Dear Evan,
On 19/04/2023 16:10, Evan Leibovitch
via CPWG wrote:
We
spend far more time on internal processes than policy, and over my
decades of involvement I have come to the belief that this is
deliberate. That is, so long as ALAC continues to consume itself
with ... itself ... it will forever be retarded in its bylaw-given
mandate. As such, the vested interests maintain a clear path to
inflict their path without any resistance from the public
interest.
Have you recently attended a CPWG call? Your description of spending
more time on internal procedures rather than policy might have been
true a decade ago, but not now. I would suggest you update your view
of At-Large.
For example, on today's call, I learned that the Applicant Support
GNSO Guidance Process has evolved well thanks to the excellent work
of our colleagues, that there's also been some progress in the GNSO
DNS Abuse Small Team discussions and our representative there has
done great work in conveying the At-Large's community points. I've
also found out that the global "Universal Acceptance" day has had a
global impact thanks to so many ALSes doing excellent work and
organising events locally. And I have also found out that the ALAC
is going to be extra busy at the forthcoming ICANN77 Policy forum
because it's become a respected key player in many of the policy
processes currently developed at ICANN. And all of this with a very
diverse and strong input from the people that attend the CPWG call
each week, thus making it possibly one of the most vibrant
communities discussing ICANN policy within ICANN - and that is also
attracting some Board members enjoying observing the discussions as
well as members of other SOs and ACs.
Of course, we could always do better and we are not "there" yet
(wherever "there" is), but with Jonathan's leadership following on
the work of previous chairs, with active people in the At-Large
Leadership Team, with RALO leaders, the ALAC and At-Large community
have never been as motivated and effective as they are today. And to
purport the contrary is a fallacy.
GOAL! (GO At-Large!) :-)
Kindest regards,
Olivier