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.

Proposed Changes to the ICANN Bylaws Article XI: Advisory Committees Relating to the Membership of the Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC)

Open: 2 July 2010
Closed: 1 August 2010

Explanation/Background: As part of its program of Organizational Reviews, ICANN has undertaken a review of the Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC), whose role is to advise the ICANN community and Board on matters relating to the security and integrity of the Internet's naming and address allocation systems. Organizational Reviews are part of ICANN's program of continuous improvement and are intended to ensure an in-depth examination of the role and operation of key structures of ICANN, with support from external, independent professional consultants. Oversight of the Organizational Review processes is exerted by the Structural Improvements Committee (SIC), which is a standing Committee of the ICANN Board. The SIC is authorized to set up specific Working Groups for each of the Reviews.

In 2009, the ICANN Board appointed an SSAC Review Working Group (WG), which engaged in extensive consultations with the SSAC community. In its final report published 29 January 2010 http://www.icann.org/en/reviews/ssac/ssac-review-wg-final-report-29jan10-en.pdf [PDF, 282 KB], the SSAC Review WG recommended SSAC membership appointments be for a term of three years renewable by the Board at the recommendation of the SSAC Chair indefinitely, and that the terms be staggered to allow for the terms of one-third of the SSAC members to expire at the end of every year. On 12 March 2010, the Board received the SSAC final report and directed the Structural Improvements Committee (SIC) to identify actions necessary to address the recommendations within the report, at http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm#1.6. Article XI, Section 2(2)(b) http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#XI of the Bylaws states that the SSAC chair and members shall be appointed by the Board, and does not state any term for such appointments. Staff supporting the SIC have identified that a Bylaws amendment is required in order to implement the recommended change to the SSAC membership appointments, and the SIC recommended that the Board approve that proposed Bylaws amendments to this effect are posted for public comment.

On 25 June 2010 the Board approved resolution 2010.06.25.04 directing the ICANN CEO to have staff draft proposed Bylaws amendments addressing the recommendations arising out of the SSAC review WG and to post the proposed amendments for public comment for a period of no less than 30 days.

Document Links:

The Process From Here:

At the end of this Public Comment Forum period, ICANN Staff will review the comments submitted and prepare a summary analysis of the various submissions for the ICANN Board to review.

Deadline and How to Submit Comments:

At the direction of the ICANN Board, the Staff is opening a 30-day public consultation forum, from 02 July through 1 August 2010 and invites community comments concerning this document.

The formal Public Comment Forum Box is located here: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201008-en.htm#bylaws-amend-article-xi

To submit comments: bylaws-amend-article-xi@icann.org

To view comments: http://forum.icann.org/lists/bylaws-amend-article-xi/

For a copy of the public announcement of this forum please see: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-02jul10-en.htm

Staff Responsible: Julie Hedlund and Samantha Eisner

Staff member responsible: Julie Hedlund and Samantha Eisner

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments