It’s been 5 weeks since the auDA Members S249D meeting on the 31st July.
At that meeting, the Deputy Chair Erhan Karabardak acknowledged that their needed to be change and much better communication; and that “tomorrow starts today”. Here’s a quick 2 minute audio reminder:
On the 3rd August, the auDA Board sent out this communique which stated in part that it “reaffirmed its commitment to listening to all stakeholders and using a consultative process to inform and engage members regarding important changes …”.
That was encouraging.
But as always, actions speak louder than words. What has actually happened in the past 5 weeks?
Report Card
♦ Dr Michaella Richards resigned on the 14th August as a Demand Class director – no explanation as to why given to members. The latter gets a “fail”.
♦ Previous Minutes were returned to website. Code of Conduct abolished. “Pass”.
♦ Recent Minutes didn’t appear on time, and when they did, they were the most abridged version of Minutes I have ever seen. It’s almost as if someone at auDA is giving members the finger. “Fail”.
♦ auDA shifts premises after a decade – doesn’t bother to inform members. “Huge Fail”.
♦ The AFR writes today that Leonie Walsh (Independent director) also resigned on the 14th August. No announcement of this to members. Why do we have to find this out from a newspaper? “Huge Fail”.
auDA, you’ve done well on a couple of things, but you really need to lift your game when it comes to keeping members in the loop about important decisions. What happened to the newsletter?
Ned O’Meara – 4th September 2017
Disclaimer
If AUDA cut down on sending a whole group of directors to junket Icann meetings they could use that money to hire someone to run member communications, it would probably also cover a couple of people to police .com.au properly in terms of UBU’s.
It’s only a flesh wound….
auDA is way off track..
FYI. STEM, auGIF, auDA Foundation etc have nothing to do with managaing the .au namespace which is the job of auDA.
Too many associated people and entities have been sucking off the auDA teet for too long and that money actually comes from .au domain name registrant owner consumers.
auDA needs to start thinking of the paying .au name owner or people will continue to buy a .com or other extensions with less tape, less problems or risk.
The recent release of auDA Board minutes is a Fu^$ you to government, the public and all members. This is not only shameful it is deceptive, not accountable and not transparent. Someone else needs to be sacked for it asap or it is time for more member action, FYI’s and media!
The Board and CEO obviously will not change unless forced to.
Good work again Josh, Ned, Australian Financial Review, 2GB, Ross Greenwood, The Age, Fairfax Media.. etc!
Publisher Note: This post has been modified.