[gnso-review-dt] RE: GNSO Review: Update on Recommendations Discussions in Helsinki

[Charla Shambley <charla.shambley@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear GNSO Review Working Party -

In response to Chuck's email below, I wanted to pass along a link to the Call 
for Volunteers 
announcement<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en> that was 
posted last week.  I encourage everyone to read it and apply to participate in 
this Working Group since it will be responsible for developing the 
implementation plan of the 34 recommendations recently 
adopted<https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2016-06-25-en#2.e>
 by the Board.

For ease of reference, the 
announcement<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en> is pasted 
below.

Regards,

Charla



In Brief
The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council adopted the 
Charter<http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/gnso-review-charter-11jul16-en.pdf> 
[PDF, 565 KB] of the GNSO Review Working Group during its meeting on 21 July 
2016. This Working Group is tasked to develop an implementation plan for the 
GNSO Review 
recommendations<http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/review-feasibility-prioritization-25feb16-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 407 KB] which were recently 
adopted<https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2016-06-25-en#2.e>
 by the ICANN Board. This is the Call for Volunteers to join this Working 
Group. Anyone interested in the GNSO Review and contributing to the development 
of the implementation plan and subsequent implementation is encouraged to 
volunteer.
What This Working Group Will Do
Per the GNSO Review Working Group 
Charter<http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/gnso-review-charter-11jul16-en.pdf> 
[PDF, 565 KB] the GNSO Review Working Group will be responsible for developing 
an implementation plan, containing a realistic timeline for the implementation, 
definition of desired outcomes and a way to measure current state as well as 
progress toward the desired outcome for the GNSO Review recommendations adopted 
by the ICANN Board (thirty-four (34) recommendations of the Final 
Report<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/gnso-review-final-summary-15sep15-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 727 KB] of the Independent Examiner (i.e. all recommendations excluding 
recommendations 23 and 32). This implementation plan is to be submitted for 
approval to the GNSO Council, followed by consideration by the ICANN Board. 
Following the approval of the implementation plan, the Working Group is also 
expected to execute and oversee the implementation of the GNSO Review 
recommendations unless specified differently in the implementation plan.
The GNSO Review Working Group will also be responsible for considering any new 
requests1<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en#foot1> by the 
GNSO Council concerning issues related to the GNSO Council processes and 
procedures and to Working Group guidelines that have been identified either by 
the GNSO Council, or a group chartered by the GNSO Council, as needing 
discussion. However, the first priority of the Working Group will be the 
development of an implementation plan and the subsequent implementation of the 
GNSO Review recommendations.
Timeline and Deliverables
The GNSO Review Working Group is expected to deliver the implementation plan to 
the GNSO Council for consideration at the GNSO Council meeting at ICANN57 at 
the latest in order to meet the Board set objective of 'an implementation plan, 
containing a realistic timeline for the implementation, definition of desired 
outcomes and a way to measure current state as well as progress toward the 
desired outcome, shall be submitted to the Board as soon as possible, but no 
later than six (6) months after the adoption of this 
resolution'2<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en#foot2> i.e., 
December 2016.
How to Join
Each GNSO Stakeholder Group and/or Constituency will identify one primary and 
one alternate member to serve on the GNSO Review Working Group. In addition to 
these appointed members, anyone interested will be able to join this working 
group as a participant or observer. Please note that participants are expected 
to attend conference calls and to actively participate in online discussions. 
They also must submit a Statement of Interest per Section 5.0 of the GNSO 
Operating 
Procedures<http://gnso.icann.org/en/council/op-procedures-16feb16-en.pdf> [PDF, 
1.31 MB]. Observers can follow the group's work on the mailing list but can 
neither send to the mailing list nor participate actively in the calls.
Interested participants and observers are requested to complete the sign-up 
sheet<https://goo.gl/forms/TbmkrEXT2xlx6jGn1> by Friday, 19 August 2016.
Next steps
It is anticipated that the GNSO Review Working Group will convene online for 
the first time in the last week of August 2016. Following that, regular online 
meetings will be scheduled in accordance with the Working Group's work plan, 
which it is expected to develop as one of its first tasks.
Further information and preparation
For those interested in volunteering for this effort, you are encouraged to 
review the following materials:
1.    GNSO Review 
Recommendations<http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/review-feasibility-prioritization-25feb16-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 407 KB]
2.    Independent Examiner Final 
Report<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/gnso-review-final-summary-15sep15-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 727 KB]
3.    Frequently Asked Questions<https://community.icann.org/x/UBCbAw>
Background
The second independent review of the GNSO commenced in 2014. The Final Report 
of the independent examiner was published on 15 September 2015 (see 
https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/gnso-review-final-15sep15-en.pdf 
[PDF, 1.99 MB]) and contained 36 recommendations in the areas of: participation 
& representation, continuous development, transparency and alignment with 
ICANN's future. The GNSO Council adopted the GNSO Review Recommendations 
Feasibility and Prioritization analysis (see: 
http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/review-feasibility-prioritization-25feb16-en.pdf
 [PDF, 407 KB]) on 14 April 2016 with the modification of Recommendation 21, 
that the council recommends staff working with the GNSO to institute methods of 
information sharing of highly relevant research related to gTLDs to help the 
GNSO community members increase their knowledge base (low priority).
On 25 June, the ICANN Board accepted the Final Report from the independent 
examiner, taking into account the GNSO Working Party's Feasibility and 
Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO Review Recommendations, adopted with 
modifications by the GNSO Council. The Board adopted thirty-four (34) 
recommendations of the Final Report (i.e. all recommendations excluding 
recommendations 23 and 32). Furthermore, the Board requested that the GNSO 
Council convene a group that oversees the implementation of Board-accepted 
recommendations.
Per the motion<https://community.icann.org/x/BAObAw> adopted on 21 July 2016, 
the GNSO Council adopted the 
Charter<http://gnso.icann.org/en/drafts/gnso-review-charter-11jul16-en.pdf> 
[PDF, 565 KB] of the GNSO Review Working Group and directed staff to send a 
Call for Volunteers for the Working Group.
1<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en#note1> For items that 
are submitted for review 'on request', the GNSO Review WG expects to receive 
detailed input from the group affected by the process/operational change 
concerned. See request template 
at:https://community.icann.org/download/attachments/14713135/GNSO-SCI-ReviewRequest-yyymmdd_template.docx?version=1&modificationDate=1469143165000&api=v2
 [DOCX, 102 KB].
2<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2016-07-27-en#note2> The Board 
resolution was adopted on 25 June 2016


From: Gomes, Chuck [mailto:cgomes@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2016 5:42 PM
To: Charla Shambley <charla.shambley@xxxxxxxxx>; 'gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx' 
<gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: GNSO Review: Update on Recommendations Discussions in Helsinki

Thanks Charla.  Understanding that it is up to the GNSO Council and not us, I 
think it would be helpful if several of us from the Working Party could be 
available to assist and/or participate in the implementation oversight group 
that the Council sets up.

Chuck

From: owner-gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:owner-gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx> 
[mailto:owner-gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Charla Shambley
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2016 3:36 PM
To: 'gnso-review-dt@xxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [gnso-review-dt] GNSO Review: Update on Recommendations Discussions in 
Helsinki

Dear GNSO Review Working Party:

ICANN56 proved to be quite successful with the ICANN Board approving the 
adoption of 34 out of the 36 GNSO Review recommendations at its meeting on 25 
June 2016.  You can read the full text of the Resolutions here: 
https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2016-06-25-en#2.e. 
The resolutions outline the next steps regarding the development of the 
Implementation Plan for the adopted recommendations.  For ease of reference, 
the text from the Resolutions are below.
In addition, the GNSO Council took action on 30 June 2016 during their Public 
Council Meeting about next steps for the implementation of the GNSO Review 
recommendations. You can watch the full Adobe Connect session 
here<https://icann.adobeconnect.com/p516y9dc9tv/> (or fast forward to 1:41 for 
the start of the approximately 9 minute discussion on the GNSO Review).

Resolutions 2016.06.25.10 - 2016.06.25.15 (main agenda item 2.e.):
Independent Review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization Final Report 
and Recommendations
Whereas, ICANN Bylaws Article IV, Section 
4.1<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en#IV-4> calls on 
the ICANN Board to "cause a periodic review of the performance and operation of 
each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each 
Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the 
Nominating Committee by an entity or entities independent of the organization 
under review. The goal of the review, to be undertaken pursuant to such 
criteria and standards as the Board shall direct, shall be to determine (i) 
whether that organization has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure, and 
(ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to 
improve its effectiveness."
Whereas, the second independent review of the GNSO 
<https://www.icann.org/resources/reviews/org/gnso#gnso2-2014-2015> commenced in 
2014.
Whereas, the independent examiner that conducted the GNSO Review produced a 
Draft 
Report<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/gnso-review-draft-29may15-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 2.5 MB] that was published for public 
comment<https://www.icann.org/public-comments/gnso-review-draft-2015-06-01-en> 
in May 2015.
Whereas, the independent examiner produced a Final 
Report<https://www.icann.org/zh/system/files/files/gnso-review-final-summary-15sep15-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 727 KB], containing thirty-six (36) recommendations in September 2015.
Whereas, the GNSO Review Working Party serving as a liaison between the GNSO, 
the independent examiner and the Organizational Effectiveness Committee of the 
Board assessed the implementation feasibility of all 36 recommendations and 
suggested a prioritization of recommendations.
Whereas, the GNSO Council adopted the GNSO Working Party's Feasibility and 
Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO Review Recommendations with a modification.
Whereas, the Organizational Effectiveness Committee of the Board concluded that 
the GNSO Working Party's Feasibility and Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO 
Review Recommendations as adopted by the GNSO Council, ought to guide the 
implementation process of the 36 recommendations.
Resolved (2016.06.25.10), the Board acknowledges the independent examiner's 
hard work and thanks them for producing a comprehensive set of recommendations 
to improve the GNSO's effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.
Resolved (2016.06.25.11), the Board acknowledges the work and support of the 
GNSO Review Working Party during the review process, as well as its insightful 
Feasibility and Prioritization Analysis that was 
adopted<http://gnso.icann.org/en/council/resolutions#201604> by the GNSO 
Council on 14 April 2016 and guided the OEC's recommendation to the Board. The 
Board thanks the GNSO Review Working Party for its efforts.
Resolved (2016.06.25.12), the Board accepts the Final Report from the 
independent examiner.
Resolved (2016.06.25.13), taking into account the GNSO Working Party's 
Feasibility and Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO Review Recommendations, 
adopted with modifications by the GNSO Council, the Board adopts thirty-four 
(34) recommendations of the Final Report (i.e. all recommendations excluding 
recommendations 23 and 32).
Resolved (2016.06.25.14), the Board requests that the GNSO Council convene a 
group that oversees the implementation of Board-accepted recommendations. An 
implementation plan, containing a realistic timeline for the implementation, 
definition of desired outcomes and a way to measure current state as well as 
progress toward the desired outcome, shall be submitted to the Board as soon as 
possible, but no later than six (6) months after the adoption of this 
resolution.
Resolved (2016.06.25.15), the Board directs the GNSO Council to provide the 
Board with regular reporting on the implementation efforts.
Rationale for Resolutions 2016.06.25.10 - 2016.06.25.15
To ensure ICANN's multistakeholder model remains transparent and accountable, 
and to improve its performance, ICANN organizes independent reviews of its 
supporting organizations and advisory committees as prescribed in Article IV 
Section 4.1<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en#IV-4> of 
the ICANN Bylaws. The second GNSO Review started in 2014 and the independent 
examiner presented its Final Report in September 2015.
The Board's action today is consistent with ICANN's commitment pursuant to 
section 9.1 of the Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) to maintain and improve 
robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency so as to 
ensure that the outcomes of its decision-making reflect the public interest and 
that ICANN is accountable to all stakeholders.
The GNSO Review recommendations have the potential to advance ICANN's 
transparency and accountability objectives and have been considered carefully 
by the Board's Organizational Effectiveness Committee as well as by the full 
Board.
The Board resolution will have a positive impact on ICANN and especially the 
GNSO as it reinforces ICANN's and the GNSO's commitment to maintaining and 
improving its accountability, transparency and organizational effectiveness.
Development of implementation steps for the Board-adopted GNSO Review 
recommendations is not expected to have a considerable budgetary impact on the 
organization. However, implementation work may necessitate certain expenditures 
(including staff support) and may require a significant commitment of volunteer 
time. Volunteer workload and ICANN resources will be considered during the 
implementation planning and prioritization.
Why is the Board addressing the issue?
This resolution completes the second review of the GNSO and is based on the 
Final Report of the independent examiner, Westlake Governance, as well as the 
GNSO Review Working Party's assessment of the recommendations as adopted by the 
GNSO Council. Following the assessment of all pertinent documents and community 
feedback by the Board's Organizational Effectiveness Committee, the Board is 
now in a position to consider and act on the recommendations and instruct the 
GNSO to start the implementation process in due course.
What is the proposal being considered?
The proposal the Board is considering is the Final Report by the GNSO Review's 
independent examiner in combination with "GNSO Review Working Party's 
Feasibility and Prioritization Analysis of the GNSO Review Recommendations", 
adopted by the GNSO Council, and considered by the Organizational Effectiveness 
Committee.
What significant materials did the Board review?
The Board reviewed the independent examiner's GNSO Review Final 
Report<https://community.icann.org/x/lJNYAw> containing 36 recommendations; the 
Board also reviewed the "GNSO Review Working Party's Feasibility and 
Prioritization Assessment" as adopted by the GNSO Council, and it reviewed the 
considerations by the Organizational Effectiveness Committee with regard to 
both the Final Report and the Feasibility Assessment. Additionally, the Board 
considered the Report of Public 
Comments<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-gnso-review-draft-26aug15-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 1.58 KB] on the Independent Examiner's Initial Report as well as the 
overview of 
changes<https://community.icann.org/display/GR2/Final+Report+of+Independent+Examiner?preview=/56136596/56138662/GNSO%20Review%20Recommendations%20-%20changes%20from%20Draft%20to%20Final%20Report.pdf>
 [PDF, 114 KB] that took place from the Initial to the Final Report as a result 
of this community feedback.
Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on ICANN (strategic plan, operating 
plan, or budget)?
The work to improve the effectiveness of the GNSO organization may require 
additional resources beyond those included in the Board-approved FY17 Operating 
Plan and Budget, when adopted. This determination depends on the implementation 
planning and the definition of desired outcomes and prioritization. 
Additionally, implementation work should serve as an input into the next 
strategic planning cycle.
Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the DNS?
This action is not expected to have a direct impact on the security, stability 
or resiliency of the DNS. Still, once the improvements are implemented future 
policy-development will become more transparent and accountable, which in turn 
might indirectly impact the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS in a 
positive way.
Is public comment required prior to Board action?
A Public 
Comment<https://www.icann.org/public-comments/gnso-review-draft-2015-06-01-en> 
was opened following the publication of the Draft Report in May 2015. As this 
is a result of a Bylaw-mandated organizational review, public comment is not 
necessary prior to implementation. It is important to note that throughout the 
GNSO Review process there has been extensive discussion and exchange of ideas 
and information between the independent examiner, the GNSO Review Working 
Party, the GNSO community and the ICANN Board.

Regards,
Charla

Charla K. Shambley
Multistakeholder Strategy and Strategic Initiatives Program Manager
ICANN
12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA  90094
mobile: 310-745-1943