[EURO-Discuss] Request for Comments — ICANN Board Review Draft Terms of Reference

[Nick Ashton-Hart]

Request for Comments — ICANN Board Review Draft Terms of Reference

20 September 2007
As part of the 2002-03 Evolution and Reform process, the ICANN  
community and Board established a principle of ongoing review of  
ICANN's structures to ensure their continuing relevance and  
effectiveness.

This principle was embedded in the ICANN bylaws — making it a rare  
example in an international entity of constitutionally-required  
ongoing reform. In accordance with this requirement, and as part of  
ICANNs ongoing commitment to evolution and improvement, the Board  
approved at ICANN's December 2006 meeting in Sao Paulo a  
comprehensive schedule for independent review of ICANNs structures.  
The Board, on the recommendation of the Board Governance Committee,  
subsequently expanded this list to include the Board itself. The  
schedule is as follows:

Nominating Committee estimated launch — December 2006
At-Large Advisory Committee estimated launch — February 2007
DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee estimated launch — July 2007
Board estimated launch — October 2007
Security and Stability Advisory Committee estimated launch — January  
2008
ccNSO Supporting Organisation estimated launch — July 2008
Address Supporting Organisation (ASO) estimated launch — December 2008
The reviews are intended to ensure an independent examination of the  
role and operation of key elements of ICANN. As with the first two  
independent reviews, which were completed for the GNSO Council and  
the GNSO , these reviews will be conducted in an objective manner by  
independent reviewers, under guidance from the Board on each reviews  
terms of reference, and with the opportunity for public comment on  
the results of the reviews.

As specified in Article IV, Section 4 of ICANNs Bylaws, 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. The results of these reviews  
shall be posted for public review and comment, and shall be  
considered by the Board not later than its second scheduled meeting  
after being posted for 30 days. Consideration by the Board includes  
the ability to revise the structure or operation of the Nominating  
Committee by a two-thirds vote of all members.

The Draft Terms of Reference for a review of the Board is to be found  
at http://www.icann.org/reviews/icann-board-review-20sep07.pdf [PDF,  
17K].

They are open for public comment until October 11, 2007. Public  
comments should be made at board-review-tor at icann.org and can be  
reviewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/board-review-tor/.


-- 
Regards,

Nick Ashton-Hart
Director, At-Large
ICANN
Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88
USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460
Fax: +41 (22) 595 85 44
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email: nick.ashton-hart at icann.org
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