Re: [council] Next GNSO Council chair - and Vice-chairs ?

[Robin Gross <robin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

My comment was not related to Bruce.  But rather, a desire to create 
standard and customary checks and balances in ICANN governance 
structures.  A vice-chair is a standard and customary mechanism for 
checks and balances in many governance structures. 

But let's not pretend that a chair has equal power to other councilors.  
The chair decides where there agreement; the chair decides what to 
include in reports and what to omit; the chair decides whether to call 
something "strong support" or just "support".  There are a number of 
ways in which a chair can influence the outcome  -  and yes, that is why 
it is imperative that a chair be as neutral as possible.
Robin


Gomes, Chuck wrote:

> I am interested in the use of the term 'power'.  Obviously, the chair
> has important influence over the procedings of the Council and that is
> why strong leadership skills are critical.  But that is also why the
> ability to lead in a neutral manner is also critical.  If any chair uses
> the position to exercise undo 'power' or influence to advocate his/her
> own views, then it would be our responsibilities as Councilors to
> object.  A Council member has the same voting power whether that member
> is chair or not.
>
> I believe that Bruce has done an amazing job in this regard and it will
> be a big challenge for the next chair to do as well, but that is what we
> should strive for.
>
> Chuck Gomes
>
> "This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to
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> confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any
> unauthorized use, distribution, or disclosure is strictly prohibited. If
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>
>  
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > [mailto:owner-council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robin Gross
> > Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 5:38 PM
> > To: council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [council] Next GNSO Council chair - and Vice-chairs ?
> >
> > I support the idea of council vice-chairs to distribute both 
> > the workload and the power of the chairmanship to other councilors.
> > I think that the vice-chair should be the person with the 2nd 
> > most votes in the final round of voting for chairman. 
> >
> > We should examine appropriate checks and balances of power 
> > within council as part of the over-all GNSO review and improvements.
> > Robin
> >
> >
> >
> > Gomes, Chuck wrote:
> >
> >    
> >
> > > I personally think that the idea of a chair and one or two 
> > >      
> > vice chairs 
> >    
> >
> > > is worth discussing further for possible usage in the remainder of 
> > > Bruce's term (until the annual meeting).  As Philip 
> > >      
> > indicates, it might 
> >    
> >
> > > be a reasonable way to better distribute the work load of Council 
> > > leadership.  It would also allow some time for the work of the Board 
> > > Governance committee regarding the GNSO review to progress 
> > >      
> > and at the 
> >    
> >
> > > same time give us some time to test the idea.
> > >
> > > I like Philip am interested in what others think.
> > >
> > > Chuck Gomes
> > >
> > > "This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to 
> > > which it is addressed, and may contain information that is 
> > >      
> > privileged, 
> >    
> >
> > > confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any 
> > > unauthorized use, distribution, or disclosure is strictly 
> > >      
> > prohibited. 
> >    
> >
> > > If you have received this message in error, please notify sender 
> > > immediately and destroy/delete the original transmission."
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >      
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: owner-council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > [mailto:owner-council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Philip Sheppard
> > > > Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 5:19 AM
> > > > To: council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > Subject: [council] Next GNSO Council chair - and Vice-chairs ?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I am comfortable with the idea of the next appointment being till 
> > > > after the AGM - to help synchronise the term.
> > > > Let me start on list, a discussion we had face to face with some 
> > > > council members in Lisbon and the idea of both a chair and 
> > > >        
> > one or two 
> >    
> >
> > > > vice chairs also.
> > > > I see this model working well for a few reasons:
> > > > - clear responsibility for deputising for chair when the 
> > > >        
> > chair cannot 
> >    
> >
> > > > make a meeting/call for any reason;
> > > > - a vice chair could also chair any committees of the whole if 
> > > > convened in future;
> > > > - at a time of multiple overlapping issues, vice chairs 
> > > >        
> > could be given 
> >    
> >
> > > > an issue responsibility to help oversee not the policy 
> > > >        
> > (that would be 
> >    
> >
> > > > the TF chair) but any administrative and coordination questions 
> > > > (especially useful when the TF chair is not a council member).
> > > > There is nothing in the by-laws to prevent us from such 
> > > >        
> > appointments.
> >    
> >
> > > > What do other Council members think ?
> > > > Philip
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >   
> > > >
> > > >        
> > >
> > >      
> >    
>