[soac-newgtldapsup-wg] Special Meeting of the JAS WG - 20 April SAVE THE DATE

[Karla Valente <karla.valente@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Carlton and Rafik,

I hope this e-mail finds you well.

There was a meeting today with few JAS WG representatives (Rafik, Tijani, Avri, 
Cintra, Alan), few board members (Chris, George, Sebastian) and staff (Kurt, 
Karla, Dennis [Project Manager], Wendy) about the Support Applicant Review 
Panel (SARP) and operations of the financial assistance evaluation. One of the 
issues discussed was having an active role of community members from the JAS WG 
in the final design of the SARP and evaluation process.

It was proposed we hold a special JAS WG meeting on 20 April to explain to the 
JAS WG the current vision and also reach an agreement on the JAS WG individuals 
that will be involved in the final design and evaluation process. Obviously, 
the selected individuals will be expected not to have conflict of interest 
issues and be able to dedicate time to this. I will work with the policy team 
to schedule the 20 April meeting, following the same structure and time we had 
before. If there are any objections from moving ahead with this plan, please 
let me know ASAP.


I am preparing some materials to share with the JAS WG that explains in more 
details the plans and the role in the SARP design and evaluation process. This 
will be sent to all soon.


Quick Program updates:

·         We are pleased to report we received 80 applications for the SARP. 
Applicants come from different regions of the world and have a wide range of 
backgrounds, including business, academic, diplomatic, etc.

·         We plan on selecting the SARP members and start training of all 
involved in the evaluation end of April, beginning of May.

·         We do not have yet the final number of financial assistance 
applicants and, as you know, the new gTLD application window has been extended. 
We will announce the financial assistance applicants at the same time we reveal 
all the data on the new gTLD applicants. The actual number of financial 
assistance applicants will dictate the final number of SARP members and 
community members needed for evaluation.



I look forward to meeting with you all on April 20th.

Kind regards,

Karla Valente
Director, gTLD Registry Programs
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
Direct:  + 1 310 301 3878
Mobile:  +1 310 936 4639
Skype: kdlvalente