[atlarge-discuss] Membership Lists, Thomas Roessler, distance from ICANN

["Richard Henderson" <richardhenderson@ntlworld.com>]

HelpRe-sent in more readable format:

I'd like to re-assert that I think details of membership lists should 
be limited to the elected panel, and only extended to our webmaster 
or mailing-list administrator if we feel sure that they maintain a real 
distance from ICANN, a corrupt organisation which in my view 
cannot be trusted at all.

This leads me to request further details about Thomas Roessler, 
who I believe is administering our mailing lists for us. Firstly I'd like 
to say that I appreciate his readiness to support us in this way, and 
my concerns are not a personal reflection on Thomas as I do not 
know him.

However, in the context of my lack of knowledge about Thomas 
and my responsibilities to our membership, I would really appreciate 
input - the views of the panel and the broader membership - on the 
appropriateness of Thomas as mailing-list administrator.

My request for advice centres around this: Is he too close in function 
or sympathies to ICANN for him to act as guardian of our membership 
lists and mailing lists without compromise? Assuming Thomas's 
personal integrity, does it send out a negative message to be seen to be 
forming a "dependency" that is somehow ICANN-linked by 
association with Thomas? And what is understood to be Thomas's 
position on ICANN's recent abandonment of democratic representation 
on the Board? Is he /has he been  prepared to denounce the abolition 
of Board members elected by the At Large?

Clearly people may belong to our organisation with many, varied and 
divergent views - however I would like reassurance that we are 
maintaining a clear distance from ICANN and from ICANN 
sympathisers, particularly when it involves confidential membership 
details and the administration of our mailing lists or website.

OK I'm just being honest here. It's not a personal attack. I'm just 
interested in our own Agenda (which must be kept separate from ICANN). 
I'm concerned that Thomas may be the wrong person to administer our 
communications. I'd be glad to be corrected if loads of members storm to 
his defence. I just want clarification. Sorry Thomas.

Richard