Bruce Many thanks for these insights into the process Re: "...there is support for some form of Consumers Constituency to increase participation by individual users of domain names in the policy development process - but this needs to be taken in the context of the new structure of the Non-commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG). The overall aim of any structural improvement is to increase user participation and the effectiveness of that participation in the GNSO. Any feedback you can provide from the perspective of the GNSO would be useful." I'm sure Chuck Gomes (Chair GNSO Council) and Avri Doria (immediate past Chair GNSO and now Chair NCSG EC) will provide input to the Board. But for me personally, increasing consumer awareness of and participation in ICANN policy processes is the key reason for my interest in ICANN and I am pleased to learn of the development of a Consumer Constituency to provide a "landing spot" for consumer groups interested in learning more about ICANN and influencing decisions to ensure they reflect consumer needs As I see it we have a clear direction, in the Affirmation of Commitments and the developing ICANN Strategy Plan, of outreach to other voices and I an keen to be part of this effort - hence the meeting in Brussels with BEUC and plans in hand to assist in connecting with other consumer groups around Asia Pacific...I am going to suggest ICANN make a presentation on this at the next APECTEL meeting and seek the support of all economies My focus as part of the NCSG Exec Committee at the moment is on working to establish the NCSG as a fully effective part of the GNSO, making the structural links between NCSG and GNSO processes work smoothly and settling admin planks like Membership Criteria, Policy Position Development, Interest Groups and Constituency Development The next stage will be encouraging others into NCSG - whether as Members, Interest Groups or Constituencies Cheers Rosemary -----Original Message----- From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Bruce Tonkin Sent: Wednesday, 9 December 2009 10:46 AM To: council@gnso.icann.org Subject: RE: [council] ICANN Board meeting agenda - 9 Dec 2009 - Item on Constituencies Hello Rosemary,

Is there anything of significance in item 6 - there is some thought that this might relate to a Consumer Constituency - something we are working on but are not ready for just yet.....

The agenda item relates to the four formal petitions received by ICANN to form new constituencies. These are: - Consumers Constituency - CyberSafety Constituency - City TLD Constituency - IDNgTLD Constituency The staff have provided recommendations with respect to whether to approve these proposals or not. The Board has the option to follow staff advice or decide to postpone any decision. I also expect that the Board's Structural Improvements Committee (SIC) (http://www.icann.org/en/committees/improvements/) will also advise the Board on this matter. Speaking personally - my understanding of feedback provided by the ICANN community - is that of the four above - there is support for some form of Consumers Constituency to increase participation by individual users of domain names in the policy development process - but this needs to be taken in the context of the new structure of the Non-commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG). The overall aim of any structural improvement is to increase user participation and the effectiveness of that participation in the GNSO. Any feedback you can provide from the perspective of the GNSO would be useful. Regards, Bruce Tonkin