<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><div>Dear Ron and SCI members,</div><div><br></div><div>Wolf-Ulrich has agreed to submit the attached motion for consideration by the Council at its meeting on 31 October for approval of the charter. At its meeting the Council also will discuss the decision-making methodology, so it is possible that the Council may revise the charter prior to its approval. I will update you on 31 October as to the outcome of the discussion, and whether the charter is revised and/or approved.</div><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div>Julie</div><div><br></div><div>Julie Hedlund, Policy Director</div><div><br></div><span id="OLK_SRC_BODY_SECTION"><div style="font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; text-align:left; color:black; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">From: </span> Ron Andruff <<a href="mailto:randruff@rnapartners.com">randruff@rnapartners.com</a>><br><span style="font-weight:bold">Date: </span> Tuesday, October 15, 2013 9:32 AM<br><span style="font-weight:bold">To: </span> "<a href="mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info">jrobinson@afilias.info</a>" <<a href="mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info">jrobinson@afilias.info</a>><br><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc: </span> "<a href="mailto:council@gnso.icann.org">council@gnso.icann.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:council@gnso.icann.org">council@gnso.icann.org</a>>, "<a href="mailto:gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org">gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org">gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org</a>><br><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject: </span> [gnso-improvem-impl-sc] RE: SCI Charter Revisions<br></div><div><br></div><div xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black; ">Dear Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black; ">As I noted below the SCI took up discussion of the charter revisions based on the guidance provided by you and the Council in your message below. Accordingly, the SCI has revised
the charter per the guidance as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">It confirms that the SCI is a standing committee and;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">It includes other changes the SCI deemed necessary including updating it to reflect the current role of the SCI and to include procedures for Chair and Vice Chair elections and;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">It includes the original text concerning the decision-making methodology and a note that the methodology is under consideration by the GNSO Council.
<b>The SCI awaits Council’s final determination in this regard.</b><o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black; ">Please let me know if you or the Councilors have questions concerning the modified charter or need additional information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">RA<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Ron Andruff<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">RNA Partners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><a href="http://www.rnapartners.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.rnapartners.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Ron Andruff [<a href="mailto:randruff@rnapartners.com">mailto:randruff@rnapartners.com</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 10, 2013 09:07<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:'jrobinson@afilias.info">'jrobinson@afilias.info</a>'<br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:'council@gnso.icann.org">'council@gnso.icann.org</a>'; <a href="mailto:'gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org">'gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org</a>'<br><b>Subject:</b> RE: SCI Charter Revisions<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Dear Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Thank you and the GNSO Council for providing the SCI with this way forward. We will pick this up on our regularly scheduled call today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">RA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Ron Andruff<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">RNA Partners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><a href="http://www.rnapartners.com">www.rnapartners.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Jonathan Robinson [<a href="mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info">mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info</a>]
<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 9, 2013 18:30<br><b>To:</b> 'Ron Andruff'<br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:council@gnso.icann.org">council@gnso.icann.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: SCI Charter Revisions<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Dear Ron,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank-you again for this letter. As you will no doubt by now be aware, the Council did discuss the SCI and the important questions you have raised in your communication below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Essentially the Council agreed the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">That the Charter of the SCI should be modified to confirm that the SCI is a standing committee and;
<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type="disc"><ol start="2" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2"><span lang="EN-GB">That the Council would like the SCI to undertake the work to propose the above and any other changes it deems necessary and then to submit these to the Council and;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2"><span lang="EN-GB">That the SCI should not propose to modify the decision making methodology (away from full consensus) as the GNSO Council will consider this particular issue further.<br>
Noting: That should the decision be made to move from full consensus in future, that should be a decision for the GNSO Council.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB">I trust that you will find this response and the associated guidance helpful.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB">In addition, please could you convey my thanks on behalf of the Council to the SCI for their work to date and on-going contribution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB">Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB">Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Jonathan Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">ICANN GNSO Council<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="mailto:jonathan.robinson@ipracon.com"><span style="color:windowtext">jonathan.robinson@ipracon.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Tel: +44 (0)20 7993 6103<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">skype: jonathan.m.r<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; "> Ron Andruff [<a href="mailto:randruff@rnapartners.com">mailto:randruff@rnapartners.com</a>]
<br><b>Sent:</b> 02 September 2013 03:44<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info">jrobinson@afilias.info</a>; <a href="mailto:gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org">
gnso-improvem-impl-sc@icann.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> SCI Charter Revisions<br><b>Importance:</b> High<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Dear Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">I understand that the GNSO Council will be discussing the SCI Charter revisions on its next call scheduled for September 5<sup>th</sup>, 2013. At its meeting on August 6th, 2013, the SCI members
discussed the outcomes from the GNSO Sessions in Durban on this matter and decided that it would be helpful to more formally seek guidance from the Council with respect to the next steps for the SCI Charter. One aspect, in particular, based on the discussion
in Durban, seems clear, i.e. that the GNSO Council would like the SCI to continue as a 'standing committee'. We would like the Charter to reflect that, should that indeed be the case. (I refer you to the email on this topic that I sent you on 08 July 2013,
just prior to Durban.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">At the Wrap-Up Session the GNSO Council also discussed the SCI process for decision-making (‘full consensus’ versus Standard Methodology for Making Decisions). The SCI understands that the
Council agreed to consider this issue further on its mailing list and Council members were encouraged to share their views in support of one or the other option. We now understand that Jeff Neuman will provide background information as to why the SCI was
initially required to operate under full consensus. At the SCI’s August 6<sup>th</sup> meeting and since then on our mailing list, members expressed an interest in helping guide the discussion for the Council as to why SCI members feel there should or should
not be full consensus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoPlainText">The impetus behind the recommendation to reconsider using “full or unanimous consensus” or “rough or near consensus” came from my request, as in-coming SCI Chair, to review and update the SCI Charter, as well as the SCI Wiki since the
Committee now had over two years of experience behind it and the language in both the document and on the Wiki was outdated. I also noted at the time, and do so here again for Council’s edification, the SCI Charter is further governed by the GNSO Working
Group Guidelines. The response within the SCI came in two forms: Those that feel that being forced to come to unanimous consensus “improves our product” because it ensures that the Committee dedicates the time to explore all points of view and works to find
stronger outcomes; the arguments against full consensus included concerns about potentially using the SCI in a way that would drive substantive outcomes in the GNSO, whether intentionally or not, by pushing through decisions on procedure/process to meet an
immediate need, or that any member choosing to remain steadfast in opposition could capture the SCI process. All SCI members however respect that balanced discussions result in consensus – in some form – leading to better appreciation of each member’s contributions,
more confidence in the Committee itself and in the process. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The SCI has the luxury of not having to work under any time constraints on procedural and process issues (rather than substantive issues). Within the Standard Methodology for Making Decisions
and the five forms of consent defined in the Guidelines, ‘rough or near consent’ (defined as “<i>a position where only a small minority disagrees, but most agree</i>”) immediately follows ‘full or unanimous consent’. We are all aware of the ramifications
of full consensus, having worked under this standard since ICANN’s inception. ‘Near consensus’, provides the basis for Committee members to argue for their respective stakeholder group’s position, while it also provides for written rationale entered into
the public record for any and all dissenting opinion(s), thus providing more context to the GNSO Council to assist it in coming to its own determinations. Notably, the SCI does not make any determinations other than to propose recommendations to the GNSO
Council, which it, in turn, discusses, accepts, modifies or rejects, as Council deems appropriate.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">On behalf of the SCI, we hope that this background information will inform your discussions, however the SCI would be happy to further brief the Council on the Charter and consensus issues,
if so requested. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">We would also be grateful to know as soon as possible if the Council, as the Chartering organization, would prefer to take on the task of revising the SCI Charter or pass that responsibility
to the SCI once it has made its determination on the consensus issue. The SCI stands ready to assist in this task in whichever way the Council deems appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">We await your guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Ron Andruff<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">SCI Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Ron Andruff<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">RNA Partners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><a href="http://www.rnapartners.com">www.rnapartners.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></span></body></html>