Registrar Stakeholder Group
RrSG, or the Registrars Stakeholder Group, is an ICANN Stakeholder Group representing ICANN-accredited registrars.[1] It was first recognized by the ICANN Board on 27 May 1999. The RrSG participates in ICANN's policy-making process and also works as one of the most efficient bodies in raising the voice of the registrars within the ICANN community.[2]
The RrSG is a part of the Generic Names Support Organization (GNSO), the main policy making body within the ICANN. There are three representatives that are elected to the GNSO Council from the RrSG, where they represent the views of the other members of the RrSG and vote on policy matters.[3]
Responsibilities of the RrSG
The responsibilities of RrSG members differ as per the structure. For instance, the Executive Committee is assigned with more responsibilities such as developing meeting agendas, providing notices of meetings, manage as well as administer elections, support the GNSO Council and ICANN Board, Facilitate policy coordination meetings and many others. [4]
Membership of RrSG
The RrSG welcomes all the ICANN accredited Registrars to join the RrSG and participate in their activities. The fee to join the RrSG is $500. [5]
Structure of the RrSG
- Members of the RrSG: The members of the RrSG consist of the ICANN Accredited Registrars which have paid the membership fees and fulfilled the requirements for becoming a member of the RrSG [6]
- Executive Committee: The Executive Committee or Excom of the RrSG comprises of four officers namely the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and the Treasurer. These four officers manage the RrSG and are elected from the already existing members, who are then nominated by the other members and then a candidate is selected by the majority vote. The term of the member of the Excom lasts for one year starting from June 1st and ending on May 31st.[7]
- GNSO Council Members: The RrSG also comprises of the GNSO Council Members who are elected by the Registrar Stakeholder Group to represent the North America, Europe and Asia Pacific region.
- Nominating Committee Member: It also consists of Nominating Committee member who is elected by the RrSG to work for the Nominating Committee.
- Support Staff: These include the Secretariat, Website Administrator and Legal Advocate.[6]
RrSG and ICANN
The members of the RrSG have regular meetings with ICANN policy, finance, and registrar and finance liaison staff. The members of the RrSG vote to elect the representative on the GNSO Council which is the main policy making body of the ICANN for the generic Top Level Domains or gTLDs. The RrSG members engage with the members of the Registries and government, Law Enforcement Agencies. They also exchange vital information that will help to enhance the services which the registrars provide to their customers. [8]