[NA-Discuss] Fwd: [At-Large] Schedule Posted for ICANN's 30th International Public Meeting

[Robert Guerra]

FYI - Copy of message I have just posted to the - public - at-large  
list.


regards,

Robert
---
Robert Guerra <rguerra at privaterra.ca>
Managing Director, Privaterra
Tel +1 416 893 0377



Begin forwarded message:

> From: lists at privaterra.info
> Date: September 20, 2007 2:24:56 PM EDT
> To: "At-Large Worldwide" <alac at atlarge-lists.icann.org>
> Subject: Re: [At-Large] Schedule Posted for ICANN's 30th  
> International  Public Meeting
>
>
> First, i'm a bit frustrated with alot going on in at-large and ALAC  
> at the
> moment. So this message is likely to be a bit of rant. I apologize in
> advance , but certain things need to be said - in an open list...
>
> Nick:
>
>
> I think there are numerous issues where we agree - for example, i  
> concur
> that meetings should be planned well in advance as it allows people to
> better plan their schedule and important meetings to be scheduled.
> Translation is also important, and know oh too well - that such things
> need to be done well in advance.
>
> In my opinion, ALAC, should have at least proposed a draft meeting  
> agenda
> ahead of the last conference call. Recognizing that developing an  
> agenda
> is important a sub-committee was created in name only, as no  
> substantial
> work nor discussion is taking place at all.
>
> Yes, I'm a member of the subcommittee - however i've not been given a
> mandate to unilaterally make recommendations both for the committee  
> nor
> ALAC as a whole. Should the sub-committee chair and/or the ALAC as  
> a whole
> mandate me to unilaterally  create an agenda/schdule and  
> collaborate with
> you to book times, meetings, etc - then fine.
>
> Let me then submit a proposal - Does the ALAC chair and LA planning
> sub-committee which to mandate a specific person to volunteer to
> collaborate with ICANN staff (Nick and others) to plan and develop an
> agenda for the LA meeting.
>
>
> YES - OK TO DELEGATE PLANNING AND AGENDA SETTING AUTHORITY to a  
> specific
> person
> NO - CHAIR & SUBCOMMITTEE, THOUGH INACTIVE PREFER TO WAIT.
>
>
>>
>> We will be unable to accommodate requests for new meetings which are
>> made any less than two weeks before the start of the meeting on
>> Monday 29th October.
>
>
> Completely understand..
>
>>
>> To remind the public list as I have reminded the private list: there
>> are members of the committee who really need interpretation to
>> participate fully, so I would hope that you would try to do any real
>> work at sessions where that can be provided...
>
>
> let me also make the point that if sub-committees are created, then  
> people
> should put in time, energy and effort to get things done. If not,  
> then -
> please don't create a committee in the first place.
>
> Smaller constituencies with far less resources then at-large are  
> able to
> develop a schedule and work strategically. At-large should meet the
> challenge, try to change, or admit that it can't do the task and  
> free up
> the funding to others who could likely do things far better.
>
> So what can be done - please, pitch in and help. Comment both on the
> agenda and the proposal Veronica has for a strategic planning  
> session for
> the meeting.
>
> The failure of substantive discussion & contributions -   
> specifically by
> ALAC members - will indeed prove that the critics of the at-large
> structure are correct..
>
> I hate to be so blunt, i'm just frustrated.
>
> Please colleagues, prove my comments are wrong and that all this time,
> energy, and multi-million dollar investment in At-large is indeed
> constructive.
>
>
>
> regards
>
>
>
> Robert