<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=""><div class=""><div class="">FYI - CW</div></div></div></div></blockquote><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><span id="OLK_SRC_BODY_SECTION" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=""><span class=""><blockquote id="MAC_OUTLOOK_ATTRIBUTION_BLOCKQUOTE" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px;" class="" type="cite"><div xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" class=""><div lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" class=""><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">The following announcement came out this morning: <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2017-10-22-en" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2017-10-22-en</a>. Please forward on to anyone interested.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="border-style: none none solid; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); padding: 0in; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><h1 style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 24pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; background-color: white; border: none; padding: 0in; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Call for Volunteers: GNSO New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP WG Work Track 5 (Geographic Names at the top-level)<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h1></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">In Brief<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">The New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process Working Group seeks volunteers to serve on a new sub team, known as Work Track 5, which will focus exclusively on the treatment of geographic names at the top level. This issue is one of the topics in the <a href="https://gnso.icann.org/en/issues/new-gtlds/subsequent-procedures-charter-21jan16-en.pdf" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">WG's charter</span></a> [PDF, 196 KB].<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">What This Team Will Do<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Work Track 5 will focus on developing proposed recommendations regarding the treatment of geographic names at the top-level. The Work Track may make recommendations on policy and/or implementation related to 2-letter codes, 3-letter codes, short form and full country and territory names, city/state/region names, and other geographically significant names.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">How This Team Will Work<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">ICANN WGs use transparent, open processes. The meetings of this Work Track will be recorded, transcribed, and the recordings will be made available to the public. The mailing list for the Work Track will be archived publicly. The group will collaborate using a public workspace for draft materials and all final work products and milestones will be documented on the <a href="https://community.icann.org/display/NGSPP/New+gTLD+Subsequent+Procedures+PDP+Home" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">WG's wiki</span></a>. In addition to a Terms of Reference, the Work Track will be governed under the <a href="https://gnso.icann.org/en/council/annex-1-gnso-wg-guidelines-08apr11-en.pdf" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">GNSO Working Group Guidelines</span></a> [PDF, 349 KB] as well as the <a href="https://gnso.icann.org/en/council/annex-2-pdp-manual-24jun15-en.pdf" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">GNSO PDP Manual</span></a> [PDF, 260 KB].<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">The Work Track will be structured to encourage broad and balanced participation from different parts of the community, and includes joint community Work Track leadership from ALAC, GAC, ccNSO and GNSO. As with the other Work Tracks, WT5 leadership will be coordinated by the PDP WG co-chairs.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">How to Participate<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">There are two ways to volunteer:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt 51pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class=""><span class="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span><strong class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Members</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class=""> – anyone interested can volunteer to join the Work Track as a member, regardless of whether they are members of the ICANN community. Members are expected to actively contribute to mailing list conversations as well as meetings – it is anticipated that the Work Track will meet on a weekly basis via teleconference. Members are expected to provide essential input to the process, orally or through written input. Members will be required to provide a Statement of Interests (<a href="https://community.icann.org/display/gnsosoi/New+SOIs" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">SOI</span></a>).<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt 51pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class=""><span class="">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span><strong class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Mailing list observers</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class=""> – for those who are merely interested in monitoring the Work Track's conversations, there is the possibility to sign up as a mailing list "observer" which offers read-only access to the mailing list. Mailing list observers will not be permitted to post, will not receive invitations to the various meetings or calls of the Work Track and will not have to complete a Statement of Interest. At any point in time, a mailing list observer can join the Work Track as a member simply by informing the GNSO Secretariat.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">In addition, there may be opportunities to provide input through public consultations and public comment processes. Note, joining Work Track 5 as a member or mailing list observer does not require joining or participating in the full Working Group, though it is encouraged.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">How to Join<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">If you are interested in joining Work Track 5 as a member or mailing list observer, please fill in the <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/Pgl7NMbocc1Qz7pq1" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">sign up form</span></a>. If you are having trouble using the sign-up form, please email <a href="matilto:gnso-secs@icann.org" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">gnso-secs@icann.org</span></a> for assistance.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">All members and observers will be listed on the PDP WG's wiki page.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Next Steps<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">The call for volunteers will be circulated as widely as possible in order to ensure broad representation and participation in Work Track 5. This initial call will remain open until 20 November. Volunteers are also welcome to join the Work Track at any time after 20 November. Members who join the Work Track after work has begun will be responsible for reviewing all Work Track deliberations, agreements, and documents so that they are prepared to participate fully. Regular online meetings will be scheduled in accordance with the Work Track's work plan, which it is expected to develop as one of its first tasks.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Drafting of WT5 Terms of Reference is currently underway with the WT leadership and will be finalized in the near future.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 1.31rem; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0.75rem 0px 0.5rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Background<o:p class=""></o:p></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">In 2005, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) began a Policy Development Process (PDP) to consider the introduction of new gTLDs. The two-year PDP process resulted in a set of 19 GNSO policy recommendations for implementing new gTLDs. In order to implement the policy recommendations of the GNSO, a number of draft Applicant Guidebooks (AGBs) were developed by ICANN staff in consultation with the community. In June 2011, ICANN's Board of Directors approved the final AGB and authorized the launch of the New gTLD Program.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">The New gTLD Program application window opened on 12 January 2012 and a total of 1930 complete applications were received. The first set of Initial Evaluation results were released on 22 March 2013, followed by the first set of new gTLD delegations on 21 October 2013.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">All applications have now completed the evaluation process and as of mid October 2017, there are over 1,200 gTLDs delegated. Although the 2012 round is ongoing, efforts to examine the round have already begun, which included the initiation of the GNSO’s PDP on New gTLD Subsequent Procedures in early 2016.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1.25rem; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="">Although the original <a href="https://gnso.icann.org/en/issues/new-gtlds/subsequent-procedures-charter-21jan16-en.pdf" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 152, 213);" class="">charter</span></a> [PDF, 196 KB] approved by the GNSO Council put the topic of geographic names at the top level in Work Track 2 dealing with legal and regulatory issues, the full PDP Working Group approved the creation of this new Work Track 5 to focus exclusively on the treatment of geographic names at the top level.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div></div></div></blockquote></span></span></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></body></html>