Marina del Rey, CA, USA (25 February 2000) The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announces the launch of its At Large Membership web site.
After considerable public input, the ICANN Board has developed this program as a new way for Internet users from all over the globe to participate directly in the ICANN process and help ensure the smooth coordination of the Internet's technical infrastructure. Individuals can begin registering today to become ICANN members at http://members.icann.org.
The At Large Membership of ICANN will give individual members of Internet communities worldwide a voice in the selection of Directors to the ICANN Board. By becoming an ICANN member, individuals will have an opportunity to become part of the ICANN "bottom-up" approach to making policy concerning Internet Names and Addresses. ICANN members will be able to receive regular news, updates and announcements about ICANN activities and policy initiatives.
The basic requirements for applying to become an ICANN At Large member are:
- The completion of an online membership application,
- A working Internet email address; and
- A single physical residence verified by a postal mail address.
Thanks to a grant from the Markle Foundation, the initial launch of ICANN's At Large Membership program has been funded without the need for membership dues.
The ICANN Board will consider and adopt further policy about composition and structure of the At Large Membership, and to establish rules for the nomination and election of candidates for the At Large Council, at the Board's next meeting, to be held March 9-10. It is hoped that the target goal of 5000 members can be reached in the next few weeks in order to move forward with the At Large Elections later this year.
ABOUT ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit, international corporation formed in September 1998 to oversee a select set of Internet technical management functions currently managed by the U.S. Government, or by its contractors and volunteers. Specifically, ICANN is assuming responsibility for coordinating the management of the domain name system (DNS), the allocation of IP address space, the assignment of protocol parameters, and the management of the root server system.
CONTACT
Pam Brewster
415-902-1158 - mobile
415-923-1660 x119 - voice
pbrewster@alexanderogilvy.com