[ALAC] [ALAC-Internal] ALAC in an evolving ICANN.

JJS jjs.global at gmail.com
Thu Jul 5 16:04:27 UTC 2012


*Dear colleagues,*
*
*
*thank you for your substantial comments and suggestions. At this stage,
our discussion has underlined quite a clear separation between function and
structure:*
*
*
*1) There is agreement on the need for clearly defined lines of
responsibility. As ICANN is pushed into a new phase of transformation, so
too must ALAC adapt: it must distinguish its most important duties from its
more routine -if traditional- tasks; it must organize its work according to
its own priorities, rather than being geared to react to agendas set
elsewhere.*
*
*
*2) Although there have been suggestions for some small changes, there is
broad agreement on the definition of the lines of responsibility set out in
my original e-mail, viz.*
*- Community, Outreach, Communication,*
*- Policy, Process, Legal,*
*- Finance, Administration.*
*
*
*3) There is no consensus on preferred structures. Some suggest that the
lines of responsibility be integrated into the Executive Committee; others
call for such lines to be led by individuals not necessarily seated on the
ExeCom; yet others remark that such a task would provide the ideal level
for the involvement of RALOs. Most comments dwell on the fact that the
choice of a title (e.g. Vice Chair) is far less important than reliably
performing a function (e.g. Community, which requires a stable,
identifiable lead). A minority calls for a regional balance in leading the
lines of responsibility, but most consider that regional balance is best
achieved in other ways in ALAC.*
*
*
*4) There is quite a basic difference of opinion between a minority which
considers that the lines of responsibility should be dealt with in Working
Groups, and could therefore be populated at the RALO level, and a majority
which supports the idea of a more permanent approach. The latter considers
that permanence would provide the additional advantage of visibility to
both our community and to the wider ICANN.*
*
*
*5) Several comments have called for any further discussion on lines of
responsibility to be taken to the Rules of Procedure Working Group (RoP
WG). This would indeed be quite normal, but the challenges ALAC and ICANN
are now facing, render an ALAC-wide overview a necessity, if only to
provide direction and guidance to the RoP WG.*
*
*
*I remain at your disposal.*
*
*
*Best regards,*
*Jean-Jacques.*
*
*
2012/7/5 Titi Akinsanmi <titi.akinsanmi at gmail.com>

> Between a rock and a hard place (Yes I do like my sayings).
>
> Having read all mails - from JJS to Alan's this morning here are my
> thoughts.
>
> *Labels, Positions and Structures in Volunteer organizations:* If not
> properly managed can be quite detrimental moreso in a grouping that is
> emerging from being viewed as 'unimportant'. That said - there is indeed
> merit in being able to fashion out specific volunteering streams within
> ALAC.
>
> *Work Streams vs Labelled Roles creating illusions/realities of superiority
> and importance: *
>
> I mentioned this more to Olivier as Chair than anyone else - coming in to
> ALAC as a newbie one of the fuzziest things is identifying where my
> particular set of skills would best be leveraged alongside the value add
> strategy I envisioned. Not a function of not knowing what I joined up (I
> was warned - multiple times :-) for but rather an issue of having an ALAC
> that is so convoluted: has people going off and doing their own thing
> atimes to shine other times to truly move ALAC forward; also issue of those
> with long term association coming with 'baggage' (good bad and ugly) which
> deters efforts to move issues forward when engaged on and those who
> genuinely would like to add value.
>
> In essence - my take is create work streams - label them if necessary to
> add weight to the leadership but please lets manage the plethora of work
> groups, committees etc etc that fragments our ability to engage as a whole.
> The ALAC is becoming a bigger maze in the already convoluted maze called
> ICANN and its WGs, Committees etc.(How many of these do we have currently -
> those engaged on substantive vs organizational issues?)
>
> *ALAC Evolution:*
>
> Key is if we do end up with a formalized structure I would suggest its
> along work/program/issue areas with leads appointed by those in that
> particular grouping or by the entire ALAC membership. Each stream has a set
> of deliverables/objectives that easily measurable. This hopefully (fingers
> crossed) would foster increased participation than what currently exists.
>
> Finally in principle - agree to suggestion. Adding on more
> elected/nominated/positions roles within though - I would caution against.
>
> Morning Thoughts from a close to term TT
>
> Enjoy the day ahead!
>
> TT
>
> On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 5:35 AM, Alan Greenberg <alan.greenberg at mcgill.ca
> >wrote:
>
> > Somewhere in the thread that follows JJS' message, I think that it
> > was suggested that we should formalize these groupings with our RoP
> > revision. I would strongly suggest that we not do anything of the
> > kind. People's skills and interests vary, and assignments should be
> > made in accordance with these and not cast in concrete ahead of time.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > At 29/06/2012 10:05 AM, JJS wrote:
> > >*ALAC's tasks can be handled under three main lines. Each line would be
> > led
> > >by a Vice Chair, and each member would be required to join at least one
> of
> > >the three lines:*
> > >*1) Community, Outreach, Communication*
> > >*2) Policy, Process, Legal*
> > >*3) Finance, administration*
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > ALAC-Internal mailing list
> > ALAC-Internal at atlarge-lists.icann.org
> > https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal
> >
> > ALAC Wiki:
> >
> https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(ALAC)
> >
> > At-Large Website: http://atlarge.icann.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Mrs. Titi Akinsanmi
>
> Consultant/Researcher
> Mobile: +27 83 300 7105
> titi.akinsanmi at gmail.com
> Impacting My Generation
> _______________________________________________
> ALAC-Internal mailing list
> ALAC-Internal at atlarge-lists.icann.org
> https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal
>
> ALAC Wiki:
> https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(ALAC)
>
> At-Large Website: http://atlarge.icann.org
>



More information about the ALAC mailing list