NARALO Communication Strategy

This NARALO Communication Strategy Document is the result of our collaborative efforts while in the ICANN 45 Toronto At-Large Capacity Building Sessions Monday - Thursday October 15, 16, 17, and 18.The document follows the four-part discussion agenda which occurred over the four meeting days. Comments may be submitted to the NARALO Chair at any time.

I. Community Communications

The first pillar of the NARALO Communication strategy is in strengthening our existing membership by: sharing information up and down the ladder effectively, truly listening to the individual missions of our At-Large Structures, ensuring internal conflicts are resolved quickly and amicably, and using the talents already in the membership

1. Expansion and streamlining of Chair's Monthly Report: The monthly report is a critical transmission which has been unfortunately ignored. Each monthly report and NARALO teleconference is an opportunity to make our voice heard within and without the community. We will make a progressive effort to tactically structure the report for the benefit of our community.
   
   
2. Getting Our At-Large Structures on the Record and Enfranchising our Community: We have an amazing membership with diverse talent. Beyond commonly working together on ICANN policy development we need to find ways to raise the profiles of our ALSes and cooperatively promote their individual agendas. By exposing more of the work each ALS does in its own community within NARALO we can use the vision of the whole group to make better use of all of our skills and achieve collective goals.To this end we will add mechanisms which will highlight the intent and work of each ALS and member in NARALO.
   
   
3. Resolving conflicts quickly and using the Ombudsman informally: We are all here to help members of the Internet community find better access and representation. There are many parties within the Internet industry who want to see At-Large fail. We must commit to assisting each other resolve disputes quickly so such disputes do not diminish or disrupt our good works. This means we must each recognize disputes early, discuss them openly and assist each other in coming to productive resolutions. There are many viewpoints here, and this is what we want. What we do not want is to forget why we are here. It is also important to realize the Ombudsman is here for information as well as formal dispute resolution, let us make use of the informal process before the problem becomes a formal one.
   
   
4. Reaching within our community to reach out: Recruitment is everybody's job. Each of us can be a resource to find other persons and communities not yet part of NARALO who can be contacted and brought in.
   List of outreach events by calendar 

II. Recruitment

The second pillar of the NARALO Communication Strategy is in finding new members. This will be an ongoing effort to locate and contact potential organizations and persons who can help our community and benefit from the At-Large experience. Part of this effort requires the streamlining of our application process.

1. Sub-Committee on Recruitment: To make recruitment an ongoing agenda we shall create a NARALO Recruitment sub-committee which will conduct and coordinate various recruitment efforts. The Sub-Committee will also set recruitment goals for each calendar year.
   
   
2. Our Target Areas: The Sub-Committee will solicit and organize lists of potential contacts for recruitment
   a. Issue Recruitment: There are variety of issues and concerns about Internet policy with groups already engaging, but not yet members of At-Large. In Toronto we started creating lists of such organizations to contact.
   b. Geographic Recruitment
   - By State and Province: list all the regions within NARLO which DO NOT have an ALS and beging researching groups in those areas and contacting them. (See outreach page for table)
   - The Island Effort: We do not have members from Guam, Martial Islands, Virgin Islands, etc. Let us not allow these Islands to become "Internet islands" in terms of policy access
   
   
3. Development of a Standard Introduction Letter: The Sub-Committee will draft a template letter to be sent potential new members and groups. This letter should effectively communicate why we are contacting them, the benefits of At-Large membership, and how they can follow up with us. Ideally this should be sent via email and postal mail. Draft Version.
   
   
4. Streamlining the Application Process: In Toronto we explored the migration of the MSWord version of our application to an e-form. ICANN staff has indicated they will assist with the creation of an e-form and data process. We would also like to automate the and simplify the unaffiliated sign up process to include the required SOI and declarations. NARALO, through the Sub-Committee, should also carefully monitor the application process to ensure proper and timely closure.
   
   
5. Outreach Events Outside of ICANN: The Sub-Committee should also identify local Internet user conferences where NARALO may conduct outreach. The Sub-Committee should also explore the availability of funds for such efforts.

III. Internal Communications and Function

The third pillar of the NARALO Communication Strategy concerns improving information flow within the community.

1. Ongoing Improvements to the Details of our Meetings and Documentation: This is an effort and a responsibility of the whole community to recognize where and when technical communication is not effective. The Chair will solicit and accept advice from the community on how details of our calls, meetings and documentation may be improved for clarity and effectiveness. Where NARALO can make changes we will, where staff can assist the Chair will communicate the request. 
   
   
2. Plain Speak for New Members: For the benefit of new NARALO members we shall endeavor to avoid or explain acronyms and produce available documentation for complex issues. 
   
   
3. Removing Language barriers: For the benefit of all NARALO members we shall endeavor whenever possible to use terms which easily translate into Spanish and French.
   
   
4. Ensuring all ALSes are in contact: By regularly reviewing our membership we can ensure all contact information is correct and ALSes are active. As a last resprt, we shall have a clearly documented and transparent de-accreditation process. 
   
   
5. Tracking ICANN Functions especially Travel Constituency: There have been at various times gaps in commutation with various functional areas of ICANN. We will make a proactive effort to monitor and address any problems, through staff, which arise in dealing with ICANN's functional areas. The Chair will commit to accepting all concerns and complaints and finding ways to resolve them cooperatively with ICANN Staff.
   
   
6. Working Group Representation: NARALO will commit to increasing and effective participation in At-Large and cross-constituency working groups. As a normal procedure we will send new NARALO members a list of At-Large working groups so they can submit Statements of Interest (SOI) as soon as possible and become engaged. NARALO will also persistently review workflow participation from the region and ensure our representation is balanced.
   
   
7. Retention: NARALO will examine why some ALSes stop participating and why other stay involved and develop a strategy to keep our membership engaged.

IV. External Communication and Social Media

The fourth pillar of the NARALO Communications Strategy concerns the way we use technology and communicate outside the community.

1. Social Media: NARALO will work closely with cross-RALO efforts to expand our presence and use of social media.
   
   
2. Web Content: NARALO will make effective use of available resources by increasing activity on ICANN's web resources while being mindful of ways the tools may be used.
   
   
3. Process Enhancement: As explained part II. Recruitment, NARALO will examine all of our procedures, such as application, and find ways to enhance them.
   
   
4. Message Enhancement: NARALO will constantly streamline its core message to ensure we are broadcasting our most successful and clearest presence.