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Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

Board Working Group Report on Nominating Committee (BWG-NomCom)

Open Date

21 August 2014 23:59 UTC

Close Date

30 November 2014 23:59 UTC

Staff Report Due

21 December 2014 23:59 UTC
 
 
 
 

Comments Closed

Report of Public Comments

View Comments

Brief Overview

ICANN is posting for public comment the report prepared by the Board Working Group on Nominating Committee (BWG-NomCom).  In view of the significant interest displayed by the community in this report at ICANN51, and in view of the importance of the topic for the future governance of ICANN, the comment period has been extended to 30 November 2014  and the reply period to 9 January 2015.  The BWG NomCom Report is intended to be a proposal to stimulate discussion and generate alternative concepts. The Board welcomes input from the community on the BWG-NomCom report as the recommendations in the BWG-NomCom report have potential effects on the NomCom structure. The recommendations would result in an increase in the number of appointees from ccNSO and ASO and a reduction in the GNSO appointees. GAC representation could increase at GAC discretion. Overall, the size of the NomCom would increase from 21 to 25-27 individuals.

Public session was held during ICANN51 – more information available here.
Date: Wednesday, 15 October 10:30 to 11:45 PDT
Room: Santa Monica
Remote participation available
Overview: This session provides a forum for community discussion of the Report by the Board Working Group on Nominating Committee (BWG-NomCom).

Section I: Description and Explanation

In performing its work, the BWG-NomCom considered the role of the NomCom in ICANN, as well as issues of representation and parity among the entities across ICANN that have members serving on the NomCom.

The 15 proposed recommendations address size and composition, selection processes and terms of service.

Size and Composition

The BWG-NomCom proposes to align the structure of the NomCom to the structure of ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, resulting in an increase in the number of appointees from ccNSO and ASO and a reduction in the GNSO appointees. GAC representation could increase at GAC discretion.

Overall, the size of the NomCom would increase from 21 to 25-27 individuals. The NomCom is currently composed of 15 voting members, 3 non‐voting members, 1 non‐voting Chair, 1 non‐voting Chair-Elect, and 1 non‐voting associate chair, for a total of 21 individuals. The BWG-NomCom recommends that the members of the NomCom be organized into delegations and the NomCom leadership positions be changed from 3 (Chair, Chair-Elect and Associate Chair) to 2 (Chair and Associate Chair).

Selection Processes

The BWG-Nom recommends that all members (excluding the two leadership positions) should have the ability to vote for candidates and that voting be conducted by delegation.

Term of Service

The BWG-NomCom recommends that the terms for all voting members be for two years, with no member allowed to serve for two consecutive terms. Within each delegation that has 5 members, terms will be staggered.

The BWG-Nom recommends that the Board Governance Committee (BGC) create clear qualifications and criteria for the attributes for the selection of the leadership role, that the term for the Chair be two years, with no Chair allowed to serve for two consecutive terms, and that the Chair-Elect position be removed. The BWG-Nom Com further recommends that BGC conduct regular reviews of NomCom Chair performance.

The Board has not yet considered the recommendations in the BWG-NomCom report and directed the report be posted for public comment. If there is any disagreement with the BWG-NomCom recommendations, community members are encouraged to include within their comments alternative ideas of how to reach the objectives set out in the report. The Board will carefully weigh and consider the community's inputs once the public comment cycle is complete.

Section II: Background

The Board Working Group on Nominating Committee (BWG-NomCom) formed in February 2014, was charged with performing the review called for in Recommendation 10 of the Nominating Committee Review Finalization Working Group, addressing issues of the size and composition of the Nominating Committee (NomCom), as well as the related issues of NomCom's recruitment and selection functions.

The following Board members were named to serve on the BWG-NomCom: George Sadowsky – Chair, Ram Mohan, Ray Plzak and Mike Silber.

The BWG-NomCom prepared a report that includes 15 recommendations. Pursuant to its Charter, the report was presented to the Structural Improvements Committee (SIC). After the SIC reviewed the report, the Committee recommended that the Board direct staff to post the report for public comment.

Section III: Relevant Resources

BWG-NomCom Report [PDF, 215 KB]

Revised Charter of the BWG-NomCom can be found here [PDF, 90 KB]

27 March 2014 Board resolution – Composition and Scope of the Board Working Group on Nominating Committee: https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2014-03-27-en#2.a

Section IV: Additional Information

Public session was held during ICANN51 – more information available here.
Date: Wednesday, 15 October 10:30 to 11:45 PDT
Room: Santa Monica
Remote participation available
Overview: This session provides a forum for community discussion of the Report by the Board Working Group on Nominating Committee (BWG-NomCom).

Section V: Reports