Dear Bruce, Kurt and Council This announcement concerns me from a process point of view. As I understand it, the GNSO is the policy council for ICANN. Our role is to develop policy proposals for adoption by the Board of ICANN. As such, we are the main "clients" of ICANN's policy support staff. Thus we must be actively involved in setting the job description for and appointing a suitable candidate to head up policy development in ICANN. The GNSO Council has for some time been seeking staff support for its policy development function. This was addressed initially with the President's appointment of Paul Verhoef. Subsequently other policy support staff were appointed. The Council provided a "job description" for the policy function. I do not understand the statement: "Due to the variety of duties associated with the new position and the transition, it is anticipated that Dr. Williams appointment will extend for nine to twelve months" This role is too important not to be filled immediately. With no reflection on Liz William's capabilities, I can not see why ICANN, with the involvement of the Council, can not make an appointment, utilising an open and transparent appointment's process, within 60 to 90 days. My suggestion and request is that: - Paul Twomey appoint one of his senior staff to work with the GNSO Council to recruit a new Senior Vice President, Policy - Council appoint a small committee (say 3 people?) to work with the senior ICANN staff member on the appointment's panel - an open and transparent international search be undertaken to fill the position of Senior Vice President, Policy - the appointment's committee be tasked with making a recommendation of appointment to the President within 90 days. I look forward to your and fellow Councillor's response to my request and getting this process underway without any further delay. Regards Grant Forsyth Manager Industry & Regulatory Affairs TelstraClear Cnr Taharoto & Northcote Roads Private Bag 92143 AUCKLAND ph +64 9 912 5759 fx + 64 9 912 4077 Mb 029 912 5759 -----Original Message----- From: Bruce Tonkin [mailto:Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au] Sent: Saturday, 25 June, 2005 14:55 To: council@gnso.icann.org Subject: [council] Dr Liz Williams to act as Senior Policy Advisor providing advice to Olof Nordling -----Original Message----- From: Kurt Pritz [mailto:pritz@icann.org] Sent: Saturday, 25 June 2005 10:33 AM To: Bruce Tonkin; 'Chris Disspain'; hpholen@tiscali.no Subject: Liz Williams Announcement LIZ WILLIAMS ICANN is pleased to announce that Dr. Williams will be providing consultancy services in the area of policy development. In this regard, Dr. Williams will act as Senior Policy Advisor providing advice to Olof Nordling, Manager Policy Development Coordination. The Senior Advisory role is a full-time, temporary position intended to bridge the time necessary to hire and install the new Vice President, Policy Development Support who will be replacing Paul Verhoef. Due to the variety of duties associated with the new position and the transition, it is anticipated that Dr. Williams appointment will extend for nine to twelve months. Dr. Williams is expected to begin work on 1 July and attend the upcoming ICANN meeting in Luxembourg. Dr. Williams brings long term experience in the ICANN environment across the ccTLD, registry and registrar constituencies. She is a former .auDA Board Director and Deputy Chair of the Board and has worked in North America, the Mekong and in the South Pacific on internet governance and telecommunications issues. She specialises in developing regulatory structures, policy development and compliance and institutional strengthening. She has a doctorate in information technology and law on the globalisation of regulation and the domain name system and a masters in communication on regulating the Internet and privacy protection. Dr. Williams will work primarily from the ICANN office in Brussels. Please refer question to Kurt Pritz at the information below. Sincerely, Kurt Pritz ICANN 4676 Admiralty Way, #330 Marina del Rey, California USA +1.310.301.5809 (office) +1.310.400.4184 (mobile)