[registrars] Board Vote

["Ross Wm. Rader" <ross@tucows.com>]

Folks;

I see that we have moved back to an open voting format (hear, hear) and
note that many of you have not yet voted. Please do so - its important
that our Names Council reps hear from the constituency on matters like
this.

I've talked to a number of you personally regarding our vote for the
board seat. I want to pass on some thoughts concerning why Alejandro
Pisanty deserves the continued support of the Registrar Constituency. 

I say "continued" because Alejandro is the candidate that the
constituency backed in the last board election in August of 2002. Our
nomination for him then summarizes our current feelings best -
"Alejandro has provided valuable leadership during the evolution and
reform process and he should be re-elected based upon this and his other
accomplishments to date.

Alejandro is currently the Vice-chair of the ICANN Board. He has the
necessary qualifications and experience to sit on the board. His
appointment as vice-chair supports this and illustrates the respect that
his fellow board members have for him. He also led the charge through
the ICANN reform process and ensured that this important undertaking was
conducted with integrity and credibility. These actions directly
benefitted our constituency and all others that continue to work in the
ICANN structure.

There are also other important points to take into consideration. It is
very unlikely that there will be many "hold-overs" from the old board.
New blood is very important to the continued vibrancy of the
organization, but continuity is equally important. Entirely replacing
the board and eliminating one of the key players in this new ICANN would
simply not be in our best interests. 

We must also take into account the realities of geographic diversity.
Alejandro an extremely strong candidate from a region that ICANN needs
to continue to hear more from. Electing a North American in this round
will mean that a North American cannot be elected in the next round.
This would mean that Vint Cerf, ICANN's current chair, may no longer
qualify as a candidate.

All in all, Alejandro is an excellent candidate that deserves our
continued support.

More information on Alejandro can be found at the following URLs;

Current Nomination: http://www.dnso.org/nominees/2003.api.html
Previous Nomination:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/icann-nominations/Arc02/msg00003.html
Biography: http://www.dnso.org/nominees/2003.api.html

Thanks,


           -rwr

-------------------------------
Ross Wm. Rader
Director, Innovation & Research
Tucows Inc.
tel: 416.538.5492
fax: 416.531.1257
email: ross@tucows.com