Nominating Committee | Open Leadership Positions 2011

For ICANN At Large Advisory Committee, ALAC – North America Interim Vacancy Only

Candidates for all positions should be women and men with a high level of qualifications and experience with an international outlook including some familiarity with the Internet. They should be prepared to contribute to the collective decision-making process among the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Constituencies, Supporting Organizations, and Advisory Committees. Selected candidates will make a valuable public service contribution towards the continued function and evolution of an essential global resource, the Internet. They will work with accomplished colleagues from around the globe, address the Internet's intriguing technical coordination problems and policy development challenges with diverse functional, cultural, and geographic dimensions, and gain valuable insights and experience from working across boundaries of knowledge, responsibility and perspective.

About ICANN

To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers.

ICANN's mission is: to coordinate, at the overall level, the global Internet's systems of unique identifiers, and in particular to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. In particular, ICANN:

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are:
1. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS");
2. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and
3. Protocol port and parameter numbers.
2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system
3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions. (http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#I)

ICANN is dedicated to preserving the operational stability of the Internet; to promoting competition; to achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and to developing policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up consensus-based processes.

Criteria and time commitments applicable to all positions

The NomCom will use the Criteria for Selection of ICANN Directors contained in Article VI, section 3 of the ICANN Bylaws for the selection of all candidates the NomCom is tasked with selecting. These Criteria are:

1. Accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity, and intelligence, with reputations for sound judgment and open minds, and a demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making;
2. Persons with an understanding of ICANN's mission and the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community, and committed to the success of ICANN;
3. Persons who will produce the broadest cultural and geographic diversity on the Board consistent with meeting the other criteria set forth in this Section;
4. Persons who, in the aggregate, have personal familiarity with the operation of gTLD registries and registrars; with ccTLD registries; with IP address registries; with Internet technical standards and protocols; with policy-development procedures, legal traditions, and the public interest; and with the broad range of business, individual, academic, and non-commercial users of the Internet;
5. Persons who are willing to serve as volunteers, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses; and
6. Persons who are able to work and communicate in written and spoken English.

Given ICANN's Mission and Core Values, selectees engage in discussions on the technical functions coordinated by ICANN and their impact on the global Internet operation, such as its stability and integrity, or the effect on the users of the Internet. Selectees interact in a diverse environment, involving ICANN Board, ICANN Supporting Organizations and Constituencies, or Advisory Committees, as well as the broad Internet community, by means of a continuous, transparent and informed dialogue, as it corresponds to the ICANN multi-stakeholder concept.

Selectees will be part of groups that function in a collegial and cooperative manner, but in which individuals must also be prepared for intense debate in which tolerance and reasoning are necessary to accommodate and synthesize conflicting views. Careful consideration of the issues, depth of study of the precedents and environment, and the ability to deal clearly with conflict, including potentially conflict of interest, are predictors of successful contributions to ICANN.

The NomCom welcomes and encourages Statements of Interests from all members of the global Internet community. Although candidates should be able to both work and communicate well in English, there is no requirement that English be the candidate's first language.

The time commitments identified below are a basic requirement and the NomCom anticipates that in most cases people will spend more time rather than less. All selectees should expect to spend an additional significant amount of time when joining ICANN on training and learning about the organization, its mission, history and mode of operation.

ICANN holds three International Public meetings per year. These meetings typically last for one week and are where the ICANN community gathers to discuss and develop policy and conduct ICANN's business. Meeting locations rotate across ICANN's five geographic regions, for example the first meeting of 2011 will be held in the North America region (San Francisco, USA), the second meeting will be held in the Asia/Australia/Pacific region and the third meeting in the Africa region. Meetings in 2012-2013 will generally continue the rotation until all five regions have been covered and then the rotation begins again. All NomCom selectees are expected to travel and participate in ICANN’s International Public meetings. Reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings will be reimbursed in accordance with ICANN’s travel policies.

Position and Roles, Eligibility Factors, and Time Commitments

Nominating Committee Position Descriptions

ICANN Board of Directors

To fill two vacancies on the ICANN Board, the Nominating Committee is seeking accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity and intelligence who have:

• a commitment to ICANN's mission and an understanding of the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community
• demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making and sound judgment
• an understanding of the importance of good governance practices and an ability to contribute to the Board in this regard
• a willingness to serve as volunteers, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses
• an ability to work and communicate in written and spoken English (although there is no requirement that English be the candidate's first language)

In filling these positions, the Nominating Committee will be seeking to provide ICANN with a Board that reflects the global diversity of the Internet community and the wide range of technical, commercial and civil society activities that are impacted by the Domain Name System.

Time Commitment and Working Practice

The successful candidates will be appointed to the ICANN Board following the end of the 2011 Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled for 22 October 2011 through the end of the 2014 ICANN Annual General Meeting, which is not yet scheduled.

The basic responsibilities of an ICANN Director require a minimum commitment of time which when averaged out over the year, could reach up to 20 hours each week. The time spent in these basic responsibilities is typically clustered around Board meetings and teleconferences, but there is a constant flow of information requiring attention on a consistent basis.

Directors are generally expected to attend three ICANN International Public meetings each year, two Board retreats per year and work on Board Committees. Depending on the location and including travel time and preparation, an International Public meeting could be a commitment of up to ten (10) days per meeting and retreats could range from three to five days per meeting.

Directors spend additional time in connection with their work on Board Committees, a commitment that varies in relation to the number of Committees on which they serve, the scope of the Committee's responsibilities, and their role as Chair or Member of the Committee.

For further details of the work of the ICANN Board see http://www.icann.org/en/general/board.html and http://www.icann.org/en/committees/board_committees.html.

ICANN Generic Name Supporting Organization Council

The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is a policy-development body responsible for developing and recommending to the ICANN Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains. The GNSO Council is responsible for managing the policy development process in the GNSO. For more information on the work of the GNSO Council, see http://gnso.icann.org/. To fill two vacancies on the GNSO Council, the NomCom is seeking accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity and intelligence who have:

• a commitment to ICANN's mission and an understanding of the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community
• an understanding of the DNS and the industry structure of the domain name market
• demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making and sound judgment
• an ability to chair or otherwise support a multi-stakeholder group in reaching consensus
• expertise in the possible impacts and benefits of new gTLDs on the stakeholders in the GNSO including commercial and non-commercial users, Internet infrastructure providers, and ICANN contracted parties.
• a willingness to serve as a volunteer, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses
• an ability to work and communicate in written and spoken English (although there is no requirement that English be the candidate's first language)

In filling these positions, the NomCom will be seeking to select Council members that reflect the global diversity of the Internet community and the wide range of technical, commercial and civil society activities that are impacted by the DNS.

Time Commitment and Working Practice

The successful candidates will be appointed to the GNSO Council following the 2011 ICANN Annual General Meeting, which is currently scheduled for 28 October 2011, through the end of the ICANN Annual General Meeting in 2013, which is currently scheduled for 22 November 2013.

The basic responsibilities of a GNSO Council member involve a minimum of 20 hours per month on Council related activities, with those chairing or participating in Working Groups or Task Forces spending up to 60 hours a month or more. Depending on work load, for example during the weeks before the three face-to-face meetings, this can sometimes escalate to as much as 20 hours per week or more. The commitment for the three face-to-face meetings generally run about three days with council members sometimes having extensive responsibilities on most days. For those involved in Task Forces or Working Groups, there may occasionally be additional face-to-face interim meetings.

ICANN Country Code Name Supporting Organization Council

The Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) is a policy-development body responsible for developing and recommending to the Board global policies relating to country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), nurturing consensus across the ccNSO's community, including the name-related activities of ccTLDs; and coordinating with other ICANN Supporting Organizations, Committees, and Constituencies. For more information on the work of the ccNSO Council, see http://ccnso.icann.org/about/. To fill one vacancy on the ccNSO Council, NomCom is seeking accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity and intelligence who have:

• a commitment to ICANN's mission and an understanding of the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community
• an understanding of the ccTLD issues
• demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making and sound judgment
• a willingness to serve as a volunteer, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses
• an ability to work and communicate in written and spoken English (although there is no requirement that English be the candidate's first language)

In filling these positions, NomCom will be seeking to provide a Council that reflects the global diversity of the Internet community and the wide range of technical, commercial and civil society activities that are impacted by the DNS.

Time Commitment and Working Practice

The successful candidate will be appointed to the ccNSO Council immediately following the ICANN 2011 Annual General Meeting, which is currently scheduled for 28 October 2011 through the end of the ICANN General Meeting in 2014, which has not yet been scheduled.

An average ccNSO Council member would spend at least 12 hours per month on Council related activities, with those chairing Working Groups or Task Forces spending at least 30 hours a month. (The commitment involves a minimum of six hours per month based on an average of 1.5 two-hour teleconferences (or physical meetings) per month plus about two hours of preparation for each meeting for reading task force reports and potentially discussing with the community. Participation in committees of the council and/or task forces could easily double that minimum time commitment.)

ICANN At Large Advisory Committee

The At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is the ICANN body responsible for representing the voice of the end user in policy and operational discussions. For more information on the work of the ALAC, see http://www.atlarge.icann.org/.

To fill one interim vacancy on the ALAC (from North America region), the NomCom is seeking accomplished persons of integrity, objectivity and intelligence who have:

• a commitment to ICANN's mission and an understanding of the potential impact of ICANN decisions on the global Internet community
• an understanding of the DNS and the impact of ICANN policy on end users
• demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making and sound judgment
• an interest in bottom-up consensus policy building in a real-life environment
• an ability to chair or otherwise provide leadership and support for a multi-stakeholder group working to reach consensus
• the following knowledge, qualities and experiences are specifically sought:
• Basic knowledge of the DNS.
• Experience and skills that bear on gathering, understanding, and communicating the interests of individual users and in group decision-making.
• Consumer protection and or consumer advocacy experience particularly in communications/telecommunication sector
• Specific experience and/or expertise in internet-related policy development.
• Leadership experience in local or regional internet-related or DNS policy experience in gTLD or ccTLD activities including specifically issues relating to Internationalised Domain Names.
• Ability to bring to the ALAC a National or Sub-Regional internet user view or perspective not currently represented in the RALO or existing ALS demographic. The aim here is to bring perspectives not otherwise reflected in the existing ALAC membership and is intended to diversify the skill and experience sets of the ALAC.
• Strong local networks that will positively enhance the current ALAC and Regionally focused strategic and project planning as they relate to the wider ICANN Strategic plan and ALAC Improvement Implementation.
• a willingness to serve as a volunteer, without compensation other than the reimbursement of certain expenses
• an ability to work and communicate in English

In filling this position, the Nominating Committee will be seeking to provide a Committee that reflects the global diversity of the Internet community and the wide range of technical, commercial and civil society activities that are impacted by the DNS.

Time Commitment and Working Practice

The successful candidate will be appointed immediately to ALAC for the remainder of the current term, ending at the ICANN Annual General Meeting in 2012.

The basic responsibilities of an ALAC member involve a minimum of 20-26 hours per month on Committee related activities, this includes participating in online (e-mail) discussions, commenting on/contributing to documents/proposed actions (drafted in English), participating in monthly ALAC telephone conferences (in English), held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 1400 UTC and meeting with /making presentations to local and regional organizations. ALAC members serving as liaisons to other Supporting Organizations [and to the Board] can expect to spend more than these basic hours per month. Those chairing or participating in working groups spending more time. Committee members are expected to make a commitment to attend all Committee meetings and to participate actively in policy issues and other working groups. The ALAC operates in a transparent manner and publishes participation statistics on its website. Committee members will also be expected to attend ICANN's three face-to-face meetings each year, which generally run about seven days with Committee members having sometimes extensive responsibilities on most days. There may occasionally be additional face-to-face interim meetings or regional meetings.