The Association of Internet Professionals ("AIP")
(http://www.association.org) is pleased to submit for discussion a new
set of draft bylaws for a Domain Name Supporting Organization.
Like you, the AIP understands that the Domain Name System is central to
the operation, growth and stability of the internet and presents ICANN
with a unique combination of business, legal and technical challenges. In
its draft, the AIP believes that it has crafted a true "supporting
organization" that will help ICANN meet these challenges by providing it
with thorough research, insightful analysis, and thoughtful
recommendations on the issues relevant to the DNS.
In order to create a diverse and expert membership base for the DNSO, the
AIP will draw on its own members and those of similar professional
organizations. All members of the AIP and other "Affiliate Organizations"
would be members of the DNSO.
As the AIP sees it, the work of the DNSO should be done in Research
Committees. Under the AIP draft, Research Committees are appointed by the
Names Council and must be composed of a diverse group of regional and
business interests.
Research Committees hold open hearings as they prepare a "Report and
Recommendation" on DNS policy for the Names Council and ICANN. Reports
and Recommendations on DNS policy go through multiple drafts, each of
which is posted for public comment and review. Persons or companies
adversely impacted by proposed DNS policy are guaranteed a Fair Hearing
before the Research Committee at an early stage of the review process, so
that, if possible, consensus can be reached
The AIP believes that the broad membership base and detailed policy
research recommendation processes that it proposes represent a unique
approach to the creation of the DNSO, and it asks for comments and
support as it moves this draft toward completion by the February 5, 1999
deadline.
I know that the AIP hopes to work cooperatively will all other interested
groups in the future, and it looks forward to your thoughts.
You can view the AIP's draft at http://dnso.association.org
-- Bret Fausett