[atlarge-discuss] Supporting Organization

[DannyYounger@cs.com]

Richard,

Let's talk about where we're going with this At-large effort...

If there weren't any other user groups out there, then I would surely find 
validity in establishing one... but the truth of the matter is that there are 
hundreds if not thousands of user groups already out there worldwide.  There 
is truly no pressing need for yet another user group.  There is, however, a 
need for a Supporting Organization that can serve as an umbrella group for 
*all* other user groups within ICANN -- an all-encompassing entity that 
allows all individuals and all organizations of individual users to be 
represented on the ICANN Board, an organization that would allow all to 
participate in all the subordinate entities that are charged with developing 
policy recommendations.

My hope was that this collectivity of a thousand individuals would organize a 
plan to function as that umbrella group, and would petition the ICANN Board 
to establish such a Supporting Organization.  Instead, they have chosen to go 
their merry way as just another one of many user groups that can readily be 
ignored by the Board.  They are busy planning their own structure and bylaws, 
and are not planning any structure that will necessarily serve the broader 
At-Large.  I don't see any plans to include ACM, CECUA, ISOC, PFIR, CPSR and 
others into a single representative structure.  Icannatlarge.com is simply 
thinking about its own organizational needs rather than the needs of the 
already existing community.... and if this group won't spearhead an effort to 
organize these other distinct groups into a cohesive whole, then who will?  
Sorry, but you don't need the type of outreach that you are planning on a 
grandiose scale, all you need to do is to collaborate with the other 
organizations already out there and collectively come up with a plan that 
suits everyone's needs.  

I would propose a roundtable conference to launch a Supporting Organization.  
Invite representatives from every major user group to attend a face-to-face 
session somewhere (the U.K. would be O.K) giving them sufficient notice and 
allowing them to formulate in advance representative models for consideration 
by the entire group.  Have them bring charts, diagrams, whatever it takes, 
but most importantly the authority to negotiate on behalf of their 
organization.  Ultimately these representatives will agree upon a model that 
will be reasonably acceptable to all, and a Supporting Organization will be 
born.  

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