meets the criteria, we’ll probably need a method for the Council to ratify that individual. Jonathan From: john@crediblecontext.com [mailto:john@crediblecontext.com] Sent: 23 September 2013 17:27 To: jrobinson@afilias.info; council@gnso.icann.org Subject: [council] Comments on the appointment of a GNSO Council - "Reverse Liaison " to the GAC Jonathan, I am glad we are trying to put a frame around this idea. As you know, I suggested such an approach for our liaison to the ccNSO Council as their meetings overlap with ours making it hard for a sitting councilor to fully participate. That same is true with the GAC and I support nominating someone with a just-ended seat on the Council. I have used the structure of your inquiry email to offer my comments: What do we mean by Reverse Liaison? · The by-laws may allow for a liaison between groups, as it does for the GAC with the GNSO Council, but practicalities may intervene. That is the case with the GAC as no single member can speak for the full advisory committee. As they have not filled the liaison seat, we are proposing a reverse liaison so that we can still benefit from a fuller knowledge of their actions and discussion as well as have a trusted representative who can participate in their discussions. It should be someone who, as you say, is able to effectively and accurately represent the current status of all aspects of current GNSO policy work. What qualifications? It is required that they be familiar with GNSO current policy work and the policy development process. That's shy a GNSO Councilor just ending his or her term makes the most sense. What does the Council expect As it would be impossible to be in two places at the same time, there should be no requirement that this person attend GNSO Council meetings, but, as with ICANN staff that are called to participate when the Council agenda touches their area of coverage, it would be expected for the liaison to be available to brief the Council as needed. Certainly, regular written reports to GNSO Council make sense. What does the GAC expect? This is a matter for you (Jonathan) to discuss with the head of the GAC. I wonder if they would be OK with the particulars above. Other practical issues? · The reverse liaison would need to be funded to attend the three international meetings and any other intercessional held by the GAC (assuming it is on-board). The term ought to be one year with a new councilor whose term is just ending filling the spot each time. My two cents, Berard
participants (3)
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john@crediblecontext.com
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Jonathan Robinson
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WUKnoben