Re: [ga] serious participation in ICANN processes

[Bret Fausett <baf@fausett.com>]

Please explain. My point was to say:  a) this is a subject specific forum,
so it's different than the "At Large"; b) the other SOs have "GAs" too, but
they're implemented in a different fashion; and c) here's what the bylaws
say about the DNSO's GA.

Now, if the quote from the bylaws was the elevation of form over substance,
then I definitely agree. The bylaws clearly contemplate a more productive,
participatory role for the General Assembly than it's been able to muster so
far.

     -- Bret


Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law wrote:
> Actually, although Bret and I usually agree, I think this elevates form
> over substance.  The substance of the GA is that it is a debating forum
> whose outputs do not, so far as I've been able to discern, have any
> substantial influence on ICANN policy.
> 
> Are there counter-examples to this description?
> 
> On Wed, 4 Apr 2001, Bret Fausett wrote:
> 
>> Cindy Merry wrote:
>>> This may be posted under the wrong thread but perhaps it's an appropriate
>>> heading.  Is there a simple explanation about what the purpose of the
>>> General Assembly is within the ICANN processes?
>> 
>> Cindy,
>> 
>> "Generally" speaking, a "general assembly" is a meeting place of everyone
>> who is involved in a given area. There is a "General Assembly" meeting of
>> the Address Supporting Organization this afternoon, for example, in
>> conjunction with the ARIN meeting in San Francisco. ICANN's Address
>> Supporting Organization and Protocol Supporting Organization have elected to
>> have one "general assembly" meeting a year, usually to present status
>> reports and elect Board members.
>> 
>> The Domain Names Supporting Organization, on the other hand, has chosen to
>> implement the "General Assembly" concept both as an in-person meeting and as
>> a virtual space in the form of this mailing list. This particular General
>> Assembly is subject specific -- the domain name system ("DNS") -- and there
>> are many aspects of ICANN that are outside its scope and purpose. In that
>> sense, it is different from the "At Large" concept, which is intended to
>> find a representative vehicle for Internet users to address the user
>> perspective on *all* of the issues facing ICANN.
>> 
>> The DNSO's General Assembly meets in real space in conjunction with each
>> quarterly ICANN meeting and continues its discussions on the DNS here.
>> 
>> A description of *this* general assembly is included in the ICANN bylaws:
>> 
>> Article VI-B, Section 4. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
>> 
>> (a) The GA shall be an open forum for participation in the work of the DNSO,
>> and open to all who are willing to contribute effort to the work of the
>> DNSO. The participants in the GA should be individuals who have a knowledge
>> of and an interest in issues pertaining to the areas for which the DNSO has
>> primary responsibility, and who are willing to contribute time, effort and
>> expertise to the work of the DNSO, including work item proposal and
>> development, discussion of work items, draft document preparation, and
>> participation in research and drafting committees and working groups.
>> 
>> (b) The GA shall meet at least once a year, if possible in conjunction with
>> regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. To the maximum extent
>> practicable, all meetings should be available for online attendance as well
>> as physical attendance.
>> 
>> (c) The costs of GA meetings shall be the responsibility of the DNSO, which
>> may levy an equitable, cost-based fee on GA attendees to recoup those costs.
>> There shall be no other fees required to participate in the GA.
>> 
>> (d) Participants in the GA shall nominate, pursuant to procedures adopted by
>> the NC and approved by the Board, persons to serve on the Board in those
>> seats reserved for the DNSO.
>> 
>> I hope that is helpful.
>> 
>>    -- Bret
>> 
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