Dear ALAC Colleagues, As the San Juan meeting approaches, we should turn our attention to finalizing the MOU with ICANN. Current Draft: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_MOU (newest revisions, for discussion, in bold typeface) By its terms, the MOU is between ICANN and the North American At Large Structures that choose to sign it (Section 1). I point this out so you know that it is possible to participate in the ICANN process as an ICANN At Large Structure, participate in the NARALO, but choose not to sign the MOU. Nevertheless, we should strive for a MOU that a substantial majority of currently accredited ALSs would be willing to sign and which we believe would be generally acceptable to future At Large Structures from North America. *If* we can find agreement on the language of the draft MOU, then we will have an official signing ceremony in San Juan and move forward with our contemplated election of ALAC representatives from North America. As we've discussed on the list previously, this is an aspirational goal, not a hard deadline, but I am certain that with work over the next week on the list we will be able to find consensus around common language for the MOU. Here is what I would ask everyone to do in preparation for San Juan: (a) if you don't already have it, seek authority from your organization to sign the MOU on its behalf, if we can agree to terms, in San Juan. Even if you are not going to San Juan, we can still arrange to have your organization sign the MOU by mail and facsimile (my understanding is that repersentatives from all organizations will be present with the exception of CAUCE, CAUCE Canada, Alberta Community Network Association (ACNA), and People Who). Unlike our ratification vote, in which each organization had two votes, we only need one signature from each ALS. (b) review the current draft and consider whether you would be willing to sign on the current terms. Is that language in the draft that would prevent you from signing? Is there language that must be in the draft in order for you to sign? If so, please let us know as soon as possible so we can carry this back to our own organizations and have a discussion around it. (c) let me know by email bfausett **at** internet.law.pro, or on list, whether you think the current draft is something your organization will agree to approve in San Juan. This is just a straw poll, but I'd like to get a read as soon as possible about how close we are to having an acceptable draft. Questions and discussion welcome. Bret