Describe in detail the mechanisms you propose for ensuring that the policies and practices followed in your operation of the .org registry are responsive to and supportive of the noncommercial Internet user community, and reflect as much of its diversity as possible. Your description should include any affiliation you propose with representative noncommercial organizations and details (including proposed bylaws or other chartering documents) regarding any governing or advisory groups that you propose.

Drawing upon its significant experience in administering mission-critical public resource infrastructure, NeuStar will establish sound processes that rely on collaboration and a strong relationship between the registry operator and the global noncommercial community to ensure registry responsiveness to the community’s needs, concerns, and views.

The global noncommercial Internet community is a very dynamic and diverse community.  For most noncommercial organizations, the Internet is increasingly becoming the primary vehicle for getting their messages out, communicating with members, providing services, and raising funds.  The noncommercial community’s needs and views on the Internet and its operation require that the registry operator for .org, the community's traditional home on the Internet, understand this dynamic nature and establish efficient, responsive mechanisms for collaboration. This requirement is consistent with NeuStar's fundamental belief that the role of the .org TLD registry operator is similar to that of a trustee of an important public resource.  The registry operator must, as its first mission, serve the community whose trust it has accepted.  NeuStar has demonstrated experience successfully serving users with disparate needs in both the Internet and telecommunication communities.

To properly serve the needs of the noncommercial community, the registry operator must:

• Develop a forum for participation of the noncommercial community that recognizes both geographic and organizational diversity.  This includes the creation of open and transparent mechanisms with a high degree of responsiveness and accountability to the global noncommercial Internet user community.  In particular, members of this community must have readily accessible means to discuss, recommend, and promote modified or supplemental policies, services, and procedures in the .org TLD, as well as address complaints or other issues raised in the context of the operation of the domain space.

• Ensure that registry operations are conducted with the utmost of integrity that focuses on stability, security, neutrality, affordability, and marketing. 

NeuStar’s solution, detailed below, to ensure responsiveness and support to and for the noncommercial community encompasses these critical components. 

Forum for participation

NeuStar envisions two interoperable components of its proposed forum for participation: 

• A global policy council which will adequately represent the views of the global noncommercial Internet community (such as foundations, charities, non-governmental organizations, trade groups, and political action committees).

• A .org Website designed for the global noncommercial Internet community that facilitates outreach by encouraging communication and public participation and a transparent, open policy-making process.
  

The Global Policy Council

The centerpiece of NeuStar’s policy plan will be the  .org Global Policy Council (GPC). The GPC will be an advisory body facilitated by NeuStar to ensure diverse, representative, and unbiased consideration of important policy questions.

To serve these fundamental objectives, there are a number of alternative models and mechanisms for ensuring responsiveness to all of the sectors of the geographically diverse noncommercial community including the following:

• Noncommercial registry operator;

• Noncommercial/for-profit partnership; and

• Independent representative global council.

Noncommercial registry operator—Some believe that a noncommercial entity should serve as the registry operator.  This approach is driven by the belief that only such an organization would understand the noncommercial community to ensure responsiveness.  Although a noncommercial operator serving a noncommercial community would initially seem like a simple way to ensure responsiveness, this approach raises a number of concerns including the following:

• Noncommercial status alone does not necessarily translate into responsiveness to the noncommercial community as a whole.  A mechanism to ensure responsiveness to all sectors of the noncommercial community must be in place.

• A noncommercial entity may not have the financial resources required to ensure a stable, seamless transition and ongoing stability of the .org TLD.

• Even apparently noncommercial organizations can be subject to strong commercial influence.  The Board or policy-making body of the noncommercial entity could, itself be managed by for-profit corporations resulting in undue commercial influence.

• In some cases the noncommercial registry operator may have limited experience and knowledge related to the operation of critical DNS infrastructures potentially resulting in decisions that negatively impact service levels.

• As ICANN points out in its Criteria for Assessing Proposals, “Noncommercial registrants do not have uniform views about policy and management, and no single organization can fully encompass the diversity of global civil society”.

Noncommercial/for-profit partnership—Others believe that a registry operator should partner with a single “sponsoring” noncommercial entity or group/coalition of entities that would serve as the administrative arm while the registry operator would serve only, or primarily, a technical function. While this approach may seem more attractive, it too has a number of key disadvantages in terms of ensuring responsiveness to the larger noncommercial community, including the following:

• Noncommercial status alone does not necessarily translate into responsiveness to the noncommercial community as a whole.  A mechanism to ensure responsiveness to all sectors of the noncommercial community must be in place.

• A single noncommercial organization (or even a group of noncommercial partners) is not likely to be sufficiently representative of the very diverse global noncommercial community.  As ICANN points out in its Criteria for Assessing Proposals, “Noncommercial registrants do not have uniform views about policy and management, and no single organization can fully encompass the diversity of global civil society”.

• Even if membership or participation is offered to others in an open fashion, by virtue of their partner status, the noncommercial organization(s) may be in a position to exercise disproportionate control over the registry, thereby diminishing the ability of those outside the organization from influencing policy in the .org TLD.

• In some cases, the noncommercial organization may agree to play this role simply for the opportunity to create a source of funds for its own organization’s mission, thus potentially undermining the level of service received by the overall community.

• Even apparently noncommercial organizations can be subject to strong commercial influence. The Board or policy-making body of the noncommercial entity could itself be managed by for-profit corporations resulting in undue commercial influence.

• The additional coordination required between the noncommercial organization as the contracting party and the registry operator could impact service levels.

Independent representative global council—NeuStar submits that the most appropriate mechanism to both ensure responsiveness to the global noncommercial community while at the same time maintaining the integrity and stability of the .org TLD, is to establish a global policy council that is representative of the various sectors of the global noncommercial community.  This model ensures responsiveness to the noncommercial community as a whole in the following ways:

• Allows flexible, broad, geographically diverse representation from all sectors of the noncommercial community;

• Eliminates the potential for undue influence by a single noncommercial organization or subset of the community;

• By having a council independent of the registry operator, the opportunity for undue influence by the registry operator in policy matters affecting the global noncommercial community is eliminated; and

• Revenues from registrations are not used for specific noncommercial causes, but rather are used to ensure continued high levels of service to the noncommercial community.

As is stated throughout this proposal, NeuStar considers the .org TLD an important resource that must be administered to serve the noncommercial community. It cannot be allowed to become captured by any single industry sector, constituency, or interest group, but instead, must carefully balance the needs of all community stakeholders. Thus, the .org registry operator must act as a trustee and facilitate consensus to ensure that all policy and development efforts are not only conducted in an open manner, but are necessary and effective.  Based on NeuStar’s experience working collaboratively on standards, processed and policies within the Internet and telecommunication industries, it is only through such an independent representative global council that the .org registry operator can ensure responsiveness to the global noncommercial community while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the .org domain name space. 

The subsections that follow present a detailed description of the mission, structure and procedures for NeuStar’s proposed GPC.

The role of the .org Global Policy Council

As the registry operator, NeuStar must ensure the stable operation of the TLD.  Policy matters, on the other hand, are best guided by the community meant to benefit most directly from the .org TLD, the global noncommercial community.  NeuStar submits that this will best be accomplished by the establishment and facilitation of the GPC. 

The GPC will foster collaboration and a strong relationship between the registry operator and the noncommercial community. NeuStar will establish effective and flexible processes responsive to the global .org community and the public interest. In particular, NeuStar will develop the GPC as an advisory body for .org policy development. This body will interface with NeuStar and the global noncommercial Internet community and provide an independent forum and mechanism for future development of the .org TLD.  Through the GPC, the noncommercial community will provide NeuStar with the policy direction required to ensure responsiveness to the community. 

Policies initiated by noncommercial community—The GPC will be a forum through which the noncommercial community can proactively raise issues or make recommendations on matters that are important to them.  The GPC will operate in a fashion independent of the .org registry operator to ensure open and unbiased decision-making.   The role of the GPC will be to make recommendations to NeuStar that (1) furthers the purposes of, and is in the best interest of the global noncommercial Internet community; and (2) are arrived at through fair and open processes.  Proposals may be presented to NeuStar for initial comment at any time in which a majority of the GPC has approved the proposal.  NeuStar and the GPC shall engage in a collaborative process to resolve any outstanding issues that arise from GPC recommendations.  If, after good faith efforts by both NeuStar and the GPC, the parties are unable to reach agreement on the GPC’s recommendation, the recommendation shall nonetheless be forwarded to ICANN for consideration along with accompanying statements by both the GPC and NeuStar detailing why either party is in support or against the proposal. This proposed process is shown in Exhibit C35-1.

Policies initiated by NeuStar—Under its agreement with ICANN, the .org registry operator will be required to gain ICANN approval for policy changes involving Registry Services.  The process NeuStar is proposing will require the registry operator to seek input from the GPC prior to submitting requested changes to ICANN.  After review, the GPC will submit to the .org registry operator its findings and written recommendations.  ICANN will require that changes requested by the registry operator be accompanied by the written recommendations of the GPC.  The written recommendation of the GPC will provide the registry operator and ICANN with the critical information required to ensure that decisions take into account the expressed needs, concerns, and views of the global noncommercial Internet community.  This proposed process is shown in Exhibit C35-2.

GPC formation and structure

As an important public resource that must be administered to serve the global noncommercial community, the .org TLD must not be allowed to become "captured" or “re-purposed “ by any single industry, constituency, or interest group, but instead, must carefully balance the needs of all global community stakeholders.   Thus, the .org registry operator must act as a trustee and facilitate consensus to ensure that all policy and development efforts are not only conducted in an open manner, but are effective in meeting community needs.

a)   Selection committee/GPC structure
A critical aspect of ensuring the effectiveness and representativeness of the GPC will be the selection of its initial members. To facilitate its early start of operations, NeuStar will, within sixty (60) days of being awarded the .org registry, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, appoint a selection committee comprised of well-respected members from the diverse sectors of the noncommercial community set forth below (Selection Committee) keeping in mind the objectives of representativeness and geographic diversity.  NeuStar will create a selection committee that consists of 7 to 10 members.

The sole responsibilities of the Selection Committee will be to: (1) appoint the Initial GPC members; and (2) determine a method for the future selection or appointment of subsequent GPC members from the seven noncommercial sectors set forth below in accordance with the following initial guidelines:

The Initial GPC shall consist of fourteen (14) total members.  The Selection Committee shall appoint two (2) members from each of the Sectors set forth below. 

To ensure geographic diversity, each GPC member from a particular Sector shall be from a different geographic region.  The geographic regions shall be in accordance with the By-laws established by ICANN. In the event that such geographic diversity cannot be achieved within an individual Sector, that Sector may petition the GPC for a waiver of the diversity requirement until such time that geographic diversity can be achieved within that Sector. 

In order to stagger the appointment of subsequent GPC members and maintain some consistency on the GPC, of the two (2) members selected to the Initial GPC from each Sector, the Selection Committee shall designate one member of the initial GPC to serve a term of one (1) year, and the second to serve for two (2) years.

To avoid potential conflicts of interest on the GPC and in keeping with the registry operator’s legacy of neutrality, NeuStar restricts any individual member of the Selection Committee to serve on the Initial GPC.  Furthermore, the Selection Committee may not select a GPC member from an organization that is represented on the Selection Committee.

In the event that the Selection Committee cannot ensure broad, geographic diversity of the GPC though this structure, it may seek to select three (3) members for each Sector, creating a twenty- one (21) member GPC.  The third member from each Sector would serve a term of three (3) years.

After accomplishing these narrow tasks, the Selection Committee shall be disbanded.

b)   Sectors
The GPC will be structured to ensure broad representation of the global noncommercial community.  NeuStar has identified seven (7) noncommercial sectors designed to be representative of the global community.  Specifically, representation on the initial GPC will be grouped into these seven (7) noncommercial sectors.  To improve upon the representativeness of the GPC, however, the Selection Committee or the GPC may reorganize these Sectors after input from the global noncommercial community.  A possible division of Sectors and what they would include is provided in the following table.

Recognizing that different organizations will have different uses of the Internet, as well as varying technology plans, levels of internal support, and financial budget profiles, attention shall be paid during selection to diversity of organization size, structure, and nature of Internet use.  In addition, the selection processes also shall seek to balance, particularly in the “Education/Scientific” and “Health/Human Services” categories, representation among institutions, organizations focused on service provision and educational organizations, as each of these types of organizations potentially will have very different Internet usage issues.

c)   GPC operating procedures and principles
The GPC shall be governed by the “Operating Procedures and Principles”, a draft of which is set forth at the end of this section.

Outreach and participation

In its development and implementation of such mechanisms, the new .org TLD administrator must understand that the .org TLD is a mature space with many users of a noncommercial nature.  Some potential operators, operating from an insufficient understanding of this community, may seek to establish detailed proposals for new or modified policies.  This approach runs the risk of putting in place the views and interests of the registry operator, or a single noncommercial sponsoring entity, rather than the views and interests of the community at large.  In many cases, such new policies would likely prove, in the best case, unnecessary, and in the worst case, detrimental to the community that it purported to serve. NeuStar’s balanced approach will avoid these pitfalls.

Outreach

NeuStar believes that the registry operator must conduct a level of outreach in order properly to operate the .org space. NeuStar already has started its outreach in preparation for this proposal and will continue these efforts if selected. NeuStar has contacted a number of representatives of various sectors within the global noncommercial community, including multiple health, human services, education, nongovernmental, scientific organizations and member associations, each of which have a unique set of needs with respect to member services and communication, public education, and potential Internet-related functions.

The GPC will conduct open public meetings in conjunction with all ICANN meetings to further facilitate public participation.  To the extent feasible, the registry operator envisions that the GPC will make use of teleconference and other such technologies to enable members who may not be in a position to travel to attend a meeting in person, to nevertheless provide input.  In addition, other meetings may be called by the GPC, at its discretion and subject to the availability of appropriate facilities, be face-to-face, or via conference call or virtual meeting technologies. Minutes of meetings will be posted on a designated GPC website, hosted by NeuStar, as will notices and agendas for upcoming meetings.

Website

NeuStar’s .org Website will provide comprehensive information and communications methods to registrars while also displaying informative essential pages to the noncommercial community.

NeuStar recognizes how critical information flow is for a registry to interact with the community for which it is trying to serve.  We also understand that, as the registry operator responsible for the integrity of the .org TLD, we must provide information that can be easily accessed by the noncommercial community.  The .org Website will be divided into a public section for the Internet Community and a private section for existing registrars.

The public section of the Website, which will be open to all members of the Internet community, will be designed to keep the noncommercial community informed and involved in .org issues.  Through membership, users may also elect to receive updates and information through the methods described below. The Website will allow users to do the following:

• Obtain information about the .org domain name space;

• Locate a registrar for registration in the .org domain name space;

• Join and participate in .org discussion forums;

• Receive e-newsletters covering topics relevant to the .org community and updates on GPC activities and issues; and

• Receive notification of tri-annual public .org GPC meetings to be held concurrently with the ICANN meetings.

Integrity of the .org TLD

Although creating and facilitating forums for participation is one key element for establishing responsiveness to the noncommercial community, one cannot underestimate the importance of ensuring the integrity of the .org TLD.  This is accomplished through stable, secure, reliable, and neutral administration.  These attributes of integrity are expanded upon throughout NeuStar’s Proposal. Highlights  include:

• Thorough and detailed technical and transition plans based on practical, not theoretical experience to ensure stability (See Proposal Sections C17 and C18);

• The provisioning of affordably priced, high quality registry services (See Proposal Sections C25 – C28);

• Neutral operations that enhance competition and ensure equivalent access to all registrars (See Proposal Section C21 and C31); and

• Precision marketing plan to maximize registrations by the global noncommercial community.

Conclusion
Unlike the new gTLDs, the .org TLD is a mature space with a developed purpose and community culture. It would, therefore, be unreasonable and, indeed, irresponsible, for the new registry operator to simply establish new or modified policies without a careful review of the space and appropriate input and guidance from the effected community.  The policy council approach outlined above will serve this function, allowing the .org space to evolve in the best interests of the global noncommercial Internet community.

Section 1 Global Policy Council Duties

Section 1.1   Role 

The Global Policy Council (GPC) will be a body facilitated by NeuStar to assist in the identification and development of important policy matters related to the operation of the .org TLD.  The role of the GPC will be to make recommendations to NeuStar that (1) furthers the purposes of, and is in the best interest of the global noncommercial Internet community; and (2) are arrived at through fair and open processes.  The guidance of the council will help to ensure that NeuStar continues to engage in representative and unbiased policymaking and is responsive to the needs of the global noncommercial community.

Section 2.2   Initial Duties 

The GPC's initial duties include:

1. Representing the interests of the global noncommercial community to the .org registry operator;

2. Adopting additional, necessary operational procedures not contained within these Operating Procedures and Principles;

3. Proposing policies and/or policy modifications for comment by NeuStar and presentation to ICANN;

4. Providing comment and guidance to NeuStar, as the registry operator, on issues and questions regarding the ongoing operation of the .org TLD, either at the request of NeuStar, or on its own;

5. Participating in GPC meetings conducted in conjunction with ICANN meetings;

6. Providing input and monitoring assistance as appropriate on electronic communications tools for outreach to the global noncommercial community;

7. Reviewing and providing recommendations and/or comments on policy related matters raised by the .org TLD registry operator, the council itself, or the global noncommercial community.

NeuStar will facilitate the functions listed above as part of its duties to ICANN and the .org community.  The GPC will operate in a fashion independent of NeuStar to ensure open and unbiased decision-making.

Section 2 GPC Structure

Section 2.1 Representation

The GPC shall be structured to ensure broad representation of the global noncommercial community. 

Section 2.2 Selection Committee

A Selection Committee of 7-10 members shall be chosen by the registry operator for the .org TLD within sixty (60) days of the re-assignment of the .org TLD.  The sole responsibilities of the Selection Committee shall be to: (1) appoint the Initial GPC members; and (2) determine a method for the future selection or appointment of subsequent GPC members from the seven noncommercial Sectors set forth in Section 2.4 below.  No individual member of the Selection Committee may serve as a member of the initial GPC.  Additionally, the Selection Committee may not select a GPC member from an organization that is represented on the Selection Committee.

Section 2.3 Number of Members on GPC

The GPC shall consist of a total of twenty-one (21) members.  In the event that the Selection Committee cannot ensure broad, geographic diversity of the GPC though the selection of two (2) members from each Sector, it may seek to select three (3) members for each Sector, creating a twenty- one (21) member BPC. 

Section 2.4 Sectors

Members of the initial GPC shall be grouped into seven (7) noncommercial sectors.  These noncommercial sectors shall be (1) Arts/Culture/Humanities, (2) Education/Scientific, (3) Health/Human Services, (4) International/NGO, (5) Member Associations, (6) Religious-based organizations, and (7) Public/Consumer/Societal Benefit.  The Selection Committee or the GPC, however, may reorganize these Sectors after input from the noncommercial community, provided that the requirements in Section 2.5 below are maintained. 

Section 2.5 Sector Representation on GPC

Each of the Sectors identified in Section 2.3 above shall have a total of two (2) representatives on the GPC.  Each GPC member from a particular Sector shall be from a different geographic region (as those regions are defined by ICANN).  In addition, no two (2) members of the GPC shall be from the same noncommercial organization.  In the event that such geographic diversity cannot be achieved within an individual Sector, that Sector may petition the GPC for a waiver of the diversity requirement until such time that geographic diversity can be achieved within that Sector. 

Section 2.6 Term of Initial GPC Members

In order to stagger the terms of the Initial GPC members, the Selection Committee shall designate one member from each sector to serve an initial term of one (1) year, and a second member to serve two (2) years.  In the event that the Selection Committee selects three (3) members for each Sector (as set forth in Section 2.3 above, the third member from each Sector would serve a term of three (3) years.

Section 2.7 Term of Subsequent GPC Members

Each GPC member selected or appointed after the initial GPC, in a manner consistent with the rules and procedures set by the Selection Committee, shall serve a term of three (3) years.

Section 2.8 Expansion or Contraction of GPC Membership

The GPC may, at any time, by vote of no less than 2/3 vote of the GPC, increase or decrease the number of total GPC members, provided that at all times there shall be an equal number of GPC members from each Sector.

Section 2.9 Vacancies

The procedure on how to fill vacancies on the GPC shall be determined by the GPC, at its sole discretion, provided that, at no time shall a vacancy from one Sector be filled by a member from one of the other Sectors.

Section 3  GPC Policy Recommendations

Section 3.1 Policy Recommendations

The GPC will make policy recommendations to NeuStar either: (i) In response to a direct request or proposal from NeuStar; or (ii) Independently, based upon its own deliberations.

Section 3.2  Requests from NeuStar

For requests or proposals made to the council by NeuStar, the deadline for a GPC response shall be set in the recommendation review request, but shall not be less than 30 days from the date the policy is submitted by NeuStar to the GPC.  GPC recommendations must be in writing.

Section 3.3 Policy Process 

Policies Initiated by NeuStar:  All changes to policy requested by NeuStar that require ICANN review shall be submitted to the GPC no less than thirty (30) days prior to submission to ICANN.  The GPC shall submit its findings and recommendations regarding the NeuStar proposed policy, which NeuStar shall promptly forward to the ICANN.  The written recommendations of the GPC will provide NeuStar and ICANN with the critical information required to ensure that decisions take into account the expressed needs, concerns, and views of the global noncommercial Internet community.

Policies Initiated by GPC:  The GPC will operate in a fashion independent of the .org registry operator to ensure open and unbiased decision-making.  Proposals may be presented to NeuStar for initial comment at any time in which a majority of the GPC has approved the proposal.  NeuStar and the GPC shall engage in a collaborative process to resolve any outstanding issues regarding the GPC’s recommendation.  If, after good faith efforts by both NeuStar and the GPC, the parties are unable to reach agreement on the GPC’s recommendation, the recommendation shall nonetheless be forwarded to ICANN for consideration along with accompanying statements by both the GPC and NeuStar detailing why either party is in support or against the proposal.

Section 4  GPC Comments

In some instances, the .org TLD registry operator will have issues about which GPC input would be useful, but that do not rise to the level of a full recommendation.  In these cases, NeuStar may seek comment by the GPC on such matters.  For requests for comment made to the GPC by NeuStar, the deadline for a GPC response shall be set in the comment request, but shall not be less than 30 days.  GPC comments will be in writing.

Section 5   GPC Leadership & Activities

Section 5.1 GPC Chair

The activities of the GPC will be presided over by an elected Chair. The Chair for the GPC shall be elected directly by the GPC members.  The election of a new Chair following expiration of the previous Chair's term shall be conducted pursuant to procedures established by the initial GPC.  This procedure, however, must ensure that the position of Chair rotates through each of the five identified international regions.

Section 5.2 Other Officers

The GPC may establish, as it deems necessary, other officers of the GPC at its sole discretion.

Section 5.3  GPC Manager

The GPC Manager shall be full-time independent dedicated staff position, funded by NeuStar, that focuses exclusively on the policy-development and outreach efforts related to the .org TLD.  The GPC Manager will serve as a liaison between NeuStar and the GPC, as well as between the GPC and the global noncommercial Internet community.  More specifically, the GPC Manager will solicit, collect, organize and report to the GPC and the global noncommercial community on all public input on matters put out for public comment or actions taken by the GPC or NeuStar.  In addition, the GPC shall have overall responsibility for conducting and organizing outreach efforts to the global noncommercial community, including, managing all GPC public forums, public e-mail lists, the GPC Listserv, and to support other activities of the GPC. 

Section 5.4 Working Groups/Committees

The GPC may establish as necessary working groups and functional committees as it deems necessary to fulfill its role.

Section 5.5 Meetings

The GPC will conduct open public meetings in conjunction with all ICANN meetings to further facilitate public participation.  To the extent feasible, the registry operator envisions that the GPC will make use of teleconference and other such technologies to enable members who may not be in a position to travel to attend a meeting in person, to nevertheless provide input.  In addition, other meetings may be called by the GPC, at its discretion and subject to the availability of appropriate facilities, be face-to-face, or via conference call or via virtual meeting technologies.  Minutes of meetings will be posted on a designated GPC website, as will notices and agendas for upcoming meetings. 

Section 5.6  Consensus And Decision-Making Process:

Quorum—There must be a quorum of the GPC members in order to take any formal action.  A quorum shall exist if a majority (or >1/2) of the GPC members are present.

Actions—For approval of a GPC Recommendation or Comment, a simple majority of those present is required.  Votes may be taken in person, electronically, or by other mechanisms mutually agreed upon by the members.

Minority Opinions—If requested, minority opinions may be included with any policy or comment recommendation.

Section 5.7 Listserv

The GPC shall have a listserv for members to introduce themselves and discuss GPC matters.

Section 6 

This Operating Procedures and Principles may be amended from time to time as the needs of the GPC change or as needed to incorporate changes to the .org Registry Agreement by and between ICANN and the .org registry operator by a vote of no less than 2/3 of the GPC members.

A fundamental element of preparation of NeuStar’s proposal for the reassignment of .org was direct communication with geographically diverse organizations from a broad spectrum of the noncommercial community (See following list).  Many of the organizations, with which we spoke, expressed support for the following attributes of the NeuStar proposal:

• NeuStar’s demonstrated ability to transition and operate the registry in a stable and reliable fashion;

• NeuStar’s proposed Code of Conduct provision limiting NeuStar-sponsored marketing activities to those targeted at the noncommercial community; and

• NeuStar’s proposed formation of a .org Global Policy Council (GPC) to ensure responsiveness to the noncommercial community.

The organizations with which we spoke were largely unaware of the upcoming registry transition. Given that many of these organizations now consider the Internet to be a critical tool for carrying out their respective missions, their primary concern was ensuring that .org continue to be operated in a stable and reliable fashion.  They expressed support for the selection of a registry operator with demonstrated experience transitioning and operating mission critical infrastructure, two qualifications that NeuStar meets.

Many of the organizations we spoke with are very concerned about the number of .org domain names now registered to commercial users.  They are supportive of any practical steps that can be taken to discourage such registrations, and support marketing activities that preserve and improve the association of .org with noncommercial activities as opposed to commercial companies. Given that a significant number of commercial registrations in .org were the byproduct of marketing activities, including the use of free or discounted .org names as promotional giveaways, noncommercial organizations supported NeuStar’s proposed Code of Conduct provision limiting NeuStar sponsored marketing activities to those targeted at the noncommercial community.

Organizations from multiple countries and noncommercial sectors expressed support for NeuStar’s proposal.  Most of those who provided letters of endorsement (See Proposal Section C50.6) did so based primarily on a desire to participate in a process that gives the noncommercial community a critical role in shaping what is essentially the noncommercial Internet.  They believe that NeuStar’s proposed GPC provides such a process.  These organizations are interested in participating in the GPC, not because they are looking to derive funds from the operation of an Internet registry, but because the Internet is increasingly becoming the primary vehicle for getting their message out, communicating with members, providing services, and raising funds.  In short, noncommercial organizations want to have a say in what the noncommercial Internet is, and what it becomes. 

NeuStar outreach and research contacts
The following is a list of noncommercial organizations NeuStar contacted during outreach and research activities associated with the preparation of our proposal.  These organizations represent a combined membership of over 440,000 individuals and more than 574,000 organizations.

Afribike

Alcohol Policy Network

American Bar Association

American Council of Non-profit Associations

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

Association for Consumers Action on Safety and Health

Australian Association for the Deaf

Civicus

CNNIC

Congress of NGOs (CONGO)

Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines

European Competitive Telecommunications Association

Far Eastern Group

First Book

Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN

Hong Kong China Foundation

Hotel Association of Canada

Instituto Nacional de Cancer

International Federation of Journalists

International Air Transport Association

Independent Sector

Israeli/Palestine Center for Research and Information

Japan Association for Cultural Exchange

Japan Association of Travel Agents

Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce

Luxembourg Bankers Association

Jewish Museum of Belgium

March of Dimes

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates

National Council of Non-Profit Associations

National League of Cities

National Kidney Foundation

Network for On-line Commerce

Ontario Public Health Association

Personal Communications Industry Association

Project Concern International Romania

Society of Organizational Learning

SRI International

Stargazer Foundation

Stefan Batory Foundation

The Israeli Museum

TWNIC

United for a Multi-cultural Japan

William G. McGowan Foundation

Wondir Foundation

Intentionally omitted.