December 2006 - NA-Discuss - lists.icann.org

ALAC Committee - Liaisons to other constituencies and processes
by ICANN At Large Staff Jan. 12, 2007

Jan. 12, 2007

Hello everyone! An interesting discussion has started in the European At-Large community list and considering the nature of the conversation I thought it would be sensible to acquaint those of you not following this discussion (there are many from other regions listening in) with an element of it. For those who are not aware, the At-Large Advisory Committee has the right to appoint a number of liaisons, and in the case of the NomCom, a number of actual members, who participate in the work of the other communities and key working groups and report back to ALAC on what is happening, as well as taking the view of ALAC, and by extension the At-Large community, back to those other constituencies. These positions therefore represent important opportunities for the point of view of the At-Large constituency to be represented, though there are various perspectives about how effective these positions can be, for a whole variety of reasons, which I hope those who have views will express for a more complete and rich debate. A question was raised about who is eligible to fill these positions: members of the ALAC only, or anyone. ICANN's legal staff were asked to provide a view on the subject, and have done so, making clear that since the Bylaws do not require membership in the ALAC in order to, for example, be the ALAC Board Liaison, it is for the ALAC to decide the manner in which these positions are appointed, elected, or otherwise filled. This is in line with ALAC practice, having had Bret Fausett, a non-ALAC member, as GNSO Liaison for some years now. The discussion has moved on to a request that there should be set rules of procedure with respect to these appointments, so that the community could see transparently who was being nominated, how they were being nominated, and on what basis selected. The ALAC did resolve to compile draft procedures relating to these matters, with Vittorio Bertola volunteering to take on this task. There are quite a few liaison positions. The posts are as follows: (5) seats on the Nominating Committee (out of a total of 17 voting members) (1) liaison to the ICANN Board (1) liaison to the GNSO (1) liaison to the ccNSO Additionally the following ad-hoc appointments/liaison positions currently exist: (1) liaison to the IDN Working Group (1) liaison to the WHOIS Working Group (1) liaison to the President's Advisory Committee on IDNs The provisions of the Bylaws with respect to these matters can be found at: http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm. Article XI,s2(4) contains provisions related to the ALAC. Provisions related to the appointment, revocation of appointment, and/or reappointment appear in various places in the Bylaws in respect of the ccNSO and the GNSO, but in both cases, the ALAC may appoint, reappoint, or revoke an appointment, of its liaisons as it pleases and no term is defined for either. Note that there are particular provisions for the Regional At-Large Organisations to provide input into the appointment of the five voting seats on the Nominating Committee - with RALOs in later stages of formation in many regions, you may wish to consider how to provide input to ALAC with respect to these positions in due course. There is one seat per Geographic Region as defined by ICANN. I hope that this email has served to accurately convey the nature of the discussions and introduce (in particular) those who may be new to At-Large to this important subject. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart ICANN At Large Main Tel: +44 (20) 8800-1011] USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 Fax: +44 (20) 7681-3135 mobile: +44 (7774) 932798 email: nashton(a)spamcop.net Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart

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Independent Reviews of ICANN Entities
by Nick Ashton-Hart Dec. 9, 2006

Dec. 9, 2006

FYI: On 8 December 2006 the ICANN Board approved the following schedule for independent review of ICANN entities: - Nominating Committee – estimated launch December 2006 - At-Large Advisory Committee – estimated launch February 2007 - Corporate Administration, including the ICANN Board – estimated launch July 2007 - Root Server System Advisory Committee – estimated launch October 2007 - Security and Stability Advisory Committee – January 2008 - ccNSO Supporting Organisation – July 2008 - Address Supporting Organisation – December 2008 In general, Board/staff steps for conducting independent reviews include: - Establishing terms of reference (TOR) (which includes a period for public comment) - Soliciting proposals for consultant/s to serve as independent reviewers - Selecting consultant/s - Managing and providing information for consultant's work - Public posting and information sharing on final report The Board's resolution also directs staff to post proposed Terms of Reference for the Nominating Committee review for public comment and further consideration. A copy of the resolution approved by the Board is included below. --- Schedule for Periodic Reviews of ICANN Structure and Operations Whereas Article IV, Section 4 of ICANN's Bylaws calls for the Board to cause periodic reviews 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. Whereas these reviews are intended to ensure an independent examination of the role and operation of key elements of ICANN, and are part of ICANN's ongoing commitment to its evolution and improvement. Whereas the Board Governance Committee has determined that, although not required by the Bylaws, a review of the Board would be appropriate and consistent with ICANN's commitment. Whereas these reviews will be conducted in an objective way by independent evaluators, under guidance from the Board on the review's terms of reference, and with opportunity for public review and comment on the terms of reference and on the results of the reviews. Whereas the Board Governance Committee considered the age, responsibilities, and activities of each entity to be reviewed, and considered the operational limitations for managing and implementing reviews, and approved a comprehensive review schedule. Whereas the Board Governance Committee approved a proposed plan for the review of the Nominating Committee as the next entity to be reviewed, and recommended that the Board post proposed Terms of Reference for this review for public comment. Nominating Committee – estimated launch December 2006 At-Large Advisory Committee – estimated launch February 2007 Corporate Administration, including the ICANN Board – estimated launch July 2007 Root Server System Advisory Committee – estimated launch October 2007 Security and Stability Advisory Committee – January 2008 ccNSO Supporting Organisation – July 2008 Address Supporting Organisation – December 2008 Whereas, after four cycles, the Nominating Committee, and its critical role in selecting individuals for ICANN leadership positions, is a priority candidate for independent review. Resolved (06.___), the Board asks the General Counsel to examine the Bylaws provisions relating to periodic review, and to recommend any appropriate changes to reflect the new schedule recommended by the Board Governance Committee. Resolved (06.___), the ICANN Board agrees with the comprehensive review schedule and the proposed plan for the review of the Nominating Committee approved by the Board Governance Committee, and directs staff to execute the reviews as scheduled and to post proposed Terms of Reference for the Nominating Committee review for public comment and further consideration. -- -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart PO Box 32160 London N4 2XY United Kingdom UK Tel: +44 (20) 8800-1011 USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 Fax: +44 (20) 7681-3135 mobile: +44 (7774) 932798 Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart FESTIVE GREETINGS! As per usual, in lieu of cards for friends and colleagues, I have made a donation in your name to Medecins Sans Frontieres, to help them provide medical care to those much less fortunate than ourselves.

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At-Large Advisory Committee Election Results
by Nick Ashton-Hart Dec. 7, 2006

Dec. 7, 2006

I'm pleased to pass along the following important message announcing the leadership of the At-Large Advisory Committee for 2007. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bret Fausett <bfausett(a)internet.law.pro> Date: 07-Dec-2006 17:28 Subject: [alac] ALAC Election Results To: alac(a)icann.org As the non-voting Chair for today's election, I would like to provide the following report to the ALAC members and other interested members of the larger RALO, ALS, and At Large communities. Fifteen ALAC members were eligible to vote for ALAC officers. Fourteen expressed an intention to vote, with one member unavailable. I enlisted George Sadowsky to assist me, and together we counted and verified fourteen written ballots for three contested positions. Other officers for uncontested positions were elected by acclamation. I am pleased to announce the ALAC Officers for the coming year. Each officer will serve until the close of ICANN's annual meeting in 2007. * Chair: Annette Muehlberg * ALAC Liaison to the ICANN Board: Vittorio Bertola * ALAC Liaison to the ccNSO Council: Siavash Shahshahani * ALAC Liaison to the GNSO Council: Alan Greenberg * ALAC Representative to Whois Task Force: Wendy Seltzer * ALAC Representative to the GNSO's Working Group on IDNs: Hong Xue * ALAC Representative to the President's Advisory Committee on IDNs: Hong Xue We have two Vice-Chair positions, currently unfilled, which will be appointed or elected in the coming weeks. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the election. Bret Fausett -- -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart PO Box 32160 London N4 2XY United Kingdom UK Tel: +44 (20) 8800-1011 USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 Fax: +44 (20) 7681-3135 mobile: +44 (7774) 932798 Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart FESTIVE GREETINGS! As per usual, in lieu of cards for friends and colleagues, I have made a donation in your name to Medecins Sans Frontieres, to help them provide medical care to those much less fortunate than ourselves.

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(no subject)
by Nick Ashton-Hart Dec. 6, 2006

Dec. 6, 2006

Hello At-Large World! FYI, the first Regional At-Large Organisation was born yesterday in Sao Paulo. You can see a YouTube short video of the ceremony below - the webcast made as part of the conference yesterday will be available just after the meeting is over. I'll give the URL to everyone as soon as I have it. In the meantime, here's the YouTube version! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Rmpp0VLQQ -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart PO Box 32160 London N4 2XY United Kingdom Main Tel: +44 (20) 8800-1011] USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 Fax: +44 (20) 7681-3135 mobile: +44 (7774) 932798 email: nashton(a)spamcop.net Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart

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