BGC

BGC is the abbreviation for the Board Governance Committee. It is a committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) established for various purposes to assist the Board of Directors (or the Board). It is assigned with the task of presenting a slate for the election of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Board and is also assigned with the task of recommending the composition and chairs of Board committees.

Composition

The BGC comprises of a minimum of three but no more than six voting Board Directors. There are also a minimum of two Liaison Directors. These Liaison Directors are selected on a yearly basis by the Board. Each of the Liaison Directors needs to comply with the Conflicts of Interest Policy. The members of the Committee have the right to designate its Chair from among the voting members unless a Committee Chair is appointed by the full Board.

Purpose of BGC

The BGC was established for the following purpose

• Provide all the necessary assistance to the Board which will contribute towards enhancing the performance of the Board
• To lead the Board in periodic review of its performance, this also includes reviewing the relation of the Board with the Chief Executive Officer of ICANN
• To create and to recommend a slate of nominees for Board Chair, Vice Chair and chairmanship and membership of each Board Committee for approval to the full Board. This also includes filling up of empty seats of vacancies occurring during the year
• To manage and oversee the compliance with ICANN’s Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct
• Administer the ICANN’s Conflicts of Interest Policy
• Respond to all the Reconsideration Requests submitted to the Board consistent with ICANN’s Bylaws
• Consider the Ombudsman’s ‘own motion’ investigations
• Provide guidelines to the Board with respects to corporate governance which apply to ICANN as a worldwide, private sector entity working in the interest of public
• Recommend a nominee to the Board as the Chair of the Nominating Committee as well as recommend a nominee for the Academia and Research member of the Nominating Committee

Meetings

The BGC meets on a quarterly basis. It also meets frequent or as and when it deems is necessary to conduct its responsibilities. The meetings of the Committee take place by phone or other remote meeting technologies.