Re: [ga] Re: A Question for the Candidates

[Barbara Simons <simons@acm.org>]

Dear Jeff et al,
Please see my responses below.
Barbara

On 3/10/03 4:16 PM, "Jeff Williams" <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> Barbara and all former DNSO GA members or other interested parties,
> 
> 
> Barbara Simons wrote:
> 
>> If I am elected to the ICANN Board, I shall work at making the Board and its
>> decision making process more open, responsible, and transparent.  In
>> particular, I pledge to:
>> 
>>     * Be accessible and responsive to the members of the public;
> 
> Does this part of you pledge include responsible to the members
> of the public and/or any and all stakeholders/users as well?

As a Board member, I would attempt to be responsive to all stakeholders and
users, most certainly including members of the public.  Obviously, a single
individual cannot communicate with thousands of stakeholders.  But I would
do my best to be clear about my positions and to listen and be responsive to
the concerns of others.

>>     * Create an advisory group of experts in technological, policy,
>> economics, and the law;
> 
> Would such a advisory "Group of Experts" be open to any and all
> that wish to participate?

I would be looking for volunteers, but I would select the people who would
be advising me, based on their expertise, their willingness to work, their
ability to get along with others, and my comfort at interacting with them.

>>     * Work to build a decision-making process that is open and inclusive -
>> and that involves two-way communications from the Board to the public and
>> from the public to the Board;
> 
> Very good here!  >;)
> 
>> 
>>     * Establish well defined procedures that will allow sufficient time for
>> people to read and comment on issues, proposals, and initiatives;
> 
> Will any and all interested parties or stakeholders/users in your
> pledge here also have the contracted right to also have a vote in the
> determination of any issues, proposals, and initiatives taken as well
> before considered a standard/regulation by ICANN in your pledge?

I don't see how I could hold a vote on all issues and proposals.  I have a
track record of having spent years working in an organization with strong
democratic principles - ACM.  I care deeply about the future of the
Internet, and I would do my best to preserve the Internet as an open channel
of communication.
 
>>     * Guarantee that policy decisions are initiated and made by the Board,
>> not by the staff.
> 
> Does this include technical policy as well?  Will any and all
> stakeholders/usres
> also have a vote before implementation or a decision of such policies are
> adopted in your pledge?

As I said above, I don't see how I can hold a vote of stakeholders.  As far
as technical policy issues are concerned, it would depend on how much policy
was involved with the technology.  We know that some technologies are
relatively neutral, and others have significant policy implications.  It's
the later ones about which I have the greatest concern.
 
>> One of the aspects of having well defined procedures is that issues would
>> not be voted on without first providing the public with reasonable notice
>> and the opportunity to comment.
> 
> Comment is wonderful Barbara, but is often ignored not considered
> seriously.  Hence comment only is not good enough.  Therefore,
> unless or until any and all stakeholders/usres vote on any and all
> regulations, standards, initiatives, proposals, and/or policies before
> they can be adopted or otherwise enacted.  Hence the board
> should act as a enforcement arm of ICANN as much as it does
> a facilitator.

If I am elected, I'll be only one member of the Board.  I'll do my best to
bring about the creation of well defined and observed policies and
procedures within ICANN.  Without such policies and procedures, it becomes
impossible for small stakeholders and individuals to participate in the
ICANN process, because they don't have the resources to read and respond to
documents on very short notice.

>>  Votes would be made in public and the
>> results, together with how the individual Board members voted, would be
>> posted in a prominent location on the ICANN website.
>> 
>> I am uncomfortable with the idea of requiring that all email among Board
>> members be made public.  I think that such a step would inhibit the give and
>> take that is required in order for a body to reach a negotiated decision.
> 
> Why would such inhibit give and take?  It shouldn't..  Openness is
> always the best policy and practice.

I agree about openness in public meetings.  Additionally, I don't approve of
policy decisions being made behind closed doors, and would adamantly oppose
such an activity.  However, I also would need the ability to conduct off the
record discussions with fellow Board members.  I understand your reluctance
to go along with such a proposal, and my view is that ICANN is so heavily
political that it will be impossible to achieve any of the goals that I've
stated above if I am unable to engage in frank discussions with other Board
members.
 
>> Based on my experiences of working with a group with a variety of opinions
>> (the U.S. Public Policy Committee of ACM), I have found that I frequently
>> need to engage in side email conversations with individuals in order to
>> determine both what their primary concerns are and what kind of compromise
>> might allow them to support a particular position.  These would be very
>> awkward discussions to have in public, and I believe that my effectiveness
>> would be reduced were I required to archive such discussions.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Barbara

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