Hello Michael

 

I was checking the archives to get up to date on the discussions in the NA region and saw this email, among a whole flurry of emails about the activities report I wrote for the ALAC teleconference tomorrow. I was a little taken aback to see that this could be considered "disturbing news", so decided to reply to attempt to allay your concerns. The group that is convening this meeting is ICANN.

 

Yes – the report is accurate, but not timely. The invitation was delayed owing to the Easter holiday, and was due to be sent out today, Tuesday. I did the report early owing to the holiday, and the invitation was later for the same reason. It wasn't any sort of conspiracy.

 

Anyway, about the invitation - The English version was sent a little while ago, and the French translation will be sent a bit later, when the North American West Coast based staff are up and about (sorry, I don't speak French). As well, sorry for the short notice, but the holiday really did mess up the timing.

 

There was loads of discussion on the NA list (see archives) about wanting a f2f meeting, and some direct requests, and given the opportunity offered, ICANN's At Large staff suggested last week that we try for this meeting to finally thrash out whether NA really wants a RALO, and under what terms, as well as have some input and discussion on some important and timely policy issues. (See invitation for details).

 

Also, the partial sponsorship of the meeting offered does not imply any quid pro quo, and has never done. We've had "sponsorship" from all sorts of groups and it hasn't affected anything.

 

I hope that you'll be able to attend, either in person or virtually.

 

 

Sincerely

Jacqueline A. Morris

 

That is disturbing news.  I have supported in principle, a face to face

meeting among the NA ALS and ALS applicants, at the proposed meeting in

Vancouver at the end of February.  That meeting was never approved and did

not get support.  We went ahead with an informational meeting, and with the

exception of staff and Canadian participation, no one else from the US

stepped forward to participate.

 

I'd like to know which groups are convening this meetingand why there has

been no discussion on the NA discussion list.

 

Is this report accurate?