Potential Postponement of the GNSO Review

Comment / Reply Periods (*)

Comment Open Date: 

15 July 2013

Comment Close Date: 

8 August 2013 - 23:59 UTC

Reply Open Date: 

9 August 2013

Reply Close Date: 

29 August 2013 - 23:59 UTC

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Brief Overview

Originating Organization: 

Board Structural Improvements Committee (SIC)

Categories/Tags: 

• GNSO

• ICANN Board/Bylaws

• Organizational Reviews

• Reviews/Improvements

Purpose (Brief): 

The Board Structural Improvements Committee (SIC) is considering recommending to the ICANN Board of Directors that the review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), which is mandated by ICANNBylaws Article IV, Section 4, be postponed and that a new schedule for the review be established within the next 6 months. The SIC seeks comments from the ICANN Community to better form its recommendation or to reconsider its recommendation.

Current Status: 

Questions to the ICANN Community

Next Steps: 

Public comments are requested to inform Board Structural Improvements Committee action.

Staff Contact: 

Alice Jansen

Email Staff Contact

Detailed Information

Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose: 

The Board Structural Improvements Committee (SIC) is considering recommending to the ICANN Board of Directors that the review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) be postponed and that a new schedule for the review be established within the next 6 months. The GNSO review is mandated by ICANNBylaws Article IV, Section 4. The SIC is considering this recommendation because there are two substantial, relevant activities that have commenced. They are the second Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) Accountability and Transparency Review (ATRT2) and ICANN's Strategic Planning Process. The ATRT2 will include an assessment of the policy development process to facilitate enhanced cross-community deliberations, and effective and timely policy development. The Strategic Planning Process includes consideration of attributes and characteristics of ICANN's community structures and processes, engagement of end-users, and other issues. Both of these activities will require dedicated participation by the GNSO, and may have implications for theGNSO review.

The SIC seeks comments from the ICANN Community to better form its recommendation or to reconsider its recommendation. The SIC is most appreciative of any comments from the ICANN Community but is particularly interested in comments that are in response to the following question: Are there other factors that the SIC should consider with regard to this recommendation?

Section II: Background: 

ICANN Bylaws Article IV, Section 4 call for the Board to cause a periodic review of the performance and operation of each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the Nominating Committee by an entity or entities independent of the organization under review. The first GNSO review was launched in 2006.

Section III: Document and Resource Links: 

• ICANN Organizational Reviews

• ICANN Bylaws

Section IV: Additional Information: 

None

(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.

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