The Internet Society is now accepting nominations for the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Registry (PIR). In 2015 there are three positions opening on the PIR Board. The Director positions are a 3-year term that begins midyear 2015 and expires midyear 2018. PIR’s business is to manage an international registry of .org domain names, and is currently in the process of preparing to manage an additional registry of .NGO and .ONG domain names, solely intended for NGOs around the world, as well as four additional IDNs for .Org.
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
PIR is a non-profit registry, set up under US law. All Board Members are expected to have Board experience, to be able to read and understand a balance sheet, and to be able to read and communicate in English. In addition, we seek the following general qualities:
- General business acumen with either significant entrepreneurial, non-profit, and/or marketing (not sales) skills;
- Good understanding of ICANN and namespace policy issues and processes;
- Good understanding of the functioning of the Internet and the associated technologies;
- Good understanding of global non-profit business and organization;
- Demonstrated understanding of and engagement in the retail domain name space and associated services;
- Affinity with the values of Internet Society (ISOC);
- Demonstrated abilities as a long term strategic thinker.
Specific qualifications that we seek to cover with this years’ call include:
- Good understanding of and experience with the global NGO business and organisation;
- Demonstrated experience with technological aspects of the Internet and more specifically the DNS;
- Legal and regulatory knowledge and experience in the Internet industry or related industries
In addition, experience on US non-profit Boards and good familiarity with US non-profit governance and financial considerations are highly appreciated, as PIR is a registered US non-profit organization.
In considering candidates, the extent of their knowledge in all of the above areas is a critical issue, along with an assessment of their practical experience in the relevant areas. We do expect all candidates to be able to fulfill the general qualities criteria, and to have outstanding strengths in at least one of the specific qualifications. Gender balance and geographic diversity are key considerations.
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 24, 2014.
Selection Process
The PIR board members are appointed by the Internet Society Board of Trustees. See Resolution 08-18: Approval of the “ISOC Appointment Process for the PIR Board of Directors.
This is expected to be complete by April 2015 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 with more than 10 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 or three 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. The position of Assistant Secretary is filled with a non-Board member.
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