[At-Large] [ALAC] ELECTION CALL for ALAC Officers to serve from 22 October 2012 to ICANN AGM 2013

[Carlton Samuels]

I share Evan's sentiments...and offer the same mea culpa.

Let us be clear here.  I went to the Internal list before the call for
nominations with my perspective on Olivier's leadership because  I wished
to offer a view  - maybe a peculiar one - of what really makes the ALAC of
notice in ICANN affairs.

I truly believe that it takes gumption, a certain diplomatic skill, will
and the time to commit to do what Olivier has done.  And all for free.
 IMHO, these are major reasons -vested in the Chair - for what we have
collectively achieved.  Yes, all others of the Ex-Com, and indeed some
colleagues not of the Ex-Com, have played significant roles. Because once
the strategic framework is advised by the ALAC, the details of strategy and
how to put them in play are determined collectively.

I am a mere bit player with some knowledge, expertise and experience that
might be useful to advance the common endeavour.  I was asked to assume a
role and I accepted.  The role does not define who I am; I bring that to
it.  Neither is my sense of self - or value - entwined with the position.
 I am asked yet again. I have accepted, yet again. It is quite all right
for the electorate, in their wisdom, to make another  choice.

I second Evan's nomination.  Assuming acceptance of nominations of all, I
shall vote for the slate.

- Carlton

==============================
Carlton A Samuels
Mobile: 876-818-1799
*Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround*
=============================


On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Evan Leibovitch <evan at telly.org> wrote:

> On 18 September 2012 09:57, Carlos Vera Quintana <cveraq at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > +1 this is a very reasonable position. We have to have rotation and new
> > faces all the time in all positions.
> >
>
> As someone standing for re-election, I have an obvious bias in the
> discussion. However, even were I not, I would be intrigued -- and a little
> unsettled -- by the concept of "change for the sake of change".
>
> There are term limits for many positions within At-Large leadership -- I am
> in my last of two terms as ALAC member -- and I am curious to know the
> rationale behind "new faces all the time" in a manner that exceeds both the
> intent and the practice of these reasonable limits.
>
> This is now my sixth year within ICANN as a volunteer and I am only now
> finding a comfort level with the many layers and complexities of working
> within ICANN's policy development. That may just mean that I'm slow, but I
> would suggest that ICANN possesses a level of internal complexity rivalling
> that of a UN or government bureacuracy. It takes time just to learn.
>
> Insisting on rapid rotation -- for the sake of rapid rotation -- ensures
> that ALAC leadership will never have the depth necessary to deal with
> issues that matter to Internet end-users. Our adversaries -- those who
> dispense with the public interest because of financial gain -- have no such
> limits. Indeed there are many within the domain industry who have been
> involved with ICANN since its inception and are acutely aware of its inner
> workings and how to manipulate them for gain. Given our reasonable levels
> of term limits our people will never achieve the level of personal
> entrenchment enjoyed by industry, but I would suggest that the rapid
> rotation suggested by some here would be absolutely devastating to the
> ability of ICANN At-Large to assert itself in the corridors of power.
>
> If there are issues with the performance of individuals running for
> re-election, general complaints about leadership or direction, or the
> ascendency of people advocating fresh priorities or changes of strategy, by
> all means let's bring them forward and engage in useful debate and an
> informed election. I welcome such engagement. But I know that there are a
> number of issues that I personally am involved with and consider
> "unfinished business" -- unfinished because they just take so long to
> process through ICANN. The others running for re-election have their own
> priorities in this regard. I think it would be a shame -- and damaging to
> the At-Large cause -- if many of these efforts are forced to pause while
> being rebooted or re-learned simply because of an election based on theory
> that looks good on paper but works poorly in the negotiations room.
>
> Two years from now, because of term limits, I know for certain that I will
> be off not only the executive but my ALAC position. I will welcome my
> replacement. I fully understand and appreciate the need to share the load
> and encourage new voices, both as a matter of outreach and keeping At-Large
> constantly in touch. But I suggest that there is a balance to be struck
> between continuity and refreshment, and that the balance currently in place
> within ALAC is a good one. Going more narrowly than term limits to assert
> change for its own sake does a disservice to incumbents and all of
> At-Large.
>
> In most organizations of which I'm aware -- whether corporation, government
> or NPO -- frequent changes of leadership does not indicate stability or
> success.
>
> - Evan
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