[gnso-ff-pdp-may08] Proposed way forward

[Avri Doria <avri@xxxxxxx>]

Hi,

Subsequent to Mike O'Connor's surprise resignation, several of us  
started a series of conversations to figure out what to do next.    
After speaking to the policy support staff and Mike R. I have decided  
that I will take on the chair role temporarily.  I will participate as  
a neutral chair and will not take part in any of the decision making  
at the WG level.   I will only stay in the role until we deliver the  
current report to the GNSO council and it is determined what to do  
next.  I will ask the GNSO Council to endorse my taking this temporary  
role.
My goal is to bring the current effort to the point where there is a  
solid document that describes the current state of analysis and  
opinion that can be sent to the GNSO council for further  
consideration.  At that point the council can figure out the next  
steps, including the possibility of re-chartering, public comment,  
decisions etc...
The following is the track I propose to follow:

1.  Go ahead with the poll that most of the group had already agreed  
to.  This will be sent out in the next day or so and will last for a  
week.
2. Marika will take the results of the poll and produce a revised  
report.  This will include her best guesses at the rankings. These  
will be: agreement for full consensus, Support for rough consensus,  
and Alternative view(s)  and will be based on the polling results.
3. The WG will then start walking through the document to make sure  
that it corresponds to the various views of the group.  Where it  
doesn't the group, or perhaps sub-groups of those most concerned, will  
hold further discussion to arrive at sufficient description of the  
viewpoints.   At this point, we will not focus on working toward  
further consensus, but toward an accurate description of the current  
viewpoints and positions.  Obviously if, once we clarify the  
viewpoints, we find we have consensus or rough consensus, it will be  
recorded.  We will also make sue the the rankings (Agreement, Support,  
Alternatives Views) are agreed upon buy the gorup members.
4. The report will be put out for public and constituency comment and  
then will be discussed by the GNSO council.
Note:  At this point I want to take discussion of the charter off the  
table.  Once we have completed the substantive document, the group can  
discuss the charter and make recommendations to the council on this  
topic.  And of course anyone who has comments on the charter, past or  
future is welcome to submit text that will be appended to the charter  
discussion report.

I propose that the meetings on 3 and 10 October be cancelled in order  
for:
- WG members to have time to do the poll
- Marika to rework the document
- WG members to read the document prior to discussion.

I would also like to schedule a face to face meeting for Cairo.  I  
know that not everyone will attend the Cairo meeting, but I am hoping  
that the facilities for remote communications will be adequate for  
those who can't attend to participate remotely.
I have also been told that there are several other people who want to  
join the group.  My inclination is to allow it since I do not
believe in closing off groups to new legitimate participants as this  
gives an advantage to insiders.  However, I am rather committed to  
minimizing the rehash of old arguments, so everyone, current members  
and new members alike, will be asked to avoid the drive to rehash.   
Since we will be walking through the document, it is fair game to make  
sure that all the old arguments are properly represented and it is  
reasonable for anyone to ask whether a perspective was investigated  
and what the outcome of the discussion was.  And if a perspective,  
fact or argument is missing, I believe it is reasonable to discuss it  
and include it in the report so that the report can be as complete as  
possible.
Finally I know some of you are frustrated and think this should be  
done by now.  All I can say is that this is nature of Working Groups -  
they go on far longer then anyone is comfortable with.  But I believe  
this is inevitable in a working method that requires that everyone is  
able to express their viewpoint so that others can understand and  
consider it.  Reaching consensus or even rough consensus on a  
controversial and complex topic is, unfortunately, an arduous and  
lengthy task.
Well, I can also say that I am grateful to the WG for the work it has  
done and that I ask your indulgence for the process I will employ in  
bringing this effort to a result as soon as possible.
thanks
a.