[AfrICANN-discuss] Proposed Bylaws Change Updated and Open for Comment

[Glen de Saint Géry]

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http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-17nov08-en.htm
Proposed Bylaws Change Updated and Open for Comment

17 November 2008

ICANN is today posting for public comment an update to the proposed bylaw revision [PDF, 20K]
http://www.icann.org/en/general/proposed-nomcom-bylaws-revision-17nov08.pdf
from the ICANN Nominating Committee. This revision was originally posted for public comment from 23 September to 23 October 2008 (http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-23sep08-en.htm), and several changes to the proposed language were received. During the ICANN meeting in Cairo, Egypt, ICANN staff was asked to post the revised language and open a comment period on the modifications to the proposed revision.

The proposed revision would update the diversity requirements for selecting ICANN Board members to include domicile with country of citizenship. The definition of domicile has been updated since the previous comment period (see redline).

Over the past several years, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern that being required to count more than one country of citizenship for diversity purposes often makes it difficult to select the best candidates for the Board seats that the Nominating Committee is mandated to fill. In carrying out its responsibilities to fill Seats 1 through 8, the Nominating Committee shall seek to ensure that the ICANN Board is composed of members who in the aggregate display diversity in geography, culture, skills, experience, and perspective, by applying the criteria set forth in Bylaws.

The Nominating Committee also noted that some of the candidates have often lived in a country for many years, and thereby better represent the interests of that country than any country of which the candidates may be citizens.

In the proposal, domicile, not just citizenship, is to be considered in the diversity calculation. The Nominating Committee members unanimously agreed that the proposed Bylaws revisions would alleviate the concerns.

Comments on the proposed bylaw revision may be submitted to nomcom-bylaw-revision at icann.org will be considered until 17 December 2008 23:59 UTC. Comments may be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/nomcom-bylaw-revision/.

Glen de Saint Géry
GNSO Secretariat
gnso.secretariat at gnso.icann.org
http://gnso.icann.org