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[nc-budget] The DNSO, the NC, and its Secretariat
Colleagues,
This is (not so) short summary on the Secretariat issues.
Let me add that personnaly I am very concerned that
an association be settled in a professional manner,
the "temporary" solutions have tendencies to last forever,
and get worst over time.
Best regards,
Elisabeth
--
The DNSO, the NC, and its Secretariat
1. One of reasons of a weak DNSO is related to its status as part
of ICANN (the initial reason, still valid, was to avoid to be
sued for policy decisions). Contrary to others SOs, the DNSO
was set up from scratch, without any funding, voluntary work only.
To get some autonomy for the DNSO (such as administrating its
own finances in a legal way) it needs a legal structure, and
a public decision.
2. The NC considered two options.
2.1 First option was to move the DNSO to the US, and keep it in ICANN
Los Angeles offices.
It was felt neither desirable, not politically correct.
From ICANN only strategy, moving the DNSO to California collapses
ICANN international legitimacy, and put it in danger.
From anybody else who spend years working out on the international
Organization, representing worldwide interests and trust, it is
unacceptable.
2.2 Second option is to figure out how to reform the DNSO and allow it
to work in a decent way, under Bylaws.
The current DNSO Review requested by ICANN Board is underway,
and first drafts has been written gathering a rich and important
comments from the NC and from various DNSO horizons (Constituencies,
General Assembly, GA Chairs).
The NC feels itself that its current situation is not satisfactory.
Some of the NC members wishes to work in a way similar to ICANN Board,
i.e. have all documents gathered, drafts for discussion prepared,
various options presented for decisions only.
3. The decision on the DNSO is political.
3.1 All possible approaches has been made to look on the DNSO Secretariat
from the budget only perspective, and all failed.
3.2 The DNSO budget is NOT an issue. ICANN staff reminds frequently that
almost 90 percent of its budget is from the US origin. That is NORMAL,
various discussions indicate that to have ICANN institution
somewhere one MUST pay for it, there is a good understanding on it.
How one may expect wrldwide enthusiasm to send money one way to
California ?
3.3 Let's then consider the DNSO seed in Europe, taking into account
all the work done here since two years for the benefit of everybody,
ICANN legitimacy included, we are ICANN.
There is no special legal difficulties to set up DNSO as
legal ICANN branches in Europe, Paris.
From ICANN perspective, the current workplan call for its
presence in many places, and Europe is one of very important ones.
ICANN staff and ICANN Board are given the strong signals
to take it into consideration for the benefit of everybody.
3.4 As the outcome of AFNIC and myself experience and service to the DNSO
community it appears that a ligthtweight Secretariat needs
2-3 staff and small offices to fulfill its minimal obligations,
approx 250-300,000 USD. This is common situation in similar
not for profit associations (for exemple CENTR). This amount of money
was never questioned by anybody, to the contrary -- both Dennis
Jennings and Don Telage stated publicly how reasonnable it is.
3.5 In March 2000 the DNSO NC voted a minimal "solidarity between
Constituencies" budget, approx 100,000 USD.
3.6 Subsequently I requested the formal decision on DNSO offices
is Europe, as a necessary step to raise additionnal money
for the DNSO, and eventually have a decent work conditions.
3.7 The NC itself needs to have dedicated person working on policy
issues and able to lead a group towards consensus when possible.
Since Yokohama the NC task force on Secretariat budget
is working on both, budget, profiles and selection process.
3.8 This new requirement completes but not replaces the initial
one as currently provided by the existing Secretariat.
Furthermore the detailed description of profiles (Chuck et al.)
provides a better idea of the "consumption of human resources".
and put lights that probably the NC have an unrealistic
expectation of what any single person can do.
3.9 Eventually a clarification, I believe the "policy power" in
the DNSO remains within the elected NC representatives, not within
the hired staff.
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