[council] Message from GNSO Council Chairs regarding GNSO and the "small group" proposal

["James M. Bladel" <jbladel@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Thomas –

Thank you for your email and accompanying clarifications.  We do not dispute 
the chronology of events as you have outlined in your message.  However, we 
would like to clarify a few key points relating to GNSO awareness and 
participation:


·         Despite several discussions and email exchanges covering some of the 
general aspects of the “small group,” the Board letter of 4 October 2016 was 
the first opportunity for the GNSO Council to review any aspect of the 
proposal, and consider our response.


·         Originally we expected a proposal from the “small group” by late 2014 
or early 2015, which would have allowed for more timely review action from the 
GNSO Council and the PDP working group.  Unfortunately, the significant delay 
in receiving the final proposal has created new challenges, and limited the 
GNSO Council’s options for a response.


·         ICANN Policy Staff has the full confidence of the GNSO Council.  We 
acknowledge that Staff (and in some instances, the GNSO liaison to the GAC) 
were involved in some discussions and email exchanges.  However, there appears 
to be a miscommunication about the nature of their involvement.  Neither were 
authorized to represent the GNSO Council in these discussions, nor were the 
details of “small group” deliberations shared with them.

We acknowledge, and to a large degree, we share the frustrations regarding the 
length of time taken to get to this point.  Be assured that the GNSO Council 
has prioritized this issue, but due to the unprecedented complexity of this 
topic, we respectfully request that the GAC and the broader community allow us 
the necessary time to diligently consider our options to move this work towards 
resolution.


Thank you---

Donna Austin, GNSO Council Vice Chair
James Bladel, GNSO Council Chair
Heather Forrest, GNSO Council Vice Chair


Cc:  GNSO Council, ICANN Board