Re: ALAC bylaw change approved

[ICANN At-Large - Denise Michel <michel@xxxxxxxxx>]

> The following resolution was just unanimously approved by ICANN's Board. 
>  A special thanks to ALAC Liaison, Roberto Gaetano, for guiding this 
> resolution to passage.
>
> Denise
> michel@xxxxxxxxx
>
> Proposed ICANN Bylaws Changes on Interim ALAC's Certification of At- 
> Large Structures
>
> 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 1 "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.