[Finance-sc] [ALAC] Fwd: Creating a New ICANN 5-Year Strategic Plan - Durban Monday 10:30 - 12:00 Hall 6

[Evan Leibovitch]

One specific thing sticks in my mind, with which I must take issue.


>  Furthermore, the At-Large Community has to think about its active
> engagement. I am surprised that on several occasions already we have been
> unable to deliver a reply when asked questions on how we can improve
> things. I hear complaints from our community when something happens that we
> are not consulted about. I now hear a complaint from you where we are
> invited to take part in a key planning cycle for ICANN at a very early
> stage. This is our opportunity!
>

I strongly disagree. We have NEVER EVER been unable to answer core
questions about how ICANN can fix things. The recentl letter by myself and
other At-Large leaders to the ATRT2, of which you are well aware, is just
the latest example of that. As you know, I have had a hand in the
development of some of the numerous statements and advice that ALAC
produces. Staff keeps meticulous track of how much we produce. So volume of
participation is not the issue (though it would certainly help if the load
was shared by more ALAC members...)

The issue is that, our answers are ignored, and instead we are asked a pile
of new questions, rephrased so that the answers never demand real change.

The solicitation for the new SP cycle is just the latest such new question.
It is not a new opportunity; it is a distraction from what is important to
us.

May I remind -- once again -- that the ICANN bylaws enable the ALAC to
offer input at any time, about any issue. We are empowered to create our
own opportunities, yet we constantly squander that mandate by agreeing to
the agenda set by others -- an agenda demonstrably hostile to our issues
and concerns.

- Evan