========================================================================= 24 Feb 1994 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ------------- 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 =========================================================================