AT-LARGE GATEWAY
At-Large Regional Policy Engagement Program (ARPEP)
At-Large Review Implementation Plan Development
Page History
November-December 2014 Report
ICANN 52 in Singapore, APRALO Showcase - Due to change of ICANN 52 location to Singapore, APRALO members started the preparatory works for organizing APRALO showcase in February. The overarching theme for Showcase in Singapore will be as usual APRALO Motto "APRALO - Celebrating Diversity". During November period APRALO ALSs were brainstorming on preparing the agenda, promotional items as takeaways. During November-December period APRALO members with the support of At-Large staff and Singapore local staff are working on the final list of items to be prepared for the Showcase, funding sponsors, catering, promotional stuff and special performances. The discussions on promotional items are posted here: APRALO Showcase Promotional Item Ideas. The draft agenda is posted here: APRALO SHOWCASE 2015 PROGRAM. Three sub-committees among APRALO leadership: poster tables preparation sub-committee, promotional items research sub-committee and entertainment and catering sub-committee. Leadership team meets on bi-weekly basis to provide updates and identify the next steps. The time and date of the Showcase are not determined yet.
2. CROPP program - APRALO members Satish Babu and Maureen Hilyard are working on the request to be submitted for participation at APRICOT 2015 in Japan.
3. Topics for Capacity Building webinars - during November APRALO ALSs had been asked to submit the topics for capacity building webinars to be organized for ALSs. The list of topics had been collected and submitted to Capacity Building WG.
October 2014 Report
- APRALO - ICANN APAC HUB PILOT FRAMEWORK - After London meeting, together with regional VPs APRALO leadership has discussed the strategy for the future cooperation and the priority areas had been set based on the feedback and contribution provided by APRALO ALSs. During the October monthly meeting in LA, the Head of Outreach & Public Responsibility, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific Hub, Singapore, Kelvin Wong presented the final document based on the feedback provided. The call to join for WG to facilitate the implementation of actions under framework i.e. Language Localization, APAC Outreach etc. has been announced during the meeting. Draft APRALO-ICANN APAC Pilot Plan [ICANN51].pdf presentation has been shared.
- CROPP program - APRALO members Holly Raiche and Ali Almeshal participated at PacINET in Cook Islands and presented the results of their participation. Three slots are available for APRALO members for FY2015. Main events will be identified for APRALO members’ participation.
- Metrics – Based on APRALO Rules of Procedure (ROP) we have developed the metrics for participation for the leadership team and for ALSs. The new survey is planned to be worked out to be sent to all ALSs during the period from ICANN 52 and ICANN 53 meetings. The results of the survey will be used to find out the ways to encourage more participation from our members, more particularly to involve them actively on policy development discussion level
- ATLAS II Recommendations – During the Secretariat meeting in LA the 4 recommendations (28, 29, 42 and 43) had been discussed:
Recommendation 28 – To map the current expertise and interests among our ALSs membership, to identify Subject Matter Experts and facilitate policy communication, it was decided to include this question in the survey, which will be sent to ALSs in winter.
Recommendation 29 – the same automatic system will be implemented for recommendation 26, after which the same tools will be used on RALO level
Recommendation 42 – It was discussed and decided that in case of necessity, the regional General Assemblies can be implemented in concert with other major regional events, such as ICANN meeting in the region, APTLD/APNIC annual events, such as APRICOT. The need for such GAs will be discussed, with the strong content in place, in parallel with capacity building activities.
Recommendation 43 – will be compiled in metrics survey to be conducted in winter.
5. APNIC -APRALO collaboration: APNIC representative, Strategic Engagement Director, Pablo Hinojosa, presented the current issues discussed in APNIC. The presentation and the following information had been shared with all APRALO ALSs via mailing list:
a) The first blogpost is the proposal put forward for consultation to the community, during APNIC last meeting: http://blog.apnic.net/2014/09/08/iana-session-apnic-38-a-discussion-proposal/
b) The second blogpost is a recount of the opening ceremony of APNIC last meeting: http://blog.apnic.net/2014/09/16/apnic-38-opens-in-brisbane/
c) The third blogpost is a report of the consultation session after the plan was proposed to the community: http://blog.apnic.net/2014/09/17/iana-stewardship-transition-apnic-38/
d) ICANN just recently issued a blogpost about this session as well, citing it as a good example: https://www.icann.org/news/blog/apnic-38-session-on-iana-stewardship-transition-showcases-community-progress-and-diversity
September 2014 Report
- APRALO - ICANN APAC HUB PILOT FRAMEWORK
APRALO members are finalizing the comments provided by ALSs for identifying the main priority areas for the region. The final document will be prepared and discussed during ICANN 51 in LA. - ATLAS II implementation: APRALO members are discussing 4 recommendations and next steps will be discussed and finalized during LA meeting. Below are 4 recommendations: See : Post ATLAS II Activities WORKSPACE28 - The ALAC should work with all RALOs and ALSes to map the current expertise and interests in their membership, to identify Subject Matter Experts and facilitate policy communication.29 - The ALAC should implement an automated system for tracking topics of interest currently being discussed among the various RALOs, and accessible by everyone.42 - ICANN should enable annual face-to-face RALO assemblies, either at ICANN regional offices or in concert with regional events.43 - RALOs should encourage their inactive ALS representatives to comply with ALAC minimum participation requirements.
3. Social Media Strategy
During September meeting Pavan Budhani, who is a member of Social Media Strategy WG presented the activities conducted within the framework of this WG. APRALO members were asked to provide him with the interesting meetings, activities, taking place in their region which worth to be shared with other communities. The news can be twitted, posted in Facebook and shared through ICANN social media tools.
4. At-Large Web Site Enhancements - http://atlarge.icann.org
APRALO Vice Chair Ali Almeshal is preparing the final list of recommendation for At-Large Website enhancement. He will become a member of Technology Task Force WG and will share the AP input for further consideration.
5. APRALO Outreach activities
APRALO members are participating in different regional/national events and conduct outreach activities to highlight the importance of internet users to become a part of APRALO as potential ALSs. The following events had or are planned to have big participation from APRALO members: IGF 2014, APNIC 38 Meeting in Brisbane, PacINET in Cook Islands.
August 2014 Report
- APRALO Webinar with APNIC on Policy Development 2014-08-12
On August 12, 2014, in partnership with APNIC, APRALO organized a Capacity Building webinar on Policy Development for APRALO ALSs. A very detailed presentation and webinar was run by APNIC Policy Development Specialist Adam Gosling. The webinar was recorded and is available in the wiki: APRALO Webinar with APNIC on Policy Development 2014-08-12 - The presentation is also available: APNIC Presentation on Policy Development Capacity Building. The translation is available in English and Chinese languages. The Adobe Connect recording allows to follow the presentation at the same time. The transcript will be also available for review.
APRALO - ICANN APAC HUB PILOT FRAMEWORK
During the APRALO General Assembly 2014-06-25 in London APRALO-ICANN APAC HUB Pilot framework had been presented to all ALSs. The details of the ideas from ALSs had been compiled (see the report from July 2014). Based on the ideas the draft document had been prepared (WIKI page includes a Power Point with details on this Pilot Program - Draft document can be viewed HERE), which is open for additional comments from APRALO members. The deadline for comments is August 31st, 2014. After consolidating all feedback coming from APRALO members, the Strategy WG within APRALO will be established to prepare the Strategy Document for the region. Maureen Hilyard is leading the process.
At-Large Web Site Enhancements - http://atlarge.icann.org
APRALO members are invited to provide the input/suggestions/comments how to improve the At-Large web site to make it more rich and attractive as well as a good repository for all our activities (RALO and ALSs). Feedback deadline is end of August. Ali Almeshal is leading the process to come up with the consolidated document from APRALO to be sent to staff.
July 2014 Report
1. APAC HUB - APRALO Strategy document
The main focus areas for the region has been discussed during the APRALO GA in London. Based on the input from AP members, Maureen Hilyard consolidated the following priority areas for APRALO:
a. COMMUNICATION - APRALO is a large region - how can we improve communication between APAC and
the regions (including the diversity of end-users within these sub-regions)
so that local issues are appropriately addressed and coordinated?
Subsequent comments from APRALO members reinforced the idea of sub-regional
focuses because our region is so diverse. We do not believe that there can
be a one-size-fits-all model that can be implemented across the region.
b. LANGUAGES - How do we coordinate the involvement of ALSes to provide local translations
of key ICANN/APAC/APRALO documents? A suggestion was also made about
translations of resources which could be carried out by ALSes for their
respective countries.
c. CAPACITY BUILDING - How do we address and prioritize capacity building needs of end-users within
APRALO subregions? A suggestion was to identify and share talents/skills
within our region for capacity building activities - which could assist with
decreasing the costs of outreach.
d. OUTREACH - How can we ensure that there is equitable use of available resources to
encourage ICANN outreach to the ALSes within the subregions and who need
support for extending outreach into their respective communities about
ICANN, its role within the internet ecosystem, and ICANN issues which
ultimately impact on APRALO end-users?
The final strategy document will be elaborated during the summer period. A small WG will be created to work on this document.
2. Capacity building webinar on policy issues by APNIC
APRALO is in the process of organizing a webinar for all APRALO members, run by APNIC policy development experts, to share what APNIC is doing in the region and how the policies are being development. This is a good opportunity for APRALO ALSs to learn and then to become a part of policy development stuff. The webinar is planned on the second week of August, 2014.
3. At-Large website - consolidated input from APRALO members
APRALO members will be asked to provide suggestions, recommendations how to improve At-Large website to be shared with ICANN communication team. Ali Almeshal will collect the input from APRALO members.
4. APRALO NomCom appointee for 2015
Satish Babu did an exceptionally great work during his period serving in the NomCom 2014. It is normal procedure that NomCom appointees serve two consecutive years on the NomCom and therefore Satish Babu is considered and agreed to serve another year in NomCom as a representative from APRALO. Congratulations!!!
5. IGF in Istanbul- APRALO representation
The proposal submitted within the framework of ICANN FY15 budget to run the workshop at IGF 2014 in Istanbul (IGF No. 84 Listening to the Voice of Users in ICANN) was not approved by IGF MAG. APRALO leadership team is working with At-Large staff to possible shift of the funds for another workshop proposal, approved by MAG (IGF WS99: Digital inclusion policies for the forgotten billion - http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/schedule-igf2014).
June 2014 Report
1. APRALO General Assembly - F2F in London, Wednesday, 25th of June, 11:00-13:00 local time
APRALO held it’s annual general assembly, where 34 out of 35 certified ALSs participated. The important aspects related to AP region had been discussed. The following topics had been covered:
a) The role of ALSs and their importance to APRALO and ALAC for input in decision making process
b) Outreach activities - how to involve more ALSs to become an active participants of At-Large community
c) To deepen the relations with regional actors with whom we have signed an official MOUs with APNIC and APTLD - Fouad Bajwa will lead a WG on the partnership WG to take the MOUs (signed with APNIC and APTLD in Singapore) further. Fouad Bajwa will send updated on APTLD and APNIC to APRALO ALSs. The WG will work via email only, and will report/update on a monthly basis.
d) Discussions on identifying and prioritizing the main focus areas for the region were discussed and APRALO agreed to continue discussions of the APAC HUB - APRALO Strategy document within a time frame of 2 months and send the deliverable to Maureen Hilyard who will consolidate all the inputs from APRALO members.
e) APRALO members who are not subscribed to the mail list were asked to send emails to at large staff to be subscribed both to AP mailing list and have access to Wiki space.
2. APRALO New Leadership Team - APRALO Leadership Selection 2014
f) APRALO new leadership team ceased 'acting in the capacity' and fully took their seats in each Leadership Team role - see the details at 2015 APRALO Selections and Appointments
Holly Raiche - ALAC Representative to November 2016,
Siranush Vardanyan - APRALO Chair to November 2016,
Ali AlMeshal - APRALO Vice-Chair to November 2016,
Satish Babu - APRALO Vice-Chair to October 2015,
Pavan Budhrani - Confirmed as continuing in the role on behalf of our secretariat ALS (ISOC-HK)
3. APRALO Metrics to be developed:
APRALO will develop the metrics relevant to ALSs' participation and involvement in the region, to be measured on annual basis. The small WG within the APRALO will be formed to prepare the metrics to be shared with ALSs.
May 2014 Report
1. CROPP Submission for 2014 (At-Large RALOs)
During the CROPP pilot phase (till June 2014) only one submission for QITCOM 2014 has been submitted and approved, but due to unforeseen visa issues, the trip was not implemented. The challenges had been shared with the WG members from AP region to be shared with the CROPP team as well.
Several requests, which had been submitted by AP region within FY15 budget were allocated under CROPP 2015 period (Workshop at PacINET, 22-26 September 2014 and Workshop and outreach activities at Asia Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF), August, New Delhi, India). During the monthly call it was decided to start the preparatory works for submission the new requests to be submitted whenever the new deadlines will be announced by CROPP team.
2. ATLAS II in London
APRALO is in the process of preparing for ATLAS II activities. Siranush, Maureen, Pavan and Ali are in charge of different activities. The following items had been completed:
a) Fayre of opportunities – RALO Music collection – Pavan is leading – is uploaded in the wiki space
b) APRALO Table – APRALO ALSs PPt and Singapore showcase video on the table – Maureen is leading
c) APRALO ALSs booklets, brochures, info sheets as hand outs – Ali Almeshal is leading - the follow up e-mail to all ALSs will be sent
d) APRALO E-brochure with APRALO ALSs info – submitted to staff by Pavan. Staff is asked to check with Communications Department how many copies of APRALO booklet (disseminated in Singapore) are available and if possible to print more copies for dissemination in London - Silvia is leading
e) APRALO Banner – Celebrating Diversity - Done
f) RALO Secretariats re Social Media strategy - Pavan is the leading person from APRALO
g) ATLAS II Webinars – participation or follow up with the uploaded info – by ALL
f) Participation in the survey related to the selection of Thematic groups by all APRALO ALSs - the link will be re-send by staff
3. APRALO General Assembly in London
APRALO GA will take place on Wednesday, at 11:00-13:00 local time in London. The main agenda will cover the selection/consensus of the following vacancies for APRALO Leadership Positions:
a) ALAC Representative to serve for 2 year term ending in November 2016
b) APRALO Chair to serve a 2 year term ending in November 2016
c) APRALO Vice Chair to serve a 2 year term ending in November 2016
d) The second Vice Chair to serve a 1 year term ending in October 2015 (in case if the current Acting Chair will be selected to serve the new term)
The clear outline for the positions and nominations had been sent to AP list. The call for consensus will be sent as well to keep the selection procedures in accordance with the newly adopted Rules of Procedure.
The final agenda for GA is in the process of finalization.
4. Metrics - ALAC Subcommittee on At-Large Metrics
APRALO ALSs are expected to fill in the form, to mention in which WGs they participate. This will help also to share the best practices among the ALSs representatives to encourage more participation in ICANN related activities - Maureen is leading the process.
5. IGF 2014 - submission from APRALO
IGF MAG is in the process of finalizing and approving the submitted proposals. This year IGF MAG decided to limit 3 workshop proposals per organization. More than three submission had been done from ICANN, and the final approval is not done yet.
April 2014 Report
1. APRALO ALSes Spotlight - PICISOC and CIIAG - Presenter Maureen Hilyard
2. ATLAS II in London
Preparation for ATLAS II for all ALSs
a) Participation from ALSs in ATLAS II Working Groups is needed - List of WGs - At-Large Summit Working Group (ALL)
b) ATLAS II Fayre of Opportunities - APRALO to prepare the list of local music (Pavan is leading), and APRALO table in London (Maureen and Siranush are leading)
c) Participation of ALL ALSs in ATLAS II Pre Webinars - Participation is MANDATORY (ALL). Check and Follow all the e-mails coming to ATLAS II participants, related to Pre-webinars participation and make all efforts to be available:
CAPACITY BUILDING WEBINARS ATLAS II - see the full list of all webinars
d) ATLAS II List of Participants - ATLAS II Participants, check if the info is updated (ALL)
3. APRALO proposal for IGF 2014
IGF 2014 sub theme that this workshop fall under: IGF & The Future of the Internet Ecosystem
Description: The US Department of Commerce’ announcement of the planned transition of IANA oversight from the NTIA to ICANN heightens the significance of ICANN in the global Internet governance arena. ICANN’s At-Large Advisory Committee has represented the voice of Internet users in ICANN. With enhanced responsibility for ICANN with its new role, how will the voice of Internet users both be heard both within ICANN and within the larger Internet Governance arena.
4. APRALO General Assembly in London
Wednesday 25 June 11:00 - 13:00
Main topics:
- Selection of regional leaders for the next term - APRALO Chair, APRALO Vice Chair, APRALO NomCom Member for 2015 in accordance with the new APRALO ROP
- How to promote more active participation of ALSs in APRALO Activities
- Outreach - how to involve more ALSs to become an active participants of At-Large community
March 2014 Report
1. APRALO Showcase in Singapore
“Celebrating Diversity” was a motto for APRALO region and the title of Showcase in Singapore. During the Showcase APRALO region started the new era of mutual cooperation and support with important regional organisations. APRALO signed an official Memorandum of Understanding firstly with our Regional Internet Registry, APNIC, and secondly with our Regional APTLD. These agreements will strengthen the relationship that APRALO has, and can continue into the future, with these important regional partners. Singapore Showcase was another opportunity to do an outreach, and as a result one application was received (ISOC Yemen) and the interest coming from ISOC Singapore chapter.
2. ATLASII in London – during March APRALO monthly meeting we had as guests speakers to join us the Chair of ATLAS II Eduardo Diaz and Co-Chair of ATLAS II Communications WG Carlos Aguirre, who presented what has been already done to prepare ALSs for ATLAS II and what are the next steps coming up. The call to APRALO ALSs had been sent to join different WGs to support in preparatory works. Local music collection from the region will be prepared by Pavan to be used inLondon. APRALO General Assembly (GA) will be also organized inLondon in parallel to ATLAS II. The detailed agenda for GA will be sent prior to the meeting.
3. FY15 requests submitted – During March period APRALO applied with three applications for FY15 https://community.icann.org/display/projfinadhocws/At+Large+-+FY15+Special+Budget+Requests
a) IGD Workshop inIstanbul,Turkey, September
b) Accessibility Workshop at PacINET in Rarotonga,Cook Islands, September 2014
c) Workshop and Outreach Activities at Asia Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF), August 2014 (India, New Delhi)
The final confirmation for approval will be expected at the end of April.
4. APRALO ROP Charter https://community.icann.org/display/APRALO/APRALO+Rules+of+Procedures+Review+2013-14
downloaded as PDF file -https://community.icann.org/display/APRALO/APRALO+Rules+of+Procedure+2014++DRAFT+-+for+discussion+pre+approval
During March the APRALO ROP WG holds one conference call and worked through e-mail to prepare the final draft of the New APRALO Rules of Procedure 2014, which has been sent to AP members for review on March 8. On March 22 the consensus call to the list was opened to invite all ALSs representatives to provide their support or otherwise for the document. No objections had been received before the monthly call. On March 26 during the monthly call actual voting took place and APRALO unanimously adopted APRALO new Rules of Procedures 2014. The individual memberships with the new procedures developed and will be outreached to announce about opening the APRALO for individual members to join.
5. ICANN Accessibility Taskforce WG hold it’s first meeting in Singapore on March 25. The main agenda included discussion of Primary Objectives for the Task Force - overall mission statement; identification of the key short, medium and long-term opportunities, as well as outreach and engagement opportunities for the showcasing of best practices in Accessibility for ICANN. The representatives of Disabled People's Association of Singapore had been invited to the meeting: Dr. Marissa Lee Medjeral-Mills, Executive Director and Mr. Alvan Yap, Advocacy Executive, who has a hearing impairment. A sign language interpretation services had been provided for the first time ever during ICANN meetings. As a next steps, one the opportunities to organize similar workshop in IGF 2014 had been discussed. Gunela Astbrink (ISOC Australia) posted the recommendations and ideas, raised during the meeting to become a basis for future discussion: https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/ICANN+Accessibility+Taskforce+2014.03.24+-+Singapore)
February 2014 Report
1. MOU with APNIC and APTLD
During January-February 2014 the comments/additions had been done for both MOUs and the final MOUs are agreed and ready to be officially singed in Singapore (during APRALO Showcase on March 26, 2014).
Final MOU with APTLD - FINAL MoU between APRALO and APTLD.doc
FINAL MOU with APNIC - FINAL MoU between APRALO and APNIC.doc
2. February Spotlight - Internet NZ.
Presenter Ellen Strickland (the presentation is posted in APRALO ALSes Spotlight space). Call for volunteers for the next months had been sent
3. Multi-stakeholder forum in Singapore
The meeting will take place on Monday, 24th, 2014, agenda is finalized: two main topics will be discussed:
Roundtable Topic 1: Privacy/Proxy Issues, Moderator: Holly Raiche, ALAC Member from APRALO
Speakers: James M. Bladel, Kathy Kleiman, Steven Metalitz
Roundtable Topic 2: Expert Working Group on WHOIS, Moderator: Carlton Samuels, Member of EWG
Speakers: Michele Neylon, Stephanie Perri
4. Participation of APRALO members in APRICOT 2014
Based on the invitation from APTLD, APRALO member Cheryl Langdon-Orr to provide updates from ICANN and APRALO region, as well as about the upcoming official MOU signing in Singapore between APRALO and APTLD during the APTLD members meeting during APRICOT 2014 in Malaysia. The APRALO Showcase during the ICANN Singapore meeting has been promoted as well. Several APRALO ALSs members are also present in APRICOT 2014 meeting in Malaysia.
5. Updates from ALAC Metrics committee (from Maureen Hilyard):
The ALAC Metrics committee has been consulting for several months with RALO Secretariats, Leaders and ALS members to gather views and opinions about how we might best measure the performance of ALAC members. This need is outlined in the ALAC Rules of Procedure. The Metrics committee has decided on a simple model of assessment, that looks at two types of metrics for ALAC members. One is a quantitative measure of their attendance of ALAC and Working Group meetings. The other is an expectation for the ALAC members to provide a monthly report which can be linked to their RALO workspace, about how they have contributed to the work of the ALAC. These evaluative models will be presented to the ALAC in Singapore where a new attendance metric will be trialled.
6. FY15 budget requests from RALOs
March 4, 2014 is set as a deadline for submission of special requests to be included in FY15 budget.
For more info see: At-Large FY15 Budget Development Workspace
7. Singapore Showcase
Total more than 6.000 USD was raised as sponsorship for APRALO Showcase in Singapore. Official invitations to speakers had been sent and some confirmations had been received. Staff is supporting with proper financial documentation with the support of Singapore local staff. The face-to-face meeting of Singapore Showcase OC is planned on March 22nd.
8. Board candidate (Seat 15) selection
The request for additional candidates had been sent to APRALO, No additional names had been suggested from the region.
9. ATLASII in London - Volunteers from APRALO
The request for volunteering in ATLAS II WGs had been sent by the acting chair to all APRALO members. Additional 10 members volunteered in different WGs. Staff followed up with subscribing them in appropriate WGs mailing lists. Eduardo Diaz and Carlos Dionisos Aguirre are invited and confirmed their participation in the next APRALO monthly meeting in Singapore on March 26nd.
January 2014 Report
1. New ALSs in APRALO
Three new ALSs became the part of APRALO:
- (190) Internet Society Bangladesh Dhaka Chapter,
- (191) Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter,
- (192) Internet Society Japan Chapter
2 MOU with APNIC and APTLD
The MoU with APNIC is finalized, no comments were received during the comment period.
During January the MOU with APTLD also was drafted, discussed with APTLD representatives and currently is under APRALO members discussion/comments period.
Both MOUs will be officially signed in Singapore - included in the showcase agenda.
3. January Spotlight: Hong Xue, Chinese Domain Name Users Alliance (CDNUA). The link for the presentation is posted in APRALO ALSes Spotlight space
Next Spotlight - InternetNZ
4. At Large Community Regional Outreach Pilot Program, known as CROPP
5. Singapore Showcase
Due to the Gala dinner shifted on Monday, the Showcase will take place on Wednesday, March 26. The OC (Organizing Committee) hold one conference in January and action items are being revised, updated and commented via e-mail as well (APRALO Singapore Showcase OC 2013-12-04 Action Items). The team is in the process of discussions for: agenda, items for sponsorship, catering, documentations needed to be distributed, etc. The next OC call will be on February 6th. It was identified that so far we will have about 20 APRALO members present during Singapore meeting.
6. Multi-stakeholder forum in Singapore
The Multi-stakeholder forum will be organized in Singapore. The title is finalized as "TOR and Alternatives to the DNS"
The final agenda, speakers are in the process of finalization.
7. Board candidate (Seat 15) selection
https://community.icann.org/display/ABMS/At-Large+Board+Direct+Selection+Timeline+2014) on January 28 ICANN staff officially announced the names of the slate of candidates to fill Seat #15 of the ICANN Board - the official wiki page is here - https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?spaceKey=ABMS&title=At-Large+Board+Member+Slate+of+Candidates+2014. The call on APRALO list to to whether APRALO members wish to suggest or add any names (out of submitted names, the list you can see below) to be included in the final slate of candidates or should someone's name petitioned for inclusion by the region, was raised and the appropriate e-mail had been sent to all APRALO members. The deadlines for submitting new names is Feb 11 later to be discussed and supported by two other RALOs (deadline Feb 21st).