Re: [council] Date for meeting in Washington area -23/24/25 Feb 2006

[Sophia B <sophiabekele@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am in agreement with Ross on this subject.  We need to focus on the
substance of the meeting than the location, particularly if the grounds
are based on a threat to us by 'Washington insiders'.

I believe we can trust ourselves as professionals and apply objectivity to
manage our affairs, as that is what is expected of us in service to ICANN.

Besides all the good 'insiders' have been indited!

Sophia


On 28/01/06, Ross Rader <ross@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> All -
>
> The GNSO hasn't had a meeting in the United States since 2001. In the
> entire history of ICANN, we have only had three  meetings in the United
> States and five in all of North America. There are no meetings scheduled
> in North America, nor Asia-Pacific, for all of 2006. I'm not sure what
> all the fuss is about here, who these "insiders" are, or really, what
> the actual substance of these objections might be. Regardless of the
> external influences, the GNSO still follows a moderately democratic
> process in a fairly transparent manner.
>
> My strongest preference would be that we allow our chair, who lives
> half-way around the world from Washington himself, the courtesy to
> attend to his job - which includes scheduling this meeting - while we
> focus on matters of substance, such as discussing which inputs will be
> required for this meeting to be successful.
>
> And while we're on the subject, my preference would be that we cater
> lunch so that we may work through it. I'm certain that there is room in
> the GNSO budget for this small luxury.
>
> Regards from sunny Toronto,
>
> -ross
>
>
>
> Avri Doria wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I won't be able to attend.  Probably can't even attend remotely.
> >
> > I do not understand how we decided to schedule it at this time and in
> > this location.  Have we taken a final vote on this?
> >
> > I do believe I object.
> >
> > a.
> >
> > On 27 jan 2006, at 13.35, GNSO.SECRETARIAT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> [To: council[at]gnso.icann.org]
> >>
> >> Dear Council Members,
> >>
> >> As requested by Bruce Tonkin, the GNSO Council chair, I am providing an
> >> update on the proposed meeting in the Washington DC area.
> >> The proposed dates are:
> >>
> >> Thursday 23 February from 1:30 pm to 5:00pm
> >> Friday 24 February from 9:00 am to 5:00pm (Open Forum planned for half
> a
> >> day)
> >> Saturday 25 February from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
> >>
> >> In view of these meetings, there will be no GNSO Council meeting as
> >> planned on 21 February 2006. http://gnso.icann.org/calendar/#feb
> >>
> >> The room space can accommodate 30 people at an open U shape table and
> >> there will be 10 extra chairs on the sides.
> >> Some of the constituencies have informed me that their representatives
> >> will participate remotely and that they would like to have one or two
> >> additional designated representatives for on site attendance. If you
> >> will be participating remotely, the constituency should agree who will
> >> attend the meeting in person and let me know as soon as possible
> please.
> >> DIAL IN will be provided for remote participation of councillors.
> >>
> >> The meeting room has a podium, pc projector, wireless Internet
> >> connectivity and microphones.
> >>
> >> The cost would be for drinks and food, and will depend on the number
> >> of people attending, but I am told a sandwich/salad style lunch can be
> >> catered for at usually about 350- 400 US$  for about 35 people. There
> >> is a contribution for unlimited coffee, sodas, and juice that we are
> >> asked to make -- which is much nicer than having to worry about
> >> ordering catering for drinks. That might be about 150- 175 US$ An
> >> alternative is to break for lunch. There are numerous lunch places to
> >> buy salads, soup, sandwiches "on one's own".
> >>
> >> I have contacted about 10 hotels in down town Washington and the room
> >> rates vary from 190 to 250 US$. In order to negotiate a reasonable
> >> price, and hold sleeping rooms, I do have to know how many rooms will
> be
> >> needed and would be most grateful if you could give me an indication
> >> whether you will be attending or who will be attending from your
> >> constituency.
> >>
> >> There are 3 airports serving the Washington DC area:
> >> - Regan national airport is the closest being 15 to 20 minutes cab
> drive
> >> to Down Town Washington DC.
> >> - Baltimore (BW1) is about 1hour 15 minutes but does have subway
> >> transport  between the airport and Down Town Washington DC.
> >> - Dulles (IAD) is about 50 to 60 minutes away by cab or shuttle and
> >> there is an excellent shuttle service between Dulles airport and Down
> >> Town. There is no subway nor are there trains between Dulles and Down
> >> Town Washington DC.
> >>
> >> I hope this helps. Please contact me if you have any questions and
> >> please let me know whether you will be attending in person or by
> >> remote particiaption.
> >>
> >> Thank you.
> >> Kind regards,
> >>
> >> Glen
> >>
> >> Glen de Saint Géry
> >> GNSO Secretariat - ICANN
> >> gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org
> >> http://gnso.icann.org
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>


--
Sophia Bekele
Voice/Fax: 925-935-1598
Mob:925-818-0948
sophiabekele@xxxxxxxxx
SKYPE: skypesoph
www.cbsintl.com