2023 Board of Trustees Elections: Call for Nominations
The Call for Nominations is closed.
The Internet Society (ISOC) supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society. Its Board of Trustees provides strategic direction, inspiration, and oversight to advance the Internet Society’s mission.
The Opportunity
In 2023, the Internet Society’s Chapters will be asked to elect two members to the board, Organization Members will be asked to elect one member, and the IETF will be asked to appoint one member following the process documented in RFC 3677. The successful candidates will be expected to participate in a board orientation program after the elections, and all will begin their three-year terms on the board at the start of the Annual General Meeting, currently scheduled for June 17-18, 2023.
About Us
The Internet Society is a global non-profit organization that champions the open Internet for everyone. It has nearly 100 Organization Members, more than 130 Chapters and Special Interest Groups, and nearly 75,000 individual members that play a role in driving the mission and work of the organization. The Internet Society is also the corporate home of the IETF and other Internet-related bodies who together play a critical role in ensuring that the Internet develops in a stable and open manner. With offices in Washington, DC, USA and Geneva, Switzerland, as well as regional bureaus throughout the world, the Internet Society currently has an operational budget of over USD 39 million.
The Internet Society Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the organization, and its authority is derived from the organization’s by-laws and policies. The composition of the board includes 12 voting Trustees, four (4) of whom are elected by Internet Society Organization Members, four (4) elected by Internet Society Chapters, and four (4) selected by the IETF following the process documented in RFC 3677. The Procedures for Selecting Trustees are available online. The Internet Society President and CEO serves ex-officio as a non-voting 13th member of the board. Currently, the Internet Society Trustees also serve as members of the Internet Society Foundation’s board.
Time Commitment
Trustees are expected to commit the time necessary to perform regular board and committee business and this can be quite substantial. Trustees are also expected to allocate time to prepare for and participate in meetings and calls.
- Board Meetings*: usually three physical meetings per year that are two days in length plus travel time. These meetings are often co-located with IETF meetings, or other Internet events to reduce Trustees’ travel and time away from home.
- Planning Retreat*: usually one per year over two days plus travel time.
- Conference Calls: monthly informal meetings by videoconference.
- Committees: participation in at least one committee. The amount of time required varies by committee, with most meeting by videoconference at least once between regular board meetings.
- Email Correspondence: a significant amount of board work is carried out via email discussions, polls and surveys throughout the year.
Eligibility Statement
Candidates for Trustee will have demonstrable involvement in the Internet with deep understanding in at least two of the following areas:
- Internet standards
- Internet operations
- Public policy for Internet and telecommunications
- Internet development
Ideal candidates will also have a good understanding of the broader technology, policy, business and economic issues relevant to the Society.
The following qualifications are also highly desirable:
- Vision for the role of the Internet Society
- Demonstrated cultural competency
- Previous board or leadership experience, especially in not-for-profit entities
- Skills in organizational management, leadership and governance
- Sound financial acumen, financial oversight and fund raising
- The ability to identify relevant Internet Society projects and attendant community engagement models
- Demonstrated abilities as a long-term, strategic thinker
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Well-developed collaboration and consensus-building skills
- Passion and energy for the role
- Ability to read and understand a balance sheet
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
The Board of Trustees aims to be as representative of the many cultures and communities around the world that it can. In this light, nomination of candidates from Africa, Asia Pacific, Central and South America, younger candidates, women, and those with the lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.
Any potential conflicts of interest that may exclude some nominees will be explored.
*Meetings have returned to in person with a hybrid component. Trustees are encouraged to make every effort to attend meetings in person. Reimbursement for travel to board meetings and retreats is provided to Trustees who request it. The Internet Society does not provide other compensation for board service. For additional information, see the FAQs about Internet Society Board service.
Nomination Form and Deadline
Self-nominations and third-party nominations are welcome. Nominations should be sent to the Nominations Committee using the online form by the deadline: Friday, 13 January 2023 at 15:00 UTC. Please be sure to include a Statement of Interest and a resumé or narrative biography.