[At-Large] [NA-Discuss] Results of the Voting for ALAC Nominating Committee 2008 Appointments

[Evan Leibovitch]

Nick Ashton-Hart wrote:
> you are correct that it is not dictated by the Bylaws - however, as
> the Bylaws are silent on this point the Bylaws clearly do not prevent
> the ALAC from voting in the manner they have chosen to follow, either.
So, because the bylaws don't mandate transparency, it's not to be
considered (let alone advocated)?

There is clearly a gap between doing the minimum necessary and doing
what is right. Fixing the ICANN bylaws to add transparency (that it
claims to want) is one thing; asking for basic accountability and
transparency within our own constituency -- even when not demanded by
the bylaws -- is far more straightforward, and IMO quite reasonable.

The Bylaws may offer a legal crutch but they sure don't offer an ethical
one, especially if ICANN wants any credibility in its stated desire to
be more transparent. Or does it speak one way but act another by design?

Is it staff practice not to itself be transparent -- and to recommend
against transparency and accountability in internal procedures -- unless
the bylaws absolutely and specifically demand it? Is doing the absolute
minimum necessary Standard Operating Procedure?

- Evan