| Initially, ICANN's bylaws were similar to many young nonprofit organizations, with some specialized articles. Provisions that specified procedural and operational components of the organization, that might otherwise be defined by a statutory default, were included.<ref name="ogbylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-1998-11-06-en ICANN.org Archive - Original Bylaws], November 6, 1998</ref> The original bylaws anticipated the formation and operation of three supporting organizations: the [[Address Supporting Organization]], the [[Domain Name Supporting Organization]], and the [[Protocol Supporting Organization]]. In addition, the bylaws made it possible for the board to form and empower committees, and set the stage for three advisory committees to be formed: the [[Government Advisory Committee]], the [[Root Server System Advisory Committee]], and an advisory committee on membership, until such time as the question of At-large representation was answered satisfactorily.<ref name="ogbylaws" /> As events arose and the ICANN community became more engaged with policy development and review functions, the bylaws grew and changed to more specifically describe and define ICANN's role, obligations, and process. | | Initially, ICANN's bylaws were similar to many young nonprofit organizations, with some specialized articles. Provisions that specified procedural and operational components of the organization, that might otherwise be defined by a statutory default, were included.<ref name="ogbylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-1998-11-06-en ICANN.org Archive - Original Bylaws], November 6, 1998</ref> The original bylaws anticipated the formation and operation of three supporting organizations: the [[Address Supporting Organization]], the [[Domain Name Supporting Organization]], and the [[Protocol Supporting Organization]]. In addition, the bylaws made it possible for the board to form and empower committees, and set the stage for three advisory committees to be formed: the [[Government Advisory Committee]], the [[Root Server System Advisory Committee]], and an advisory committee on membership, until such time as the question of At-large representation was answered satisfactorily.<ref name="ogbylaws" /> As events arose and the ICANN community became more engaged with policy development and review functions, the bylaws grew and changed to more specifically describe and define ICANN's role, obligations, and process. |
| Prior to 2002, the bylaws did not contain any mention of the organization's mission, or its core values. During the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], the Evolution and Reform Committee (ERC) recommended the inclusion of these sections to enshrine the guiding principles and goals of ICANN in its governance documents. At the time of the December 2002 omnibus amendments to the bylaws, the mission and core values sections were added as the new Article 1.<ref name="mission02">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en#I ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Article 1], as amended December 15, 2002</ref> The organization's mission statement was defined within the narrow scope of coordination and protection of "Internet's unique identifier systems." The article specified: | | Prior to 2002, the bylaws did not contain any mention of the organization's mission, or its core values. During the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], the Evolution and Reform Committee (ERC) recommended the inclusion of these sections to enshrine the guiding principles and goals of ICANN in its governance documents. At the time of the December 2002 omnibus amendments to the bylaws, the mission and core values sections were added as the new Article 1.<ref name="mission02">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en#I ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Article 1], as amended December 15, 2002</ref> The organization's mission statement was defined within the narrow scope of coordination and protection of "Internet's unique identifier systems." The article specified: |
| (iv) Collaborates with other bodies as appropriate to provide registries needed for the functioning of the Internet as specified by Internet protocol standards development organizations. In service of its Mission, ICANN's scope is to provide registration services and open access for registries in the public domain requested by Internet protocol development organizations.<ref name="ianabylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/bylaws-2016-09-30-en ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Bylaws], as amended October 1, 2016</ref></blockquote> | | (iv) Collaborates with other bodies as appropriate to provide registries needed for the functioning of the Internet as specified by Internet protocol standards development organizations. In service of its Mission, ICANN's scope is to provide registration services and open access for registries in the public domain requested by Internet protocol development organizations.<ref name="ianabylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/bylaws-2016-09-30-en ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Bylaws], as amended October 1, 2016</ref></blockquote> |