[governance] ICANN RFC on its performance

[Karl Auerbach]

Veni Markovski wrote:
> At 16:44 5/13/2007  -0400, Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law wrote:
>> Lest anyone think this sort of openness is idealistic or impossible, 
>> let me assure you that the state of Florida -- and every single 
>> regional and local governmental entity -- operates under rules of 
>> near-total transparency under the "Sunshine" provisions of the state 
>> constitution. It is an existence proof of concept.

> So, let's see if you will put that into language that can be used to 
> contribute to ICANN.
> I am sure that if you suggest it, with enough arguments, and if all 
> directors agree, and if money is put into the budget, this can be make 
> possible. Of course, needless to say, current directors, who have agreed 
> to serve without being e*avesdropped*, should all agree to that.

You require concrete language?  OK.  Here's the concrete language that I 
wrote in year 2003 that you reject out of hand.

Recommendation: All meetings of the Board of Directors and of its 
committees should be audio-recorded and made available to the public. No 
matter may be elided except after an on-record decision that a 
particular matter should be discussed off the audio recording.  Only 
matters pertaining to personnel matters, litigation (or potential 
litigation), and contract negotiations may be discussed off the audio 
record.

How much will it cost?  Nothing.  There have been offers by serious 
members of the community to do this on a gratis basis.  How much would 
it cost were ICANN to use one of its own staff members to do it? 
Perhaps $500 one time cost for equipment plus a few cents per century to 
store it onto the ICANN website.

As far as "evesdropping" goes - that is a ridiculous argument.  It is an 
argument that would justify utter secrecy in any and all bodies of 
governance.  As I said previously, if any board member of ICANN, or any 
other body of internet governance is afraid of having the community hear 
what that person is doing in their name, then that person should resign 
and open the way for someone who is willing to do the job.

		--karl--



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