I'm in favor of elections and a review of the operating priorities of NARALO (and the RALOs in general). And my hope is that by seconding the nomination of Eric Brunner-Williams, such a review will ensue. As head of a newer At-Large Structure, I appreciate Eric's emphasis on the need for "outreach." Just last week I attended a briefing by Olivier that presented a most excellent inward view of the ICANN's operation. My hope is that at some point in the future there would be a similar gathering to reveal success strategies and stories of ALSs. Broader levels of support for ALSs would also prove beneficial. I note that several months ago I met with Mr. Bruen who emphasized his interest in developing the ALSs. So let me end where I started. I'm in favor of elections and a review of the operating priorities of NARALO and therefore, I second the nomination of Eric Brunner-Williams. Thomas Lowenhaupt On 6/18/2013 12:13 AM, Eric Brunner-Williams wrote:
Colleagues,
I think the situation may reasonably be summarized as there exist some At-Large Structures which meet a reasonable interpretation of the 2007 MOU, and some which do not. On issues for which a vote is the means of determining the position of record of the Region there is no distinction between them.
I suggest that this situation has come about by ordinary fatigue, enhanced by a correctable, but persistent error.
The error has been to waste much of the time any Chair has available on tasks which do not directly contribute to the increase in vitality of existing ALSes, aka "inreach", or the number of new ALSes, aka "outreach".
The practice, which began some time ago, before Garth Bruen volunteered, and before Beau Brendler volunteered, with Evan Libovitch who created this "Perq", was to use the _very_ limited travel support to send the Chair and Secretary to general meetings. The error has persisted for _years_.
This practice has three consequences -- all adverse.
First, the time required by ICANN travel is ten days door-to-door, for each meeting -- 30 days/year. The Chairs and Secretaries of RALOs do not need to spend a month a year reading their status reports to each other and chatting up the ALAC. Electronic mail, podcasts and phones suffice.
Second, each year six additional people who actually do make informed contributions to policy could participate first hand in ICANN meetings and bring back to their At-Large Structures their experience and improved judgement. This opportunity is currently wasted on _ineffective_ Officer junkets.
Third, the RALO officers could be spending one month of full-time work per year on "inreach" and "outreach", on making the RALO less ... absurdly inconsequential. This opportunity too is currently wasted on _ineffective_ Officer junkets.
If elected Chair, and this constitutes self-nomination, I will use the office of regional Chair to ensure that the Chair and Secretary work only to advance Regional Organizational goals, cease the current abuse of travel support as a private right of office, and advance those who are informed and engaged in public policy issues.
Eric Brunner-Williams Eugene, Oregon ------ NA-Discuss mailing list NA-Discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/na-discuss
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