[gnso-ppsc-wg] Your feedback requested: Section 2.2. Liaison

[Marika Konings <marika.konings@xxxxxxxxx>]

>From the GNSO Working Group Guidelines

Section 2.2. Liaison

·     Liaison - A Member of the Chartering Organization (CO) can be appointed 
to serve as a Liaison to the Working Group. The role of the Liaison consists of 
reporting to the CO on a regular basis on the progress of the Working Group; 
assisting the Chair as required with his/her knowledge of WG processes and 
practices; taking back to the CO any questions or queries the WG might have in 
relation to its charter and mission; and, assisting or intervening when the WG 
faces challenges or problems. The liaison is expected to play a neutral role, 
monitor the discussions of the Working Group and assist and inform the Chair 
and the WG as required.

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Comments

CG: The ‘Liaison’ bullet says, “The liaison is expected to play a neutral role 
. . . ” It might be better to say, “The liaison is expected to play a neutral 
role in communicating information from the WG to the CO and vice versa . . .” 
Because of the challenge of getting volunteers, it probably can be expected 
that the Liaison will have to wear more than one hat, one as Liaison and one as 
representative of her/his organization (e.g., SG or Constituency). In cases 
where the Liaison wears more than one hat, she/he should always be clear about 
which hat is being worn.

RySG: The draft Guidelines state that “the liaison is expected to play a 
neutral role . . .” It may be preferable to state that “the liaison is expected 
to play a neutral role in communicating information from the Working Group to 
the CO and vice versa . .”

The RySG is of the opinion that it may prove challenging to recruit a volunteer 
Liaison who is not also representing a Constituency or SG. Therefore, the 
Guidelines should distinguish between the different hats that a Liaison could 
be wearing at any one time and notwithstanding this ability to wear multiple 
hats throughout the process, the Liaison should always be clear about which 
views are being represented.

MO: 7) Combine, or at least align, these sections (6.1.4 and 2.2) regarding the 
role of liaison.  They are somewhat repetitive and inconsistent.

8) Insert the following language fragment into the appropriate section of the 
Guideline:

“Chartering Organization will take care to select a Liaison who will play a 
neutral role in the work of the Working Group, preferably a member who has an 
open mind regarding policy positions that will be addressed.  Members of the 
Working group can request, through the Chair, that a Liaison be replaced if 
they determine that the Liaison is allowing positions on issues to impinge on 
their ability to fulfill the role in a neutral way.”