Re: [bc-gnso] ICANN Eliminates Board Meetings at ICANN Meetings

[Mike Roberts <mmr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with prior comments.

In the early days, Esther and I and the Board had an unwritten rule that we 
would not act on significant resolutions in a telephone meeting.  We didn't 
always meet that standard, but we tried.

Some other considerations:

- If the Board is saying that it is only going to have telephone meetings, then 
it is very bad practice, to say nothing of transparency, to attempt to engage 
in substantive discussion and debate over the telephone.

- if the Board is saying that it will meet face to face to do business, other 
than at scheduled ICANN meetings, then there is no reason for such meetings not 
to be public, at least to some reasonable extent.  We are not talking about 
renting Rockefeller Center.  And webcast as well.

- In an increasingly broadband world, there is no reason not to save some money 
by doing regional meetings, linked by real time video.

- the NomCom, and others, have been concerned about the exorbitant workload 
imposed on ICANN Directors.  By any corporate standard, the current demands 
have been and are unreasonable, and have the negative result that qualified 
people can not serve, regardless of whether there are Director fees on the 
table, or not.  The most talented people are already busy people, by definition.

- Mike



On May 1, 2012, at 3:40 AM, Marilyn Cade wrote:

> 
> I will write today to the Chairs of the Constituencies/SGs/SOs to ask them 
> their views and concerns. Crocker mentioned it in his comments, but it WAS 
> not consulted with the community in any way. 
> 
> I do think it is a problem for actually fulfilling the transparency of ICANN; 
> however, I would like to hear from other members on your thoughts. 
> 
> It is expensive for business to spend 6-7 days, but the Board will be now 
> lessening its interactions with the community. 
> 
> In my view, at this time, a bad move. 
> 
> 
> From: psc@xxxxxxxxxxx
> To: bc-gnso@xxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bc-gnso] ICANN Eliminates Board Meetings at ICANN Meetings
> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:59:26 +0000
> 
> In my opinion, a step backwards for transparency and accountability -- 
> http://www.thedomains.com/2012/04/30/icann-eliminates-friday-public-board-meeting-at-future-conferences/
>  .
>  
> Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal
> Virtualaw LLC
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