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As part of ICANN’s ongoing commitment to its evolution and improvement, the Board approved a comprehensive schedule for independent review of ICANN’s structures, as well as of the Board. The schedule that was agreed to at the Sao Paulo ICANN meeting is as follows:

• Nominating Committee – estimated launch December 2006
• At-Large Advisory Committee – estimated launch February 2007
• DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee – estimated launch July 2007
• Board – estimated launch October 2007
• Security and Stability Advisory Committee – estimated launch January 2008
• ccNSO Supporting Organisation – estimated launch July 2008
• Address Supporting Organisation (ASO) – estimated launch December 2008

In addition, an independent review of the GNSO was completed in September 2006. Working with the community, ICANN's Board will consider a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the structure and operations of the GNSO.

The reviews are intended to ensure an independent examination of the role and operation of key elements of ICANN.   As with the first two independent reviews, which were completed for the GNSO Council and the GNSO , these reviews will be conducted in an objective manner by independent reviewers, under guidance from the Board on each review’s terms of reference, and with the opportunity for public comment on the results of the reviews.

Following independent reviews of the GNSO and GNSO Council and extensive public consultations, the Board Governance Committee (BGC) GNSO Review Working Group completed a final report on "GNSO Improvements," which was forwarded by the BGC to the Board for consideration.

As specified in Article IV, Section 4 of ICANN’s Bylaws, the “goal of the review, to be undertaken pursuant to such criteria and standards as the Board shall direct, shall be to determine (i) whether that organization has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure, and (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness.” The results of these reviews shall be posted for public review and comment, and shall be considered by the Board not later than its second scheduled meeting after being posted for 30 days. Consideration by the Board includes the ability to revise the structure or operation of the Nominating Committee by a two-thirds vote of all members.

For more information about each of the bodies set to be reviewed, including updates and next steps, please click on the links above.

Review processes generally include the following:

• Staff consults with the entity that is the subject of the review, and others as appropriate, and develops draft Terms of Reference (TOR);
• The Board Governance Committee (BGC) considers and recommends the draft TOR for Board action, and the Board considers and directs staff to post draft TOR for public comment;
• The BGC considers final TOR (taking into account public comments), recommends final TOR for Board action, and the Board approves final TOR;
• The BGC considers a process for selecting an independent reviewer (which could include considering and referring for Board action a Request for Proposals, and the Board considering and directing staff to post an RFP);
• The BGC implements the process for selecting the independent reviewer, with appropriate Board coordination and approval;
• The independent reviewer conducts the review;
• The independent reviewer submits the review to the Board and the Board directs the review to be posted for public comment;
• The Board considers the review and resulting public comment; and
• The BGC may recommend follow-up action to the Board.

This file last modified 09-Jul-2008

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