[rpd] [Community-Discuss] Call for AFRINIC’s registry service migration to other RIRs

[Owen DeLong]

> On Aug 1, 2021, at 23:47 , JORDI PALET MARTINEZ via RPD <rpd at afrinic.net> wrote:

> 

> I’ve discussed *many* times that this right should be provided by the community and never by the bylaws, but *right now* is in the bylaws, we like it or not.


Indeed, it is the bylaw change of 2012 that even granted the community any control over policy at all.

The current version and links to all previous versions (2007, 2012, 2016) are available here:
https://afrinic.net/bylaws

If one reads the 2007 version, you will see that the policy process is granted entirely to the board without any structured process for the community. Thus, it is interesting that AFRINIC was somehow able to pass muster for ICP-2 in April, 2005. I have to wonder where the pre-2005 bylaws are and what policy development process existed at that time given the text in the 2007 bylaws and the changes implemented in the 2012 bylaws which basically created the PDWG and the PDP.
 

> The policy that the board didn’t want to ratify and I’m still waiting for a response to my email, was resolving that.


I think you’ve probably gotten about all the response you will get. Their legal advisor told them it was out of scope for the PDP and overreached policy into bylaw territory (paraphrased).

Personally, I think he was correct (a rarity).

If you want to make most of the changes proposed in that policy proposal, you should resubmit them as a motion to a members meeting and amend the bylaws accordingly.

That will have the effect you want, and short of refusing to put it on the agenda of an AGMM, the board cannot avoid implementation if you are able to get an affirmative vote to pass the motion.
 

> The community already decided that they *want that* when this policy reached consensus.


But it’s a bylaw matter, not a policy matter, so it isn’t the community that gets to decide. It needs to amend the bylaws and those are clearly under the control of the membership. I you really think this is a good idea, then submit a motion to amend the bylaws.
 

> The Board has the tool on his hands if they want to reconsider the ratification!


They really don’t. The board does not have the power to amend the bylaws and contrary to what is often stated on this list, in a contest between the CPM and the bylaws in terms of which document staff and management must follow, the bylaws are the clear winner because the legal consequences of violating the CPM are most likely limited to civil damages while violating the corporate constitution can result in criminal and civil liability (as I understand it in most jurisdictions, IANAL, MU may be different).

Owen

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