[At-Large] ALS lists - why no public archive?

[Bret Fausett]

My impression of the way it works is that ICANN sends the same  
periodic notices about participation and comment opportunities to the  
designated ALS representative that it sends to everyone in the world  
who subscribes to the ICANN Announce list.

What happens when a notice is received by the ALS is completely up to  
the ALS. The response typically is one or more of: (1) redistribute  
announcement to members; (2) post announcement to web; (3) do nothing  
with announcement; (4) engage in policy debate and provide feedback  
to ICANN.

As I understand the relationship, based on the typical RALO MOU, the  
ALS has a non-enforceable obligation to distribute information from  
ICANN. The ALS has no obligation to respond to ICANN, consider the  
issues presented or engage in any policy discussion or debate. If the  
ALS chooses to respond, ICANN has a non-enforceable obligation to  
receive the response.

It's very light-weight. My first impression of the ALSs at work is  
that most ALSs will receive and redistribute information but not  
engage in anything substantive.

           -- Bret