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24 Feb 1994
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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WHAT IS THE INTERNET SOCIETY?
The Internet Society is the international organization for global
cooperation and coordination for the Internet and its internetworking
technologies and applications.
WHO ARE ITS MEMBERS?
Its members reflect the breadth of the entire Internet community and
consist of individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, and
government agencies.
WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
Its principal purpose is to maintain and extend the development and
availability of the Internet and its associated technologies and
applications - both as an end in itself, and as a means of enabling
organizations, professions, and individuals worldwide to more effectively
collaborate, cooperate, and innovate in their respective fields and
interests.
Its specific goals and purposes include:
a) development, maintenance, evolution, and dissemination of
standards for the Internet and its internetworking technologies
and applications;
b) growth and evolution of the Internet architecture;
c) maintenance and evolution of effective administrative processes
necessary for operation of the global Internet and internets;
d) education and research related to the Internet and internetworking;
e) harmonization of actions and activities at international levels
to facilitate the development and availability of the Internet;
f) collection and dissemination of information related to the
Internet and internetworking, including histories and archives;
g) assisting technologically developing countries, areas, and peoples
in implementing and evolving their Internet infrastructure and use;
h) liaison with other organizations, governments, and the general
public for coordination, collaboration, and education in effecting
the above purposes.
HOW DOES IT OPERATE?
The Internet Society operates through its international Board of
Trustees, its International Networking Conferences and developing
country workshops, its regional and local chapters, its various
standards and administrative bodies, its committees, and its
secretariat. The Board of Trustees is headed by a President with
the assistance of several officers. The Board consists of 18 eminent
individuals drawn from every region of the world - most of whom were
instrumental in creating and evolving different components of the
Internet and the technology.
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
The permanent international headquarters and secretariat of the Society
is located at Reston VA USA and is headed by the Executive Director.
WHAT IS ITS LEGAL STATUS?
The Internet Society is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation,
with tax-deductible status in Washington DC USA, near its headquarters
location.
WHY WAS IT CREATED?
The Internet Society was announced in June 1991 at an international
networking conference in Copenhagen and brought into existence in January
1992 by a worldwide cross-section of individuals and organizations who
recognized that the Society was a critical component necessary to evolve
and globalize the Internet and internet technologies and applications,
and to enhance their availability and use on the widest possible scale.
HOW CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIETY OR MEMBERSHIP?
Email: membership@isoc.org (individual membership)
org-membership@isoc.org (organization membership)
Fax: +1 703 620 0913 (until 16 March 94)
Fax: +1 703 648 9887 (after 16 March 94)
Tel: +1 703 648 9888
Internet Society information URLs:
gopher://gopher.isoc.org:70/11/isoc.and.ietf/general
ftp://ftp.isoc.org/isoc
(Membership forms are in the "forms" subdirectory)
Internet and Internet Society presentations URL:
ftp://ftp.isoc.org/isoc/charts
Postal address (until 16 March 94):
Internet Society
1895 Preston White Drive, suite 100
Reston VA 22091
USA
Postal address (after 16 March 94):
Internet Society
12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, suite 270
Reston VA 22091
USA
FAQ 94-001 v. 1.2
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