Coalition for Networked Information 
Information Policies:  A Compilation of Position Statements, 
Principles, Statutes, and Other Pertinent  Statements


The Internet Society

1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 100
Reston, VA  22091
703-620-8990
Internet:  info@nri.reston.va.us

Source:  Vinton G. Cerf, Vice President, Corporation for National 
Search Initiatives, 1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA   
22091, September 17, 1991.
Abstract
The purpose of this document is to provide a brief description of the Internet Society and its goals and objectives. It will function as a professional society to facilitate, support and promote the evolution and growth of the Internet as a global research communications infrastructure. The suggestions and recommendations of all parties interested in the Internet are solicited to assist in making the Internet Society robust, productive and structured to meet the needs of its members.

The Internet Society
The Internet, is a collection of cooperating, interconnected, multiprotocol networks which supports international collaboration among thousands of organizations. Because of its current scope and rapid rate of growth, the Internet will benefit from a more organized framework to support its objectives. To this end, an Internet Society is being formed to foster the voluntary interconnection of computer networks into a global research and development communications and information infrastructure. The Internet Society will not operate the Internet. The Internet operation will continue to be a collaborative activity which the Society will seek to facilitate. The Society will provide assistance and will seek to facilities. The Society will provide assistance and support to groups and organizations involved in the use, operation and evolution of the Internet. It will provide support for forums in which technical operational questions can be discussed and provide mechanisms through which interested parties can be informed and educated about the Internet, its function, use, operation and the interests of its constituents.

Membership
The Internet Society will be a membership organization with voting individual members and non-voting institutional members. There will be several classes of institutional members. The Society will produce a newsletter on a regular basis and hold an annual meeting to which all members and other interested parties will be invited. The topics of the annual meeting will vary, but are expected to focus on current research in networking, Internet functionality and growth, and other interests of the Society constituency. All members will receive the newsletter and an invitation to attend the annual meeting of the Internet Society.

Membership dues will vary according to class of membership. The amounts of these dues and the basis on which they are set will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Society and may be revised from time to time as set forth in the By-Laws.

Charter
The Society will be a non-profit organization and will be operated for academic, educational, charitable and scientific purposes among which are:

A. To facilitate and support the technical evolution of the Internet as a research and education infrastructure and to stimulate involvement of the academic, scientific and engineering communities, among others in the evolution of the Internet.
B. To educate the academic and scientific communities and the public concerning the technology, use and application of the Internet.
C. To promote scientific and educational applications of Internet technology for the benefit of educational institutions at all grade levels, industry and the public at large.
D. To provide a forum for exploration of new Internet applications and to foster collaboration among organizations in their operation and use of the Internet.

info@cni.org