- Category: ICANN Structures
- Topic: ALAC's Certification of At-Large Structures
- Board meeting date: 4 December 2005
- Resolution number: 05.__
- URL for Board minutes/resolution: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-04dec05.htm
- Status: Completed
Summary
Board approves ALAC's proposed amendment to the bylaws regarding the number of votes required to certify a group as an "At-Large Structures."
Text
Whereas, groups of individual Internet users throughout the world are encouraged to register as "At Large Structures" and participate in ICANN decisions critical to the Internet's end users.
Whereas, user groups that meet a few simple criteria can be certified as "At Large Structures" by completing and submitting an application form to the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), and the ALAC reviews these applications, conducts due diligence, and votes via email on certification.
Whereas, the ICANN Bylaws require 2/3 of all ALAC members to vote "yes" in order to certify groups as "At-Large Structures."
Whereas, after using and trying to improve this certification process for two years, and voting on 26 applications, the ALAC has found that the "super majority" threshold for certification (10 votes) is cumbersome and unnecessary and can impede progress in building an At-Large network of user groups.
Whereas, recently, three applications did not receive the required 2/3 votes, even though a majority of members voting supported the applications and only one "no" vote was cast against certification of one applicant.
Whereas, the ALAC has determined that a change to these Bylaws is needed, and has discussed changes to the certification process at multiple open meetings and on publicly archived email lists.
Whereas, to better enable the At-Large framework envisioned in the Bylaws to be created, the ALAC has unanimously recommended a change to the Bylaws that will require a 2/3 majority among all of the members of the ALAC who cast a vote to certify a group as an "At-Large Structure," provided at least nine members of the ALAC cast a vote according to procedures adopted by the ALAC.
Whereas, the ICANN Ombudsman recommended that the Board adopt this proposed Bylaws change.
Whereas, the proposed ALAC Bylaw change has been posted for public comment on the At-Large ICANN webpage for over a month, and a notice requesting public comments also was posted on the ICANN homepage, and no comments opposing the bylaw change were received.
Resolved (05.___) that the Bylaws change proposed by the ALAC is approved.
Implementation Actions
- Implement Bylaws Amendment
- Responsible entity: General Counsel
- Due date: None provided
- Completion date: 28 February 2006
Other Related Resolutions
- Resolution 05.97 directing ICANN staff to post ALAC's proposed amendments for public comments, available at http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-08nov05.htm.
- Other resolutions TBD.
Additional Information
- Announcement regarding the proposed amendments and the forum for public comment available at the following page: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-27nov05.htm.
- The proposed bylaws changes were approved for inclusion in the Bylaws as amended on 28 February 2006, available at: http://www.icann.org/en/general/archive-bylaws/bylaws-28feb06.htm#XI.
- More information on the At Large Advisory Committee is available at: http://www.atlarge.icann.org/.
- The resolution does not address funding for the items identified therein.
Explanatory text does not modify or override Resolutions. See Board Resolutions Page for more information.
