1999-05-27 - AT-LARGE MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE

WHEREAS, the Board has received and reviewed the Commentary on the Principles of the At-Large Membership from the Membership Advisory Committee;

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the significant contribution to the discussion and evaluation of the process of establishing the ICANN At-Large Membership made by the MAC, expresses its deep appreciation for the personal sacrifices that effort required, and accepts the retirement of the current members of the MAC;

WHEREAS, the Board has also considered the public comments submitted via the Internet and at the Singapore and Berlin open meetings;

WHEREAS, the Board reaffirms its intention to establish, as soon as practicable, a system that permits individuals to select geographically diverse At-Large Directors, but also recognizes that this effort, given the unique context of a new form of global consensus organization with responsibility for oversight of an important global resource, is likely to be both administratively complex and expensive (especially in relation to ICANN s anticipated budget);

WHEREAS the Board believes that the cost of implementing an At-Large membership and election process should primarily be borne by that membership;

WHEREAS, the Board also reaffirms its intention to implement an At-Large election process that supports the principal responsibility of ICANN, which is to preserve the operational stability of the Internet, and thus to implement any such process over a transitional period that will permit any adjustments to the process determined to be necessary to meet this commitment;

NOW THEREFORE [Resolution 99.48A], the Board directs staff to review the MAC Commentary and report back to the Board before the Santiago meeting on the administrative requirements, likely cost, and logistical details of an election process responsive to the MAC Commentary.

AND FURTHER [Resolution 99.48B], the Board directs counsel to report to it before the Santiago meeting on the legal implications of an election process responsive to the MAC commentary.

AND FURTHER [Resolution 99.48C], the Board directs staff to recommend to the Board a process for repopulating the MAC, so that it can advise the Board on promotion and encouragement of membership and solicitation of sponsorship for outreach programs.