Pre-2016 Press Releases 21 December 2011

The Internet Society invites Expressions of Interest for the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Registr

The Internet Society (ISOC) is now accepting expressions of interest from one (1) qualified candidate interested in serving on the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Registry (PIR). The position is for 3 year terms that start June 2012 and expire June 2015. PIR’s business is to manage an international registry of .org domain names.

The time commitment expected of Board members is significant, including approximately 15 full days per year for face-to-face meetings (plus travel time), regular conference calls (generally monthly), and daily email correspondence. More details are set out below.

Qualifications

The necessary qualifications for PIR Board members are:

  • General business acumen with either significant entrepreneurial, non-profit, and/or marketing (not sales) skills;
  • Reputation asa contributor in ICANN and namespace policy;
  • Demonstrated understanding of and engagement in the retail domain name space;
  • Experience on US non-profit Boards and good familiarity with US non-profit governance andfinancial considerations;
  • Financialacumen;
  • Significant Board experience;
  • Technical knowledge with Internet experience;
  • Demonstrated abilities as a long term strategic thinker.

Submit

Interested candidates should submit their expression of interest and qualifications, (three references, and biographical information highlighting relevant experience, expertise, and contact information using this form. For full consideration, please apply by November 29, 2011.

Selection Process

The PIR board members are appointed by the Internet Society Board of Trustees after reviewing a proposed slate from the ISOC selection committee. See Resolution 2008-18: Approval of the “ISOC Appointment Process for the PIR Board of Directors”.

This is expected to be complete by February and all candidates will be contacted as appropriate once the selection process is complete.

About .ORG, The Public Interest Registry

Trusted across all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, .ORG is where people turn to find credible information, get involved, fund causes and support advocacy. .ORG, The Public Interest Registry empowers the global noncommercial community to use the Internet more effectively and, concurrently, takes a leadership position among Internet stakeholders on policy and related issues. The .ORG domain is the Internet’s third largest “generic” or non-country specific top-level domain withover 9 million domain names registered worldwide. .ORG, The Public Interest Registry, was founded by the Internet Society in 2002. It is based in Reston,Virginia, USA.

Service on the Board of the Public Interest Registry

The Public Interest Registry intends to be an exemplary registry by being a registrant-friendly and Internet-responsible business. It needs Board members who can guide it to succeed as a business in a competitive environment, to provide leadership in the ICANN community on namespace issues, and to provide leadership to public service and noncommercial organizations on matters relating to the Internet namespace.

Time Commitment

Board members must make a firm time commitment to attend all Board meetings and other Board functions, as it is imperative that a small board have full participation. Meetings will be held via teleconference and in person. Board members who are eligible to accept compensation will receive up to $12,000 per year, paid quarterly in arrears, as compensation for their services as a Board member, noting that compensation for Board services is not guaranteed and can be amended/abolished at any time, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Board’s activities include:

  • Board Meetings: three to five per year,1.5 days in length plus travel time. Approx two in the USA and the other two orthree generally co-located with ICANN meetings around the world.
  • Strategic Planning Retreat: one per year, generally 3 days plus travel time, can be anywhere in the world.
  • Advisory Council Meeting: one per year, generally 3 days plus travel time, can be anywhere in the world. Board participation in these meetings is optional.
  • Conference calls: as needed, nominally monthly.
  • Email correspondence: daily.

Because the board is intentionally small, it is also important for the board members to seriously consider their role as an officer. Currently, there are five elected officer positions: Chair,Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. Two of the officer positions will be filled with non-Board members (Treasurer and Assistant Secretary).

Personal Qualities of a Board Member

The required and desirable qualifications for Board members are listed above. In addition to those qualifications, potential Board members should:

  • Hold high ethical standards and integrity
  • Be collaborative and consensus building in their approach
  • Possess strong communication skills
  • Be a motivator
  • Be passionate and energetic

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