Approved Board Resolutions | Special Meeting of the ICANN Board 13 August 2020

  1. Main Agenda:
    1. Revised Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership
    2. Appointment of Representative of the Istanbul Liaison Office
    3. AOB

 

  1. Main Agenda:

    1. Revised Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership

      Whereas, the Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership document was previously updated and approved on 23 June 2019.

      Whereas, the Board Governance Committee has reviewed and proposed revisions to the previously adopted Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership.

      Whereas, the Board Governance Committee recommended that the Board approve the revised Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership.

      Resolved (2020.08.13.01), the Board approves the revised Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership.

      Rationale for Resolution 2020.08.13.01

      As part of its responsibilities, the Board Governance Committee (BGC) is tasked with creating and recommending to the full Board for approval a slate of nominees for Board Chair, Board Vice Chair, and chair and membership of each Board Committee, including filling any vacancies which may occur in these positions during the year. (See BGC Charter, § II.C.)

      In this role, the BGC recommended, and the Board agrees, that Board approve revisions to the Board Governance Committee Practice for Board Engagement in Developing Slate for Board Leadership, which was previously updated and approved on 23 June 2019, to make enhancements to the current slating practices to further promote transparency around the selection process. Mainly, the revisions provide that all candidates may remain in the room when other candidates make their presentations as well as during deliberations. This change is to help ensure that candidates benefit from hearing each other's positions and will have the opportunity to respond to them during deliberations. 

      The action is consistent with ICANN's mission and is in the public interest as it is important to ensure that procedures for Board Committee and leadership selection are up to date and reflect current practices. This decision will have no direct fiscal impact on the organization and no impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the domain name system.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function that does not require Public Comment.

    2. Appointment of Representative of the Istanbul Liaison Office

      Whereas, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a non-profit, public benefit corporation, duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the State of California and the United States of America, having its principal place of business at 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300, Los Angeles, California USA 90094 (ICANN), has established a liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey.

      Whereas, by resolution https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-06-24-en#1.g, the ICANN Board appointed Nicholas Victor Tomasso as representative of the Liaison Office, with each and every authority to act on behalf of the Liaison Office.

      Whereas, Mr. Tomasso's role as authorized representative of the liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey will end on 31 August 2020.

      Resolved (2020.08.13.02), effective 31 August 2020, Nicholas Victor Tomasso is removed from his duties as the authorized representative of ICANN's liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey, for any and all purposes.

      Resolved (2020.08.13.03), the Board thanks Mr. Tomasso for his years of service as the representative of the liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey.

      Resolved (2020.08.13.04), effective 1 September 2020, Baher Ali Mohamed Abdelraouf Esmat, [PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION REDACTED], is appointed as the representative of the liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey, with each and every authority to act individually on behalf of ICANN in connection with the activities of the that office.

      Resolved (2020.08.13.05), portions of this action by the Board shall remain confidential as an "action relating to personnel or employment matters", pursuant to Article 3, section 3.5b of the ICANN Bylaws.

      Rationale for Resolutions 2020.08.13.02 – 2020.08.13.05

      ICANN is committed to continuing its global reach and presence in all time zones throughout the globe. One of the early key aspects of ICANN's globalization efforts was to establish offices in Turkey and Singapore.

      ICANN formally registered a liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey on 18 June 2013. In order to properly maintain a liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey, the ICANN Board is required to designate a liaison office representative. To that end, the Board initially designated David Olive as the first representative of ICANN's liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey. Mr. Olive was replaced by Nicholas Tomasso in August 2017. Mr. Tomasso is now ready to relinquish his duties to another qualified individual.

      As Mr. Tomasso is relinquishing his duties, the Board must designate a new representative. Baher Esmat has agreed to serve as the new designated representative of the liaison office in Istanbul, Turkey.

      Mr. Esmat will serve as the third legal representative of the liaison office in Istanbul.

      Mr. Tomasso will remain in his role as Vice President, Global Meeting Operations.

      The identification and designation of a new representative demonstrates ICANN organization's commitment to globalization and as such, is in the public interest and consistent with ICANN's mission.

      There will be a fiscal impact on ICANN in FY21 only to the extent of travel and related costs for Mr. Esmat as he will continue to reside in Egypt for the time being, but ICANN will save on the costs associated with Mr. Tomasso's having resided in Istanbul during his tenure as the representative of the liaison office in Turkey, Istanbul. This resolution should not have any impact on the security, stability and resiliency of the domain name system.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function not requiring public comment.

    3. AOB

      No Resolutions taken.

Published on 17 August 2020