Meeting (21 November 2005)

Committee: Executive Committee of BoT
Document: excom-05-008
Revision:
Supersedes:
Status: Unconfirmed
Maintainer: Minutes taken by S. Bradner.
Access: Unlimited

Present:
Fred Baker (Chair)
Steve Crocker
Daniel Karrenberg
Patrick Vande Walle
Glenn Ricart (Treasurer)
Lynn St. Amour (President)
Scott Bradner (Secretary)

The ISOC ExCom met from 10:02 am to 11:46am (EST) November 21, 2005 via conference call.

I – WSIS Update
Lynn reported on the recently concluded WSIS meeting and the prepcom just before the WSIS meeting. She said that the prepcomagreed (in very long sessions) that ICANN and the existing arrangements for “Internet Governance” had worked effectively to make the Internet the successful medium it is today and that future activities should be built on the basis of these efforts and be multi-stakeholder. Lynn noted that a number of speakers during the WISIS meeting echoed the ISOC position that no additional Internet governance structures were needed and that some governments specifically mentioned ISOC as a possible organizer of the new Internet Governance Forum while some others supported the ITU. In the end, the UN Secretary General was asked to organize the Forum and a bureau to support it. She said that the lobbying and negotiating has already begun.

Daniel, who was also at the meeting, expanded on Lynn’s report. He also said that the diplomatic language in the report was being interpreted by different people in different ways.

Steve asked about the cybersecurity effort that Lynn mentioned in her report. Lynn responded that a number of WSIS speakers specifically said that no new cybercrime organization was needed since treaties were already in place and that these should be supported/further developed going forward.

Steve asked about the Digital Solidarity Fund effort. Lynn reported that the idea did not get much time or discussion during the WSIS meeting as the focus was primarily on Internet Governance given the Solidarity Fund had been reviewed earlier in the WSIS process.

Steve and Lynn discussed ICANN’s commitment to rethink the structure and role of the Government Advisory Committee (GAC).

The Excom strongly praised Lynn for her efforts relating to WSIS and the positive view of ISOC that came out of the meeting. Lynn responded that she was only part of an effort that the RIRs, ICANN and many other Internet organizations had worked very well on with ISOC to present a consistent view of the current and very successful development and operational management of the Internet. The Excom supported the ISOC continuing to be strongly involved in the post WSIS governance developments.

Daniel suggested that ISOC explore ways of using the Internet to broaden access to the Forum’s work. Lynn responded that the staff would explore the possibilities.

Lynn said that she would be contacting leaders of the follow-on process to see what role(s) ISOC can usefully play.

II – 2006 – 2008 Budget next steps
The Excom discussed increasing the surplus to meet reserve targets by either reducing expenditure in 2007-2008 or increasing the revenue line to create the needed surplus. Daniel spoke in favor of budgeting increased revenue, and the Treasurer (Glenn), while in favor of increased revenue, spoke in favor of fiscal conservatism–namely leaving the revenue estimate alone and trying to slow spending. Lynn said that she would gather other opinions and consider doing some of both as appropriate in her next budget proposal.

III – Ad-hoc ISOC – IASA Committee update
Steve Crocker gave the IASA report. He reported that there was pushback by the IETF community on two key clauses in the trust agreement with CNRI and that there is an attempt to clarify those without changing the actual language of the trust. He said that the primary path is to create a clarifying side letter. He also said that details are being worked out for the actual operation of the trust.

Steve noted that the upcoming IETF meeting in Dallas will be the first meeting under the new model. Steve reported that there are some large challenges to having things run smoothly.

Steve noted that his term on the IASA is two years from this last March, thus technically, he can continue on the IAOC even though he won’t run for re-election to the ISOC board, but, Steve is considering recommending turning this over to a sitting ISOC trustee after he leaves the ISOC Board. He said that the board should discuss this approach.

IV – Ad-hoc ISOC – PIR Committee update
Glenn Ricart said the top PIR-related issue is filling the PIR Board seat(s) and that there are meetings of the ad hoc ISOC-PIR committee scheduled for Wednesday this week and then again next week to work on the topic.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:46 am EST.

All Board Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting (21 November 2005)