Marika and Lars,

Although Chris Mondini seemed to say that training for potential applicants re risks and costs of running a TLD is outside ICANN's area of responsibility and somehow outside of the GGP guidance on outreach, the fact is that only ICANN is primarily responsible for financial and technical evaluations and these are big hurdles in the  process.  (Sorry I don't have Chris' email.)  Recommendation 17.2 contemplates training and counselors.  This should not be postponed and laid on the private sector only.

At the very least, potential ASP candidates should be alerted to requirements for  Financial Evaluation, RSP Evaluation (or working with a pre-approved RSP), and technical evaluations before they take all the time and trouble to apply for the program.  Again, ICANN should not be risking a bunch of withdrawn ASP evaluations once these organizations understand the complexities.

I don't see why ICANN cannot prepare a webinar that would cover these topics (as well as eligibility) and link that webinar to the invitation to apply for the program that opens November 19.  Please don't skip this important step.  I am a big fan of ASP and do not want to see it fail in any respect, including withdrawn applications for ASP qualification.

Anne