Jump to content

Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency: Difference between revisions

From ICANNWiki
No edit summary
 
(64 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:UnderConstruction.png]]
{{CompanyInfo|
| logo            = NPOC_logo.jpg
| type            =
| industry        = Internet governance
| founded        = 2011
| founders        =
| ownership      =
| headquarters    =
| country        =
| businesses      =
| products        =
| employees      =
| revenue        =
| website        = https://NPOC.org
| blog            =
| facebook        = https://www.facebook.com/npocicann/
| linkedin        =https://www.linkedin.com/company/icann-npoc/
| twitter        = NPOC_ICANN
| keypeople      = [[Juan Manuel Rojas]], Chair<br />[[Glenn Mcknight]], Vice Chair<br />[[Caleb Olumuyiwa Ogundele ]],Membership Committee Chair<br />[[Emmanuel Vitus]], Policy Committee Chair<br /> [[Jean F. Quéralt]], Communications Committee Chair<br />[[Bolutife Adisa]], Secretariat
|email=Info@NPOC.org}}
The '''Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency''' ('''NPOC''') is a constituency within the [[GNSO|Generic Names Supporting Organization]]'s Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group ([[NCSG]]) and represents the interests of domain name registrants who belong to non-profit and non-government organizations (NGO's - Civil Society).


The '''Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency''' ('''NPOC''') is a new constituency within the [[GNSO|Generic Names Supporting Organization]]'s Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group ([[NCSG]]). NPOC represents the interests of domain name registrants who belong to non-profit and non-government organizations. NPOC participates in ICANN community discussions on policy issues related to the Internet and Domain Name System ([[DNS]]), as such issues have a significant impact on the operations of these organizations and their delivery of services that are beneficial to various communities. NPOC was approved by the [[ICANN Board]] on June 24, 2011,<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/home.html NPOC Website]</ref> and [[Amber Sterling]] serves as Interim Chairman.
NPOC participates in ICANN community discussions on policy issues related to the Internet and [[Domain Name System]] (DNS), as such issues have a significant impact on the operations of these organizations and their delivery of services that are beneficial to various communities. NPOC was approved by the [[ICANN Board]] on June 24, 2011.<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/ NPOC Website]</ref> [[Amber Sterling]] served as Interim Chairman until April 2012 when elections results for the period 2012-2013 were announced.  A [http://www.npoc.org/ '''notice'''] of Election was issued to its member on January 9, 2012 and election of NPOC Officers was conducted on March 5, 2012. A list of 2017-2018 elected NPOC Executive Committee members is available '''[http://www.npoc.org/governance/current-leadership/ here]'''.


==Background==
At [[ICANN 43]], the NPOC met with the [[NCSG|Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group]] (NCSG) and later issued a joint-statement in which they declared that some of their previous outstanding contentions had been resolved and that the two groups were looking forward to fruitful engagement in the future. They wrote that, "Initial positive steps were made in order to begin to build trust between the two NCSG constituencies and we are all committed in working together for the promotion of non-commercial interests in the Internet. We believe we can work out our differences and our governance issues internally."
The [[ICANN Board]] made recommendations on how to improve the operations and structure of the GNSO. One of its recommendations was the development of new GNSO constituencies in accordance with Article X, Section 5(4) of the [[ICANN Bylaws]]. As there were no specific guidelines stipulated in the ICANN Bylaws on how the community could file a petition for a new constituency, the ICANN Staff helped the ICANN community in formulating procedures in accordance with principles within the Bylaws, as directed by the ICANN Board. On October 2008, two procedures were formulated and adopted by the Internet community: the submission of a Notice of Intent (NOIF) to Form a New GNSO Constituency and a formal Petition/Charter. NPOC submitted its NOIF on June 15, 2010, followed by its Petition/Charter on November 2, 2010, which was subsequently revised on December 7, 2010.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/npoc-petition-charter/msg00017.html Staff Summary and Analysis of Comments - NPOC]</ref>


A public comment regarding NPOC's intention to become part of the new GNSO Constituency was conducted by ICANN staff from December 1, 2010 until January 30, 2011.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-01dec10-en.htm Public Comment: Community Comment Invited on Petition To Form A New GNSO Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency]</ref> The Charter of NPOC was approved by ICANN on June 24, 2011, and this NPOC became an official GNSO constituency.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Not-for-Profit+Operational+Concerns+%28NPOC%29 Approval Motion - 24 June 2011]</ref>
In June 2023, the ICANN Board approved the amended Charter for NPOC. One of the main changes is the name to '''Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency''' and other administrative issues.  


==Structure==
===Background===
NPOC is composed of Executive, Membership, Policy and Communications Committees. The constituency will also elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretariat and Committee Chairs. The officers and members of each committee shall be elected by the constituency members. Each term will last a year and any elected officer cannot serve more than more than five years within a ten years period. The rules and responsibilities of the elected officers are defined in the NPOC Charter.<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/images/NPOC_Charter_Approved_06-24-2011.pdf NPOC Petition and Charter]</ref>
In June, 2008, the [[ICANN Board]] made recommendations on how to improve the operations and structure of the GNSO. One of its recommendations was the development of new GNSO constituencies in accordance with Article X, Section 5(4) of the [[ICANN Bylaws]]. As there were no specific guidelines stipulated in the ICANN Bylaws on how the community could file a petition for a new constituency, the ICANN Staff helped the community by formulating procedures in accordance with principles within the Bylaws, as directed by the ICANN Board. In October, 2008, two procedures were formulated and adopted by the Internet community: the submission of a Notice of Intent (NOIF) to Form a New GNSO Constituency and a formal Petition/Charter. NPOC submitted its NOIF on June 15, 2010, followed by its Petition/Charter on November 2, 2010, which was subsequently revised on December 7, 2010.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/npoc-petition-charter/msg00017.html Staff Summary and Analysis of Comments - NPOC]</ref>


==Members==
A public comment regarding NPOC's intention to become a new GNSO Constituency was conducted by ICANN staff from December 1, 2010 until January 30, 2011.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-01dec10-en.htm Public Comment: Community Comment Invited on Petition To Form A New GNSO Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency]</ref> The Charter of NPOC was approved by ICANN on June 24, 2011, and this NPOC became an official GNSO constituency.<ref>[https://community.icann.org/display/gnsononcomstake/Not-for-Profit+Operational+Concerns+%28NPOC%29 Approval Motion - 24 June 2011]</ref>
The current members of NPOC include:<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/members.html Members]</ref>
 
* ALSAC / St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - United States
===Structure===
* American Council on Education (ACE) - United States
The NPOC is composed of Executives, Members, and Policy and Communications Committees. The constituency is to elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretariat and Committee Chairs. The officers and members of each committee shall be elected by the constituency members. Each term will last a year and any elected officer cannot serve more than five years within a ten years period. The rules and responsibilities of the elected officers are defined in the NPOC Charter.<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/governance/charter/ NPOC Charter]</ref>
* American Red Cross (ARC) - United States
 
* Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - United States
2018-2019 NPOC Executive Committee members are the following:<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/?p=npocexecom NPOC Executive Committee]</ref>:
* Australian Red Cross Society - Australia
 
* Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio Communication (BNNRC) - Bangladesh
* NPOC Constituency Chair: [[Joan Kerr]] of [http://fbsc.org/ Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities]
* Centre for Science and Media Studies - India
* NPOC Constituency Vice-Chair: [[Raoul Plommer]]
* Church of God in Christ, Inc. - United States
* Secretariat: [https://icannwiki.org/Oreoluwa_Somolu_Lesi Oreoluwa Lesi] of [http://www.wtec.org.ng Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)]
* Corporacion Makia Asesoria Internacional - Colombia
* Membership Committee Chair: [[Juan Manuel Rojas]]
* Fundacion Chasquinet - Ecuador
* Communications Committee Chair: [https://icannwiki.org/Caleb_Olumuyiwa_Ogundele Caleb Olumuyiwa Ogundele]
* Fundacion Omar Dengo - Costa Rica
* Policy Committee Chair: [https://icannwiki.org/David_Cake Dave Cake]
* Goodwill Industries International - United States
* Human Rights Campaign - United States
NPOC´s Elected Constituency Chair, [[Alain Berranger]] of [[Fundacion Chasquinet]] resigned his post on May 25, 2013.
* IICD - The Netherlands
 
* International Baccalaureate Organization - Switzerland
Current NPOC's representatives at the NCSG Executive Council are [[Raoul Plommer]] and [[Juan Manuel Rojas]].
* International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Socieites (IRC) - Switzerland
 
* March of Dimes - United States
===Members===
* St. John Ambulance - United Kingdom
The current members of NPOC as of May 10, 2020 [https://members.ncsg.is/npoc_members_public can be found on this link]:<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/members.html Members]</ref>
* The Association of NGOs (TANGO) - The Gambia
 
* Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) - United States
==ICANN 63 Barcelona (October 2018)==
* World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - United States
The Forum was held from 20-25 October, 2018 in the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB), https://meetings.icann.org/en/barcelona63
* YMCA of The Gambia - The Gambia
 
* YMCA of the USA - United States
=== Constituency day ===
Date: Tuesday 23rd October, 10.30 am -12.00 pm
 
Place: Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB)
 
==ICANN 61 Puerto Rico (March 2018)==
The Forum is held on 10-15 March, 2018 in the Puerto Rico Convention Center, http://icann61.pr/
 
=== Constituency day ===
Date: Tuesday 13th March, 15.15 am -16.45 pm
 
Place: Puerto Rico Convention Center, 100 Calle Guamaní, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico.
 
==ICANN 53 Buenos Aires (June 2015)==
 
=== Event1: LAC NGO Caucus on Internet Governance ===
Date: Saturday 20th June, 10.30 am -13.10 pm
 
Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina.
 
Language of event: Spanish with English and Portuguese translation
 
RSVP: To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org
 
Please also RSVP if you want to follow the event via a web cast. We will send you the information how to connect as soon as they become available.
 
''The LAC NGO Caucus on Internet Governance brings together NGOs, Civil Society and other Internet governance stakeholder groups in order to raise awareness and organizational capacity on the Internet related issues they face. The goal of the meeting is to engage in strategic Internet planning and to promote organizational voices in areas of Internet policy formation and implementation relevant to their work and their mission. The NGO Caucus engages with all sectors and does not limit itself to Civil Society as today’s Internet stakeholders have to rely for their growth and development on the co-operation and partnership with a multitude of other highly diverse organizations and sectors. The NGO Caucus is designed to produce win-win policies and practice outcomes.''
 
=== Event 2: "Meet ICANN" ===
 
Your Chance to meet the ICANN stakeholders, see the ICANN community at work and participate in a ICANN meeting.
 
Date: Monday, 22nd of June, 13,00
 
Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina. Please meet at the Conference Registration desk 15 minutes before the event.
 
To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org
 
''ICANN as an organization, its role, function and work is a mystery to the vast majority of Internet users. Sometimes, one has the feeling that as more ICANN becomes important to our every day lives, the less people seem to know about it. This is a great opportunity for everybody who wants to know more about ICANN in particular and Internet Governance in general, to meet with a number of ICANN representatives and stakeholders and to experience a ICANN meeting.''
 
Language of event: Spanish, English and Portuguese. Introduction in Spanish with English translation. Different hosts will use their native language during the walkabout and groups can also be formed according to language preferences of visitors.
 
=== Event 3: NPOC Constituency day encounter with NGOs ===
 
Date: Tuesday, 23rd of June, 12.00pm-13.00pm
 
Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina
 
Language of event: Spanish with English and Portuguese translation
 
RSVP: To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org
 
Please also RSVP if you want to follow the event via a web cast. We will send you the information how to connect as soon as they become available.
 
''Engage with, participate in and contribute to the IG multi stakeholder decision making process. The NGO Caucus held some days before was designed to produce win-win policies and practice outcomes. This follow up meeting is designed to develop and implement strategies how to contribute the NGO caucus outcomes to the wider ICANN policy and decision making process. A further aim is also to engage participants with their respective constituencies and stakeholder groups.''
 
==ICANN 52 Singapore (February 2015)==
 
Tuesday, February 10, 2015    9-13:00 – Room Moor
Constituency Day Agenda
 
1. Roll call and participant introductions 9:00
 
2. Reporting by leadership 9:05 – 9:30
 
    Report from NPOC's chair on FY2014
    Report from Policy chair
    Report from Membership Committee chair
    Report from Program Committee chair
 
3. Meeting with CFO Xavier Calvez 9:30 – 10:00
 
    Information on finances and budget FY16
 
4. Meeting with Tanzanica S. King 10:20 – 10:40
 
5. Discussion on actual policy issues related to NGO's 10:40 – 11:20
 
    IANA transition and it's impact on NGO's
 
6. Webinar 11:30 – 13:00
 
What every Civil Society Organization should Know about its use of the Internet and Never Dared to Ask! - Part 2"
 
For remote participants please use the following url : http://singapore52.icann.org/en/schedule/tue-npoc
 
==ICANN 51 Los Angeles (October 2014)==
 
Tuesday, October 14, 2014    9-12:30 – Room Directors, Century Plaza
 
==ICANN 50 London (June 2014)==
 
    ALAC Summit II
    NPOC constituency day (Tuesday 24/6)
    NPOC´s meeting with other constituencies
 
==NPOC meeting during the ICANN 49 (March 2014) in Singapore :==
Multi-stakeholder dialogue on DNS for development
Saturday 22 March 2014
 
    NPOC´s pre-ICANN event on March 22, 2014
    Constituency Meeting on March 25 2014
    NPOC´s meeting with other constituencies
        NCSG meeting March 25 - 13:30 - 18:00
 
==NPOC meeting during the ICANN 48 (november) in Buenos Aires, Argentina:==
 
        1st Latin American and Caribbean DNS FORUM - Friday 15th - click here for  programa Espanõl English program
 
        NPOC Constituency Meeting on Tuesday 19th
 
    NPOC ATRT2 meeting on Tuesday 19th
    NPOC - I-Engage Institute- Supporting the Internet Ecosystem on Thursday 21st
 
==NPOC meeting during the ICANN 47 in Durban, South Africa:==
 
    NPOC´s Session on "Democratization of Internet Governance I-Inform Alliance Plan of Action" on July 17, 2013
    NPOC Constituency Meeting on July 16, 2013.
    NPOC´s meeting with the Second Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT2) on July 16, 2013.
 
==NPOC held three sessions at the recent ICANN 46 Public Meeting in Beijing, China:==
 
    “The role of youth in the DNS” on April 11, 2013.
    “The Impact of new generic Top level Domains on NGO’s and NFP´s” on April 10, 2013.
    NPOC Constituency Meeting on April 9, 2013.
 
==NPOC held two sessions at the recent ICANN 45 Public Meeting in Toronto, Canada:==
 
    “The Multistakeholder model from the NGO´s perspective”, NPOC Workshop, October 17, 2012.
    NPOC´s Constituency Meeting on October 16, 2012.
 
==ICANN 44 in Prague, Czech Republic: "The impact of the internet and e-Fundraising on Not-for-profits and NGOs"==
 
 
==NPOC at ICANN 43==
NPOC Interim leadership and several NPOC members participated actively at [[ICANN 43]] in San Jose, Costa Rica during GNSO and NCSG working sessions and meetings. NPOC also organized a NPOC Launch Meeting and Panel entitled "NPOC The Newest ICANN Constituency: Vision, Mission and Priorities" during the Stakeholders`s Day <ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/npoc-voice/msg00192.html npoc-voice NPOC´s two events at ICANN 43 / info and transcript]</ref> <ref>[https://community.icann.org/download/attachments/31167395/NPOC+EVENTS+AT+ICANN43+IN+SAN+JOS%C3%89version2.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1330705480000 NPOC Events at ICANN 43]</ref>. The session was introduced by [[Debra Hughes]], Senior Counsel, [[American Red Cross]] and the panelists were Dr. [[Gabriel Macaya]], Vice-President, Strategy XXI Century, Costa Rica, and President of [[National Academy of Science of Costa Rica]] (Host of .cr, the ccTLD name for Costa Rica), [[Clotilde Fonseca]], Executive Director, Council for the Promotion of Competitiveness, and Costa Rica and Former Minister of Science and Technology, Costa Rica, [[Eduardo Monge]], Project Development and International Relations Officer, [[Omar Dengo Foundation]], Costa Rica, and [[Alain Berranger]], Member, NPOC Interim Executive Committee.
 
In this session 2011-2012 results and 2012-2013 priorities were also presented <ref>[http://forum.icann.org/lists/npoc-voice/msg00152.html [npoc-voice] Report on NPOC progress and priorities for 2012-13]</ref>.
 
==NPOC at ICANN 42==
Debra Hughes represented the NPOC Constituency during the [[ICANN 42]] meeting on October 26, 2011 held in Dakar, Senegal. She provided some updates to the ICANN community regarding the recent activities of NPOC and introduced the interim leadership of the constituency, which included: <ref>[http://dakar42.icann.org/meetings/dakar2011/transcript-excerpt-npoc-26oct11-en.htm Transcript Excerpt ICANN 42 Meeting]</ref>
* [[Amber Sterling]]- Chairperson
* [[Alain Berranger]] - Vice Chair
* [[Judy Branzel]]- Policy Chair
* [[Klaus Stoll]]- Representative to the [[NCSG|Noncommercial Stakeholders Group Executive Committee]]/Interim Communications and Membership Chair
* [[Michael Carson]]- Representative to the [[NCSG|Noncommercial Stakeholders Group Executive Committee]]
 
During the meeting, Ms. Hughes also informed the participants of the ICANN meeting that the NPOC was concerned about the security and stability of the Internet and plans to concentrate on supporting [[DNSSEC]] and other Internet security issues. Hughes emphasized that the constituency is ready to be actively involved in the different ICANN activities.


==Comments on ICANN Issues==
==Comments on ICANN Issues==
Since its establishment, NPOC had been active in sharing comments and recommendations on different ICANN issues, particularly regarding the new gTLD program, which is set to start on January 12, 2012. The organization submitted its comments during the drafting of the Applicant Guidebook; most recently, comments were submitted on May 15, 2011 by Amber Sterling, Chairman of the constituency. NPOC's comments include the following:
Since its establishment, NPOC had been active in sharing comments and recommendations on different ICANN issues, particularly regarding the [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]], which launched on January 12, 2012. The organization submitted its comments during the drafting of the [[Applicant Guidebook]]; most recently, comments were submitted on May 15, 2011 by Amber Sterling, Chairwoman of the constituency. NPOC's comments include the following:
* The ICANN Board should provide price options for non-profit organizations for new gTLD applications based on criteria.
* The ICANN Board should provide price options for non-profit organizations for new gTLD applications based on criteria.
* It was suggested that the ICANN Board implement an initial evaluation period to weigh the costs and benefits of proposed new gTLDs to the public.
* It was suggested that the ICANN Board implement an initial evaluation period to weigh the costs and benefits of proposed new gTLDs to the public.
* NPOC praised the ICANN Board's initiative in adding questions to the new gTLD application related to an applicant's intent. In connection to this, NPOC suggested to grade the answers to those questions as part of the review of applications.
* NPOC praised the ICANN Board's initiative in adding questions to the new gTLD application related to an applicant's intent. In connection to this, NPOC suggested to grade the answers to those questions as part of the review of applications.
* NPOC suggested to further define the role of Independent Objector (IO) in connection with IO selection, IO support, IO application review and IP decision, if it is necessary to object or not.
* NPOC suggested to further define the role of [[Independent Objector]] (IO) in connection with IO selection, IO support, IO application review and decision, to ascertain if it is necessary to object or not.
* It was recommended that marks not protected by court or statute should be submitted to the Trademark Clearinghouse periodically (every 3 years) and must be a requirement during the [[Sunrise Period]]. In addition, the expansion of trademark claims and Sunrise Period services was also recommended by the constituency as well as the reduction of Clearinghouse filing fees for non-profit organizations.
* It was recommended that marks not protected by court or statute should be submitted to the [[Trademark Clearinghouse]] periodically (every 3 years) and a requirement during the [[Sunrise Period]]. In addition, the expansion of trademark claims and Sunrise Period services was also recommended by the constituency as well as the reduction of Clearinghouse filing fees for non-profit organizations.
* It was also recommended that the Uniform Rapid Suspension ([[URS]]) fees be reduced for non-profit organization<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/images/NPOC_ApplicantGuidebook_Comments_05-15-11.pdf Applicant Guidebook Comments, May 15, 2011]</ref>
* It was also recommended that the [[URS|Uniform Rapid Suspension]] (URS) fees be reduced for non-profit organizations.<ref>[http://www.npoc.org/images/NPOC_ApplicantGuidebook_Comments_05-15-11.pdf Applicant Guidebook Comments, May 15, 2011]</ref>


NPOC's compilation of comments on the different [[DNS]] Policy Issues of ICANN can be found [http://www.npoc.org/icannsubmittedcomments.html here].
NPOC's compilation of comments on the different [[DNS]] Policy Issues of ICANN can be found [http://www.npoc.org/icannsubmittedcomments.html here].


==Senate Hearing Testimony Regarding New gTLD Expansion==
==Senate Hearing Testimony Regarding New gTLD Expansion==
On December 8, 2011, [[Angela Williams]], General Counsel of YMCA of the USA, testified during a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the ICANN's new gTLD program. Williams represented NPOC and testified that new gTLD program compromises use of the Internet by increasing the risk of fraud, cybersquatting, and trademark infringement and by significantly escalating the cost to protect against such unlawful activities. She requested the Senate committee and all parties involved to further evaluate the program with the non-profit organizations in mind.<ref>[http://commerce.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=56a49ede-865f-4bbe-9635-58d0b59add7b Testimony of Angela F. Williams]</ref>
On December 8, 2011, [[Angela Williams]], General Counsel of YMCA of the USA, testified during a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the ICANN's new gTLD program. Ms. Williams also represented NPOC and testified that new gTLD program compromises the Internet by increasing the risk of fraud, [[cybersquatting]], and trademark infringement by significantly escalating the cost to protect against such unlawful activities. She requested the Senate committee and all parties involved to further evaluate the program with non-profit organizations in mind.<ref>[http://commerce.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=56a49ede-865f-4bbe-9635-58d0b59add7b Testimony of Angela F. Williams]</ref>
 
Some people were surprised with the sudden participation of Ms. Williams in the Senate Hearing due to the fact the YMCA never had an active role nor participated within the ICANN community.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/06/ip-lobby-ymca Why is the YMCA at Senate hearings? The IP lobby of course]</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 55: Line 224:


[[Category:ICANN Bodies]]
[[Category:ICANN Bodies]]
[[Category: Acronym]]


__NOTOC__
__FORCETOC__

Latest revision as of 08:37, 1 October 2024

Industry: Internet governance
Founded: 2011
Email: Info@NPOC.org
Website: https://NPOC.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npocicann/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icann-npoc/
Twitter: @NPOC_ICANN
Key People
Juan Manuel Rojas, Chair
Glenn Mcknight, Vice Chair
Caleb Olumuyiwa Ogundele ,Membership Committee Chair
Emmanuel Vitus, Policy Committee Chair
Jean F. Quéralt, Communications Committee Chair
Bolutife Adisa, Secretariat

The Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency (NPOC) is a constituency within the Generic Names Supporting Organization's Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) and represents the interests of domain name registrants who belong to non-profit and non-government organizations (NGO's - Civil Society).

NPOC participates in ICANN community discussions on policy issues related to the Internet and Domain Name System (DNS), as such issues have a significant impact on the operations of these organizations and their delivery of services that are beneficial to various communities. NPOC was approved by the ICANN Board on June 24, 2011.[1] Amber Sterling served as Interim Chairman until April 2012 when elections results for the period 2012-2013 were announced. A notice of Election was issued to its member on January 9, 2012 and election of NPOC Officers was conducted on March 5, 2012. A list of 2017-2018 elected NPOC Executive Committee members is available here.

At ICANN 43, the NPOC met with the Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG) and later issued a joint-statement in which they declared that some of their previous outstanding contentions had been resolved and that the two groups were looking forward to fruitful engagement in the future. They wrote that, "Initial positive steps were made in order to begin to build trust between the two NCSG constituencies and we are all committed in working together for the promotion of non-commercial interests in the Internet. We believe we can work out our differences and our governance issues internally."

In June 2023, the ICANN Board approved the amended Charter for NPOC. One of the main changes is the name to Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency and other administrative issues.

Background[edit | edit source]

In June, 2008, the ICANN Board made recommendations on how to improve the operations and structure of the GNSO. One of its recommendations was the development of new GNSO constituencies in accordance with Article X, Section 5(4) of the ICANN Bylaws. As there were no specific guidelines stipulated in the ICANN Bylaws on how the community could file a petition for a new constituency, the ICANN Staff helped the community by formulating procedures in accordance with principles within the Bylaws, as directed by the ICANN Board. In October, 2008, two procedures were formulated and adopted by the Internet community: the submission of a Notice of Intent (NOIF) to Form a New GNSO Constituency and a formal Petition/Charter. NPOC submitted its NOIF on June 15, 2010, followed by its Petition/Charter on November 2, 2010, which was subsequently revised on December 7, 2010.[2]

A public comment regarding NPOC's intention to become a new GNSO Constituency was conducted by ICANN staff from December 1, 2010 until January 30, 2011.[3] The Charter of NPOC was approved by ICANN on June 24, 2011, and this NPOC became an official GNSO constituency.[4]

Structure[edit | edit source]

The NPOC is composed of Executives, Members, and Policy and Communications Committees. The constituency is to elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretariat and Committee Chairs. The officers and members of each committee shall be elected by the constituency members. Each term will last a year and any elected officer cannot serve more than five years within a ten years period. The rules and responsibilities of the elected officers are defined in the NPOC Charter.[5]

2018-2019 NPOC Executive Committee members are the following:[6]:

NPOC´s Elected Constituency Chair, Alain Berranger of Fundacion Chasquinet resigned his post on May 25, 2013.

Current NPOC's representatives at the NCSG Executive Council are Raoul Plommer and Juan Manuel Rojas.

Members[edit | edit source]

The current members of NPOC as of May 10, 2020 can be found on this link:[7]

ICANN 63 Barcelona (October 2018)[edit | edit source]

The Forum was held from 20-25 October, 2018 in the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB), https://meetings.icann.org/en/barcelona63

Constituency day[edit | edit source]

Date: Tuesday 23rd October, 10.30 am -12.00 pm

Place: Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB)

ICANN 61 Puerto Rico (March 2018)[edit | edit source]

The Forum is held on 10-15 March, 2018 in the Puerto Rico Convention Center, http://icann61.pr/

Constituency day[edit | edit source]

Date: Tuesday 13th March, 15.15 am -16.45 pm

Place: Puerto Rico Convention Center, 100 Calle Guamaní, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico.

ICANN 53 Buenos Aires (June 2015)[edit | edit source]

Event1: LAC NGO Caucus on Internet Governance[edit | edit source]

Date: Saturday 20th June, 10.30 am -13.10 pm

Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina.

Language of event: Spanish with English and Portuguese translation

RSVP: To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org

Please also RSVP if you want to follow the event via a web cast. We will send you the information how to connect as soon as they become available.

The LAC NGO Caucus on Internet Governance brings together NGOs, Civil Society and other Internet governance stakeholder groups in order to raise awareness and organizational capacity on the Internet related issues they face. The goal of the meeting is to engage in strategic Internet planning and to promote organizational voices in areas of Internet policy formation and implementation relevant to their work and their mission. The NGO Caucus engages with all sectors and does not limit itself to Civil Society as today’s Internet stakeholders have to rely for their growth and development on the co-operation and partnership with a multitude of other highly diverse organizations and sectors. The NGO Caucus is designed to produce win-win policies and practice outcomes.

Event 2: "Meet ICANN"[edit | edit source]

Your Chance to meet the ICANN stakeholders, see the ICANN community at work and participate in a ICANN meeting.

Date: Monday, 22nd of June, 13,00

Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina. Please meet at the Conference Registration desk 15 minutes before the event.

To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org

ICANN as an organization, its role, function and work is a mystery to the vast majority of Internet users. Sometimes, one has the feeling that as more ICANN becomes important to our every day lives, the less people seem to know about it. This is a great opportunity for everybody who wants to know more about ICANN in particular and Internet Governance in general, to meet with a number of ICANN representatives and stakeholders and to experience a ICANN meeting.

Language of event: Spanish, English and Portuguese. Introduction in Spanish with English translation. Different hosts will use their native language during the walkabout and groups can also be formed according to language preferences of visitors.

Event 3: NPOC Constituency day encounter with NGOs[edit | edit source]

Date: Tuesday, 23rd of June, 12.00pm-13.00pm

Place: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, San Martin 1225, Buenos Aires 1104 Argentina

Language of event: Spanish with English and Portuguese translation

RSVP: To register for this event please send an email to: rsvp@gkpf.org

Please also RSVP if you want to follow the event via a web cast. We will send you the information how to connect as soon as they become available.

Engage with, participate in and contribute to the IG multi stakeholder decision making process. The NGO Caucus held some days before was designed to produce win-win policies and practice outcomes. This follow up meeting is designed to develop and implement strategies how to contribute the NGO caucus outcomes to the wider ICANN policy and decision making process. A further aim is also to engage participants with their respective constituencies and stakeholder groups.

ICANN 52 Singapore (February 2015)[edit | edit source]

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 9-13:00 – Room Moor Constituency Day Agenda

1. Roll call and participant introductions 9:00

2. Reporting by leadership 9:05 – 9:30

   Report from NPOC's chair on FY2014
   Report from Policy chair
   Report from Membership Committee chair
   Report from Program Committee chair

3. Meeting with CFO Xavier Calvez 9:30 – 10:00

   Information on finances and budget FY16

4. Meeting with Tanzanica S. King 10:20 – 10:40

5. Discussion on actual policy issues related to NGO's 10:40 – 11:20

   IANA transition and it's impact on NGO's

6. Webinar 11:30 – 13:00

What every Civil Society Organization should Know about its use of the Internet and Never Dared to Ask! - Part 2"

For remote participants please use the following url : http://singapore52.icann.org/en/schedule/tue-npoc

ICANN 51 Los Angeles (October 2014)[edit | edit source]

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 9-12:30 – Room Directors, Century Plaza

ICANN 50 London (June 2014)[edit | edit source]

   ALAC Summit II
   NPOC constituency day (Tuesday 24/6)
   NPOC´s meeting with other constituencies

NPOC meeting during the ICANN 49 (March 2014) in Singapore :[edit | edit source]

Multi-stakeholder dialogue on DNS for development Saturday 22 March 2014

   NPOC´s pre-ICANN event on March 22, 2014
   Constituency Meeting on March 25 2014
   NPOC´s meeting with other constituencies
       NCSG meeting March 25 - 13:30 - 18:00

NPOC meeting during the ICANN 48 (november) in Buenos Aires, Argentina:[edit | edit source]

       1st Latin American and Caribbean DNS FORUM - Friday 15th - click here for  programa Espanõl English program
       NPOC Constituency Meeting on Tuesday 19th
   NPOC ATRT2 meeting on Tuesday 19th
   NPOC - I-Engage Institute- Supporting the Internet Ecosystem on Thursday 21st

NPOC meeting during the ICANN 47 in Durban, South Africa:[edit | edit source]

   NPOC´s Session on "Democratization of Internet Governance I-Inform Alliance Plan of Action" on July 17, 2013
   NPOC Constituency Meeting on July 16, 2013.
   NPOC´s meeting with the Second Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT2) on July 16, 2013.

NPOC held three sessions at the recent ICANN 46 Public Meeting in Beijing, China:[edit | edit source]

   “The role of youth in the DNS” on April 11, 2013.
   “The Impact of new generic Top level Domains on NGO’s and NFP´s” on April 10, 2013.
   NPOC Constituency Meeting on April 9, 2013.

NPOC held two sessions at the recent ICANN 45 Public Meeting in Toronto, Canada:[edit | edit source]

   “The Multistakeholder model from the NGO´s perspective”, NPOC Workshop, October 17, 2012.
   NPOC´s Constituency Meeting on October 16, 2012.

ICANN 44 in Prague, Czech Republic: "The impact of the internet and e-Fundraising on Not-for-profits and NGOs"[edit | edit source]

NPOC at ICANN 43[edit | edit source]

NPOC Interim leadership and several NPOC members participated actively at ICANN 43 in San Jose, Costa Rica during GNSO and NCSG working sessions and meetings. NPOC also organized a NPOC Launch Meeting and Panel entitled "NPOC The Newest ICANN Constituency: Vision, Mission and Priorities" during the Stakeholders`s Day [8] [9]. The session was introduced by Debra Hughes, Senior Counsel, American Red Cross and the panelists were Dr. Gabriel Macaya, Vice-President, Strategy XXI Century, Costa Rica, and President of National Academy of Science of Costa Rica (Host of .cr, the ccTLD name for Costa Rica), Clotilde Fonseca, Executive Director, Council for the Promotion of Competitiveness, and Costa Rica and Former Minister of Science and Technology, Costa Rica, Eduardo Monge, Project Development and International Relations Officer, Omar Dengo Foundation, Costa Rica, and Alain Berranger, Member, NPOC Interim Executive Committee.

In this session 2011-2012 results and 2012-2013 priorities were also presented [10].

NPOC at ICANN 42[edit | edit source]

Debra Hughes represented the NPOC Constituency during the ICANN 42 meeting on October 26, 2011 held in Dakar, Senegal. She provided some updates to the ICANN community regarding the recent activities of NPOC and introduced the interim leadership of the constituency, which included: [11]

During the meeting, Ms. Hughes also informed the participants of the ICANN meeting that the NPOC was concerned about the security and stability of the Internet and plans to concentrate on supporting DNSSEC and other Internet security issues. Hughes emphasized that the constituency is ready to be actively involved in the different ICANN activities.

Comments on ICANN Issues[edit | edit source]

Since its establishment, NPOC had been active in sharing comments and recommendations on different ICANN issues, particularly regarding the new gTLD program, which launched on January 12, 2012. The organization submitted its comments during the drafting of the Applicant Guidebook; most recently, comments were submitted on May 15, 2011 by Amber Sterling, Chairwoman of the constituency. NPOC's comments include the following:

  • The ICANN Board should provide price options for non-profit organizations for new gTLD applications based on criteria.
  • It was suggested that the ICANN Board implement an initial evaluation period to weigh the costs and benefits of proposed new gTLDs to the public.
  • NPOC praised the ICANN Board's initiative in adding questions to the new gTLD application related to an applicant's intent. In connection to this, NPOC suggested to grade the answers to those questions as part of the review of applications.
  • NPOC suggested to further define the role of Independent Objector (IO) in connection with IO selection, IO support, IO application review and decision, to ascertain if it is necessary to object or not.
  • It was recommended that marks not protected by court or statute should be submitted to the Trademark Clearinghouse periodically (every 3 years) and a requirement during the Sunrise Period. In addition, the expansion of trademark claims and Sunrise Period services was also recommended by the constituency as well as the reduction of Clearinghouse filing fees for non-profit organizations.
  • It was also recommended that the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) fees be reduced for non-profit organizations.[12]

NPOC's compilation of comments on the different DNS Policy Issues of ICANN can be found here.

Senate Hearing Testimony Regarding New gTLD Expansion[edit | edit source]

On December 8, 2011, Angela Williams, General Counsel of YMCA of the USA, testified during a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the ICANN's new gTLD program. Ms. Williams also represented NPOC and testified that new gTLD program compromises the Internet by increasing the risk of fraud, cybersquatting, and trademark infringement by significantly escalating the cost to protect against such unlawful activities. She requested the Senate committee and all parties involved to further evaluate the program with non-profit organizations in mind.[13]

Some people were surprised with the sudden participation of Ms. Williams in the Senate Hearing due to the fact the YMCA never had an active role nor participated within the ICANN community.[14]

References[edit | edit source]