RE: [gnso-restruc-dt] outstanding issues

[Alan Greenberg <alan.greenberg@xxxxxxxxx>]

At 07/04/2009 12:08 PM, Avri Doria wrote:

> ....
> if the SGs are just paper constructs then it means nothing to be in one
> house versus the other except for voting.
>
> on the other hand, if the SGs have any sort of separate debates on the
> issues while figuring out how to decide on some issue, then having the
> NCA change house at midterm  would actually help both their learning
> curve and the learning curve of the other members of the house as they
> would bring in considerations that could only be learned in the other
> house.
I don't see how debates in SG matter in this case, since the NCA sits 
at the HOUSE level. And I have heard little discussion that anyone is 
seriously considering having debates or deliberations at the house level.


At 07/04/2009 01:53 PM, Gomes, Chuck wrote:

> ....
>
> Chuck: It comes down to how much understanding is desired relative to
> the house issues. If you are satisfied with minimal understanding, it
> might not matter that much.  I obviously lean toward greater
> understanding.
>
> >
> > first, in terms of issues that are general in terms of GTLDs,
> > contracts, picket fences, history of policy decsions ... ,
> > the knowledge base should be relatively invariant regardless
> > of the house.
>
> Chuck: On general issues that is true.  But will general knowledge make
> for the soundest decisions?  We probably differ on the answer to that.
>
> .....
>
> Chuck: This is probably true on paper and may not matter much in cases
> where the two SGs are on the same page but it becomes more critical when
> the NomCom appointee is a tie breaking vote.  In the latter case, it
> seems to me that a little deeper understanding of the house specific
> issues might be useful.
NCAs are there, at least partly, to be a balance and do not have to 
agree with those in their house. Moreover, I don't think that we are 
giving NCAs enough credit. Although not an NCA to the GNSO, I was 
dropped into the GNSO a few years ago with pretty much no specific 
knowledge of the various issues or players. In the following months 
and years, I have learned a LOT about registrars and registries and 
the issues important to the various non-contracted constituencies. 
Just being on Council and semi-conscious provides a lot of that, 
coupled with one-on-one dialogues. I think that anyone who is going 
to be successful as a NCA is going to have to work hard to understand 
the issues, and not just those of the house (or no-house) that they 
are sitting with.
For the record, I like the idea of rotation. If nothing else, it 
removes the stigma of being a non-voting, houseless NCA.
Alan