World Wide Alliance of Top Level Domain-names

Working with the ccSO

Version March 2002, Accra meeting

This is the current draft Paper developed by the ccSO/DNSO Liaison Working Group.

It assumes that the VP (Work Programme) will ensure that an International assembly list is run, open to all in which to discuss issues relating to ccTLDs and that this will be an open list -i.e. not restricted to ccTLD members.

The critical issue is the way the DNSO can bring to the ccSO a policy question of relevance to the DNSO and involving the ccTLDs. It will be something on which the DNSO will have developed policy. It cannot be used, or seen to be available, for re-litigating issues that are contentious within the DNSO.

(This draft results from a meeting in Ghana with several but not all of the Reps: present were reps from the BC, ISP, IP, g-Reg constituencies. They have not yet approved this text).

Working with the ccSO

A Discussion Paper

Ghana, March 2002

Background

1. The common agreement between the ccSO and other DNSO constituencies is the importance of a working procedure to allow 2-way communication between them.

2. The ccSO believes that such a procedure needs to be easily understood, easy to activate, and effective. It is committed to developing such a procedure.

3. It requires attention to 2 features of the various relationships,
   1. Continual information sharing, and
   2. A procedure for dealing with specific issues.

4. The ccSO believes that no special organisational or "structural" features need be incorporated in the design of the ccSO. Specifically, these features are not best dealt with by building into the design of the SO permanent elements such as standing committees, or consultative groups.

Information Sharing

5. The ccSO proposes to operate a general forum, by way of an open access list, to be known as the "International Forum". This will be similar to the current "cctld discuss" list operated by the ccTLD Constituency. Minutes of meetings, notices and general information about the ccSO, ccTLDs and their interests will be posted to this list. Members of the ICANN community will be informed of the list and its accessibility. For those not wishing to participate in the daily debate such a list generates, there will be a "ccTLD Announce" list, for one-way posting by the Secretariat of notices, minutes and reports.

Liaison Officers

6. It is assumed that the term of the current liaison officers appointed to communicate between the ccSO and the constituencies of the DNSO will have served their purpose by the time of the formation of the ccSO, or shortly thereafter. However, continuation could be reviewed

Issues Procedure.

7. At any time, any person on the International Forum may move that a matter requires the separate attention of the SO. By such a motion, and without a vote, an "Issues List" will be created by the Secretariat, under the supervision of the VP Works.

8. The formation of each issue list and its topic will be posted to the International Forum. Access will be open. The list will be moderated to prevent ad hominem attacks, and other antisocial behaviour.

9. Each Issue List will operate for a period defined on its creation by the VP Works.

10. At the close of the period, a rapporteur will prepare and post to the Issue List and to the International Council a synthesis of the points and positions raised in the Issue List debate. The report will be non-judgmental and factual.

11. The International Council will review the report and take such additional information as it thinks appropriate, before deciding the next step.

12. The next step will be either;
    1. closing the issue as requiring no further action, or where minor and obvious, implementing an action;
    2. remitting the matter for a further defined period of discussion on the Issue List, perhaps with directions as to areas of concern; or
    3. establishing a Working Group to prepare recommendations to the Council

Working groups

13. Working Groups will be composed of a representative from each of the 5 geographic regions, as appointed by the respective regional associations.

14. Working groups shall also contain a nominee of the mover of the original motion that led to setting up the particular Issues List.

15. Working groups may elect their own chairs.

16. On establishment, Working groups will be provided with a Terms of Reference, a timetable, a List serve and a budget. One of the early tasks of the Working Group will be to review and confirm those matters.

17. Working groups will work, using email, conference calling and f2f meetings as the situation demands. The working group List will be confidential to permit candid exploration of issues. All reports and formal communications to the Council or others will be publicly archived.

18. Within the timetable, Working Groups will present a report to Council, typically outlining the issue(s) and recommending action to be taken by the council. Reports should be consensus based. Where consensus is not reasonably achieved, the council will receive minority reports.

19. Working Group reports will at or about the time of transmission to the Board be published to the International forum. The date of their consideration by the Council will be published in advance of that consideration.