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2026-02-13 - GNSO Standing Selection Committee

2026-02-13 - GNSO Standing Selection Committee

The GNSO Standing Selection Committee call will take place on Friday, 13 February 2026 at 13:30 UTC for 60 minutes.

For other places see: https://tinyurl.com/yc7tst2n

PROPOSED AGENDA

1.⁠ ⁠Welcome & SOIs

2.⁠ DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP1 Chair Candidates Evaluation

a. Review of Survey Results and Discussion

b. Selection of Candidates

3.⁠ ⁠Next Steps

  • Timing of Consensus Call & GNSO Council Confirmation

4.⁠ ⁠AOB

 

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

PARTICIPATION

Apologies: Pedro de Perdigão Lana

RECORDINGS

Audio Recording

Zoom Recording

GNSO transcripts are located on the GNSO Calendar

Notes/ Action Items

Key Outcomes, Action Items, and Notes

 

[KEY OUTCOMES]

  1. This process adhered to the standard SSC rules, with all information made public.

  2. SSC has reached preliminary agreement to recommend Paul McGrady as the DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP 1 Chair.

 [ACTION ITEMS]

  1. GNSO Support Staff will initiate a 48-hour Consensus Call following today’s Meeting.

  2. SSC Members to respond on the mailing list by Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 14:30 UTC, if they wish to express any objections to this recommendation.

  3. GNSO Support Staff to share any immediate upcoming process and/or recurring events via the mailing list after this call. [COMPLETE]

 

 [NOTES]

1.⁠ ⁠Welcome & SOIs

  • This process will adhere to the standard SSC rules, with all information made public; accordingly, this meeting will also be recorded.

  • Jeff Neuman (SSC Member) supported the transparency of the process.

  • Benjamin Akinmoyeje (NCSG Alternate) will be stepping in for Pedro de Perdigāo who sent his apologies.

 

2.⁠ DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP1 Chair Candidates Evaluation

a. Review of Survey Results and Discussion

  • Survey results were shared via email prior to the meeting and can also be accessed via the wiki page: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA-MQ

  • 2 candidates received strong support.

    • The Chair pointed out that there was 1 “NO” vote for Thomas Rickert and sought clarity on this feedback as the SSC needs to reach Full-Consensus.

    • Vivek Goyal did not object to the other 2 candidates but cast “NO” votes for them, simply indicating that Paul McGrady was the strongest of the 3.

  • Specific Comments from Members:

    • Jeff Neuman commented that both Paul and Thomas are very well qualified and well-respected, but having observed Paul lead the Council Small Team on DNS Abuse Mitigation effectively, he is well deserving of this role. He also deals with controversial topics successfully and has the ability to bring different groups together. That said, Thomas is also very capable and did great work with the IANA transition; whoever becomes the Chair this time, the other should be offered Vice-Chair or the Chair of the next PDP that is coming shortly.

    • Gaurav Vedi also praised both candidates. In addition, he requested that the SSC Members add strengths and weaknesses to each candidate when conducting the survey next time, so that the result is well-considered and free from bias.

    • Susan Mohr believed all candidates to be strong but put Thomas above since his EOI detailed his roles in Leadership specifically, which helped in the assessments (i.e., not everyone has the benefit of knowing all the candidates and a more descriptive EOI helps the evaluation/process). Farell’s EOI was also well-detailed.

    • Cameron Panepinto agreed with Susan that a more descriptive EOI would help in the future processes. He also supports Paul due to his wealth of experience as a GNSO Councilor, ICANN community experience, PDPs, and Consensus Calls. Thomas also seems highly qualified that could support him in this work.

    • Benjamin Akinmoyeje shared for the record that Pedro (NCSG) supports Thomas.

  • Suggestion for future PDPs: Not to lean on Chair experience only, but giving opportunities to newcomers by considering eligible candidates with good background that could make first time Chairs.

    • Members shared the sentiment that newcomers should be given opportunities as well.

    • Most WG Chairs may be selected by the WGs themselves and may not go through the SSC process, unless higher profile (the case here), which may give opportunities for those inexperienced Chairs to accumulate experience.

b. Selection of Candidates

  • SSC determined Paul McGrady as the first choice and agreed to recommend him to the GNSO Council.

  • Message to the Council: Since SSC agrees that both Paul and Thomas are strong candidates and highly qualified for this role, Thomas is strongly encouraged to be considered for Chair in the next PDP.

 

3.⁠ ⁠Next Steps

  • Timing of Consensus Call & GNSO Council Confirmation

 

4.⁠ ⁠AOB

  • A question was raised whether there are any foreseeable duties for the SSC. Noted that there are none foreseen at this time but any immediate upcoming process and/or recurring events will be shared via the mailing list after this call. [COMPLETE]