Re: [ga] RE: Bylaws Change Requested -- The At-Large Requires Representation

["kidsearch" <kidsearch@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sotiris, you put that very well. The working group you spoke of was very
productive in spite of the NC's insistance we stop working.

Not a bad model.

Chris McElroy, President,
Kidsearch Network
http://www.KidsearchNetwork.org
http://www.MissingChildrenBlog.com
http://www.runawayteens.org


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <sotiris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Danny Younger" <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Vint Cerf" <vint@xxxxxxxxxx>; <ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ga] RE: Bylaws Change Requested -- The At-Large Requires
Representation


> Dear Dr. Cerf,
>
> My comments inline below.
>
> Danny Younger wrote:
>
> [Note: I have had my differences with Mr. Danny Younger on numerous issues
> and his handling of them, none of which colour or prejudice my comments.]
>
> > Dear Vint,
> >
> > In my time as an ICANN participant I have taken note
> > of the degree of participation within three
> > organizations:  the DNSO GA, the IDNO, and
> > icannatlarge.  Each of these groups attained mailing
> > list numbers that only mildly exceeded 1000
> > participants.  When I compare this activity to that
> > found within the ISPs, the BC, the NCUC and the IP, I
> > am proud to see a much higher degree of involvement
> > (even the registrars don't get more than two or three
> > dozen entities participating in a vote).
>
> Indeed, the DNSO GA, the IDNO, and icannatlarge mailing lists were quite
> active however the noise to signal ratio was quite asymmetrical and little
> was actually accomplished.  Instead of those models, I would like to
> remind you of the public mailing list working groups, particularly the
> DNSO Review.
>
> Having 'whet my teeth' as the DNSO Reveiw WG's extended deadline
> facilitator ("interim" or "working chair" see:
> http://www.dnso.org/wgroups/wg-review/Arc02/msg03003.html) of the DNSO
> Review after Greg Burton's ungracious and hurried deposit and exit; I wish
> to remind you how the DNSO Review Working Group continued on for a month
> as an example of a productive public (i.e. grassroots) organ of ICANN
> policy
> recommendations bodies (and an international one at that).  From Thu, 15
> Mar 2001 to Mon, April 16, 2001 the DNSO Review produced the following
> Recommendations to the Board:
> http://forum.icann.org/dnsoreview1/3ADB39BF00000043.html
>
> It is my firm opinion that no other public organ of the ICANN produced a
> more candid, inclusive and condensed set of recommendations regarding the
> perceived problems inherent in the relevant ICANN structure at the time of
> its drafting.  I think this is quite a significant phenomenon and IMHO
> deserves to be revisited.  ICANN is in a unique (and one could even say
> 'perilous') position vis a vis its role in Internet Governance.  Perhaps
> this is one of those times when it might be prudent to take one step back
> in order to make two forward?  Food for thought, anyway.
>
> >
> > We both know that a constituent body may be launched
> > with a great amount of fanfare and that initial
> > signatories to such an effort may be many, but
> > certainly it will not be an unmanagable number -- as
> > recent organizational history has shown -- and over
> > the course of time those numbers invariably will drop.
> >
> > I am suggesting that the Board allows for the
> > formation of a new constituency -- an At-Large
> > Assembly.  Member management would become the
> > responsibility of the constituency, not ICANN, so the
> > ICANN concern over a possible 80,000 new voices
> > becomes a moot point.
>
> Dr. Cerf, I look forward to seeing you in Canada once again, in Vancouver
> this time around.  I hope you will at least entertain the thoughts
> expressed by Mr. Younger, Richard Henderson, Chris McElroy, myself and
> others.  I believe the international public may actually have something to
> offer ICANN.      I believe the time for an At-Large constituency has
> come, it is my hope you will share such an opinion, or at least, entertain
> the thought.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Sotiris Sotiropoulos
> Toronto, Canada
>
>