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Re: [council] Proposed dates for GNSO Council meetings Jan., Feb., March 2006


Hi,

I agree with your comments. As a nomcom appointee, I do tend to think of myself as a volunteer in a relatively standard sense and consider time spent on ICANN as pro-bono work as no one pays me for the time spent on it and it bears no relation to any of my research or contract funding. Yet having volunteered, I do not believe that this binds me or my time any less. Yes, I volunteered, but having done so, I have taken on the tasks and have an obligation to them, even if they become onerous. Having voted for the work items ahead of us, I feel it is incumbent on me, as much as someone who is funded by their company, to put in the required time to get the work done. I also think that we will need weekly calls with weekly action items if we intend to meet reasonable time constraints.

Having said that, I think it is good if we open up some of the work to more ICANN participants and constituency members. Perhaps, even though we are working on the TLD issue as a committee of the whole, we could create some sub committees, that work of specific issues under this umbrella.

a.


On 15 dec 2005, at 08.45, Ross Rader wrote:

Ken - your point is well taken, my comments aren't intended to detract from this.

I'd like to underscore the need for continued outreach on behalf of each of the constituencies. Lately we've heard a fair number of concerns regarding participatory burdens. In my opinion, we are faced with a shortage of manpower - a shortage that can only be solved by increasing the depth and breadth of the membership of the constituency structure. If this issue isn't addressed, the GNSO will fail in meeting its policy objectives.

Further, I'd also like to clarify my understanding of the term "volunteer" as it relates to the vast majority of the members of the GNSO. We all represent various interests in the ICANN tent. To the extent that we represent our individual, personal interests, then the use of the term "volunteer" is indeed appropriate. However, for the rest of us, our participation is on behalf of various commercial and non-commercial interests. We advocate for their interests, and while our participation is optional, it is usually not undertaken on a true volunteer basis. This is more of a case of commercial and non-commercial benevolence - and appropriate at that.

The only instance in which this benevolence becomes volunteerism is at the point that the advocates are moved into positions within the GNSO that their capability to advocate their own interests takes a back-seat to their position - the chairs of the Council and tasks forces, council members, et al. are all required to represent the interests of aspects or all of the community and not of their sponsor.

This is a small point in the grand scheme of things, but I think its important that we are very clear, at least amongst ourselves, where our interests lie, what motivates us each, and above all else, whom is ultimately contributing to paying the bills for the activities we undertake.

Have a great holiday season everyone.

-ross

Ken Stubbs wrote:
if this be the case then we need to be judicious in selecting the day for the "committee of the whole" for new GTLD's conference calls. (Remembering that
this council is composed of "volunteers" with icann staff support.)
this could become a potential onerous burden on our members if we are not careful here. if that be the case, then we should consider opening up the GTLD TF to non-council members from the various constituencies.. i would become very concerned if we cannot populate the new TF calls with an adequate representation from all constituencies.




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