Below is an attempt at a (rough) draft of a new membership application form. (Late on Friday -- it is a bit rough!) I used the old application form as a base (cut out questions I think I remember people tended not to answer) and the new charter. Comments please. How to make it shorter, and clearer? And what have I missed? Hope the draft's useful, people will improve it, and we can get on with the process of taking in members. Thanks, Adam [title] Application for membership of the Non-commercial Users Constituency (NCUC) of ICANN's Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO) [background] The constituency exists to enable non-commercial organizations from all regions of the world to participate in policy development on generic domain name issues. Member organizations and their representatives are encouraged to take an active role in the constituency. This application form asks prospective members to provide information about their organization so the constituency can ensure that they meet all membership requirements. The form also asks for information about the individual who will represent the organization and that they have been authorized to do so. It also asks for confirmation that the organization agrees to pay a small fee to help support some essential administrative costs of the constituency. Applications will be processed as quickly as possible, if no reply is received within 10 days working after submitting the completed form please contact <AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE SUPPLIED>. Please read the constituency's charter online at <http://www.ncdnhc.org/charter/current_charter.htm> (temporary) or request a text version from <AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE SUPPLIED>. * Membership Principles (from the constituency charter) Members of the constituency are organizations not individuals. Organizations meeting the following criteria are eligible for membership in the constituency: 1. Organizations incorporated as a non-commercial entity (in countries that have such a provision in their commercial code) or, if unincorporated, or if operating in a country without provisions for non-commercial incorporation, operate on a not-for-profit basis primarily for non-commercial purposes, and 2. Be the exclusive user of at least one domain name. This can be verified by its listing as the registrant and/or administrative contact in the WHOIS data of the domain name, by the name resolving to a website controlled by and representing the organization, or other indications that prove that the prospective member organization is the primary user of a domain name. 3. Are engaged in activities that are primarily non-commercial, including, e.g., political advocacy, educational, religious, charitable, scientific and artistic. The membership of the NCUC specifically excludes: 1. Political organizations whose primary purpose is to hold government office and/or elect government officials 2. Commercial organizations and associations of or for the benefit of commercial entities (even if they are non-profit in form) 3. Organizations that provide services under contract or MoU with ICANN, or are represented in ICANN through another Supporting Organization If you are in any doubts about your organization's eligibility, please contact <AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE SUPPLIED>. - - - Please answer the following questions A. Basic Information for the Organization 1. What is the name of the Organization? 2. What is the major domain name of the Organization? 3. Organization's website URL? 4. Organization's postal address, telephone and fax numbers? 5. Briefly describe the purpose of the organization and its primary activities on the Internet. Please refer to the Membership Principles above and describe how the organization qualifies as a non-commercial organization. 6. Is the organization a member of any other constituency in the GNSO, or represented in ICANN through another Supporting Organization? 7. Is the organization a regional or national chapter, interest group, or subsidiary of a larger "parent" organization? If so, please describe the relationship with that organization, degree of independence from that organization (e.g. separate funding, membership, etc.) Please provide a URL of the parent organization. B. Contact information for the Representative of the Organization 1. What is your name and title with the Organization? (if available, please provide a URL of a staff webpage.) 2. The individual appointed to represent the organization must be authorized by a responsible official of the organization. Please explain how it is that the representative came to be appointed. Please give the name, position and contact information of a person within the organization who can confirm that the representative has been appropriately authorized. The representative of the organization must subscribe to the constituency announcement mailing list and is strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion mailing list. The representative must inform the constituency promptly of any change of contact information. C. Size of the Organization and Membership Fees The constituency will have two subgroups: one for Large and the other for Small organizations. Please indicate the category of membership or employee size. If the organization has both members and employees, please answer both questions. 1. Does the organization have members? If so, does the organization have under or over 1000 members? What type of individuals or entities are members of the organization? 2. If a non-member organization, are there under or over 200 employees? 3. Membership of the constituency is fee based: Small organizations will pay US $50 for 2 years membership. Large organizations will pay US $100 for 2 years membership. Please provide a brief statement that you will be willing to pay fee of: $50 Small organization $100 Large organization (delete as appropriate) You will be required to send money by bank transfer or check. Details will be provided later. Please explain if you anticipate difficulties with making payment. Member organizations in countries with GDP per capita below US$10,000 <http://www.undp.org/hdr2003/indicator/indic_4_2_2.html> are eligible to apply for a waiver or reduction of the membership fee. Such requests must contain information about the budget of the organization. Please write to <AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE SUPPLIED> if your organizations wishes to be consider for a fee waiver or reduction. D. The Organization and ICANN Has the organization been involved in ICANN before? Does it have any developed positions that you would like others to know about? If so, please describe below or provide a URL. 2. For the Representative: As individuals, many of us have been involved in ICANN before. If you have any positions that you would like others to read about (taken on behalf of this organization or others or as an individual), please describe below or provide a URL. E. Is there anything else you would like to add? ** Please submit your completed application to <AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE SUPPLIED>.You will receive a reply about membership status within 10 working days.** END --