[registrars] Interview of candidates for ICANN Board Seat #14

["Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au>]

Hello All,

Members of the registrars constituency are invited to listen in to the interview of candidates for ICANN Board seat #14 by the GNSO Council.  An audio recording will also be made of the interview.

The details are as follows:


GNSO Council teleconference to interview the candidates:

Tuesday 11 March at 20:00 UTC
- 3pm Washington, DC
- 9pm Brussels
- 7am (Wednesday) Melbourne, Australia

Dial In Number: +1 (517)267-0146
PARTICIPANT CODE:  889210

Participant code is for the Councilors to give to their constiutencies for
listening in. This code only provides for "listen ports" and not for
participation.


Each candidate will have 20 minutes to respond to the same set of questions.
Council members and the ALAC liaison will be able to ask for clarification
on any of the responses.  Candidates should take advantage of the
opportunity to provide a pre-prepared candidate statement, and use the
teleconference to bring out the highlights of that statement.

The call will be established with a significant number of listen only ports
for use by GNSO constituency members to hear the candidates responses to the
questions.  An audio recording will be made of the teleconference and made
available shortly after the call is complete.

I have the following set of questions so far:


Question 1
==========

(1) Please explain how you meet the selection criteria for ICANN Board
directors:
Directors shall be:

* Accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity, and intelligence, with
reputations for sound judgment and open minds, and a demonstrated capacity
for thoughtful group decision-making;

* Persons with an understanding of ICANN's mission and the potential impact
of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community, and committed to the
success of ICANN;

* Persons who will produce the broadest cultural and geographic diversity on
the Board consistent with meeting the other criteria set forth in this
Section;

* Persons who, in the aggregate, have personal familiarity with the
operation of gTLD registries and registrars; with ccTLD registries; with IP
address registries; with Internet technical standards and protocols; with
policy-development procedures, legal traditions, and the public interest;
and with the broad range of business, individual, academic, and
non-commercial users of the Internet;

* Persons who are willing to serve as volunteers, without compensation other
than the reimbursement of certain expenses; and

* Persons who are able to work and communicate in written and spoken
English.


Question 2
==========

(2) Please explain how you as an ICANN Board member would assist ICANN to
achieve it's Mission over the next 2 years, consistent with its core values.

MISSION

The mission of The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
("ICANN") is to coordinate, at the overall level, the global Internet's
systems of unique identifiers, and in particular to ensure the stable and
secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. In particular,
ICANN:

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique
identifiers for the Internet, which are

a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS");

b. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers;
and

c. Protocol port and parameter numbers.

2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server
system.

3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to
these technical functions.


CORE VALUES

In performing its mission, the following core values should guide the
decisions and actions of ICANN:

1. Preserving and enhancing the operational stability, reliability,
security, and global interoperability of the Internet.

2. Respecting the creativity, innovation, and flow of information made
possible by the Internet by limiting ICANN's activities to those matters
within ICANN's mission requiring or significantly benefiting from global
coordination.

3. To the extent feasible and appropriate, delegating coordination functions
to or recognizing the policy role of other responsible entities that reflect
the interests of affected parties.

4. Seeking and supporting broad, informed participation reflecting the
functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet at all levels
of policy development and decision-making.

5. Where feasible and appropriate, depending on market mechanisms to promote
and sustain a competitive environment.

6. Introducing and promoting competition in the registration of domain names
where practicable and beneficial in the public interest.

7. Employing open and transparent policy development mechanisms that (i)
promote well-informed decisions based on expert advice, and (ii) ensure that
those entities most affected can assist in the policy development process.

8. Making decisions by applying documented policies neutrally and
objectively, with integrity and fairness.

9. Acting with a speed that is responsive to the needs of the Internet
while, as part of the decision-making process, obtaining informed input from
those entities most affected.

10. Remaining accountable to the Internet community through mechanisms that
enhance ICANN's effectiveness.

11. While remaining rooted in the private sector, recognizing that
governments and public authorities are responsible for public policy and
duly taking into account governments' or public authorities'
recommendations.

These core values are deliberately expressed in very general terms, so that
they may provide useful and relevant guidance in the broadest possible range
of circumstances. Because they are not narrowly prescriptive, the specific
way in which they apply, individually and collectively, to each new
situation will necessarily depend on many factors that cannot be fully
anticipated or enumerated; and because they are statements of principle
rather than practice, situations will inevitably arise in which perfect
fidelity to all eleven core values simultaneously is not possible. Any ICANN
body making a recommendation or decision shall exercise its judgment to
determine which core values are most relevant and how they apply to the
specific circumstances of the case at hand, and to determine, if necessary,
an appropriate and defensible balance among competing values.

Question 3
==========

(3) Please identify any potential conflicts of interest (for example
relationships with parties, such as registries and registrars, that are in
contractual relationships with ICANN), and explain how you will deal with
these conflicts in the course of your duties as an ICANN Board director.


If you have other questions you would like to ask, please let me know at
least 24 hours prior to the call so that the candidates have a chance to
prepare.  I encourage council members to consult with their constituencies
to formulate further important questions.

Regards,
Bruce Tonkin