Re: [gnso-geo-dg] ICANN Board Motion on Geo Diversity

["Olga Cavalli" <olgac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chuck,
I agree with you that this possible flexibility for the NonCom appointed
directors is relevant to our discussion and also for selecting good
candidates for the Board.
In general reading the outcomes of our document, the set of principles that
we drafted also brings flexibility to the geo-reginos issue.
I can think of only one principle that may have a different perspective:

4. Geographic requirements relevant to membership of ICANN bodies should be
measured by citizenship.

Also, reading the text of the Board preliminary report some questions comes
to my mind.
It says *"some of the candidates have often lived in a country for many
years,.."

and

 "**given that many people have lived for long periods of time in, and
represent the interests of, countries in which they may not be citizens...."
*

Defining what "many years" and "long periods of time" will be relevant to
make this flexibility effective.

Have a nice weekend!
Regards
Olga




2008/9/4 Gomes, Chuck <cgomes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

>  Please note the following exerpt from the ICANN Board Preliminary Report
> of its meeting on 28 August.  It provides some increased flexibility in
> applying geographical diversity requirements for the eight NomCom appointed
> directors and John Jeffrey noted in the discussion that "diversity
> calculations should be consistent for seats 9 though 14".  I find this
> very relevant to the recommendation we made in our proposed GNSO comments
> regarding the formation of a community wide WG on geo regions; this approach
> would provide a little more flexibility with regard to GNSO director
> selections if a similar motion changes the Bylaws in that regard and it
> provides one exampe of how increased flexibility could be provided in
> meeting geographic diversity requirements on the GNSO Council.
>
> Chuck
>
> "*Nominating Committee's Recommendation for ICANN Bylaws Change regarding
> **Criteria for Board Member Selection *
>
> John Jeffrey presented a proposed Bylaws change and requested that the
> Board permit Management to post the proposed changes for public comments.
>
> Over the past several years, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern
> that being required to count more than one country of citizenship for
> diversity purposes often makes it difficult to select the best candidates
> for the Board seats that the Nominating Committee is mandated to fill. In
> carrying out its responsibilities to fill Seats 1 through 8, the Nominating
> Committee shall seek to ensure that the ICANN Board is composed of members
> who in the aggregate display diversity in geography, culture, skills,
> experience, and perspective, by applying the criteria set forth in Bylaws.
>
> The Nominating Committee also noted that some of the candidates have often
> lived in a country for many years, and thereby better represent the
> interests of that country than any country of which the candidates may be
> citizens.
>
> As the Nominating Committee requested, the General Counsel provided the
> Nominating Committee with suggested Bylaws revisions to reflect the
> Nominating Committee's stated goals. In the proposal, domicile, not just
> citizenship, is to be considered in the diversity calculation. The
> Nominating Committee members have unanimously agreed that the proposed
> Bylaws revisions would alleviate the concerns.
>
> John Jeffrey noted that considering the possibility of revising the method
> for calculating diversity for seats 1 through 8, staff determined that such
> diversity calculations should be consistent for seats 9 though 14 and have
> proposed revisions accordingly.
>
> Bruce Tonkin moved and Harald Alvestrand seconded a motion that the
> proposed changes to the bylaws be posted for public comment and then
> considered again by the Board, via the following resolution:
>
> Whereas, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern that, pursuant to
> the Bylaws mandated diversity requirements that no more than five Board
> members be citizens of any one geographic region, the Nominating Committee
> is required to count all countries of citizenship for each candidate.
>
> Whereas, the Nominating Committee has noted that the requirement to count
> all countries of citizenship has caused some selection difficulties each
> year over the past several years.
>
> Whereas, the Nominating Committee has also expressed concern that the
> calculation is presently limited to citizenship given that many people have
> lived for long periods of time in, and represent the interests of, countries
> in which they may not be citizens.
>
> Whereas, making a diversity calculation pursuant to the ICANN Bylaws as it
> relates to Board member selection for seats 1 through 14 should be
> consistent.
>
> It is hereby resolved (__.2008) that the following proposed revisions to
> Article VI, Sections 2.2 and 2.3, shall be posted for public comment in
> accordance with ICANN's normal process for proposed Bylaw revisions."
>