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Approved Board Resolutions | Special Meeting of the ICANN Board 20 December 2012

  1. Consent Agenda:
    1. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes
    2. SSAC Thank You to Departing Members
    3. SSAC Member Reappointments
    4. Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) Bylaws Amendments Posting for Public Comment
    5. Location of November 2013 ICANN Public Meeting 48
  2. Main Agenda:
    1. GNSO Council Recommendations IRTP Part C
    2. Board Term Alignment
    3. Accountability Structures Expert Panel Recommendations
    4. Proposal on the location of ICANN Meetings in 2014
    5. New gTLD Funds Investment Policy
  3. Executive Session
    1. Approval of Compensation Supplement for Akram Atllah's Service as ICANN's President and CEO

 

  1. Consent Agenda:

    1. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes

      Resolved (2012.12.20.01), the Board approves the minutes of the 13 October 2012 Regular Meeting of the ICANN Board.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.02), the Board approves the minutes of the 18 October 2012 Regular Meeting of the ICANN Board.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.03), the Board approves the minutes of the 18 October 2012 Organizational Meeting of the ICANN Board.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.04), the Board approves the minutes of the 8 November 2012 Special Meeting of the ICANN Board.

    2. SSAC Thank You to Departing Members

      Whereas, Frederico Neves was appointed to the ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee on 17 May 2002 and reappointed on 10 August 2010 for a 2-year term ending on 31 December 2012.

      Whereas, ICANN wishes to acknowledge and thank Frederico Neves for his service to the community by his membership on the Security and Stability Advisory Committee.

      Whereas, Rick Wilhelm was appointed to the ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee on 26 June 2009 and reappointed on 10 August 2010 for a 2-year term ending on 31 December 2012.

      Whereas, ICANN wishes to acknowledge and thank Rick Wilhelm for his service to the community by his membership on the Security and Stability Advisory Committee.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.05), Rick Wilhelm has earned the deep appreciation of the Board for his service to ICANN by his membership on the Security and Stability Advisory Committee, and that the Board wishes Mr. Wilhelm well in all future endeavours.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.06), Frederico Neves has earned the deep appreciation of the Board for his service to ICANN by his membership on the Security and Stability Advisory Committee, and that the Board wishes Mr. Neves well in all future endeavours.

      Rationale for Resolutions 2012.12.20.05 – 2012.12.20.06

      It is the practice of the SSAC to seek Board recognition of the service of Committee members upon their departure.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function not requiring public comment.

    3. SSAC Member Reappointments

      Whereas, Article XI, Section 2, Subsection 2 of the Bylaws governs the Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC).

      Whereas, the Board, at Resolution 2010.08.05.07 approved Bylaws revisions that create three-year terms for SSAC members, require staggering of terms, and obligate the SSAC chair to recommend the reappointment of all current SSAC members to full or partial terms to implement the Bylaws revisions.

      Whereas, the Board, at Resolution 2010.08.05.08 appointed SSAC members to terms of one, two, and three years beginning on 01 January 2011 and ending on 31 December 2011, 31 December 2012, and 31 December 2013.

      Whereas, in July 2011 the SSAC Membership Committee initiated an annual review of SSAC members whose terms are ending 31 December 2012 and submitted to the SSAC its recommendations for reappointments.

      Whereas, on 12 October 2012, the SSAC members approved the reappointments.

      Whereas, the SSAC recommends that the Board reappoint the following SSAC members to three-year terms: Alain Aina, Jaap Akkerhuis, Patrik Fältström, Jim Galvin, Doug Maughan, Ram Mohan, Doron Shikmoni, Rick Wesson, and Suzanne Woolf.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.07), the Board accepts the recommendation of the SSAC and reappoints the following SSAC members to three-year terms beginning 01 January 2013 and ending 31 December 2015: Alain Aina, Jaap Akkerhuis, Patrik Fältström, Jim Galvin, Doug Maughan, Ram Mohan, Doron Shikmoni, Rick Wesson, and Suzanne Woolf.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.07

      The SSAC is a diverse group of individuals whose expertise in specific subject matters enables the SSAC to fulfill its charter and execute its mission. Since its inception, the SSAC has invited individuals with deep knowledge and experience in technical and security areas that are critical to the security and stability of the Internet's domain name system. The above-mentioned individuals provide the SSAC with the expertise and experience required for the Committee to fulfill its charter and executive its mission.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function not requiring public comment.

    4. Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) Bylaws Amendments Posting for Public Comment

      Whereas, in Resolution 2011.01.25.10, the Board approved the RSSAC review final report implementation steps and instructed the Structural Improvements Committee (SIC), in coordination with staff, to provide the Board with a final implementation plan to address the RSSAC review final recommendations and conclusions.

      Whereas, in July and August 2012, a working group of RSSAC and SIC members was formed to draft a revised RSSAC charter in order to meet the requirements of the final RSSAC review recommendations. The RSSAC Charter is set forth within the ICANN Bylaws at Article XI, Section 2.3.

      Whereas, on 4 December 2012, the SIC reviewed the proposed Bylaws revisions and recommended that the suggested changes to Article XI, Section 2.3 be posted for public comment.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.08), the Board directs the ICANN President and CEO to post for public comment the proposed changes to Article XI, Section 2.3 of the ICANN Bylaws that are necessary to modify the charter for the RSSAC in line with the recommendations arising out of the organizational review of the RSSAC.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.08

      These ICANN Bylaws amendments will clarify the continuing purpose of the Root Server Advisory Committee (RSSAC). They were recommended by the joint RSSAC-SIC Working Group formed to conclude the implementation of the RSSAC review WG final report: implementation steps [PDF, 448 KB], approved by the Board on 25 January 2011. The posting of the proposed amendments for public comment will have no budgetary impact, nor will it require additional staff resources.

      The approval of posting of Bylaws for public comment is an Organizational Administrative Function not requiring public comment in advance.

    5. Location of November 2013 ICANN Public Meeting 48

      Whereas, ICANN intends to hold its third Meeting for 2013 in the Latin America/Caribbean region as per its policy,

      Whereas, no viable proposals to serve as host for the ICANN 2013 Latin America/Caribbean Meeting were received.

      Whereas, ICANN staff performed a thorough search to identify available facilities in Latin America/Caribbean that meet the Meeting Selection Criteria.

      Whereas, the Board Finance Committee reviewed and recommended the budget for the ICANN 2013 Latin America/Caribbean Meeting as proposed.

      Whereas the Board Public Participation Committee reviewed the staff proposal and supports the proposition for the location of the ICANN 2013 Latin America/Caribbean Meeting.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.09), the Board accepts the proposal of the staff, and approves that the ICANN 2013 Latin America/Caribbean Meeting shall be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 17-21 November 2013, with a budget not to exceed US$2.37M, and that the Buenos Aires meeting be designated as ICANN's 2013 Annual General Meeting.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.09

      As part of ICANN's public meeting schedule, three times a year ICANN hosts a meeting in a different geographic region (as defined in the ICANN Bylaws) of the world. Meeting Number 48, scheduled for 17-21 November 2013, is to occur in the Latin America/Caribbean geographic region. A call for recommendations for the location of the meeting in Latin America/Caribbean was posted on 25 April 2011. One proposal was received, but that location did not have all of the facilities needed to host an ICANN Meeting.

      The Staff performed a thorough search to identify available facilities in Latin America/Caribbean that meet the Meeting Selection Criteria. Based on that analysis, the Staff has recommended that ICANN 48 be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

      The Board reviewed Staff's recommendation for hosting the meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the determination that the proposal met the significant factors of the Meeting Selection Criteria used to guide site selection work. Outside of the call for recommendations, the process for selection of sites does not call for public consultation, as the staff assessment of the feasibility of any site is the primary consideration.

      There will be a financial impact on ICANN in hosting the meeting and providing travel support as necessary, as well as on the community in incurring costs to travel to the meeting. But such impact would be faced regardless of the location of the meeting. There is no impact on the security or the stability of the DNS due to the hosting of the meeting.

      The Board thanks those who recommended sites for ICANN Meeting Number 48.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function not requiring public comment.

  2. Main Agenda:

    1. GNSO Council Recommendations IRTP Part C

      Whereas on 22 September 2011, the GNSO Council launched a Policy Development Process (PDP) on the Inter-Registrar Transfer Procedure Part C (IRTP Part C) addressing three charter questions, set forth at https://community.icann.org/display/gnsoirtppdpwg/3.+WG+Charter;

      Whereas the PDP followed the prescribed PDP steps as stated in the Bylaws, resulting in a Final Report delivered on 9 October 2012;

      Whereas the IRTP Part C Working Group (WG) reached full consensus on the recommendations in relation to each of the three issues outlined in the Charter;

      Whereas the GNSO Council reviewed, and discussed the recommendations of the IRTP Part C WG, and adopted the Recommendations on 17 October 2012 by a unanimous vote (see: http://gnso.icann.org/en/resolutions#20121017-4);

      Whereas the GNSO Council vote met and exceeded the required supermajority voting threshold to impose new obligations on ICANN contracted parties.

      Whereas after the GNSO Council vote, a public comment period was held on the approved recommendations, and the comments have been summarized and considered (http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/irtp-c-recommendations-22oct12-en.htm).

      Resolved (2012.20.12.10) the Board adopts the GNSO Council Policy Recommendations amending the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy set forth at http://www.icann.org/en/transfers/policy-en.htm.

      Resolved (2012.20.12.11) the CEO is to develop and complete an implementation plan for these Recommendations and continue communication with the community on such work.

      Rationale for Resolutions 2012.12.20.10 – 2012.12.20.11

      Why the Board is addressing the issue now?

      The Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy (IRTP) is a consensus policy that was adopted in 2004 which provides for a straightforward process for registrants to transfer domain names between registrars. The GNSO Council established a series of five Working Groups (Parts A through E) to review and consider various revisions to this policy.

      The IRTP Part C PDP is the third in a series of five scheduled PDPs addressing areas for improvements in the existing policy. The IRTP Part C Working Group has addressed three issues focusing on change of registrant; time-limiting FOAs, and; IANA Registrar IDs. The IRTP Part C PDP Final Report received unanimous consensus support from the IRTP Part C Working Group as well as the GNSO Council. Following the closing of the public comment period, the next step as outlined in Annex A of the ICANN Bylaws is consideration by the ICANN Board of the recommendations.

      What is the proposal being considered?

      The following recommendations are being considered:

      • Recommendation #1: The adoption of change of registrant consensus policy, which outlines the rules and requirements for a change of registrant of a domain name registration. Such a policy should follow the requirements and steps as outlined in the section 'proposed change of registrant process for gTLDs' in the IRTP Part C Final Report.
      • Recommendation #2: Forms of Authorization (FOAs), once obtained by a registrar, should be valid for no longer than 60 days. Following expiration of the FOA, the registrar must re-authorize (via new FOA) the transfer request. Registrars should be permitted to allow registrants to opt-into an automatic renewal of FOAs, if desired.

        In addition to the 60-day maximum validity restriction, FOAs should expire if there is a change of registrant, or if the domain name expires, or if the transfer is executed, or if there is a dispute filed for the domain name. In order to preserve the integrity of the FOA, there cannot be any opt-in or opt-out provisions for these reasons for expiration of the FOA.

        As recommended and approved as a result of the IRTP Part B PDP, Losing Registrars under IRTP-B are now required to send an FOA to a Prior Registrant. It is advised that Losing Registrars have the option to send a modified version of this FOA to a Prior Registrant in the event that the transfer is automated where the FOA would be advisory in nature.

      • Recommendation #3: All gTLD Registry Operators be required to publish the Registrar of Record's IANA ID in the TLD's WHOIS. Existing gTLD Registry operators that currently use proprietary IDs can continue to do so, but they must also publish the Registrar of Record's IANA ID. This recommendation should not prevent the use of proprietary IDs by gTLD Registry Operators for other purposes, as long as the Registrar of Record's IANA ID is also published in the TLD's Whois.

      Which stakeholders or others were consulted?

      Public comment forums were held on the initiation of the PDP, the Initial Report, and the recommendations subject to Board Consideration, in additional to regular updates to the GNSO Council as well as workshops to inform and solicit the input from the ICANN Community at ICANN meetings (see for example, Prague Meeting and Costa Rica Meeting). Constituency / Stakeholder Group Statements were requested, and one submission was received from the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group (see https://community.icann.org/x/_ovbAQ). All comments received were reviewed and considered by the IRTP Part C PDP WG (see section 6 of the IRTP Part C Final Report).

      What concerns or issues were raised by the community?

      No Community concerns have been raised in relation to the Final Report and its recommendations.

      What significant materials did the Board review?

      The Board reviewed the GNSO Council Report to the Board, as well as the summary of public comments and Staff's response to those comments.

      What factors the Board found to be significant?

      The recommendations were developed following the GNSO Policy Development Process as outlined in Annex A of the ICANN Bylaws and have received the unanimous support from the GNSO Council. As outlined in the ICANN Bylaws, the Council's unanimous (supermajority) support for the motion obligates the Board to adopt the recommendation unless by a vote of more than 66%, the Board determines that the policy is not in the best interests of the ICANN community or ICANN. In addition, transfer related issues are the number one area of complaint according to data from ICANN Compliance. Improvements to the IRTP have the potential to reduce the number of complaints, in addition to providing clarity and predictability to registrants as well as registrars.

      Are there positive or negative community impacts?

      Improvements to the IRTP have the potential to reduce the number of complaints, in addition to providing clarity and predictability to registrants as well as registrars. Adoption of the recommendations will require significant changes in processes for registrars as well as registrars and therefore it is expected that the implementation of these recommendations will require time and resources, but these are considered necessary in order to address the issues that are part of this Policy Development Process. The recommendations, if implemented, are expected to usefully clarify and enhance the IRTP, to the advantage of all parties concerned.

      Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on ICANN (strategic plan, operating plan, budget); the community; and/or the public?

      In addition to those changes required in process for registrars as outlined above, there will likely be fiscal impacts related to implementation of the policy, but these costs are anticipated to be within the current budget.

      Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the DNS?

      There are no security, stability, or resiliency issues related to the DNS if the Board approves the proposed recommendations.

      This action arises out of the GNSO's defined policy development process in Annex A of the ICANN Bylaws.

    2. Board Term Alignment

      Whereas, there are currently two induction periods to the ICANN Board each year, one at or around the Mid-Year Meeting for members appointed by the Supporting Organizations and the At-Large Community, and the other at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting for members selected by the Nominating Committee (NomCom).

      Whereas, the ICANN Board has long considered the issue of timing of Board member transition one of Board effectiveness, as each transition period raises the obligation to consider changes to Board committee composition, as well as introduction of new members to Board processes.

      Whereas, the Board Governance Committee (BGC) considered how Board terms could be aligned to allow all Board members selected in any year to begin their terms at the same time, while still preserving the ability for the NomCom to consider the geographic diversity of the Board over the coming year.

      Whereas, proposed revisions to the ICANN Bylaws were drafted to achieve alignment of Board terms while preserving the ability for the NomCom to consider the geographic diversity of the Board, and those Bylaws revisions were posted for public comment and considered by the Board.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.12), the Board approves the amendments to Article VI, Section 8.1.d of the ICANN Bylaws as posted for public comment, addressing the terms of Seats 9 and 12.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.13), the Board approves the amendments to Article VI, Section 8.1.e of the ICANN Bylaws as posted for public comment, addressing the terms of Seats 10 and 13.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.14), the Board approves the amendments to Article VI, Section 8.1.f of the ICANN Bylaws as posted for public comment, addressing the terms of Seats 11 and 14.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.15), the Board approves the amendments to Article VI, Section 8.1.g of the ICANN Bylaws as posted for public comment, addressing the terms of Seat 15.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.16) the Board directs the President and CEO and the General Counsel and Secretary to take all necessary steps to inform the Supporting Organizations and At-Large Community of the revised deadlines within which they are required to complete selections for the Board of Directors.

      Rationale for Resolutions 2012.12.20.12 – 2012.12.20.16

      The Board's action in approving these Bylaws revisions is part of an effort to improve the effectiveness of the Board, addressing a concept raised by the Board Review Working Group in its January 2010 Final Report. The adoption of the revised schedule is not expected to have any negative impact on the resources of the community or ICANN, and indeed may have a positive impact in reducing the Board's obligations upon term transition to one time per year, as opposed to two, and will streamline Board induction efforts.

      The proposed Bylaws changes were posted for public comment prior to the Board's adoption, with two submissions. Though no commenters spoke against the adoption of the Bylaws revisions, one commenter cautioned that changes to the Bylaws should not be taken lightly, and requested that ICANN take heed in evaluating whether a change to the Bylaws is the required mechanism for undertaking any specific change. The commenter also noted some clarifications and additional information that may be helpful when posting these types of items for comment. One comment supported the changes. As a result, it does not appear that any changes to the proposed Bylaws revisions are necessary prior to the Board taking this action.

      This decision is not expected to have any fiscal impact on ICANN, or on the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS.

      For ease of reference, the following table identifies the current Directors on the Board and when their terms will now conclude:

      Conclusion of:

      Board Member Term Concluding:

      AGM 2013

      Cherine Chalaby (Seat 6), Bertrand de La Chapelle (Seat 4), Erika Mann (Seat 5), Bruce Tonkin (Seat 13), Kuo Wei-Wu (Seat 10)

      AGM 2014

      Sébastien Bachollet (Seat 15), Steve Crocker (Seat 7), Chris Disspain (Seat 11), Bill Graham (Seat 14), and Judith Vazquez (Seat 8)

      AGM 2015

      George Sadowsky (Seat 3), Gonzalo Navarro (Seat 1), Olga Madruga-Forti, (Seat 2), Ray Plzak (Seat 9) and Mike Silber (Seat 12)

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function of the Board for which the Board received public comment, at http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/bylaws-amend-align-board-terms-18sep12-en.htm.

    3. Accountability Structures Expert Panel Recommendations

      Whereas, the Accountability and Transparency Review Team's Recommendations 23 and 25 recommended that ICANN retain independent experts to review ICANN's accountability structures and the historical work performed on those structures.

      Whereas, under the guidance of the Board Governance Committee (BGC), ICANN convened the Accountability Structures Expert Panel (ASEP), comprised of three international experts on issues of corporate governance, accountability and international dispute resolution.

      Whereas, after research and review of ICANN's Reconsideration and Independent Review processes, as well as multiple opportunities for public input, the ASEP produced a report in October 2012.

      Whereas, the report was posted for public comment, along with proposed Bylaws revisions to address the recommendations within the report.

      Whereas, after review and consideration of the public comment received, including consideration by the ASEP, the Board has determined that it is appropriate to proceed to implementation of the ASEP's recommendations.

      Whereas, additional implementation work is required prior to launching ICANN's revised Independent Review and Reconsideration processes as recommended by the ASEP.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.17) the Board accepts the report by Accountability Structures Expert Panel issued in October 2012 in fulfillment of Recommendations 23 and 25 of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.18), the Board approves the Bylaws amendments to Article IV, Section 2 (Reconsideration) and Article IV, Section 3 (Independent Review) as posted for public comment, with an effective date to be determined by the Board after receiving a report from the President and CEO on the status of implementation.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.19), the Board directs the President and CEO to develop and execute implementation plans necessary to implement the ASEP recommendations and report to the Board in Beijing on the status of the implementation work, including a recommended effective date for the Bylaws. In the event that, during implementation, the President and CEO determine that issues raised during the public comment regarding the creation of a standing panel for the IRP require modification to the Bylaws, those limited modifications are to be provided to the Board for adoption prior to the recommended effective date for the Bylaws revisions.

      Rationale for Resolutions 2012.12.20.17 – 2012.12.20.19

      The Board's action in accepting the report of the Accountability Structures Expert Panel (ASEP) and approving the attendant Bylaws revisions is in furtherance of the Board's commitment to act on the recommendations of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT). The ASEP's work was called for in ATRT Recommendations 23 and 25, and the work performed, including a review of the recommendations arising out of the President's Strategy Committee's work on Improving Institutional Confident, is directly aligned with the review requested by the ATRT.

      The adoption of the ASEP's work represents a great stride in ICANN's commitment to accountability to its community. The revised mechanisms adopted today will bring easier access to the Reconsideration and Independent Review Processes through the implementation of forms, the institution of defined terms to eliminate vagueness, and the ability to bring collective requests. A new grounds for Reconsideration is being added, which will enhance the ability for the community to seek to hold the Board accountable for its decisions. The revisions are geared towards instituting more predictability into the processes, and certainty in ICANN's decision making, while at the same time making it clearer when a decision is capable of being reviewed.

      The Board is adopting the Bylaws revisions today to allow for certainty as the President and CEO moves forward with implementation work to effectuate the ASEP's recommendations. Because additional documentation and processes must be developed and finalized, the Bylaws revisions to Article VI, Sections 2 and 3 will not go into effect until the implementation work has proceeded sufficiently. The President and CEO is therefore tasked with a report to the Board on the status of implementation, and a date for the Bylaws to go into effect, by the ICANN meeting in Beijing, China in April 2013. The Board expects that the President and CEO will consider the issues raised in public comment to determine if they need to be or can be addressed in implementation. In the event limited revisions of the Bylaws are necessary to address public comment addressing the creation of a standing panel for the IRP, the Board expects those revisions to be provided to the Board for approval in advance of the identified effective date. The potential for limited modification of the Bylaws prior to the effective date is appropriate in this instance because of the concerns raised in public comment as well as the past challenges faced when trying to create a standing panel for independent reviews.

      The adoption of these recommendations will have a fiscal impact on ICANN, in that additional work is required for implementation, including the development of new documentation and the identification of a standing panel to hear requests for independent review. The outcomes of this work are expected to have positive impacts on ICANN and the community in enhanced availability of accountability mechanisms. This decision is not expected to have any impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function for which the Board received public comment at http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/asep-recommendations-26oct12-en.htm.

    4. Proposal on the location of ICANN Meetings in 2014

      Whereas, ICANN posted a Consolidated Meetings Strategy proposal for public comment, and community comments did not evidence great support of the proposal;

      Whereas, ICANN has committed to identifying ICANN Meeting locations two years in advance;

      Whereas, ICANN intends to hold its 2014 Meetings in the Asia Pacific, Europe and North America regions as per its policy;

      Whereas, ICANN staff performed a thorough analysis of meeting venues in Singapore and London to ensure they meet the Meeting Selection Criteria, and will complete an assessment of available North America locations;

      Resolved (2012.12.20.20), the Board directs the President and CEO to make the necessary arrangements to conduct the 2014 ICANN Meetings in Singapore, London (England) and a city to be identified in North America.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.20

      In response to comments received on the ICANN Consolidated Meetings Strategy proposal, the Public Participation Committee, under its charter to increase public awareness of, and participation in the affairs of ICANN, will oversee the creation and activities of a Multistakeholder Meeting Strategy Working Group that will examine the design, frequency and regional rotation of meetings and conferences to be held in 2015 and beyond.

      As part of ICANN's public meeting schedule, three times a year ICANN hosts a meeting in a different geographic region (as defined in the ICANN Bylaws) of the world. Meetings in 2014 are to occur in the Asia Pacific, Europe and North America geographic regions.

      The staff performed a thorough analysis of venues in Singapore and London, and will complete an analysis of available locations in North America, to ensure they meet the Meeting Selection Criteria.

      Based on that analysis, the Public Participation Committee has recommended that the 2014 ICANN Meetings be held in Singapore, London and a city in North America.

      The process for selection of sites does not always call for public consultation, as the staff assessment of the feasibility of any site is the primary consideration.

      There will be a financial impact on ICANN in hosting the meetings and providing travel support as necessary, as well as on the community in incurring costs to travel to the meetings. But such impact would be faced regardless of the location of the meetings. There is no impact on the security or the stability of the DNS due to the hosting of the meeting.

      This is an Organizational Administrative Function of the Board for which the Board received public comment at http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/meetings-proposal-2012-02oct12-en.htm.

    5. New gTLD Funds Investment Policy

      Whereas, ICANN wants to take measures so that the new gTLD funds remain first and foremost safeguarded and liquid during the period of implementation of the program.

      Whereas, ICANN has solicited external advice to design an investment policy that adheres to these objectives, while taking measures towards achieving a reasonable return.

      Whereas, the Board Finance Committee has reviewed the New gTLD Funds Investment Policy suggested, has met with the advisor (by phone), and has recommended to the Board that the policy be adopted.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.21), the Board adopts the New gTLD Funds Investment Policy.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.21

      ICANN has collected approximately US$355 million of application fees from applicants for generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in the New gTLD Program (net from pre-reveal withdrawals). The purpose of these application fees is to cover the costs of implementing the GNSO's Policy on new gTLDs through the New gTLD Program. Because of this specific usage of the funds, as well as the specific timeframe associated with such usage, a specific investment policy is called for to support the adequate investment of such funds for the time they will be held.

      ICANN selected Bridgebay Investment Consultant Services to assist in the design of a specific investment policy for management the funds held for the New gTLD Program. The New gTLD Fund Investment Policy has been designed to enabling safeguarding, liquidity, and a reasonable return on investment during the period of time the funds are invested.

      The Board Finance Committee reviewed the proposed New gTLD Funds Investment Policy and has met with the advisor, and concluded that the proposed policy does satisfy its stated goals. Accordingly, the Board Finance Committee recommended that the Board approve the proposed New gTLD Funds Investment Policy. The Board agrees with the BFC's conclusions and recommendation.

      The suggested policy is not expected to have any direct effect on the public, except that the Applicants and the ICANN community may have a better understanding and transparency into how the New gTLD funds are being managed. The New gTLD Funds Investment Policy is expected to have a fiscal impact to the extent that the funds will be earning some return on investment during the period of time that the funds are invested. The creation of the New gTLD Funds Investment Policy will 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. Executive Session

    1. Approval of Compensation Supplement for Akram Atllah's Service as ICANN's President and CEO

      Whereas, on 31 May 2012, the Board appointed Akram Atallah to serve as ICANN's President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") until Fadi Chehadé was available to take his seat as ICANN's President and CEO.

      Whereas, Akram Atallah served as both ICANN's Chief Operating Officer ("COO") and ICANN's President and CEO from 1 July 2012 through 13 September 2012.

      Whereas, when the Board appointed Akram Atallah to serve as ICANN's President and CEO, the Board agreed that rather than increase Mr. Atallah's base salaray, they would pay him a compensation supplement for his service.

      Whereas, as a not for profit California public benefit corporation that is exempt from Federal income taxes because it is an organization described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, ICANN may not pay more than "reasonable compensation" for services rendered to ICANN.

      Whereas, when both Mr. Atallah and Mr. Chehadé were appointed as President and CEO of ICANN, the Compensation Committee and the full Board sought advice from independent professionals with appropriate expertise in compensation arrangements for U.S.-based, non profit, tax-exempt organizations possessing a global employee base.

      Whereas, Towers Watson, an international consulting firm, assisted the Compensation Committee and the full Board in compiling and analyzing appropriate data as to comparability with respect to compensation for the President and CEO position for ICANN, and recommended a reasonable salary and at-risk compensation range for ICANN's President and CEO.

      Whereas, both the Compensation Committee and the Board reviewed and considered the comparable compensation data for officer-level positions like the President and CEO position compiled by Towers Watson, as well as the Towers Watson recommendations, which took into account size, geographic considerations, international presence, complexity and other relevant factors.

      Whereas, upon consideration of all information, including Towers Watson's recommendations, the Board set an at-risk component for Mr. Chehadé's service as President and CEO at $240,000 annually.

      Whereas, Mr. Atallah served as both ICANN's COO and President and CEO for approximately two and one half months, or 21 percent, of 2012 and did not receive any base compensation during that time for his service as President and CEO.

      Whereas, under ICANN's Articles of Incorporation and California law, the Board is the authorized body of ICANN vested with the authority to determine whether to pay Mr. Atallah a compensation supplement, and the amount of such a compensation supplement, for his service as ICANN's President and CEO.

      Whereas, in setting a compensation supplement for Mr. Atallah's service as ICANN's President and CEO, the Board has followed the process set forth in U.S. Treasury Regulation § 53.4958-6, which is intended to enable the Board to establish the presumption that the compensation to be paid to Mr. Atallah for his service as ICANN's President and CEO is reasonable compensation for Federal income tax purposes.

      Whereas, upon due inquiry of its members, the Board has concluded that no member of the Board has a conflict of interest with respect to the compensation supplement to be paid to Mr. Atallah for his service as ICANN's President and CEO.

      Whereas, after consideration of all the relevant facts and circumstances, including the data and recommendations provided by Towers Watson, the Board has concluded that a compensation supplement of $45,000 for Mr. Atallah's service as ICANN's President and CEO is reasonable.

      Resolved (2012.12.20.22), as follows:

      1. It was in the best interests of ICANN to appoint Akram Atallah as the President and CEO of ICANN for a period of time before Fadi Chehadé was available to take his seat as ICANN's President and CEO.
      2. It is reasonable to pay to Akram Atallah a compensation supplement of US$45,000 for his additional duties of his service as President and CEO from 1 July 2012 through 13 September 2012.
      3. ICANN's President and CEO and its General Counsel are authorized to facilitate payment of $45,000 to Akram Atallah for his service as ICANN's President and CEO.

      Rationale for Resolution 2012.12.20.22

      Attracting and retaining high calibre staff by providing a competitive compensation package is crucial to the organization. An improving job market will make more opportunities available for high calibre performers outside of ICANN. ICANN has consulted with independent compensation experts to obtain comparable market data.

      ICANN is in a critical phase that calls for continuity of certain skill and expertise, particularly with ongoing key projects including new gTLDs, Affirmation of Commitments reviews, expanding contractual compliance, and globalization, among many others. Each of these projects requires knowledgeable and skilled executives to ensure ICANN's operational goals and objectives are met while ensuring that risk is mitigated to the greatest extent possible. Adhering to ICANN's employment philosophy and providing competitive compensation will help ensure these goals are achieved.

      Continuity and retention of key personnel during key organization phases is beneficial to all aspects of the organization. Thus, the compensation called for in this resolution likely will have a positive impact on the organization and its effort to serve the public interest, as well as on the transparency and accountability of the organization. There will be some fiscal impact to the organization, but that impact will not have an effect on the overall current fiscal year budget. This resolution will not have any direct impact on the security, stability and resiliency of the domain name system.

Published 22 December 2012