A quick question: who has the authority to form and disband this working group?<br><br>Because one of the big problems identified in the past over ICANN accountability and transparency has been the fact that when a report is handed in, ICANN has decided that that group no longer exists. <br><br>And that has meant the ability to review or continue progress has been lost until years later when another group is formed.<br><br>I have no doubt whatsoever that ICANN will push to have work stream 1 limited and to kill off work stream 2. The most effective way to do that would be for the Board to simply declare this working group's work completed.<br><br>Can it do that? What would this group do in response if it did?<br><br><br>Kieren<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 7:49 AM Greg Shatan <<a href="mailto:gregshatanipc@gmail.com">gregshatanipc@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">All,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">There are at least two active discussions in the CCWG regarding items that are currently assigned to Work Stream 2. In both cases, the "scope of work" to be accomplished in Work Stream 1 depends on Work Stream 2 happening as we envision it. This in turn depends on how well we defend, protect and ensure the existence of WS2 in the work we're doing now.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">I've been asked if I really believe that WS2 will happen. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">The Board's comments essentially suggested disbanding Work Stream 2 and re-assigning it to ICANN's efforts at "continuous improvement," which I take to mean the usual processes already in place for ICANN to engage in self-examination and improvement (reviews (e.g., ATRT and other AoC reviews), PDP and non-PDP working groups, expert working groups, staff-and-board initiatives, etc.). </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">I know what the review and PDP workflow for the GNSO looks like and that would basically be the kiss of death (or at least an extended coma). Work Stream 2 is a work stream of this CCWG, and it needs to stay that way, so that it stands apart from the usual business of self-improvement. WS2 is basically a series of "IOU's" from WS1.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">Work Stream 2 was only allowed to exist in the first place because we agreed that WS1 would guarantee that WS2 went forward, even without the "leverage" of the upcoming transition. This has to be absolutely re-confirmed and guaranteed in our work reflected in our next Report, and there needs to be consensus in the community (which includes the Board) on that point. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">If there is any doubt that WS2 is real and will proceed as planned -- if we are kidding ourselves and WS2 is basically nothing but a list of future chores to get around to at some point and under the usual methods -- if WS2 is no more real than the Tooth Fairy or the Great Pumpkin -- if WS2 is just an attempt to mollify people -- let's just stop kidding ourselves, bring all the WS2 initiatives back into WS1, and deal with it as best we can.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><b>We have two choices -- a real, robust and guaranteed Work Stream 2 for this group, or no Work Stream 2 at all.</b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><b><br></b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><b><br></b></div></div>
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