Re: [alac] Proposed additional questions for ALAC applicants

[ICANN At-Large - Denise Michel <michel@xxxxxxxxx>]

Vittorio Bertola wrote:

I am not sure about the general sense of your observations - do you
think I have been exaggerating the commitments, so that we could
actually scare the applicants?
  

No.  Allow me to clarify.  The general sense of my observation is that, with some of these questions, you seem to be asking for a higher level of commitment from new ALAC members than from existing members.  I understand you have an idea of what it takes to be an "optimal" ALAC member, but it seems to me that current ALAC members should agree to a level of commitment before new members are asked to do so (I think it's the fair and equitable thing to do).  Of course, it would be great for ICANN and the community if all ALAC members were able to devote this amount of time and effort to At-Large, but I don't know if all ALAC members can and will do so (or if it's reasonable given the volunteer nature of this assingment)?  Given that these questions need to be used ASAP and the issue I've raised is likely part of a larger, longer discussion, an alternative approach may be to place this in the context of the amount and type of work you've identified, based on your experience, that you think will yield the most benefit for At-Large (and success on the ALAC).

Thanks.
Denise

michel@xxxxxxxxx

Il giorno gio, 09-12-2004 alle 05:16 -0800, ICANN At-Large - Denise
Michel ha scritto:
  

2) Are you aware that being an ALAC member involves the following
commitments:
    - Physical participation in three ICANN meetings per year (5 days each) 
    - Participation in one conference call per month
    - Participation in online mailing list discussions
plus any additional time commitment deriving from any specific issue you
might become involved with? Also, are you aware that there would be no
compensation for your work, except expense reimbursement for travel and
conference calls?
  
      

** I suggest #2 be clarified.  It is not accurate as currently stated.
Your preference may be that ALAC members fulfill the commitments
detailed in #2, but current ALAC members don't, nor were they asked to
do so (which is the impression given by this list).   
    

I think that ALAC members should commit to participate in the basic
activity of the Committee - that is, the discussion list, the monthly
conf call, and ICANN meetings. I am not sure about the expectations of
the current ALAC members, but I don't think you can effectively be a
member of the Committee if (apart from special cases once in a while)
you don't participate at least in these events, and I would like future
members to understand this.

(Perhaps we could weaken a little the commitment for the physical
meetings, i.e. "If possible, physical participation...")

  

3) How much time do you think you could actually devote to the work of the
Committee on a regular basis?
      

** Under direction of the ALAC, the NomCom told potential ALAC
candidates that "approximately 7 hours per week is required" for ALAC
members to fulfill their duties.  Unless you think this has changed,
it would be better to ask people if they can give this amount of time
each week, rather than asking an open-ended question. 
    

Agreed.

  

4) In which (if any) of these activity sectors you think you have the
required skills, and would like to be involved?
    a) Outreach and recruiting of new At-Large Structures
	 (involves systematic online/phone contacts with organizations in
          your Region and possibly travel to a few events per year; will
          also involve 
      

** add "helping with the"
    

ok

  

preparation and execution of Regional At Large
          Organization startup)
    b) Policy making processes
         (requires acquaintance with technical and policy aspects of the
          DNS; involves at least one conf call per week per issue,
      

** Does this give an accurate description of involvement in the policy
making process?  I don't believe multiple conference calls are usually
scheduled each week on a given issue.  Also, ALAC "policy" work
outside of the PDP, which is most of the ALAC's policy activities,
does not require this intensive time commimtment.  
    

You are right - perhaps we should replace "at least" with "in average",
and also "per week" with "per 1-2 weeks".

  

 plus
          online discussion, and possibly drafting statements)
    c) Communications
         (involves participation and active fostering of public discussion
          forums, website management at least at the editorial level, and
          preparation of material in cooperation with ICANN staff)

      

** Again, is this a new standard to which all current ALAC members are
willing to commit?  Since current ALAC members really don't
participate in the ALAC's  public discussion forums (and I don't know
what "website management" means), it doesn't seem reasonable to ask
for such commitments from new members.
    

Actually, this question is about optional additional commitments that
applicants might be willing to take, and I think we need 1-2 ALAC
members to focus on "communications" - that is, giving you feedback
about the monthly newsletter, work to add information to the website,
replying to enquiries etc. This is not an expected commitment for all
ALAC members, but only for those who will receive responsibility for
this task (assuming we find any).