As far as I can remember, this is a first, and a very welcome one: Call for Expressions of Interest for 2009 Nominating Committee Chair.

In the past, the selection of the Chair has not only been opaque, but in at least one case -- the most recent one -- subject to serious chicanary from the staff which failed to inform the Board of a critical fact relating to the Chair's suitability for the post.

In the past, the Chair has always been an ICANN and/or IETF insider (and often a former Board member). That's not all that likely to change soon, but this is a good first step in that direction.

I wish my life allowed me to throw my name in the ring (not that I'd get chosen, but for the principle of the thing), but there's no way I have the time to do the job right. I do encourage readers with relevant experience, especially of a former ICANN NomCom, to consider volunteering. Of all the ICANN-related activities I have participated in, the NomCom came the closest to working like it was supposed to.