Dear GNSO Review Working Group members, On 03 February 2017 the ICANN Board of Directors accepted the GNSO Review Implementation Plan. See the Board resolution and link below that were posted today. Accordingly, staff will work with Jen Wolfe, WG Chair, and Wolf-Ulrich Knoben, WG Vice Chair, to schedule a kick-off meeting and develop a plan of work. As a reminder, the WG Charter states that, “Following the approval of the implementation plan, the Working Group is also expected to execute and oversee the implementation of the GNSO Review recommendations unless specified differently in the implementation plan.” Please do also review the list of members and us know if there are any changes. The list is on the wiki at: https://community.icann.org/display/GRWG/WG+members+and+mailing+list. In particular, if you know someone who would like to join this Working Group, please let us know. Look for a message soon that will have a link to a doodle to schedule our kick-off meeting. Kind regards, Julie Julie Hedlund, Policy Director See the Board resolution at: https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-02-03-en#1.e Independent Review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Plan of Recommendations Whereas, ICANN Bylaws Article IV, Section 4.4 calls on the ICANN Board to "cause a periodic review of the performance and operation of each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the Nominating Committee by an entity or entities independent of the organization under review. The goal of the review, to be undertaken pursuant to such criteria and standards as the Board shall direct, shall be to determine (i) whether that organization has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure, and (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness." Whereas, the independent examiner of the GNSO Review produced a Final Report [PDF, 727 KB], containing thirty-six (36) recommendations in September 2015. Whereas, the Board adopted the Final Report and the GNSO Working Party's Feasibility and Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO Review Recommendations as adopted by the GNSO Council. Whereas, the GNSO Council formed the GNSO Review Working Group and subsequently adopted the Working Group's Implementation Plan. Resolved (2017.02.03.05), the Board acknowledges the GNSO Review Working Group's work and thanks them for producing a comprehensive Implementation Plan that was adopted by the GNSO Council. Resolved (2017.02.03.06), the Board supports the phased approach laid out in the Implementation Plan and acknowledges that more details with regard to implementation details may be required for implementation Phases 2 and 3. Resolved (2017.02.03.07), that the Board accepts the GNSO Review Implementation Plan. Resolved (2017.02.03.08), that the Board directs the Review Working Group to provide updates to the OEC every six months. Those bi-annual updates shall identify implementation achievements and future implementation plans. It is during these updates that the GNSO Review Working Group shall provide more details on implementation progress, and measurability. The OEC may request interim briefings if deemed necessary. Resolved (2017.02.03.09), that any budgetary implications of the GNSO review implementation shall be considered as part of the then-applicable annual budgeting processes.