Hi everyone,

I hope you have had a great remainder of summer since Durban and am looking forward to our call next week.  I agree it is appropriate to send a letter to Jonathan regarding the SCI’s position in order to best frame the discussion during the GNSO call. 

My only suggestion would be to provide some rationale for why members felt there should or shouldn’t be full consensus to help guide the discussion for the Council.  For example, I recall the rationale for full consensus was that it ensured the group would dedicate the time to explore all points of view and work to find stronger outcomes.  The SCI has the luxury of not working under any time constraints on procedural and process issues rather than substantive issues and thus the full consensus requirement gave the group more time to really find a better outcome.  On the flip side, I believe the argument against full consensus included concerns about potentially using the SCI in a way that would drive substantive outcomes in the GNSO, whether intentionally or not,  by pushing through decisions on procedure/process to meet an immediate need.

This may be too much to accomplish by our next meeting, but I am concerned that if we don’t provide at least a framework for the discussion based upon our meetings, then the Council does not benefit from the time we spent discussing this issue.  

I look forward to our next call and continuing the work on the SCI.

With kindest regards,

Jennifer

Dear All,

Based upon Wolf-Ulrich’s comments regarding the upcoming discussion on the next Council call regarding the SCI Charter, I have revised the letter discussed on our last call to provide the SCI input into that discussion.  The letter is noted below for your review.  It also includes (in blue text) Anne’s contribution.

Unless I hear strong opposition to this way forward, I will send the letter to Jonathan on Monday, Sept. 2^nd. 

Subject: GNSO Council Durban Sessions and SCI Charter

Dear Jonathan,

I understand that the GNSO Council will be discussing the SCI Charter revisions on its next call scheduled for September 5^th, 2013.  At its meeting on August 6th, 2013, the SCI members discussed the outcomes from the GNSO Wrap-up Session in Durban and decided that it would be helpful to seek additional guidance from the Council with respect to the next steps for the SCI Charter.  In particular, based on the discussion in Durban, it seems clear that the GNSO Council would like the SCI to continue as a 'standing committee' and would like the Charter to reflect that role.

Also at the Wrap-Up Session the GNSO Council discussed the SCI process for decision-making (full consensus versus Standard Methodology for Making Decisions).  The SCI understands that the Council agreed to consider this issue further on its mailing list and Council members were encouraged to share their views in support of one or the other option.  We now understand that Jeff Neuman will provide background information as to why the SCI was initially required to operate under full consensus.

At the August 6^th meeting, SCI members expressed an interest in further revising the Charter to ensure that the role of 'standing committee' is clear, to update it to include procedures for the election of SCI Chair and Vice-Chair, and to revise the decision-making process if directed to do so by the Council.  In this regard, it should be noted that there are SCI members who believe the “full consensus” process is beneficial for a group of this type.  The SCI would be happy to brief the Council on the Charter and Consensus issues if so requested.    However, if the Council, as the Chartering organization, would prefer to take on the task of revising the charter, it would be helpful if it could inform the SCI accordingly.  In either case it seems clear that it will be helpful to have a revised Charter available as soon as possible.  The SCI stands ready to assist in this task in whatever way the Council deems appropriate.

We await your guidance.

Kind regards,

Ron

Thank you.

Kind regards,

RA