Summary

Board approves the new Process for Recognition of New GNSO Constituencies.

Text

Whereas, the SIC identified a number of structural and process impediments in the existing procedures for evaluating proposals for new GNSO Constituencies.

Whereas, the SIC has developed a replacement "Process for Recognition of New GNSO Constituencies" and Staff has completed an extended Public Comment Forum (closed 3 April 2011) regarding the proposed new process.

Whereas, the SIC has thoroughly and carefully considered community feedback in the Public Comment Forum and incorporated a number of procedural changes and associated recommendations into the final process package.

Whereas, the new process will:

  1. Optimize the considerable time and effort required to form, organize, and propose a new GNSO Constituency;
  2. Delegate more authority to each GNSO Stakeholder Group in evaluating new Constituency proposals while maintaining the Board's oversight role;
  3. Manage the entire process to a flexible, but specific and limited timeframe; and
  4. Provide a partial set of criteria for use during future periodic reviews of the GNSO.
  5. Whereas, the SIC recommends that the new process be approved and take effective immediately upon Board approval;

Resolved (2011.06.24.09), the ICANN Board approves the new "Process for Recognition of New GNSO Constituencies" developed by the SIC and directs Staff to begin implementation effective immediately.

Implementation Actions

Rationale

The promotion of new GNSO Constituencies was one of the fundamental recommendations of the GNSO Review effort and an important strategy to expand participation in GNSO policy development efforts. The SIC found that the original process for evaluating new GNSO Constituency proposals was not effective because lack of objective and measurable criteria by which prospective new GNSO Constituencies were formally evaluated and recognized; and that general process weaknesses presented potential new Constituency prospects with considerable preparation work, indefinite time frames for Board review and general lack of guidance on their prospects for Board approval.

This new process will accomplish four goals:

  1. Optimize the considerable time and effort required to form, organize, and propose a new GNSO Constituency by prescribing a streamlined sequence of steps and associated evaluation criteria that are objective, fair, and transparent - with ample opportunity for community input;
  2. Delegate more authority to each GNSO Stakeholder Group in evaluating new Constituency proposals while maintaining the Board's oversight role;
  3. Manage the entire process to a flexible, but specific and limited timeframe; and
  4. Provide a partial set of criteria for use during the periodic review of the GNSO.

The approval of new GNSO Constituencies will impact the ICANN budget by increasing the overall resources and administrative support necessary to conduct the additional Constituency activities during ICANN Public meetings and throughout the year. No substantial additional budget resources, however, will be triggered by the approval of this new recognition process. If anything, this new process will make the evaluation of new GNSO Constituency proposals more efficient from a budget perspective. The new criteria articulated in the process may also make future independent review efforts of the GNSO more efficient. The new process does not have any impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS.

Other Related Resolutions

Additional Information

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