Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » Acceptance of the Second Organizational Review of the Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC2) Detailed Implementation Plan
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.
Acceptance of the Second Organizational Review of the Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC2) Detailed Implementation Plan
Whereas, ICANN Bylaws Article 4, Section 4.4 calls on the ICANN Board to "cause a periodic review of the performance and operation of each […] Advisory Committee […] by an entity or entities independent of the organization under review. The goal of the review, to be undertaken pursuant to such criteria and standards as the Board shall direct, shall be to determine (i) whether that organization has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure, and (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness."
Whereas, the independent examiner of the second Root Server System Advisory Committee ("RSSAC2") Review produced a Final Report in July 2018. That report was received by the Board in May 2019, and at the same time the Board accepted the RSSAC2 Review Work Party's Feasibility Assessment and Initial Implementation Plan.
Whereas, in response to that May 2019 resolution, the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party was created. That Work Party developed and approved with full consensus the RSSAC2 Review Detailed Implementation Plan on 7 January 2020.
Whereas, the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party has already started with some implementation work, as reported in the RSSAC2 Review Detailed Implementation Plan.
Resolved (2020.03.12.09), the Board acknowledges the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party's work and thanks the members of that group for their efforts.
Resolved (2020.03.12.10), the Board accepts the RSSAC2 Review Detailed Implementation Plan, including the implementation approach contained within.
Resolved (2020.03.12.11), the Board directs the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party to continue implementation in accordance with the RSSAC2 Review Detailed Implementation Plan, and to provide updates to the Organizational Effectiveness Committee of the ICANN Board (OEC) through written implementation reports on progress every six months. Those progress reports should include, but not be limited to, progress toward metrics and use of allocated budget. It is during these updates that the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party shall provide, if necessary, more details on the measurability of implementation progress including resource needs and budgetary implications. The Board, through the OEC will review those detailed plans when released.
Resolved (2020.03.12.12), that any budgetary implications of the second RSSAC Review implementation shall be considered as part of the applicable annual budgeting processes.
Resolved (2020.03.12.13), the Board directs the RSSAC Review Implementation Work Party to provide updates in the implementation progress reports about development of the new governance model for the DNS root server system (RSSAC037 and RSSAC038), as they relate to the Review implementation efforts.
Why is the Board addressing the issue?
To ensure ICANN's multistakeholder model remains transparent and accountable, and to improve its performance, the ICANN Bylaws mandate independent reviews of each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the Nominating Committee, as detailed in Article 4, Section 4.4 of the ICANN Bylaws. The independent examiner conducting the RSSAC2 Review produced a final report that was published in July 2018. Based on its detailed review of the independent examiner's findings and recommendations, the RSSAC2 Work Party prepared a Feasibility Assessment and Initial Implementation Plan, adopted with full consensus on 2 October 2018. Subsequently, the RSSAC2 Review Work Party drafted the Plan, which was adopted by the RSSAC and submitted to the OEC on 7 January.
The RSSAC2 Review recommendations have the potential to advance ICANN's and RSSAC's effectiveness, transparency and accountability objectives and have been considered carefully by the Board's Organizational Effectiveness Committee as well as by the full Board.
The Board resolution will have a positive impact on ICANN as it reinforces ICANN's commitment to maintaining and improving its accountability, transparency and organizational effectiveness throughout the implementation process.
Why is the Board addressing the issue?
This resolution moves the RSSAC2 Review formally into the implementation phase. Following the assessment of the Plan and the feedback from the OEC, the Board is now in a position to consider the Plan, including the fact that the RSSAC has already begun some of the implementation. The Board is now in a position to instruct the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party to continue the implementation process as set out in the Plan. This step is an important part of the Organizational Review process of checks and balances, to ensure that the Board-accepted recommendations will be implemented, while being mindful of all relevant resources' constraints.
What is the proposal being considered?
The proposal the Board is considering is the Organizational Effectiveness Committee's recommendation of the adoption of the Plan, drafted and adopted by the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party.
What significant materials did the Board review?
The Board reviewed the Plan, as adopted by the RSSAC2 Review Implementation Work Party. The Board had previously considered the relevant Bylaws provisions, the independent examiner's final report, the Feasibility Assessment and Initial Implementation Plan, and community feedback on the independent examiner's assessment report and draft final report, and took onboard the OEC's considerations in making this recommendation.
Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on ICANN, the Community, and/or the Public (strategic plan, operating plan, or budget)?
This Board action may have some fiscal implications and this resolution does not authorize any specific funding for those implementation efforts. As detailed in the Plan, implementation of some recommendations is already assumed in standard community support from the ICANN org Policy Development Support function, and the Plan outlines which recommendations are impacted.
How is this action within ICANN's mission and what is the public interest served in this action?
The Board's action is consistent with ICANN's Mission and its commitment pursuant to Article 4, Section 4.4 of the Bylaws to ensure ICANN's multistakeholder model remains transparent and accountable, and to improve the performance of its supporting organizations and advisory committees.
This action will serve the public interest by contributing to the fulfillment of ICANN's commitment to maintaining and improving its accountability and transparency.
Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the DNS?
This Board action is not expected to have a direct effect on security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the DNS.
Is public comment required prior to Board action?
The independent examiner's draft final report was published for public comment. A status update on the work of the RSSAC2 review implementation working group was provided during a webinar prior to ICANN65. No additional public comment prior to Board action is required.