Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » GNSO gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Charter Amendments (2015)

Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.

GNSO gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Charter Amendments (2015)


Resolution of the ICANN Board
Topic: 
ICANN Board approves the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Charter Amendments
Summary: 

the ICANN Board approves the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Charter Amendments with encouragement to the RySG to consider a broader examination of the weighted voting, membership and structural matters regarding the operations of the stakeholder group.

Category: 
Board
gTLDs
Meeting Date: 
Thu, 22 Oct 2015
Resolution Number: 
2015.10.22.14
Resolution Text: 

Whereas, the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group (RySG) of the GNSO has proposed a series of amendments to its governing Charter document.

Whereas, the RySG, ICANN staff, and the Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC) have completed all requirements associated with the Board Process For Amending GNSO Stakeholder Group and Constituency Charters.

Whereas, the Board notes community support for the existing amendments and acknowledges community suggestions that a more holistic consideration of the voting, membership and structural issues of the RySG Charter is merited.

Resolved (2015.10.22.14), that the ICANN Board approves the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Charter Amendments with encouragement to the RySG to consider a broader examination of the weighted voting, membership and structural matters regarding the operations of the stakeholder group. ICANN staff should inform the RySG leadership of this resolution and work with the RySG to ensure it provides access to the new governing document on the appropriate RySG web pages.

Rationale for Resolution: 

Why is the Board addressing this issue now?

ICANN Bylaws (Article X, Section 5.3) state, "Each Stakeholder Group shall maintain recognition with the ICANN Board.” The Board has interpreted this language to require that the ICANN Board formally approve any amendments to the governing documents of Stakeholder Groups (SG) and/or Constituencies in the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO).

In September 2013, the Board established a Process For Amending GNSO Stakeholder Group and Constituency Charters (Process) to provide a streamlined methodology for compliance with the Bylaws requirement.

Earlier this year, the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group (RySG) of the GNSO approved amendments to its governing documents and availed itself of the Process.

What are the proposals being considered?

The Stakeholder Group has amended its existing Charter document to adjust to an evolving composition of membership and to enable it to more effectively undertake its policy development responsibilities. Among a number of amendments, the most substantial charter changes are in the following areas:

Changes to the classifications of “active” and “inactive” RySG members;
Adding the concept of “staggered” terms for RySG officers;
Creation of a “Vice Chair of Policy” officer position;
Creation of a “Vice Chair of Administration” officer position;
Adjustments to the formula for calculating an RySG meeting quorum;
Adding a new election nomination procedure; and
Other minor format and non-substantive editorial changes.
What stakeholders or others were consulted?

The proposed amendments were subjected to a 40-day Public Comment period (8 May - 16 June 2015). When the period was completed staff produced a Summary Report for community review on 15 July 2015.

What significant materials did the Board review?

The Board reviewed a redline formatted document of the proposed charter amendments and a copy of the Staff Summary Report summarizing community comments.

What factors did the Board find to be significant?

The GNSO Registries Stakeholder Group (RySG), ICANN staff, and the Organizational Effectiveness Committee completed all steps identified in the Process including a determination that the proposed charter amendments will not raise any fiscal or liability concerns for the ICANN organization and publication of the amendments for community review and comment.

Are there Positive or Negative Community Impacts?

The Stakeholder Group has amended its existing Charter document to adjust to an evolving composition of membership and to enable it to more effectively undertake its policy development responsibilities.

Are there fiscal impacts/ramifications on ICANN (Strategic Plan, Operating Plan, Budget); the community; and/or the public?

No.

Are there any Security, Stability or Resiliency issues relating to the DNS?

There is no anticipated impact from this decision on the security, stability and resiliency of the domain name system as a result of this decision.

Is this either a defined policy process within ICANN's Supporting Organizations or ICANN's Organizational Administrative Function decision requiring public comment or not requiring public comment?

The proposed amendments were subjected to a 40-day Public Comment period (8 May 2015 - 16 June 2015).