[AfrICANN-discuss] Proposed Bylaws Revision Open For Comment

[Anne-Rachel Inné]

Proposed Bylaws Revision Open For Comment

23 September 2008

Today ICANN is opening a public comment period on a proposed bylaw
revision<http://www.icann.org/en/general/proposed-nomcom-bylaws-revision-23sep08.pdf>[PDF,
21K] from the ICANN Nominating Committee. The proposed revision would
update the diversity requirements for selecting ICANN Board members to
include domicile with country of citizenship.

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.

During the 28 August 2008 meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, the Board
passed the following resolution:

Whereas, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern that, pursuant to
the Bylaws mandated diversity requirements that no more than five Board
members be citizens of any one geographic region, the Nominating Committee
is required to count all countries of citizenship for each candidate.

Whereas, the Nominating Committee has noted that the requirement to count
all countries of citizenship has caused some selection difficulties each
year over the past several years.

Whereas, the Nominating Committee has also expressed concern that the
calculation is presently limited to citizenship given that many people have
lived for long periods of time in, and represent the interests of, countries
in which they may not be citizens.

Whereas, making a diversity calculation pursuant to the ICANN Bylaws as it
relates to Board member selection for seats 1 through 14 should be
consistent.

It is hereby resolved (2008.08.28.03) that the following proposed revisions
to Article VI, Sections 2.2 and 2.3, shall be posted for public comment in
accordance with ICANN's normal process for proposed Bylaw revisions.

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