RSG Position on Recommendations For Updated GNSO Council Operating Procedures
October 16, 2009
Registrar Stakeholder Group Position on Recommendations For Updated GNSO
Council Operating Procedures
BACKGROUND
In October 2009, the Registrar Stakeholder Group ("RSG") was asked to provide
feedback regarding the Recommendations for Updated GNSO Council Operating
Procedures ("Recommended GNSO Operating Procedures"). This Position Paper
captures the overall sentiment expressed by the RSG Members who provided
feedback about this matter. Due to time constraints, however, no formal vote
regarding this Position Paper was taken.
RSG POSITION
The RSG recognizes that establishing updated operating procedures consistent
with the ICANN Bylaws is a key step toward seating the new GNSO Council and
the RSG appreciates the work of the GNSO Council Operations Work Team in
drafting the Recommended GNSO Operating Procedures.
The RSG supports the Recommended GNSO Operating Procedures provided, however,
that the suggested substitute language regarding Voting Thresholds in Section
4.2 is adopted.[i] Specifically, the suggested substitute language that the RSG
wishes to be incorporated in the GNSO Operating Procedures is as follows:
"Unless otherwise specified in these procedures or in the ICANN Bylaws, to pass
a motion or other action, greater than 50% of the eligible voters in each House
must cast affirmative votes. For all votes taken, the number of eligible voters
in each House shall be fixed to the number of seats allocated in the Bylaws
(a.k.a. the denominator) and is not affected by the number of members present
or absent at the meeting in which the motion or other action is initiated.
Council members are permitted to abstain in any vote, but must provide a reason
which shall be recorded in the minutes along with the abstention."
CONCLUSION
The opinions expressed by the RSG in this Position Paper should not be
interpreted to reflect the individual opinion of any particular RSG Member.
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[i] One RSG Member objected to the suggested substitute language, noting that
the suggested substitute language may slow down ICANN 's work progress. This
objection should be considered a minority view.
Attachment:
RSG Position - Updated GNSO Council Operating Procedures FINAL.pdf |