Call for Nominations to the Public Interest Registry (PIR) Board of Directors

The Call for Nominations is open.

The Internet Society is now accepting nominations for the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Registry (PIR). PIR’s business is to manage the international registry of .org, .ngo, .ong, .charity, .foundation, .gives, and .giving domain names, as well as three .org associated Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs).

In 2024 there are two positions opening on the PIR Board. The appointed directors will serve three-year terms, beginning mid-year in 2024.

About Public Interest Registry

PIR is a non-profit domain name registry, set up under U.S. law. More information about PIR. 

General Qualities for PIR Board Service

1. Integrity, objectivity, intelligence, and a demonstrated capacity for thoughtful group decision-making.
2. Senior Executive or board level experience, with a demonstrated understanding of board functions, governance, roles, and responsibilities. This may be with a commercial entity or a non-profit entity.
3. An appreciation for PIR’s mission and the potential impact of PIR decisions on the customers of PIR and the global community served by .ORG and the other TLDs PIR operates.
4. All directors must be able to read and understand a balance sheet, as well as read and communicate effectively in the English language.

No official of a national government or a multinational entity established by treaty or other agreement between national governments may serve as a Director. Any director or employee of ICANN or its other contracted parties is also barred as having a conflict of interest.

In general, candidates are expected to be proactive and forthcoming in disclosing potential conflicts of interest, for example, responsibilities to other participants in the domain name ecosystem or roles within the ICANN process (even volunteer roles). While the PIR board often benefits from its members having experience in areas related to PIR’s work, it is essential for the PIR board to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Specific Skills, Competencies, and Experience Sought

In addition to the general qualities above, the nominations committee is seeking a mix of skills to bring to the board. While no candidate is expected to possess all of these, candidates should demonstrate one or more.

1. Strong financial acumen.
2. Familiarity with U.S. Tax law under which PIR operates, especially as it pertains to the 501(c)(3) status for not-for-profit organizations (this is in no way intended to restrict candidates to those from the U.S.).
3. Early stage business experience, especially in finding efficiencies and growth in stable markets.
4. Good understanding of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
5. Experience outside of the domain-business area, which could help provide more outside independent viewpoints for the PIR Board.
6. Demonstrated experience with technological aspects of the Internet and more specifically the DNS; familiarity with Internet technical standards and protocols and/or DNS security and stability functions.
7. Familiarity with the operations of gTLD and/or ccTLD registries and registrars.
8. Technical experience outside of but relevant to the domain name industry, such as with email, web hosting, cloud services, or other broader online service delivery.

Gender balance, geographic, cultural, and other forms of diversity will also be considered during the selection process.

Time Commitment

The time commitment expected of Board members is significant, including approximately 15 full days per year for face-to-face (or equivalent virtual) meetings (not including travel time), regular conference calls (generally monthly), and daily email correspondence. Meetings will be held via teleconference, videoconference, and in person.

Board meetings typically include:

1. Board Meetings: three to five per year, of one and a half days. When face-to-face meetings are held, travel time must be budgeted as well. In the past, meetings have been held virtually, in the USA, and co-located with ICANN meetings that occur around the world. Board committee meetings generally are held quarterly and virtually.
2. Strategic Planning Retreat: one per year, generally three days.
3. PIR Advisory Council Meeting: one per year, generally two days. Board participation in these meetings is optional.
4. Conference calls: as needed.
5. Email correspondence: as often as daily.

This Board currently consists of seven members and is intentionally small. It is therefore important that nominees seriously consider their potential role as a director and the time commitment that this entails. In addition, some leadership roles and committees will require more time.

Compensation of Directors

Reasonable travel costs, in accordance with PIR’s travel and expense policies, are reimbursable.

Directors are eligible to accept compensation up to $30,000 USD per year, paid quarterly in arrears, as compensation for their services as a director; additional compensation is available for additional service to the Board. Compensation for Board service is not guaranteed and can be amended or abolished at any time, at the discretion of the PIR Board’s Compensation Committee. Directors may of course decline to receive compensation.

How the Selection Process Works

Interviews will be conducted with short-listed candidates via videoconference and finalists must undergo a background check. The Internet Society Board of Trustees then selects new PIR Directors from the pool of nominees. This is expected to occur by April 2024, and all candidates will be contacted as appropriate once the selection process is complete.