Another Senior Exec Leaves auDA

[neddy]

In breaking news, I have been informed that Di Parker (Director Corporate and Regulatory Services and Company Secretary) is leaving auDA. This information came via two separate people in the internet industry today (not auDA Directors or staff).

My understanding is that it was not her choice to leave. Her last official day is tomorrow, but word is that she has not been working out of 1 Collins Street for a number of weeks. According to the Board Minutes of 6th September, she was not present.

I am personally very upset by this news. As I wrote on Domainer today, Di was / is a "goodie".

This rot has got to stop. The AGM next month should be interesting.

Ned

 

[Scott.L]

My understanding is that it was not her choice to leave.

Strange, why sack Di?
Did she flee the country with millions of bucks stuffed in a suitcase or something?

 

[DomainNames]

Strange, why sack Di?
Did she flee the country with millions of bucks stuffed in a suitcase or something?

?????? https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/au_historical_financial_irregula
https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/...tigation-and-report-release.11625/#post-88825

 

[snoopy]

How long has Boardman got left?
How long has AUDA got left?

 

[snoopy]

Strange, why sack Di?
Did she flee the country with millions of bucks stuffed in a suitcase or something?

Find it odd aswell. Gives the impression they are still firmly in "out of control" mode. I hope they have a genuine explanation tomorrow and not spin.

Seems also they are still failing communications wise, didn't they just recently hire emergency consultants to handle this?

 

[Scott.L]

Find it odd aswell. Gives the impression they are still firmly in "out of control" mode. I hope they have a genuine explanation tomorrow and not spin. Seems also they are still failing communications wise, didn't they just recently hire emergency consultants to handle this?

yeah, after reading the last newsletter 05/10/2017 I figured something was up - Genevieve Mati has joined auDA as a Policy/Secretariat Officer.

 

[DomainNames]

How long has Boardman got left?
How long has AUDA got left?

The Government is circling auDA already....But have a look at the links between government and auDA over the years...Cover up or Incompetence?

https://www.auda.org.au/about-auda/our-org/constitution/
6 LIMITED LIABILITY
The liability of the Members is limited.

7 MEMBERS' GUARANTEE

Every Member undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) to the property of auDA in the event of its being wound up while that person is a Member or within one year afterwards for:
a. payment of the debts and liabilities of auDA contracted before the time when that Member ceased to be a Member;
b. the costs, charges and expenses of winding up; and
c. for an adjustment of the rights of contributories among themselves.

8 WINDING UP

On dissolution of the Company, the right to administer the .au ccTLD must either be transferred on to another entity nominated or approved by the Commonwealth of Australia or, in the absence of such approval, be transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia.

If upon the winding up or dissolution of auDA there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property or money whatsoever, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed to the Members but shall be transferred to the subsequent entity approved by the Commonwealth of Australia to manage the .au ccTLD.

 

[snoopy]

The Government is circling auDA already....

I suspect the government will have no option but to step in if they continue on the path they are on now (perceived conflicts of interest, direct registrations, investigations, constant staff leaving).

Personally I think we are going to wake up one day to a government press release announcing the end of AUDA and the formation of a new entity with a completely different structure. The current structure isn't fixable, I'd suggest the concept of "fixing the constitution" can only ever remedy the finer details, the big changes required would never get through a vote because of the branch stacking.

 

[PaulS]

My first reaction to Ned's post is one of shock and disappointment. I did not have a great number of interactions with Di, but on the occasions we spoke, she was always fair, honest and efficient in dealing with a staff member who was, after all, in "the exit lounge".

With regard to the comments about "government intervention", I would note that the current situation is not unprecedented.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/nov/20/nominet-domain-name-registry
The Australian Government does NOT want direct takeover. I expect a "get your house in order or we will do it for you" warning will be the most likely outcome. In other words, making it known that the finger is hovering over the "Nuke" button, as opposed to actually pressing it.

And just to hijack the thread, I wanted to say ave atque vale Jacki O'Sullivan.
Most of you would not know her from a bar of soap, but it is likely Jac processed your membership applications or renewals over the years, greeted you with a genuine smile at past AGMs and possibly copped a bit of industry flak as one of auDA's first responders.
Jac was "just" auDA's long-serving EA, but also the glue that held the organisation together. Dont doubt that she gave the former CEO plenty of sh*t when the occasion called for it.
Many ex-auDA staff are absolutely devastated by this news. Jacki had a rough last year, both due to her illness and, most frustratingly, because the way her engagement was handled by her employer up until 30 June this year (which was also my use-by date).

Party on, Jac.

Paul Szyndler
auDA 2008-2017

 

[neddy]

And just to hijack the thread, I wanted to say ave atque vale Jacki O'Sullivan.
Most of you would not know her from a bar of soap, but it is likely Jac processed your membership applications or renewals over the years, greeted you with a genuine smile at past AGMs and possibly copped a bit of industry flak as one of auDA's first responders.
Jac was "just" auDA's long-serving EA, but also the glue that held the organisation together. Dont doubt that she gave the former CEO plenty of sh*t when the occasion called for it.
Many ex-auDA staff are absolutely devastated by this news. Jacki had a rough last year, both due to her illness and, most frustratingly, because the way her engagement was handled by her employer up until 30 June this year (which was also my use-by date).

Party on, Jac.

Paul Szyndler
auDA 2008-2017

Nicely said Paul. Circumstances are indeed sad.

 

[DomainNames]

My first reaction to Ned's post is one of shock and disappointment. I did not have a great number of interactions with Di, but on the occasions we spoke, she was always fair, honest and efficient in dealing with a staff member who was, after all, in "the exit lounge".

With regard to the comments about "government intervention", I would note that the current situation is not unprecedented.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/nov/20/nominet-domain-name-registry
The Australian Government does NOT want direct takeover. I expect a "get your house in order or we will do it for you" warning will be the most likely outcome. In other words, making it known that the finger is hovering over the "Nuke" button, as opposed to actually pressing it.

And just to hijack the thread, I wanted to say ave atque vale Jacki O'Sullivan.
Most of you would not know her from a bar of soap, but it is likely Jac processed your membership applications or renewals over the years, greeted you with a genuine smile at past AGMs and possibly copped a bit of industry flak as one of auDA's first responders.
Jac was "just" auDA's long-serving EA, but also the glue that held the organisation together. Dont doubt that she gave the former CEO plenty of sh*t when the occasion called for it.
Many ex-auDA staff are absolutely devastated by this news. Jacki had a rough last year, both due to her illness and, most frustratingly, because the way her engagement was handled by her employer up until 30 June this year (which was also my use-by date).

Party on, Jac.

Paul Szyndler
auDA 2008-2017

The Australian Commonwealth Government Minister for Communications Senator Mitch Fifield and Advisors including Luke Coleman met with auDA yesterday. Never say Never.

The Government also has it's head on the block. They too have people ready to highlight their lack of proper oversight since they do know the issues..

If the Government can get access to the PPB Investigation and Report things may change very quickly...

It may be someone linked to ICAAN chasing this FOI to see also what is going on?
https://icannwiki.org/Ron_Andruff

"Mr. Andruff is a member of the Business Constituency at ICANN.[3] He was a member of the ICANN Nominating Committee 2013 and 2014, Chair-Elect 2015; as well as former Chair of the Standing Committee on GNSO Improvements Implementation (SCI)2011-13."​

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/au_historical_financial_irregula

 

[PaulS]

OK, I will ignore your almost sociopathic indifference to the last element of my post. That said:
Obviously, I am not privy to the latest goings-on at auDA.
I would like to know exactly what is going on as much as anyone else would. Please don't mistake me for an "old regime" apologist, just because I was part of said regime. I wish the very best for the future of .au and am willing and able to help "make it so".
All I will say is that Ministers change and Advisers change faster than I change my underwear. I agree - sh*t sticks - and government does not want any of this to stick to them. Hence my view that there will be a "delicate" intervention.
With regard to the FoI request: I have met Ron on a number of occasions. He is a genuine and driven individual (and a damned good Ice Hockey player - google him). But he has a personal mission - and it amazes me that a Canadian citizen is eligible to compel the Australian Govt to release information.
That said, let the PPB report go public. Clear the air. Let the promised "reset" happen.

 

[Nicole Murdoch]

Once again Ned has brought this to our attention. Why is it Ned that needs to break the news to us? Where is the transparency in this organisation? The transparency is walking out the door with the staff.

auDA is starting to act like it is a private corporation.

Thank you Ned.

 

[Nicole Murdoch]

The Australian Commonwealth Government Minister for Communications Senator Mitch Fifield and Advisors including Luke Coleman met with auDA yesterday. Never say Never.

And I have just given them two other reasons to have another meeting or two.

This coming week I intend to give the Minister an update on some issues that have arisen from my last communication (which was only 4 days ago).

 

[DomainNames]

OK, I will ignore your almost sociopathic indifference to the last element of my post. That said:
Obviously, I am not privy to the latest goings-on at auDA.
I would like to know exactly what is going on as much as anyone else would. Please don't mistake me for an "old regime" apologist, just because I was part of said regime. I wish the very best for the future of .au and am willing and able to help "make it so".
All I will say is that Ministers change and Advisers change faster than I change my underwear. I agree - sh*t sticks - and government does not want any of this to stick to them. Hence my view that there will be a "delicate" intervention.
With regard to the FoI request: I have met Ron on a number of occasions. He is a genuine and driven individual (and a damned good Ice Hockey player - google him). But he has a personal mission - and it amazes me that a Canadian citizen is eligible to compel the Australian Govt to release information.
That said, let the PPB report go public. Clear the air. Let the promised "reset" happen.

Sad that it takes someone at Icann to lodge the FOI and members are kept in the dark about it's existence... it seems important it is answered tomorrow as per the response time listed.

Ron's personal mission as you claim might just be in the interests of the .au stakeholders on this occasion also.

Regarding you saying you hijacked the thread and the late sad news of Jackie of auDA my condolences have already been expressed via the appropriate avenues obviously you are not privy to.

 

[DomainNames]

And I have just given them two other reasons to have another meeting or two.

This coming week I intend to give the Minister an update on some issues that have arisen from my last communication (which was only 4 days ago).

Do you think Liberals will go against Liberals ...What have you asked the Minister to really do?
http://mitchfifield.com/Contact.aspx

The Minister knows everything.. and appears to have done little if anything...You are better off with the Media and opposition parties or even WIKILEAKS!

 

[Scott.L]

yeah...

 

[PaulS]

https://www.auda.org.au/news/statement-regarding-di-parker/
Oh, c'mon. Now that auDA has officially announced the news, I am even more incensed.
Leaving due a restructure? Are the any excuses / reasons left?
It is not like auDA is a huge multinational with thousands of employees. Plus, only one person was "restructured" out.
Besides, how to you restructure out a Company Secretary that has a key role with regard to the functioning of the Board and the person with day-to-day oversight of the finances? Oh hang on, I think I might be on to something there....

 

[Nicole Murdoch]

how to you restructure out a Company Secretary that has a key role with regard to the functioning of the Board and the person with day-to-day oversight of the finances?

✓ this

 

[snoopy]

Boardman blaming the board according to this comment on domainer,

"From what I’ve been hearing, morale has been rock bottom at AUDA for a while now and its even worse now after the CEO met with staff on Friday with a story about Parker accepting a redundancy after the board restructured the organisation and that he had nothing to do with it. My understanding is that no one was buying what he was selling. I can’t say I blame them either, I’ve never heard of a board “restructuring” an organisation without any input from the CEO."