Changes

ICANN’s Multistakeholder Community consists of seven structures, classified as Supporting Organizations (SO) and Advisory Committees (AC). Each of the seven structures have different compositions and criteria to join. Newcomers looking for a way to contribute to ICANN’s multi-stakeholder, bottom-up, consensus driven model for policy development should start with the GNSO or ALAC.  

ICANN’s Multistakeholder Community consists of seven structures, classified as Supporting Organizations (SO) and Advisory Committees (AC). Each of the seven structures have different compositions and criteria to join. Newcomers looking for a way to contribute to ICANN’s multi-stakeholder, bottom-up, consensus driven model for policy development should start with the GNSO or ALAC.  

==Supporting Organizations==

===Supporting Organizations===

'''[[GNSO]]''': The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is the main policy-making body in ICANN. It brings together various stakeholder groups to develop and recommend policies to the ICANN Board concerning generic top-level domains (gTLDs). To learn more, visit gnso.icann.org

'''[[GNSO]]''': The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is the main policy-making body in ICANN. It brings together various stakeholder groups to develop and recommend policies to the ICANN Board concerning generic top-level domains (gTLDs). To learn more, visit gnso.icann.org

'''[[ASO]]''': The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) represents the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). It is tasked with reviewing and developing Internet Protocol address policy and advise the Board accordingly. ASO Membership is only available to RIRs. Learn more at aso.icann.org.

'''[[ASO]]''': The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) represents the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). It is tasked with reviewing and developing Internet Protocol address policy and advise the Board accordingly. ASO Membership is only available to RIRs. Learn more at aso.icann.org.

==Advisory Committees==

===Advisory Committees===

'''[[ALAC]]''': The At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) functions as the voice for the individual Internet user as it relates to ICANN processes, policy and more and advises  the Board accordingly. It is formed of smaller groups At-Large Structures that are part of Regional At-Large Organizations To learn more, visit atlarge.icann.org.

'''[[ALAC]]''': The At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) functions as the voice for the individual Internet user as it relates to ICANN processes, policy and more and advises  the Board accordingly. It is formed of smaller groups At-Large Structures that are part of Regional At-Large Organizations To learn more, visit atlarge.icann.org.

Find something that interests you, learn more about it and join a Working Group! Policy Development at ICANN addresses many important issues related to the DNS. The following topics are just a few suggestions. If none of these seem like the right fit, don’t worry! There are many more opportunities out there.  

Find something that interests you, learn more about it and join a Working Group! Policy Development at ICANN addresses many important issues related to the DNS. The following topics are just a few suggestions. If none of these seem like the right fit, don’t worry! There are many more opportunities out there.  

==[[At-Large]] Review==

===[[At-Large]] Review===

The ICANN Bylaws require periodic review of ICANN’s Structure and Operations at a minimum of every five years. The second At-Large Review began in May 2016 and was carried out by ITEMS International.

The ICANN Bylaws require periodic review of ICANN’s Structure and Operations at a minimum of every five years. The second At-Large Review began in May 2016 and was carried out by ITEMS International.

(Dates and times of workshops are subject to change. Please check the ICANN conference schedule prior to attending any workshop.)

(Dates and times of workshops are subject to change. Please check the ICANN conference schedule prior to attending any workshop.)

==Next-Generation Registration Directory to Replace [[WHOIS]]==

===Next-Generation Registration Directory to Replace [[WHOIS]]===

[[WHOIS]] was developed in the early 1980s as a directory of contact information for anyone using the [[ARPANET]]. It collects registration data on all gTLDs, including the registrant’s name, address, phone number, email address, etc.

[[WHOIS]] was developed in the early 1980s as a directory of contact information for anyone using the [[ARPANET]]. It collects registration data on all gTLDs, including the registrant’s name, address, phone number, email address, etc.

If you are interested in contributing, check out the two-part workshop:

If you are interested in contributing, check out the two-part workshop:

GNSO REGISTRATION DIRECTORY SERVICES (RDS) POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WORKING GROUP MEETING

'''GNSO REGISTRATION DIRECTORY SERVICES (RDS) POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WORKING GROUP MEETING'''<br />

Saturday, 11 March 2017 - 13:45-16:45 in Hall C1.4 (GNSO)

Saturday, 11 March 2017 - 13:45-16:45 in Hall C1.4 (GNSO)<br />

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 - 13:45-15:00 in Hall C1.4 (GNSO)

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 - 13:45-15:00 in Hall C1.4 (GNSO)