Excellent point. We absolutely would not want such groups stomping all over us. The way that I was envisioning an acceptable org-of-orgs (or however the entity might be set up) is that it would have to prove that its member orgs are composed of individuals, are not commercial and are still grassroots. I rather liked the wording in ICANN's ALS Application Interpretations guidelines which states: "For example, an 'Umbrella NGO' where such an NGO's organizational members are themselves controlled by and for the benefit of individual Internet users would fulfil the criterion. However, if an Umbrella NGO were to be composed largely of groups with little connection with individual Internet users' interests, or if an Umbrella NGO has no ability for individual internet users to participate in any way in it's work, that would be grounds for determining the applicant to be ineligible." I think that something like this would be a good rule of thumb. Of course, we are not part of ICANN so we should feel free to do our own guidelines on this. D Darlene A. Thompson Community Access Program Administrator Nunavut Department of Education/N-CAP c/o P.O. Box 1000, Station 910 Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 Phone: (867) 975-6531 Fax: (867) 979-8870 dthompson@gov.nu.ca -----Original Message----- From: na-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org [mailto:na-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of Bret Fausett Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:03 AM To: NA Discuss Subject: [NA-Discuss] Orgs of Orgs v. Orgs of Individuals I don't know that I have any strong opinions on this subject, but as someone who has followed the ICANN process for a long time, let me throw out one concern for discussion. Entities with commercial interests in the outcomes of ICANN's decisions are well-funded, powerful and have proven that they can and will insinuate themselves into any and every ICANN process where they are allowed. If we allow organizations that are composed of something other than individuals, are you comfortable sharing the NARALO with political action committees, lobbying organizations, "think tanks," and other organizations that are funded and directed by commercial businesses with commercial interests in the outcome of ICANN's decisions? (think Verisign, AT&T, intellectual property interest groups, registrars, etc.). -- Bret _______________________________________________ NA-Discuss mailing list NA-Discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/na-discuss_atlarge-lists .icann.org --- Draft MoU with ICANN: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_MOU Draft Operating Principles: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_OP