All, Generally, I think NSCG can increase participation from its members by considering ways to improve how we communicate the pending work/projects being discussed and clearly explain how NCSG members can participate in that work. For example, the Policy calls the NCSG conducts before the GNSO Council meetings are a great opportunity for NCSG members to hear the pending issues and participate in the dialog, but attendance has been low. Perhaps we can increase participation by using social media tools and other communication vehicles to let the NCSG members know when those calls are scheduled and announce the important topics that are planned for discussion/debate at the upcoming GNSO Council meeting. I suspect there are NCSG members that are excellent with and enjoy these types of forums and tasks. Targeted outreach to noncommercial users, using our existing networks and contacts could be explored. (For example I could engage contacts among the more than 180 National Societies within the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement to help reach out to NGOs, community groups and volunteers). Another idea may be to try to schedule the NCSG Policy calls for several months at a time to allow NCSG members to place the Policy Call on their calendars well in advance of the meeting. NCSG members are stretched thin and often with multiple commitments and our participation in NCSG activities are sometimes impacted by other work or civic obligations. Also, the NCSG Chair can work with the NCSG Councilors and other NCSG members (like the Executive Committee) to contact NCSG members that are listed as active, (but less involved) and members that are currently inactive, and ask them what NCSG can do to help them become involved at the level that makes sense for them and/or their organization. This could be done by a free survey tool. By contacting the NCSG members, NCSG leadership may learn valuable information from its members about their interests in ICANN, answer questions and learn how NCSG can improve how it supports its members. Perhaps engagement is low because members don't know how to engage in ICANN or where to start. NCSG Councilors could work with NCSG leadership to provide informational sessions that explain the ICANN community and the policy-development process to members. For example, NCSG Councilors could work with the NCSG chair to host a webinar for NCSG members (new and old) that explains and provides a refresher on "ICANN 101 or ICANN Basics", that could include topics like, ICANN leadership, overview of the GNSO, how to join and participate in Work Groups, how to use the ICANN's wiki/online tools, explaining acronyms, and other topics that help NCSG members understand how ICANN works and the important issues being discussed at meetings. Although ICANN provides policy overviews before each Public Meeting and provides "newcomer information" at ICANN Meetings, some of our members are not able to take advantage of these resources and perhaps this is an opportunity our stakeholder group can provide for its membership, or NSCG can consider ways to supplement the ICANN orientation process. Thanks for the opportunity to continue to represent the NCSG. Debbie ----------------- Debra Y. Hughes, Senior Counsel American Red Cross -----Original Message----- From: NCSG-Discuss [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Avri Doria Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 3:20 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [NCSG-Discuss] Candidate Question 1: NCSG Particpation As I have not been able to get a conference call scheduled yet, I am starting the question process. I suggest that all candidates answer all questions. I suggest that they feel free to debate among themselves and with the members of the NCSG. Thanks Avri Question 1: How does one achieve greater participation from NCSG members. What is the responsibility of the Chair/council member in the effort to achieve greater participation