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

["Tim Ruiz" <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sorry for the belated comments, just getting back on track after a long
vacation.

I agree with revising *citizenship* to *citizenship or domicile* as
Chuck suggests. And I agree that defining what lengthin time is
reasonable, we don't have to go into that in our statement. We are just
suggesting principles and the details will be worked out within the
group once it is formed.

Tim 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: [gnso-geo-dg] ICANN Board Motion on Geo Diversity
From: "Gomes, Chuck" <cgomes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, September 05, 2008 11:06 am
To: "Olga Cavalli" <olgac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <gnso-geo-dg@xxxxxxxxx>

Good points Olga.  I would like to hear from our geo group how people
react to changing 'citizenship' in our comments to "citizenship or
domincile".  Because Tim was a strong advocate of this, I especially
would like to see his thoughts about this. 
 
Chuck

From: olgacavalli@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:olgacavalli@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Olga Cavalli
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 11:24 AM
To: Gomes, Chuck
Cc: gnso-geo-dg@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [gnso-geo-dg] ICANN Board Motion on Geo Diversity



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."