What is the Registrar Stakeholder Group, and what does it do?

The Registrar Stakeholder Group (RrSG) has been the main representative body of ICANN accredited domain name registrars since 1999 and was incorporated in Germany as the Association of the Registrar Stakeholder Group e.V in 2020. The RrSG contributes to policy development, issue advocacy, and negotiations with ICANN on behalf of all ICANN-accredited registrars. Within the RrSG are numerous subgroups that help to focus our efforts on specific topics of interest for registrars.

How does the Registrar Stakeholder Group fit in with ICANN and other groups?

The Registrar Stakeholder Group (RrSG) is part of the Generic Names Support Organization (GNSO), the primary policy-making body within ICANN. The RrSG elects three representatives to the GNSO council, plus one individual to serve on the Nominating Committee.

What is the organization/structure of the Registrar Stakeholder Group?

– Members, consisting of ICANN Accredited Registrars that have met requirements and paid membership fees.
– Executive Committee, including a Chair, Vice-Chair of Policy, Vice-Chair of Technical Operations, Secretary, and Treasurer.
– GNSO Council Members, elected by the Registrar Stakeholder Group to represent three different geographical regions
– Nominating Committee Member elected by the Registrar Stakeholder Group to serve on NomCom.
– Subgroup Chairs, chosen by the subgroup members to lead discussion and output on specific topics.
– Support Staff, including a Secretariat, Legal Advocate, and Website Administrator.
– Observers, consisting of ICANN Accredited Registrars who participate in the RrSG for a limited period of time, in an observational capacity, through the RrSG Observer Pilot Program.

 

Statement from Owen Smigelski, Chair

On behalf of our members, representing domain name registrars and their customers worldwide, thank you for visiting the RrSG’s website. Since the formation of ICANN, the RrSG has been the voice and advocacy organization for registrars and their customers and has played a very active role in policy development and other ICANN processes.

If you’re a newly-accredited registrar or have been a registrar for some time but are not an RrSG member, I encourage you to read more about our work and consider joining. By becoming an RrSG member, you will have the opportunity to communicate with your registrar peers, participate in the ICANN process, and vote on issues relevant to the registrar community.

If you’re already an RrSG member, I hope you’ll use this website as a tool to stay informed about matters of concern to registrars and to contribute your energy and ideas to our efforts.

Should you have any questions about the RrSG or its work, please contact secretariat@icannregistrars.org

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