Dear NCSG Members:

*Nominations are Now Open in the NCSG Annual Election for both NCSG Chair
and 4 NCSG GNSO Council Representatives* - see details below and please
remember to use this list for nominations, seconds, candidate statements,
etc.

Please also reminder as per the NCSG Charter, all NCSG members must
"check-in" and verify their email address to receive an email ballot in the
annual election.  So if you have not checked-in yet ,  please contact me
offlist asap to ensure you will receive your ballot in the upcoming NCSG
election.  The preliminary Active & Inactive membership list will be shared
within this week and contact me offlist if there is need for correction.


NCSG 2014 Annual Election Information Webpage:
   *https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Elections-2014
<https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Elections-2014>*

 The time-table and details on the upcoming 2014 NCSG annual election are
below.  The candidate nomination period runs 10-24 August 2014, and the
voting takes place 1-14 September  for all positions.

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

   - This webpage (
*https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Elections-2014
   <https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Elections-2014> *)
   will keep track of candidate nominations and will post candidate public
   statements.
   - A NCSG member will be moved from Inactive status to the Active List if
   that member "checks-in" *before 26 August 2014* by contacting the NCSG
   Chair ([log in to unmask]).

*The following 4 NCSG positions are up for election:*
1.  *GNSO Council Representative* (currently held by Maria Farell, who is
eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term
2.  *GNSO Council Representative* (currently held by David Cake, who is
eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term
3.  *GNSO Council Representative *(currently held by Magaly Pazello, who is
eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term
4.  *GNSO Council Representative *(currently held by Klaus Stoll, who is
eligible for 1 more term)
     2-year term
4.  *NCSG Chair* (currently held by Rafik Dammak, who is eligible for 1
more term)
     1-year term

*NCSG Election Schedule:*
  Aug. 10 : Open Nominations for Candidates
  Aug. 24 : Close Nominations for Candidates (made & accepted)
  Aug. 26 : Candidates Make Public Statement (see details below)
  Sep. 1 : Begin Voting
  Sep. 14 : End Voting
  Sep. 16 : Announce Election Results
  Oct. 15 : 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; and
   - Statement of availability for the time the position requires.
   - The nominee’s statement may also include 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.  The 2 other continuing NCSG GNSO Councilors (those not
up for election in 2014) are from the following regions: Africa, North
America.  This means there could only be one additional person elected from
each of those already represented regions, and that would be determined by
the top vote getter from that region in 2014.*

**  These terms all commence on 17 October 2014, at the conclusion of the
2014 Annual ICANN Meeting in Los Angeles.

Best Regards,

Rafik Dammak

NCSG Chair