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As part of GNSO Improvements, which has as its objective to improve the structure and operations of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), a Working Group (WG) Work Team (WT) was tasked with developing a Working Group Model. The Working Group Model should become the focal point for GNSO policy development and enhance the policy development process by making it more inclusive and representative, and – ultimately – more effective and efficient. To this end, the WG WT has developed a document, entitled ‘GNSO Working Group Guidelines’, which brings together two different elements of the Working Group process; on the one hand it addresses what should be considered in creating, purposing, funding, staffing, and instructing/guiding a WG to accomplish the desired outcome (the chartering process), and; secondly, what guidance should be provided to a WG on elements such as structuring, norms, tasking, reporting, and delivering the outcome(s) as chartered (the working group process). Following review of public comments on an earlier version of the proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines, the WG WT has now finalized its recommendations and will submit the proposed GNSO Working Group Guidelines to the Policy Process Steering Committee (PPSC) for its review.

Background

In the past, the GNSO decided policy mainly through small legislative bodies called “Task Forces.” Intentionally, it is moving towards a more inclusive, representative model where key parties tackle an issue together as a “Working Group,” then make recommendations to the GNSO Council. The WG WT was tasked to define the new Working Group model, including guidelines, checklists, and other materials to speed the process of creating, chartering, naming, funding, staffing, and guiding a GNSO Working Group.

Further Information

• GNSO Working Group Guidelines - http://gnso.icann.org/improvements/working-group-guidelines-31may10-en.pdf [PDF, 681 KB]
• WG-WT Workspace - https://st.icann.org/icann-ppsc/index.cgi?working_group_team
• GNSO Improvements - http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/

Staff responsible: Marika Konings