Hi Karel,

> On Oct 30, 2015, at 2:35 PM, Karel Douglas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Thanks Avri et al
> 
> Avri - blunt and to the point is always appreciated.
> 
> As a newbie I have a couple brief questions which are flying around my head :
> 
> (1) how often does the SCI meet to discuss changes to the documents?

Usually once every two weeks for one hour as long as there are ongoing projects the SCI is working on. When there are projects, most of the work (as is the case with all groups) takes place offline and over email. In the past, temporary sub-teams have also been set up to work intensively on something, before review by the full committee.

> (2) how do suggested amendments / improvements get to the SCI...are improvements generated by regular internal review in the SCI or are suggested changes transmitted by GNSO / NCUC / NPOC to the SCI for review ,report and recommendation?

The SCI has the discretion to suggest initiation of work on a certain topic, but this needs to be communicated to the GNSO Council. Normally, it is the Council that passes on questions/puzzles to the SCI, and ask the committee to have some fun with it.

In the recent past, there was an attempt by a GNSO constituency to directly request the SCI to take up a project, but this was deemed as outside the normal process. If (for example) NCUC or NPOC want the SCI to review something, they would need to advise their representatives on the GNSO Council, and ask them to take it up with the full council first.

> (3) How are suggested changes eventually made? Is it unilaterally or does it come back for approval of the GNSO EC and /or membership.

The SCI needs to achieve full consensus on any recommended changes it makes to the GNSO operating procedures. Before forwarding its recommendations to the council, a public comment period needs to be held, then finally a motion and a vote on the GNSO council for the GNSO to adopt the recommended changes. If ICANN bylaws need to be amended for any reasons, the ICANN board will need to hold a public comment period of its own, and have its own resolution to adopt changes.

> Even if I don't put my hat in the ring I would love to hear more about the SCI. I guess there is an SCI operating procedures manual lying around somewhere which speak to these matters. Maybe you could provide a link to it.Many thanks

Here is a link to the SCI’s charter: https://community.icann.org/display/gnsosci/2.+Charter. There is also a public record of all the work done by the SCI on its wiki page, so take time to browse through it, if you’re interested.

I hope this helps.

Thanks.

Amr