Re: [ga] serious participation in ICANN processes

[Bret Fausett <baf@fausett.com>]

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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