Dear NCSG members,

The time-table and details on the upcoming 2016 NCSG annual election are
below.  The candidate nomination period runs 1-14 August, and the voting
takes place 22 August - September 4 for all positions.

Nominations of candidates, their acceptance and the required candidacy
statement should all be made to this NCSG email list by the dates below to
be effective.

*The following 4 NCSG positions are up for election this fall:*

1.  *GNSO Council Representative*
    (currently held by David Cake, Asia-Pacific, who is term-limited)
     2-year term;
2.  *GNSO Council Representative*
    (currently held by Edward Morris, Europe, who is eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term;
3.  *GNSO Council Representative*
    (currently held by Stephanie Perrin, North America, who is eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term;
4.  *NCSG Chair*
    (currently held by Tapani Tarvainen, who is eligible for 1 more term)
     1-year term.


For GNSO council representative seats , there are 3 seats with 2-year
terms:

   To decide the council member election, each voter will be asked to
   choose up to 3 candidates.  The 3 candidates with the most votes will be
   elected to the 2 year terms, unless that would conflict with the regional
   or gender balance restrictions in our charter.

The candidate with the most votes for NCSG chair will be elected.


*NCSG Election Schedule:*

  Aug.  1: Open Nominations for Candidates
  Aug. 14: Close Nominations for Candidates (made & accepted)
  Aug. 16: Candidates Make Public Statement (see details below)
  Aug. 17: Deadline for voter check-in
  Aug. 18: Conference call "meet the candidates" (TBC)
  Aug. 22: Begin Voting
  Sep.  4: End Voting
  Sep.  6: Announce Election Results
  Nov.  9: Term Begins


*Nomination Process:*

Any member of the NCSG may nominate any NCSG active member either for the
position of an NCSG GNSO Council Representative or for NCSG Chair.
Once nominated, the nominee is responsible for public acceptance of the
nomination and for making a *public statement* that includes:

   - Name, declared region of residence, gender and employment;
   - Any conflicts of interest;
   - Reasons for willingness to take on the tasks of the particular position;
   - Qualifications for the position;
   - Statement of availability for the time the position requires; and
   - Optionally, any other information that the candidate believes is relevant.

**  Also note that under the rules, no more than two (2) NCSG GNSO Council
Representatives can be declared resident of the same geographic region as
defined by ICANN, and there should be at least two of each gender.
The 3 continuing NCSG GNSO Councilors (those not up for election now)
are from Africa, Europe and Latin America & Caribbean regions,
one man, two women.

**  These terms all commence on 9 November (at the conclusion of the 2016
Annual ICANN Meeting in Hyderabad).

**  You will all receive a separate email notice from me shortly requesting
that you "check-in" and verify your email address and that you are an
active member of NCSG.

**  The nominations, their acceptance and candidacy statements will all be
posted to the 2016 elections wiki page:
   https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Elections-2016


*Election Process*

This is a election with ballots.

* The vote will be open from 22 August 2016 until 4 September 2016 23:59 UTC.
* A ballot sent to members who've been confirmed active by 17 August 23:59 UTC.
* The ballot will come from [log in to unmask]
* Voters will need to select 3 council candidates and 1 NCSG Chair candidate.
* The 3 candidates for Council who receive the most votes will be
  elected to the 2 year terms.
* The NCSG chair candidate who receives the most votes will be elected
  to the NCSG chair role.


If you have any questions on any of this, please do not hesitate to ask me
offlist.  Thank you!

-- 
Tapani Tarvainen
NCSG Chair