RE: [council] Regarding Ethics and conflicts of interest

["Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

The minutes from the Board Governance Committee meeting of 15 September
are now public.

See: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15sep11-en.htm 


The relevant resolution relating to Ethics and Conflicts of interest is:

"Ethics and Conflicts of Interest - The Committee held a long and
detailed discussion about the nature of conflicts of interest, including
the requirements relating to disclosure of existing, future or potential
future conflicts of interest, as well as abstention from voting in
particular circumstances.  The Committee also discussed in detail how
ethics guidelines compliment a Conflicts of Interest Policy, and the
need for ICANN to establish a formal Ethics regime.  The BGC approved a
motion leading to the following actions:

Actions:

*  The CEO and the General Counsel are to review and propose revisions
to the Conflicts of Interest Policy to clarify issues, including
disclosure and abstention requirements, surrounding future interests or
potential future interests.

* The CEO and the General Counsel are to engage an external firm with
expertise in advising on ethical issues, to advise and help develop an
ICANN Ethics Regime or set of Guidelines for the Board, the staff and
the community.

* A work party of Cherine Chalaby, Bill Graham and Ray Plzak as current
members of the BGC to review and guide staff efforts to revise the
Conflicts of Interest Policy and development of the Ethics Regime or set
of Guidelines.

* Staff to provide BGC with progress report, and BGC to further discuss
process and timeline in Dakar."


Note also that the BGC has asked the staff to schedule a 90 minute
public session in Dakar to provide the community with a briefing on the
current conflicts policy and possible changes, and to seek community
input.  I will provide further details once the details are public.

Regards,
Bruce Tonkin