GNSO Appointed Mentor - ICANN Fellowship Program - 2024

SSC Assignment Overview

The ICANN Fellowship Program has invited each of ICANN's Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs) to nominate one individual each (total of 7) to serve in the capacity of mentor for the Fellowship Program to serve for three consecutive ICANN meetings beginning with ICANN80.

The GNSO is holding an Expression of Interest process to solicit volunteers for the GNSO-nominated mentor position. The EOI has been announced on the GNSO website and via email to the SG/C leaders. The EOI closes on 12 January 2024. The GNSO Council has tasked the Standing Selection Committee (SSC) with evaluating the candidates and recommending one individual. The GNSO Council will review the SSC's recommendation and make a final decision on the nominee.

Tentative Proposed Timeline:

• 12 January 2024: Deadline for Fellowship Mentor EOI
• 16 January 2024: Open poll for SSC members to complete on Fellowship Mentor candidates
• 23 January 2024: Close poll for SSC members to complete on Fellowship Mentor candidates
• 24 January 2024: SSC meeting to discuss Fellowship Mentor candidates
• 24 January 2024: Start consensus call for candidate selection
• 26 January 2024: End consensus call for candidate selection
• 31 January 2024: Deadline to submit name of recommended candidate to Fellowship Program (subject to GNSO Council confirmation)
• 05 February 2024: Document and Motion Deadline for GNSO Council meeting
• 15 February 2024: Council confirms candidate recommended by SSC

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Background

The aim of the ICANN Fellowship Program is to strengthen the diversity of the multistakeholder model by fostering opportunities for individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities to become active participants in the ICANN community. Fellows are exposed to the workings of the ICANN community, are assigned a mentor, and receive training across different areas of knowledge and skill building before, during, and after an ICANN Public Meeting.

The program was launched in 2007 at ICANN29 in San Juan. In 2014, the program expanded considerably, allowing more eligible newcomers and returning fellowship alumni to participate. As the program grew, it became evident that mentors could help to strengthen the relationship between fellows and the ICANN community.

ICANN49 marked the beginning of the pilot "Fellowship Coaching process," which was formally launched for ICANN52. Following a community consultation, the mentoring process continues to evolve. Starting with ICANN65, Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs) have each been invited to annually nominate one mentor, for a total of seven.

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From the Expression of Interest: 

Responsibilities

Mentors prepare new and returning fellows to participate actively in the ICANN community. They guide fellows through extensive pre-meeting preparation, provide on-site networking and advice, and work collaboratively to ensure fellows develop the resources and skills to contribute to ICANN's work.

Each mentor coaches a team of up to seven ICANN fellows. Mentors should be prepared to assist fellows with a range of experience levels, including newcomers, individuals who are somewhat familiar with ICANN and its ecosystem, and fellowship alumni.

In brief, mentors are expected to:

• Provide advice and guidance
• Share experience as appropriate
• Offer encouragement and support
• Identify resources that will help mentees
• Encourage mentees to join ICANN community groups based on sector of interest
• Introduce fellows to community members
• Set deliverables for mentees during different stages of the program (pre-meeting, during meeting, and post-meeting)
• Participate in mentor post-meeting evaluation

Additional information and details about mentor responsibilities are available in the ICANN Fellowship Program Mentoring Guidelines.

Skills and Experience

• Active participant in GNSO structures and policy development processes with a track record of engagement
• Previous experience serving as a mentor, teacher, or learning facilitator is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Project management and coordination skills
• Networking skills

Desired Attributes

• Member of a GNSO Stakeholder Group and/or Constituency
• Understanding of the ICANN's mission, structure, and multistakeholder model
• Willingness to devote the necessary time prior to, during, and after each ICANN Meeting
• Ability to create a supportive atmosphere for mentees by being open, accessible, and approachable
• Robust network within the ICANN community and ability to leverage and share that network
• Ability to present information in a manner that is simple and easy to understand
• Ability to establish weekly projects and deliverables for mentees using a clear and consistent learning approach

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Applications received through the Expression of Interest

The following applications were received in the Expression of Interest process. (TBD)

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