Dear CPWG Members, On behalf of the CPWG co-chairs, we are seeking At-Large Community volunteers to consider the String Similarity Evaluation Guidelines for New gTLD Program: 2026 Round<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/string-similarity-evaluat...> posted for public comment by ICANN org. Your insights and/or expertise on the subject matter for public comment would be helpful for: * Firstly, reviewing and identifying any need for the ALAC to submit a comment, and secondly, where such need arises, presenting issues - in the form of bullet points - for discussion at one or more Working Group calls. * If the Working Group subsequently reaches consensus on the need for an ALAC comment, volunteering as a penholder to craft a concise thoughtful response (i.e. an ALAC statement) to this public comment proceeding. As this public comment proceeding will close on 22 January 2026, the proposed schedule for the above-mentioned tasks is as follows: * Reviewer(s): Establish if an ALAC comment is needed. * Reviewer(s): Initial Bullet Point(s) presentation and rationale for discussion in order to establish working group consensus And if needed, * Penholder(s): First Draft Statement shared with the CPWG on 17 December 2025 * Community: Comment on Draft Statement – 18 December 2025 – 5 January 2026 * Penholder(s): Final Draft Statement presentation – CPWG call on 7 January 2026 * ALAC: Vote on Final Statement – 12 January 2026 – 15 January 2026 * Staff: Submission of ALAC Statement – 16 January 2026 If you are interested in volunteering to be a reviewer and/or penholder, please reach out to the CPWG co-chairs Avri Doria (avri@doria.org<mailto:avri@doria.org>) and Olivier Crepin-Leblond (ocl@gih.com<mailto:ocl@gih.com>), copying At-Large Staff (staff@atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org>), by Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 16:00 UTC. Your participation is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to your contributions! Thank you. Kind regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>