ICANN Fellowship Alumni,

On behalf of the Policy team, I’d like to share an exciting new pilot initiative slated to begin in October 2022 – the Policy Transition Program!

The program is the natural next step for Fellowship alumni who are interested in active policy participation at ICANN. Participants will engage in specific policy knowledge-building, cultivating a deeper understanding of current and forthcoming policy matters, while building community relationships and value in volunteerism.

GOALS

• Cultivate a pool of knowledgeable volunteers adequately prepared to participate in substantive policy activities at ICANN.
• Connect ICANN community groups with individual members seeking to contribute to policy matters.
• Foster community, relationship-building, and value in volunteerism through connections with veteran community members.

APPROACH

Deep dive into a current policy issue – the specific policy topic of the pilot is forthcoming

• Participants will receive focused primer materials including background summaries, webinar and session recordings, and relevant resources that offer differing points of view. The goal is to provide program participants a well-rounded set of materials on the policy topic.
• Participants are expected to study these materials and participate in session activities, facilitated by Policy staff, to further their understanding of the policy topic.
• Participants will use a dedicated mailing list to ask substantive questions and engage in targeted discussions.
• Program participants will engage in interactive discussion sessions with subject matter experts (SMEs) and/or active community members.
• We anticipate finalizing the policy topic by 1 August 2022.

Community building

• Targeted Fellowship alumni will act as guest speakers, sharing their experiences within ICANN policy development and the personal value they derive from participation.

Support connections between newcomers and existing community

•  Program sessions have four distinct goals:

• Provide a forum for interactive policy topic discussions with SMEs.
• Support participation in a guest speaker series targeted at substantive policy engagement and the value of volunteerism.
• Foster connections between participants.
• Provide a forum for existing community members to engage with newcomers.

• All sessions will be conducted via Zoom as this program does not have travel funding.

MEMBERSHIP

For the pilot, participation will be limited to Fellowship alumni who are either currently affiliated with non-commercial groups within the GNSO, or those who are currently unaffiliated, and wish explore opportunities for contribution within GNSO non-commercial groups.

If you are interested in participating or learning more, please email me at Melissa.allgood@icann.org by 15 August 2022.

We look forward to working with you!

Melissa Allgood (on behalf of the team supporting the Policy Transition Program)