ASO-AC ICANN Board Selection Procedures

Draft v 0.8
2 April 2003 (rev 16 April 2003)

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1.0 Introduction

The Address Council (ASO/AC) of the Address Supporting Organization (ASO) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names (ICANN) is responsible for appointing two directors to the ICANN board. This document describes how the ASO/AC selects and elects these directors.

2.0 Normal vacancy procedure

When an ASO/AC ICANN board seat is becoming vacant through the normal expiry of the board members term the Normal Vacancy Procedure is used.

A. Nomination period

1. When the ASO/AC needs to fill an upcoming vacancy on the ICANN board, it shall put out a call for nominees (announced in an appropriate fashion) at least 90 days plus 2 weeks prior to the next ASO general assembly. This call for nominees shall open the nomination period. The nomination period runs for at least a total of 90 days prior to its close.
2. Nominations may be made by anyone. Nominations are made by forwarding the intent to nominate to the chair of ASO/AC.
3. Nominations shall be reviewed for eligibility by the ASO/AC. Eligibility is determined in accordance with the ICANN by-laws. Eligibilty once determined shall be communicated to the nominator. The new nominee will also be added to a publicly available list of current nominees. This list shall be a running list of nominees available on a public website.
4. The nomination period closes two (2) weeks prior to the ASO general assembly.

B. Comment period

Immediately following the close of the Nomination Period, the Comment Period commences. The Comment Period gives the constituency an opportunity to convey support for the different candidates.

1. The opening of the comment period starts at the close of the Nomination Period, two (2) weeks prior to the ASO GA. The comment period shall run for one (1) month from the close of the Nomination period. (Two (2) weeks prior to the ASO GA to two (2) weeks after the start of the ASO GA).
2. Comments are taken from anyone and displayed publicly in real time.
3. The comments received are considered by the ASO/AC in making the selection.
4. The comment period can be extended once for an additional thirty (30) days at the request of any ASO/AC member to provide for additional comments.

C. Interview process

If determined to be appropriate by the ASO/AC an interview process may be used to obtain more information from select candidates. The interview may be conducted in person or telephonically as determined by the ASO/AC.

D. Selection procedure

Upon the termination of the Comment Period and the Interview Process (if any) the ASO/AC will proceed to the actual selection of the Board member.

1. The vote for the board member selection shall occur at a properly convened ASO/AC meeting.
2. There shall be provisions for limited discussion of the candidates. The discussion can be concluded by normal proceedures of the ASO/AC.
3. If possible the candidate shall be selected by concensus.
4. If consensus doesn't work any ASO/AC member may call for a vote of the ASO/AC members. If approved by a majority of the ASO/AC members the vote is called.
1. A first poll is conducted of all eligible candidates. If any one candidate receives a simple majority that candidate is the winner.
2. If no one candidate receives a simple majority than the one candidate with the fewest votes is dropped and another vote is held. This process is repeated until one candidate has received a simple majority of the votes and is declared the winner.
5. The candidate with the second highest votes at the termination of the process shall be denoted as the runner up. The two runner ups shall be considered first in the event that one of the ASO/AC elected Board members can not complete their term. (See 3.0 Extraordinary selection process below).

3.0 Extraordinary selection process

In the event that one of the ICANN directors elected by ASO/AC is unable to serve out their term, the ASO/AC shall fill the vacancy using the following procedure:

1. First consideration shall be given to the runner ups from the Normal Selection process described above. The ASO/AC at a duly consituted ASO/AC meeting will determine which of the runner ups shall be approached. The potential candidates shall be approached and if willing to serve shall be appointed for the remaining term of the resigning board memeber.
2. If neither runner up is willing to serve or if the ASO/AC determines that neither runner up is appropriate, the ASO/AC shall elect a replacement by first putting out a call for candidates. This period shall last two (2) weeks. At the end of the period the ASO/AC shall select from any appropriate candidate. The entire process should be conducted in as transparent a process as possible.
3. If neither of the above procedures is determined to be appropriate the ASO/AC shall elect a replacement throught direct appointment.

Appendix A.

Some criteria using in considering the ICANN Board of Director candidates.

Nomination Criteria:

1. Active participant in RIR meetings (attending a TBD number of RIR meetings)
2. Demonstrable understanding of Registry procedures, current policy issues and knowledge of IP.
3. Strong oral and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
4. On appointment, in addition to the criteria in the ICANN by-laws the successful candidate will agree to the following:
1. Regular reports to the Address Council on activities of the ICANN board. (suggested frequency - quarterly)
2. Committment to attend the RIR meeting held in conjunction with the ASO General Assembly each year. (It was suggested that travel expenses be supported by the Secretariat)
3. Will not undertake any position that would entail a conflict of interest.
4. Regular contact with AC to solicit input on issues facing the ICANN board.

Excerpt from ARTICLE VI: Sections 3-5 of the ICANN By-Laws

Section 3. Criteria for selection of directors

ICANN Directors shall be:

1. Accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity, and intelligence, with reputations for sound judgment and open minds, and a demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making;
2. Persons with an understanding of ICANN's mission and the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community, and committed to the success of ICANN;
3. Persons who will produce the broadest cultural and geographic diversity on the Board consistent with meeting the other criteria set forth in this Section;
4. Persons who, in the aggregate, have personal familiarity with the operation of gTLD registries and registrars; with ccTLD registries; with IP address registries; with Internet technical standards and protocols; with policy-development procedures, legal traditions, and the public interest; and with the broad range of business, individual, academic, and non-commercial users of the Internet;
5. Persons who are willing to serve as volunteers, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses; and
6. Persons who are able to work and communicate in written and spoken English.

Section 4. Additional guidelines

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no official of a national government or a multinational entity established by treaty or other agreement between national governments may serve as a Director. As used herein, the term "official" means a person (i) who holds an elective governmental office or (ii) who is employed by such government or multinational entity and whose primary function with such government or entity is to develop or influence governmental or public policies.

Section 5. International representation

In order to ensure broad international representation on the Board, the selection of Directors by the Nominating Committee and each Supporting Organization shall comply with all applicable diversity provisions of these Bylaws or of any Memorandum of Understanding referred to in these Bylaws concerning the Supporting Organization. One intent of these diversity provisions is to ensure that at all times each Geographic Region shall have at least one Director, and at all times no region shall have more than five Directors on the Board (not including the President). As used in these Bylaws, each of the following is considered to be a "Geographic Region": Europe; Asia/Australia/Pacific; Latin America/Caribbean islands; Africa; and North America. The specific countries included in each Geographic Region shall be determined by the Board, and this Section shall be reviewed by the Board from time to time (but at least every three years) to determine whether any change is appropriate, taking account of the evolution of the Internet.