Changes

A wide range of topics regarding the many aspects of the Internet and its governance are discussed during the meetings, including the stability and security of the DNS, intellectual property issues, policies affecting the growth and development of the Internet, creation of new top level domains, and many other issues. During ICANN Meetings, workshops, open forums, and remote participation are conducted using different tools, such as live audio streaming, video, chat rooms and online question boxes.

A wide range of topics regarding the many aspects of the Internet and its governance are discussed during the meetings, including the stability and security of the DNS, intellectual property issues, policies affecting the growth and development of the Internet, creation of new top level domains, and many other issues. During ICANN Meetings, workshops, open forums, and remote participation are conducted using different tools, such as live audio streaming, video, chat rooms and online question boxes.

ICANN Meetings are free and are normally held for five days. An outline of the entire week's activities and agenda are provided the morning of the opening day of every ICANN Meeting.

ICANN Meetings are free to attend and are normally held over five days. An outline of the entire week's activities and agenda are provided the morning of the opening day of every ICANN Meeting.

All of ICANN's constituencies hold their own meetings and sessions to discuss their respective concerns and issues. A day is dedicated for the internal review of the [[ICANN Structure]] and for the [[SO]]'s and [[AC]]'s councils to make decisions on issues raised during the meetings. Workshops are also held to provide the latest information and upcoming issues regarding the internet industry.

All of ICANN's constituencies hold their own meetings and sessions to discuss their respective concerns and issues. A day is dedicated for the internal review of the [[ICANN Structure]] and for the [[SO]]'s and [[AC]]'s councils to make decisions on issues raised during the meetings. Workshops are also held to provide the latest information and upcoming issues regarding the internet industry.

The meetings themselves are a mix of closed and open door sessions between the [[SG|stakeholder groups]], [[Constituency|constituencies]], and other bodies. The meetings always conclude on Friday with an open [[ICANN Board|board meeting]] where the week's final resolutions are discussed and voted upon, and time is made to hear from any member of the community via an open mic.

The meetings themselves are a mix of closed and open door sessions between the [[SG|stakeholder groups]], [[Constituency|constituencies]], and other bodies. The meetings always conclude on Friday with an open [[ICANN Board|board meeting]] where the week's final resolutions are discussed and voted upon, and time is made to hear from any member of the community via an open mic.

It was announced several months before [[ICANN 44]] in Prague that the Board planned to restructure the meetings so that they ended on Thursday instead of Friday. Friday morning meetings, which have traditionally been the [[AC]]/[[SO]] committee reports, Board committee reports, and the public Board meeting, had been removed. The committee reports are instead to be published on the ICANN website, and the Public Board Meeting has been replaced by a one hour session following the Public Forum, during which the Board will outline what they heard during the week from their meetings with AC/SOs, and identify what matters they expect to be dealing with before the next meeting. The Board will then begin the following meeting with another community session, where it outlines what has been done since the last meeting.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-30apr12-en.htm ICANN Wraps Up Prague Meeting on Thursday], ICANN.org. Published 2012 April 30.</ref> Following this announcement, the ICANN community expressed concerns over the loss of transparency that this change brings.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-cancels-fridays-bad-for-transparency/ ICANN cancels Fridays. Bad for transparency], DomainIncite.com. Published 2012 May 2.</ref>

It was announced several months before [[ICANN 44]] in Prague that the Board planned to restructure the meetings so that they ended on Thursday instead of Friday. Friday morning meetings, which have traditionally been the [[AC]]/[[SO]] committee reports, Board committee reports, and the public Board meeting, had been removed. The committee reports are instead to be published on the ICANN website, and the Public Board Meeting has been replaced by a one hour session following the Public Forum, during which the Board will outline what they heard during the week from their meetings with AC/SOs, and identify which matters they expect to be dealing with before the next meeting. The Board will then begin the following meeting with another community session where it outlines what has been done since the last meeting.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-30apr12-en.htm ICANN Wraps Up Prague Meeting on Thursday], ICANN.org. Published 2012 April 30.</ref> Following this announcement, the ICANN community expressed concerns over the loss of transparency that this change brings.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-cancels-fridays-bad-for-transparency/ ICANN cancels Fridays. Bad for transparency], DomainIncite.com. Published 2012 May 2.</ref>

===The Annual Meeting===

===The Annual Meeting===

The Annual Meeting is required by the [[ICANN Bylaws]] to happen at least every 14 months in order to conduct important voting procedures and other structural processes. The last ICANN Meeting of the year is generally designated as the Annual Meeting. The conclusion of the Annual Meeting is when new members of most bodies within ICANN take their seats, most notably the directors of the [[ICANN Board]]. It is also a meeting where many bodies within ICANN request full attendance from their members.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm ICANN Bylaws], ICANN.org.</ref>

The Annual Meeting is required by the [[ICANN Bylaws]] to happen at least every 14 months in order to conduct important voting procedures and other structural processes. The last ICANN Meeting of the year is generally designated as the Annual Meeting. The conclusion of the Annual Meeting is when new members of most bodies within ICANN take their seats, most notably the directors of the [[ICANN Board]]. Many bodies within ICANN request full attendance from their members. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm ICANN Bylaws], ICANN.org.</ref>

==Sponsorship==

==Sponsorship==