Minutes | Meeting of the Governance Committee of the Board (BGC) | 8 March 2026

BGC Attendees: Catherine Adeya, Sarah Deutsch, James Galvin, Christian Kaufmann (Chair), Byron Holland, Sajid Rahman, and Miriam Sapiro

ICANN Staff Attendees: Michelle Bright (Board Content Coordination Director), Samantha Eisner (Deputy General Counsel), John Jeffrey (General Counsel and Secretary), Aaron Jimenez (Board Operations Manager), Elizabeth Le (Deputy General Counsel), Amy Stathos (Deputy General Counsel), and Theresa Swinehart (SVP, Global Domains and Strategy)

The following is a summary of discussions, actions taken, and actions identified:

1. Agenda Review – The Chair reviewed the agenda for the meeting.
2. Discussion on Conflicts of Interest Issues – The BGC discussed conflicts of interest issues regarding certain Board members' related to the Grant Program and the GNSO recommendations on the Transfer Policy. As it relates to the Grant Program, the BGC agreed to ask relevant Board members to update their relevant disclosures and then revisit. Regarding the Transfer Policy, following consultation with the Board Chair, the BGC determined that the recommendations should be presented to the full Board so no need to form a Caucus.
   • Action: BGC Chair to inform the Board and Board Ops.
3. Board Efficiency Work Team Charter and Membership – The BGC continued the discussion on establishing Board Efficiency Work Team (Work Team). The BGC discussed the membership and the charter of the Work Team. Following discussion, the BGC approved the charter and the membership of the Work Team.