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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-NZ link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>To add to the complexity, as the Ombudsman I have no jurisdiction on issues in relation to membership of the Board-See Bylaw V Section 3 (2) which says-“ the Ombudsman shall have no authority to act in any way with respect to internal administrative matters, personnel matters, issues relating to membership on the Board…”. So the original intent of the bylaws, as cited by Bruce Tonkin (with whom I agree on this issue) was to protect the directors from possible political action.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'> By insulating the board in membership issues from the Ombudsman investigation process does this prevent for example me investigating diversity issues, which are a membership issue? Would I have a role if the community wanted a board member investigated for issues or decisions? I have had a small number of complaints about board members over the years. Is this something the community wants me to continue?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>I am anxious to ensure any changes to my mandate do have community support.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Chris LaHatte<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Ombudsman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Blog <a href="https://omblog.icann.org/"><span style='color:blue'>https://omblog.icann.org/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Webpage <a href="http://www.icann.org/en/help/ombudsman"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.icann.org/en/help/ombudsman</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Confidentiality<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>All matters brought before the Ombudsman shall be treated as confidential. The Ombudsman shall also take all reasonable steps necessary to preserve the privacy of, and to avoid harm to, those parties not involved in the complaint being investigated by the Ombudsman.The Ombudsman shall only make inquiries about, or advise staff or Board members of the existence and identity of, a complainant in order to further the resolution of the complaint. The Ombudsman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that if staff and Board members are made aware of the existence and identity of a complainant, they agree to maintain the confidential nature of such information, except as necessary to further the resolution of a complaint<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>