[NCSG-PC] Board Seat 14 Nomination Procedures and Timeline
Johan Helsingius
julf at Julf.com
Sun Apr 23 22:34:46 EEST 2023
Hi Lori,
I am glad we both agree with the need for the intersessionals to
come back. I already discussed it with Sally, and seems Org is
very supportive of the idea.
Apologies for not being clear enough in my question about your phrase
"our Board incumbents", it was not so much about the word "incumbents"
but about the word "our".
I don't think we see the same need (and especially urgency) to revise
the 2018 agreement as CSG does. From one point of view, the possibility
of deadlock is a potential problem, but it also forces us to work
together better. In this case of the current appointment issue, I think
both parties have to share the blame for not starting the process
earlier, and working together to find a mutually acceptable candidate.
I don't think we should tie the two issues together. Any changes to the
2018 agreement need to be thoroughly considered and discussed on both
sides, and will take a fair bit of time. Meanwhile we need to appoint
someone for board seat 14 as soon as possible.
The NomCom "extraordinary/exceptional performance" standard might be
appropriate for the NomCom appointed board members, as the NomCom is
tasked with bringing in outsiders and new blood, but it is less suitable
for SO/AC appointees.
While you have previously explained your reservations with Matthew in
general, listing them again, in detail, would help provide a clear and
unambiguous understanding the objections that CSG has. This would also
prevent me misinterpreting or miscommunicating your views to our
executive and policy teams.
As to my comment about us possibly being able to support Mark 3 years
from now, the emphasis is on "possibly", and it would require him
to develop much more support and experience - not something
that will happen overnight. My comment should not be seen as a
signal that we could be convinced to accept Mark. He was reviewed
and interviewed not just by our executive team, but also by members
of our policy committee (that is responsible for appointing
our representatives to PDPs and working groups), and not a single
member supported him. While his inexperience and lack of gravitas
are the most important reason, the team raised a lot of other concerns
and issues. We don't see Mark as a viable candidate, and I hope
you will respect the judgement of our EC and PC.
I am happy to facilitate a call between your ExCom and our EC and PC,
but meanwhile we are somewhat surprised and disappointed that you
don't seem to have given our alternative candidate, Rafik, any serious
consideration.
Kind regards,
Julf
On 21/04/2023 19:46, Lori Schulman wrote:
> Hi Julf,
> Thank you for checking. I agree that we desperately need an
> intersessional. When I say "incumbent/s". I mean current seat
> holder/s without mentioning specific names. Before we organize one, I
> have a few questions:
> 1) Does NCSG see the same need to revise the 2018 agreement as CSG does?
> 2) If NCSG agrees that a revision is essential to avoid stalemate 3
> years from now, is NCSG agreeable to tying the 2 issues together? 2023
> Board Seat 14 selection and revised rules for nominations.
> 3) The CSG's position regarding the 3rd term should be extended for
> "extraordinary/exceptional performance" mirrors the standard used by the
> NomCom. We believe that NCPH should adhere to similar standards. We
> had reservations about renewing Matthew 3 years ago and we still do. I
> explained them to you. Mark brings strong experience in policy with a
> balanced approach and an aim toward compromise. He has built strong
> relationships with NCSG and while you acknowledge Mark's strengths, you
> have indicated that you may support him 3 years from now but not now. I
> think that needs to be more fully discussed. Perhaps we can organize a
> call between our 2 excoms to sort this out?
> We look forward to your responses to our questions.
> With kind regards,
> Lori S. Schulman
> Senior Director, Internet Policy
> International Trademark Association (INTA)
> +1-202-704-0408, Skype: LSSchulman
> lschulman at inta.org, www.inta.org <http://www.inta.org>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Johan Helsingius <julf.helsingius at gmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2023 6:04 PM
> To: Lori Schulman <lschulman at inta.org>
> Cc: csg-excomm at ICANN.org
> Subject: Re: Board Seat 14 Nomination Procedures and Timeline
> Dear Lori,
> Yes, I did check, and according to them, the current board member keeps
> his seat until a replacement is found.
> Julf
> On 20/04/2023 17:56, Lori Schulman wrote:
>> Dear Julf,
>>
>> Following up from my message, I want also clarify that you were going to check with ICANN legal about the potential for stalemate and legal implications for ICANN. is that right? If so, have you heard anything. If not, can you recall who made that offer to check with legal.
>>
>> Thank you again.
>>
>> With kind regards,
>>
>> Lori S. Schulman
>> Senior Director, Internet Policy
>> International Trademark Association (INTA)
>> +1-202-704-0408, Skype: LSSchulman
>> lschulman at inta.org <mailto:lschulman at inta.org>,
>> https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.inta.org&c=E,1
> <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.inta.org&c=E,1>
>> ,eLHYiQmPLuIfqOOFUUAzZ6uoC4lE_f9egVim69bPwV0Qp8K2CRdG34GbkQyPvNpl6jzYF
>> nHYbxrjdJOBC2tstgkB_Snp-dtk4itxSnEnaaXX&typo=1
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Lori Schulman
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 5:21 PM
>> To: 'Johan Helsingius' <julf.helsingius at gmail.com <mailto:julf.helsingius at gmail.com>>;
> julf at julf.com <mailto:julf at julf.com>
>> Cc: csg-excomm at ICANN.org <mailto:csg-excomm at ICANN.org>
>> Subject: RE: Board Seat 14 Nomination Procedures and Timeline
>>
>> Dear Julf,
>>
>> Thank you for your patience with my recovery. It has been a slog and with INTA's Annual Meeting in Singapore coming up, I have had to prioritize my health and my organization's meeting over anything else.
>>
>> We appreciate that you have nominated Rafik per the procedures of the 2018 agreement. The CSG ExCom reserves our right to interview Rafik as we are trying to avoid a "battle of the candidates" at this juncture. I had asked a question about NCSG's concerns over Mark's inability to "stand up to" Becky. I had
> mentioned that we do not feel that this is a criterion upon which we
> agree. We would like to discuss this with NCSG ExCom in further detail
> as we have not witnessed the incumbent standing up to Becky either...at
> least not in public. Becky has obvious strengths as a Board member but
> that should not be affecting our decisions about who should be
> representing us. We had a very productive meeting with our Board
> incumbents last week and expect that all representatives have reached a
> point where they have something to offer. We expect that Mark will fit
> right in and are sticking with our support of his candidacy.
>>
>> That said, we believe that there is a bigger issue to be solved, that is the failure of the 2018 agreement to prevent another stalemate. The way the procedure works, we could become entangled in the "battle of candidates" indefinitely. This wastes a lot of time and effort.
>>
>> I had drafted some proposed deal points that could potentially break stalemates in the future. I included them in one of our earlier messages but have not heard back on any of them. The CSG has improved the draft since that first message and we are finalizing a proposal that we hope the NCSG will consider. The deal
> benefits both sides of the house with each potentially having a
> candidate in place for 9 years. Once we have approved it internally,
> we will forward for NCSG's review and, hopefully, a full NCPH discussion
> follow. You can expect this proposal shortly. I will revert back with
> an exact date.
>>
>> Granting a 3rd term to a Board Member should be based on extraordinary performance. Our sides of the house have not agreed on what the standards of that performance are. That is a failure of governance and should be corrected. We are aware that the deadline is coming however, we would offer that we work out the long
> term issues while continuing to discuss the pros and cons of the current
> roster of Mark and Matthew. If we are truly stalemated, we will
> interview others, starting with Rafik. At that point, we would offer
> another candidate too. Let's use that as a last resort. We would
> rather miss the deadline and solve our longer term issues than rush to
> reappoint the incumbent.
>>
>> We are aware that the NomCom may be affected by our decision in terms of geographic balance. We are committed to not impeding the process for others. However, we must make this choice in our own interests at an appropriate pace.
>>
>> With kind regards,
>>
>> Lori S. Schulman
>> Senior Director, Internet Policy
>> International Trademark Association (INTA)
>> +1-202-704-0408, Skype: LSSchulman
>> lschulman at inta.org <mailto:lschulman at inta.org>,
>> https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.inta.org&c=E,1
> <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.inta.org&c=E,1>
>> ,Xk_rHz9qe1QbwE0imxE2ystoI7QxOoK2Ze_AMj1iBOinl3q_J1cnibYgeH0OjM9Vlpjuc
>> Eo0DKjPSaeGnTkOwJHj4Qwtzm4onBtcOtFayA,,&typo=1
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Johan Helsingius <julf.helsingius at gmail.com <mailto:julf.helsingius at gmail.com>>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 9:33 AM
>> To: Lori Schulman <lschulman at inta.org <mailto:lschulman at inta.org>>
>> Subject: Fwd: Board Seat 14 Nomination Procedures and Timeline
>>
>> Just to be sure, also sent from my gmail address.
>>
>>
>> -------- Forwarded Message --------
>> Subject: Re: Board Seat 14 Nomination Procedures and Timeline
>> Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:30:56 +0200
>> From: Johan Helsingius <julf at Julf.com <mailto:julf at Julf.com>>
>> To: Lori Schulman <lschulman at inta.org <mailto:lschulman at inta.org>>
>> CC: Cole, Mason (Perkins Coie) <MCole at perkinscoie.com <mailto:MCole at perkinscoie.com>>, Tim Smith
>> <tim.smith at cipa.com <mailto:tim.smith at cipa.com>>, csg-excomm at icann.org
> <mailto:csg-excomm at icann.org> <csg-excomm at icann.org
> <mailto:csg-excomm at icann.org>>,
>> Mohr, Susan <Susan.Mohr at lumen.com <mailto:Susan.Mohr at lumen.com>>, Brian King
>> <brian.king at clarivate.com <mailto:brian.king at clarivate.com>>,
> philippe.fouquart at orange.com <mailto:philippe.fouquart at orange.com>
>> <philippe.fouquart at orange.com <mailto:philippe.fouquart at orange.com>>,
> NCSG EC <ncsg-ec at lists.ncsg.is <mailto:ncsg-ec at lists.ncsg.is>>,
>> ncsg-pc <ncsg-pc at lists.ncsg.is <mailto:ncsg-pc at lists.ncsg.is>>
>>
>> Hi Lori,
>>
>> I hope you are fully recovered - long covid is a real hassle.
>>
>> Just wanted to check on where we are with board seat 14, as the deadline is getting very close. From what I hear there hasn't been any contact with Rafik for setting up an interview or asking questions.
>>
>> As you know, we still think Matthew is the best candidate, and considering how close we are to the deadline, I really think reappointing him for one more term is best option.
>>
>> Julf
>>
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