Re: [ga] serious participation in ICANN processes

["Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law" <froomkin@law.miami.edu>]

Actually, although Bret and I usually agree, I think this elevates form
over substance.  The substance of the GA is that it is a debating forum
whose outputs do not, so far as I've been able to discern, have any
substantial influence on ICANN policy.

Are there counter-examples to this description?

On Wed, 4 Apr 2001, Bret Fausett wrote:

> Cindy Merry wrote:
> > This may be posted under the wrong thread but perhaps it's an appropriate
> > heading.  Is there a simple explanation about what the purpose of the
> > General Assembly is within the ICANN processes?
> 
> Cindy,
> 
> "Generally" speaking, a "general assembly" is a meeting place of everyone
> who is involved in a given area. There is a "General Assembly" meeting of
> the Address Supporting Organization this afternoon, for example, in
> conjunction with the ARIN meeting in San Francisco. ICANN's Address
> Supporting Organization and Protocol Supporting Organization have elected to
> have one "general assembly" meeting a year, usually to present status
> reports and elect Board members.
> 
> The Domain Names Supporting Organization, on the other hand, has chosen to
> implement the "General Assembly" concept both as an in-person meeting and as
> a virtual space in the form of this mailing list. This particular General
> Assembly is subject specific -- the domain name system ("DNS") -- and there
> are many aspects of ICANN that are outside its scope and purpose. In that
> sense, it is different from the "At Large" concept, which is intended to
> find a representative vehicle for Internet users to address the user
> perspective on *all* of the issues facing ICANN.
> 
> The DNSO's General Assembly meets in real space in conjunction with each
> quarterly ICANN meeting and continues its discussions on the DNS here.
> 
> A description of *this* general assembly is included in the ICANN bylaws:
> 
> Article VI-B, Section 4. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
> 
> (a) The GA shall be an open forum for participation in the work of the DNSO,
> and open to all who are willing to contribute effort to the work of the
> DNSO. The participants in the GA should be individuals who have a knowledge
> of and an interest in issues pertaining to the areas for which the DNSO has
> primary responsibility, and who are willing to contribute time, effort and
> expertise to the work of the DNSO, including work item proposal and
> development, discussion of work items, draft document preparation, and
> participation in research and drafting committees and working groups.
> 
> (b) The GA shall meet at least once a year, if possible in conjunction with
> regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. To the maximum extent
> practicable, all meetings should be available for online attendance as well
> as physical attendance.
> 
> (c) The costs of GA meetings shall be the responsibility of the DNSO, which
> may levy an equitable, cost-based fee on GA attendees to recoup those costs.
> There shall be no other fees required to participate in the GA.
> 
> (d) Participants in the GA shall nominate, pursuant to procedures adopted by
> the NC and approved by the Board, persons to serve on the Board in those
> seats reserved for the DNSO.
> 
> I hope that is helpful.
> 
>    -- Bret
> 
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