Hi Ed,

As far as I can tell, ICANN staff (particularly secretariat) who have posting privileges on various community mailing lists regularly forward public announcements to the lists they have access to. This is at least true for the different lists I am subscribed to (Fellowship alumni, AfrICANN, ArabICANN and others). I’ve always thought of this as a means to help the community simply be as informed as possible.

If you check Maryam’s previous postings to NCSG-DISCUSS, you’ll find that she has posted similar announcements in the past regarding the ICG, ICANN travel support and various solicitations to public comments. None of these were flagged as being inappropriate, so if the difference this time around is the content of the message being announced, I personally wouldn't hold the messenger responsible.

If, in principle, you feel that secretariat support to the NCSG shouldn’t be sending NCSG public announcements of any kind, that’s something we probably should discuss, agree on, and instruct Maryam accordingly. Personally, I would disagree with this. I believe forwarding announcements to NCSG-DISCUSS is quite helpful.

Thanks.

Amr

On May 19, 2015, at 8:00 AM, Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi everybody,
> 
> I'm posting this to the PC list as the policy arm of the NCSG.
> 
> The following email from Maryam made me a bit uneasy. It's not just the possibility of recurring nightmares from viewing once again the 'Fadi hands' video. :) Rather I don't feel it is appropriate for an ICANN staff member to use his or her posting privileges on the members list to disseminate what I would consider ICANN propaganda.
> 
> It's perfectly fine for a member to post such a link and often we do. I just think having staff do the same opens a path I'd prefer not to go down. Nonmembers, obviously, do not have the right to post on the members list and I'd suggest that staff posting rights be limited to administrative matters unless directed otherwise by the Chair / EC or in response to a members question or request. It's protection not only for the independence of the NCSG that concerns me, it's for protection of the staff as well. I don't want the staff member(s) involved to be open to pressure from ICANN corporate to get certain approved perspectives out to our members. That's not their role, not how their job performance should be measured, and not why they have been allowed posting privileges on the members list. IMHO It's just not good practice.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Ed 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On May 18, 2015, at 4:00 PM, Maryam Bakoshi <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Dear All,
>> 
>> Please find below link of video message from ICANN President, Fadi Chehade, following posting of the draft proposals for public comment by the Cross Community Working Groups to Develop an IANA Stewardship Transition Proposal on Naming Related Functions (CWG-Stewardship) & on Enhancing ICANN Accountability (CCWG-Accountability).
>> 
>> Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMusmAcQpu0&feature=youtu.be
>> 
>> 
>> Many thanks,
>> -- 
>> Maryam Bakoshi
>> Secretariat ­Support - NCSG, NCUC, NPOC
>> Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
>> 
>> Email:  [log in to unmask]
>> Mobile:  +44 7737 698036
>> Skype:  maryam.bakoshi.icann