[NCSG-EC] Review of applications for travel slots

Rafik Dammak rafik.dammak at gmail.com
Tue Jan 7 15:56:32 EET 2025


hi all,

I sent prior to winter holidays a call for EOI for one travel slot and set
a deadline to 6th January.  That will allow us to send the replacement to
ICANN travel by the deadline of 22nd January and be within the timeframe of
7 days to make a decision.
Our operating procedures are
https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Operating+Procedures#OperatingProcedures-996937310

highlighting the section relevant to the selection process:


   1.

   The NCSG Chair or ICANN support staff will send all eligible requests
   received for travel support to the NCSG EC mailing list. Ineligible
   requests are those applications that do not have Motivation Statements. (If
   a Motivation Statement is missing and the application has been received
   well before the deadline, the NCSG Chair or ICANN support staff will
   endeavor to remind the candidate to re-submit their application before the
   deadline with the Motivation Statement completed.) In addition, after the
   deadline has passed, the NCSG Chair or ICANN support staff will inform any
   applicants whose application was unsuccessful due to being incomplete. An
   application is incomplete if it only expresses the desire to travel but
   does not provide a detailed justification for being present during the
   meeting and fulfill the criteria set out under section 4.
   2.

   The email addresses of the applicants should not intentionally be shared
   on the public mailing list. If other private information is found within
   the Motivation Statement or other attachments, such as one’s home address,
   the NCSG Chair or ICANN support staff will endeavor to cloak this
   information with a black box. However,  candidates should know and be
   notified prior to applying that their Motivation Statement will be made
   public and shared in a public mailing list.
   3.

   The NCSG Executive Committee will decide who to allocate the travel slot
   to within one calendar week (7 days) after the deadline for submitting
   applications. Each EC member must provide a justification as to why they
   support an applicant and how the supported candidate fulfills the criteria
   stipulated under section 4 and throughout this policy. The decision should
   be taken through full consensus but if it is a matter of urgency, the Chair
   can give a shorter deadline and make a decision with the support of at
   least two other EC members.
   4.

   The results should be announced on the NCSG mailing list with a
   justification.
   5.

   The EC deliberations on allocating travel slots should take place on the
   NCSG-EC mailing list. If there are discussions about applicant eligibility
   that should not be discussed on the public mailing list, the EC can enter
   an executive session to discuss this matter privately, but with full
   disclosure to the NCSG-mailing list on the rationale of discussing such a
   matter privately. Discussing privately is allowed only under exceptional
   circumstances and should be agreed upon by the majority of  EC.


While Peter is not able to travel, he didn't indicate that he won't
participate remotely. The language in the OP is not clear if travel slot
replacement for councillor means automatically appointing an alternate.  My
interpretation is that only applies if the councillor is NOT able at all to
participate.  However, I am open to hear if there is another reading.

Sharing below the list of applicants and their EOI (I only changed
formatting for readability). I believe they are all complete as requested
by the OP.

* James Olorundare


I am writing to let you know that I am very interested in filling the open
travel slot for the upcoming ICANN meeting in Seattle, following the
cancellation of the GNSO Councillor's travel plans. As an active member of
the GNSO community, I meet the criteria outlined in the operating
procedures.( link on temporary maintenance) .

My passion for DNS SEC, DNS ABuse, and SMP and my commitment to
contributing to the GNSO's work make me a strong candidate for this
opportunity. I have consistently participated in GNSO activities, including
Strategic Management Plan, DNS PDP etc. I have actively contributed to
Domain Name System policy deliberations whilst attending meetings:
contribution to public comments, and participating in discussions, and
meetings. Meeting records demonstrate my consistent attendance of
previously attended calls and contributions to Policy Development Processes
(PDPs), NCSG Policy Committee meetings, and other relevant policy and
related meetings.

My expertise in the Policy Development Process both at national and
regional levels would be valuable to the GNSO's work at the upcoming
meeting. My physical presence at the meeting will contribute to capacity
building within the NCSG, enabling others to more effectively participate
in such discussions when key members are unavailable. As an experienced
policy advocate within the ecosystem with involvement in national and
regional policy work in this domain, I am well-equipped to engage in all
relevant meetings and fulfill the responsibilities of this councilor. I am
committed to actively representing the interests of the GNSO at the
meeting. I will diligently participate in all relevant sessions, contribute
to discussions, and provide timely updates on things that are needed. I
recommend that the councilor in question to transfer specific tasks for me
to handle and I will also ensure proper handover and transfer of duty for
this meeting concerning the NCSG post-meeting by writing reports on the
specific task handed over to me to complete this process. I also recommend
this to be part of our community process.

I am confident that I can effectively fill the councilor roles and
responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the GNSO's work at the
ICANN meeting. I am available to travel to Seattle and fully participate in
all relevant sessions because I have a USA visa.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

* Frank Anati
Dear Rafiz,

I am writing to let you know that I am very interested in attending the
upcoming ICANN meeting, in accordance with the NCSG operating procedures.
As a dedicated advocate for advancing the NCSG’s interests and contributing
to DNS policy discussions, I believe participating in this meeting is
essential.

The ICANN meeting provides a unique platform for direct engagement with key
stakeholders, and I am eager to actively contribute to shaping the future
of the Domain Name System (DNS). My physical presence will allow me to
engage in real-time discussions, network with fellow experts, collaborate
on critical policy initiatives, and implement the knowledge I have gained
through the Policy Development Pilot, Policy Development Accelerator, and
the Small Civil Society workshop for NCSG members organized by Kathy
Kleiman in Kigali before ICANN80.

My commitment to the PDP with NSCG is evident through my active meeting
attendance and participation, including:

   - Presenting at ICANN80 on SubPro Small Team Plus and proposing a new
   Singular/Plural Strawman at the GNSO: NCUC Membership Work Session and the
   GNSO: NCSG Policy Committee Work Session.
   - Presenting with Kathy, Pedro, Houda, Wisdom and others at ICANN81 in
   Turkey on the Applicant Support Program during the NCUC Issue Forum
   (Experimental workshop).
   - Engaging in other relevant policy-related meetings.


During the ICANN82 meeting, I pledge to:

   - Attend all NCSG meetings and actively contribute to discussions.
   - Help recruit new attendees to the NCSG.
   - Volunteer at NCSG stands to raise awareness of the NCSG, if available.


I understand the importance of full participation and commit to being
present at the meeting venue each day. I will diligently attend NCSG
meetings, constituency gatherings, GNSO Council sessions, and relevant PDP
meetings. I will provide prompt justification for any absence to maintain
eligibility for future travel opportunities.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited by the opportunity
to contribute to the success of the ICANN meeting and the NCSG’s objectives.

Sincerely,

* Farell Folly

I am excited to submit my application for the travel sponsorship to attend
the ICANN meeting in Seattle as an alternate GNSO Councillor representing
the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG). This opportunity would allow
me to re-engage actively in the community and contribute meaningfully to
advancing NCSG’s mission at this critical juncture.

ICANN has been a cornerstone of my professional and volunteer life since
2016, shaping my understanding of internet governance and the role of
diverse stakeholders in policy development. Over the years, I have served
the community in various capacities, including as an NCSG Policy Committee
Vice-Chair, ICANN Fellow and Mentor, GNSO Councillor, and most recently,
Vice-Chair of the Expedited Policy Development Working Group. These roles
have given me a nuanced understanding of the issues, processes, and
challenges faced by ICANN, as well as a strong foundation to represent the
interests of the NCSG effectively.
Why I Am Applying:

While I stepped back temporarily to focus on my PhD and a career
transition, my commitment to ICANN and the NCSG has never wavered. With
these personal milestones now achieved, I am eager to re-invest my energy
and expertise in the community. Attending the Seattle meeting in person as
an alternate Councillor is critical to this renewed engagement for several
reasons:

   - *Continuity and Leadership:* My previous experience as a Councillor
   allows me to step into this role seamlessly, offering immediate value in
   discussions and decision-making processes. I am particularly
   well-positioned to contribute to ongoing policy topics, as I have followed
   them closely during my tenure.
   - *Representation of NCSG Interests:* The Seattle meeting provides a
   platform to champion the rights and priorities of internet users,
   particularly those within non-commercial constituencies. My deep
   understanding of both ICANN processes and NCSG objectives enables me to
   serve as a strong advocate.
   - *Bridging Expertise and New Challenges:* The policy landscape is
   evolving, and I bring both historical context and a fresh perspective to
   address emerging issues. My academic and professional pursuits have further
   enriched my insights into cybersecurity and internet governance, which are
   increasingly relevant to ICANN’s work.

Commitments to the NCSG:

If selected, I commit to:

   1. Attending all NCSG, GNSO, and relevant PDP sessions at the meeting to
   ensure the community’s voice is heard.
   2. Providing post-meeting reports and sharing key takeaways with the
   Policy Committee and broader membership.
   3. Preparing thoroughly by reviewing governance documents, ongoing PDPs,
   and preparatory sessions before the meeting.

Physical attendance at this meeting is essential to engage directly with
fellow stakeholders, build consensus, and navigate complex policy
discussions in real time. The in-person connections and deliberations
foster a level of collaboration that virtual settings often cannot
replicate.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to bring my
experience, dedication, and passion for internet governance back to the
forefront at ICANN Seattle, and I look forward to contributing to NCSG’s
ongoing success.

* Tapani Tarvainen
Dear Rafik and Andrea,

I am interested and able to travel to the Seattle meeting.

Motivation:

I would like to get work done on NCSG's member database management,
either improving or preparing to migrate away from the CiviCRM setup.

I would also like to get up to speed on GNSO activities, in paricular
on next round New gTLDs, in preparation for increasing my activity
within NCSG in the near future.

If need be I should also be able to take on the role of alternate
councillor at a short notice, too. (I can get a recommendation
letter for that should it become necessary.)

Sincerely,

Tapani Tarvainen

* Pascal Bekono
Dear NCSG Chair,

I would like to be considered for the travel slot. It would be extremely
beneficial to be present at this ICANN82 meeting for several reasons.


   - Firstly, I will allocate 7 hours per day to participate in all NCSG
   activities during ICANN82. I always pay close attention to the council
   meetings where I had the opportunity to make presentations. As a 2024
   NOMCOM delegate, I have experience of a full ICANN week meeting.
   - Secondly I will have the opportunity to mentor new NCSG/NCUC members
   during breaks to enable them to have a good understanding of NCSG policies
   and contributions. It's a new activity we are planning to launch with
   approval. The experience within the ICANN Development Policy accelerator is
   important for us to engage new members.
   - Thirdly, it will be very important to join policy discussions during
   council meetings.
   - And, as IT expert, following latest development of the new gTLD
   program and icann policies for communities, participation in the next
   ICANN82 is very important
   - I don't have visa issue,
   - My report will be sent to you three days after the meeting.
   - I will be available to provide necessary tasks for the NCSG during
   ICANN82.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Pascal Bekono
*  Benjamin Akinmoyeje
Dear NCSG Chair,
Good day to you and I hope you are doing well.

Please find attached my EOI for ICANN82 travel slot as a GNSO Council
alternate.
Kind regards,
Benjamin
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