<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">I was surprised to read <a href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/bc-gnso/msg00351.html">(on the BC's public mailing list)</a> that in the draft charter for the Commercial and Business Users Constituency that members can be kicked out of the constituency simply for taking an action contrary to the official constituency position. <div><br></div><div>How is that going to spark debate and new ideas - especially from new comers, businesses in developing countries or small business - those who do not share the "big business" perspective of the BC? <div><br></div><div>3.4.2. Review and Discipline: "a member takes action, beyond mere internal communication, that contravenes an adopted position of the Constituency and thus would seem to be pursuing interests that may be aligned with the constituency..."</div><div><br></div><div>7.5. Solidarity: "When a member declares themselves as a Constituency member, they shall remain faithful to approved positions..." </div><div><br></div><div>There's more. You also aren't allowed to sue the constituency or threaten to sue any member of it for any reason. The charter seems to indicate that the BC is becoming a dictatorship of single party rule. </div><div><br></div><div>It certainly is "pay to play" according to these public documents. The BC's 2008-2009 budget shows it spends Euro 24,000 annually on a professional secretariat and the BC takes in about Euro 40,000 annually in membership fees. It is amazing what a little cash can do.</div><div><br></div><div>Robin</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div><span></span></div></span></div></div></body></html>