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<p>In May 2017, the ARIN Board of Trustees proposed expansion of the
size of the Board of Trustees in order to increase opportunities
for diversity in the background of Board members, including
geographical and gender representation. This proposal was the
topic of an energetic community consultation with mixed outcome
indicating both support and concerns with such a change. The ARIN
Board considered the outcome of the consultation, but ultimately
the measure did not achieve the four-fifths approval threshold
necessary for changing ARIN's Bylaws.<br>
<br>
In February of this year, the ARIN Board discussed an additional
issue related to the present size of the Board: specifically, the
challenge that a smaller Board poses when engaging in strategic
discussions, for example in regard to long-term direction or
relationships with other Internet organizations. While many of
these topics are discussed with the community prior to decision
(e.g. formation of the NRO, support for the IANA Stewardship
Transition), it is often up to the ARIN Board of Trustees to
decide whether to explore these initiatives when they are at an
early stage. There is a very wide diversity of the Internet
ecosystem that can be affected by ARIN's strategic direction and
this includes Internet service providers of all sizes and types
(transit, access, etc.), Internet online and content industries,
data center and cloud operators, educational and government
networks, commercial firms, and civil society. While the Trustees
elected by the community often have a broad knowledge of the
Internet ecosystem, seven Trustees is a relatively small group to
evaluate impacts across the entire Internet ecosystem.<br>
<br>
As a result of this discussion, the ARIN Board agreed to initiate
a new community consultation to expand the number of elected Board
members from six to nine, in order to allow for wider
representation of the Internet community during Board discussions.<br>
<br>
<b>Board proposal:</b><br>
<br>
ARIN should add three more elected voting seats to the Board of
Trustees, raising the current six (two elected per year) to nine
(three elected per year). New Board seats are to be added to the
Board in a phased manner – one per year in the 2018 thru 2020
elections as noted below<br>
<br>
* October 2018: 3 Board members will be elected for 2019; 8
Trustee board (9 if the appointed seat is used)<br>
* October 2019: 3 Board members will be elected for 2020; 9
Trustee board (10 if the appointed seat is used)<br>
* October 2020: 3 Board members will be elected for 2021; 10
Trustee board (11 if the appointed seat is used)<br>
<br>
We are seeking community feedback on this proposed change to the
size of the ARIN Board of Trustees. This consultation will remain
open for at least 30 days.<br>
<br>
Please provide comments to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:arin-consult@arin.net">arin-consult@arin.net</a>. <br>
<br>
Discussion on <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:arin-consult@arin.net">arin-consult@arin.net</a> will close on 14 May 2018.<br>
<br>
If you have any questions, please contact us at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:info@arin.net">info@arin.net</a>.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
John Curran<br>
President and CEO<br>
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)</p>
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