[NA-Discuss] MOU in San Juan (Action Items)

[Bret Fausett]

Dear ALAC Colleagues,

As the San Juan meeting approaches, we should turn our attention to  
finalizing the MOU with ICANN.

	Current Draft: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_MOU
	(newest revisions, for discussion, in bold typeface)

By its terms, the MOU is between ICANN and the North American At  
Large Structures that choose to sign it (Section 1). I point this out  
so you know that it is possible to participate in the ICANN process  
as an ICANN At Large Structure, participate in the NARALO, but choose  
not to sign the MOU. Nevertheless, we should strive for a MOU that a  
substantial majority of currently accredited ALSs would be willing to  
sign and which we believe would be generally acceptable to future At  
Large Structures from North America.

*If* we can find agreement on the language of the draft MOU, then we  
will have an official signing ceremony in San Juan and move forward  
with our contemplated election of ALAC representatives from North  
America. As we've discussed on the list previously, this is an  
aspirational goal, not a hard deadline, but I am certain that with  
work over the next week on the list we will be able to find consensus  
around common language for the MOU.

Here is what I would ask everyone to do in preparation for San Juan:

(a) if you don't already have it, seek authority from your  
organization to sign the MOU on its behalf, if we can agree to terms,  
in San Juan. Even if you are not going to San Juan, we can still  
arrange to have your organization sign the MOU by mail and facsimile  
(my understanding is that repersentatives from all organizations will  
be present with the exception of CAUCE, CAUCE Canada, Alberta  
Community Network Association (ACNA), and People Who). Unlike our  
ratification vote, in which each organization had two votes, we only  
need one signature from each ALS.

(b) review the current draft and consider whether you would be  
willing to sign on the current terms. Is that language in the draft  
that would prevent you from signing? Is there language that must be  
in the draft in order for you to sign? If so, please let us know as  
soon as possible so we can carry this back to our own organizations  
and have a discussion around it.

(c) let me know by email bfausett **at** internet.law.pro, or on  
list, whether you think the current draft is something your  
organization will agree to approve in San Juan. This is just a straw  
poll, but I'd like to get a read as soon as possible about how close  
we are to having an acceptable draft.

Questions and discussion welcome.

       Bret