Dear NCSG members,

Following the discussions on the list and two calls (on August 5th and August 14th) on the matter of what was first termed the “constituency merger,” the three executive committees (NCSG, NCUC, and NPOC, hereafter collectively “the Leadership”) have decided to issue a call for volunteers for a Strategic Review Working Group.

 

SCOPE

The tasks of the Working Group will be the following:

1.       Conduct a thorough fact-finding operation aimed at identifying the problems related to, among other things, low engagement of the membership in policy activities, effective use of stakeholder group financial and “benefit” resources (such as travel slots), the number of administrative positions, effective representation of NCSG and its constituencies in other ICANN bodies. The Working Group will be free to collect its own data, in the form of interviews or polls of the membership, for example, and need not limit itself to what has been discussed so far both on the mailing list and during calls. In that sense, the problems listed here are examples drawn from the discussions, but the aim of the Working Group should be that of a thorough survey.

2.       Identify, to the best of its abilities, the causes for such problems.

3.       Provide a clear and detailed pathway to solutions that will remedy those problems by acting upon the causes. If necessary, depending on the magnitude of the changes implied, solution proposals shall be accompanied by a transition plan with a detailed timeline.

 

COMPOSITION

The Strategic Review Working Group will be composed of NCSG members in good standing. The Leadership will strive to have an equal number of NPOC and NCUC members, with representation from unaffiliated NCSG members as well, mindful of gender balance. To the extent possible, the Leadership will try to ensure geographic diversity as well. The Leadership aims for between six and ten members in total. 

The qualifications required are (a) demonstrated commitment to the work of NCSG or its constituencies, in the form of policy, administrative, or outreach work and (b) good knowledge of NCSG charter and NCUC Bylaws and operating procedures or NPOC charter. Selection of candidates will be undertaken by the Stakeholder and Constituencies Leadership.

We invite those of you who have already expressed their interest in joining this effort to submit your application.

Applications should be submitted by 23:59 UTC, seven business days after this call is published on the NCSG list (not counting the day of the publication,) to chair@ncsg.is.

 

PROCEDURES AND DELIVERABLES

The Working Group will be responsible to elect its own Chair.

All three elements above will be formulated in the form of a final report that will be presented to the whole membership. Its factual findings will be subject to full consensus, while the rest of the report, especially the solutions, may consist of options or alternatives.

Indeed, given that the implementation of the report is up to the Leadership – and potentially to the membership - the final report is not subject to the prior approval of the Leadership, nor is it subject to a vote.

The Working Group is expected to provide regular updates to the membership as to the fulfillment of its tasks.

All communications of the Working Group will take place on a dedicated and publicly archived mailing list, and its calls will be recorded and the recordings made available to the membership.

 

TIMELINE

The Leadership will finalize its selection five business days following the close of the call. Once the composition of the Working Group will have been announced, the Leadership will supervise the Chair selection process, which should take place within five business days.

The Working Group is then expected to hold (biweekly) calls and complete its fact finding by 31 December 2020. The final report should be delivered no later than 31 January 2021.

Stephanie Perrin

NCSG Chair