Why Serve on CIRA's Nomination Committee?
As the steward of dot-ca, Canada's Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), CIRA is responsible for the management of the dot-ca registry, the dot-ca Domain Name Server (DNS), the policies that support Canada's Internet community, and Canadian involvement in international Internet governance.

CIRA's Nomination Committee carries out a critical role in attracting a diverse roster of qualified Candidates to CIRA's Board of Directors elections. The Nomination Committee strives to identify Candidates who represent the diverse geographical, gender, linguistic, cultural, and professional make-up of Canada to help CIRA achieve its mission and objectives.

By serving on the Nomination Committee, you will help to ensure that CIRA's Member-elected Board of Directors represents a wide range of views and interests when defining the strategic direction of CIRA as it contributes to the Canadian Internet policy.

How to Apply
The CIRA Board of Directors may select no less than four members' for the Nomination Committee.

Applications for consideration to become a member of the Nomination Committee will be accepted from noon January 4, 2010 to 6:00 pm (18:00h) Eastern Time January 22, 2010.

To apply for a position on CIRA's Nomination Committee, please read the selection criteria to ensure eligibility and complete the Nomination Committee Application Form.

Nomination Committee Responsibilities and Selection Guidelines
The Nomination Committee consists of six to 12 individuals appointed by the CIRA Board of Directors who select a diverse roster of highly qualified Candidates to be included on the Final Slate of Candidates in CIRA's Board of Directors Elections.

The Nomination Committee develops its list of Candidates through the following process:

  • Solicit names of individuals who are qualified and willing to become Directors
  • Provide CIRA's Board of Directors and Members, as applicable, a slate of candidates from which the Members will elect Nomination Committee Directors
  • Develop and provide to the Board a list of skills, experience and demographic criteria for Directors, necessary to ensure balanced representation and effective governance
  • Identify, interview, and check references of prospective Candidates, as required, for vacant positions on the Board
  • Exercise such other powers as are authorized by resolution of the Board.

Term
Members of the Nomination Committee will hold terms of two years.

Remuneration
Members of CIRA's Nomination Committee will not receive remuneration, but will be reimbursed for expenses.

Selection Criteria
In selecting Nomination Committee Members, CIRA's Board of Directors is seeking individuals from public, private, not-for-profit, and academic sector organizations with a wide range of technical and professional experience.

To ensure diverse representation, CIRA's Board of Directors is seeking Nomination Committee Members who:

  • Reside in various provinces and regions within Canada
  • Work or are involved in a variety of industry sectors
  • Represent different regions, cultures, genders and linguistic groups, that are consistent with the diverse make up of the Canadian population

Backgrounder
In 2006, CIRA began to reform its Election process to attract a broader range of Candidates from all stakeholder groups. CIRA strengthened the Nomination Committee's role and powers to develop a slate of Candidates who represent Canada's diverse population and offer expertise in organizational and corporate governance. New Members of the Nomination Committee will join the following current Nomination Committee Members:

Ash Abhyankar
Malcolm Andrew
Gaston Gohou
Susan M. Mitchell

For information on the Nomination Committee composition and selection process, please refer to Section Five of CIRA's By-laws: (PDF document)

CIRA's Election Process
CIRA's 2010 Election process begins with the formation of a Nomination Committee.

  • From January 4 - 22, 2010, applications to be considered for the Nomination Committee will be accepted
  • In February 2010, Nomination Committee applications will be reviewed by CIRA's Board of Directors. They will select up to four Members for this year's Nomination Committee
  • From May 2010 to June 2010, the Nomination Committee will be actively seeking potential Candidates to be included on the Final Slate of Candidates in CIRA's Board of Directors election
  • In July 2010, the Nomination Committee will develop its roster of Candidates to be included on the Final Slate of Candidates in CIRA's Board of Directors election. This roster will be posted on CIRA's website
  • In August 2010, CIRA Members will have the opportunity to nominate potential Member Candidates and show their support online
  • In September 2010, a Campaign Forum will be available to CIRA Members and the public to post questions to CIRA Board of Directors Candidates. Following this phase, CIRA Members can vote for Final Candidates online
  • In October 2010, the results of the CIRA Board of Directors Election will be posted on CIRA's website

About CIRA's Board of Directors
CIRA is governed by a 15-person Board of Directors that consists of 12 elected voting members plus CIRA's President, a representative of the Government of Canada, and John Demco, who sit on the Board as ex-officio, non-voting Directors. The Board of Directors set the policies and strategies that support Canada's Internet community and users.

CIRA Members annually elect Directors through CIRA's online election.

Summary of required qualifications for CIRA's Board of Directors:

  • Represent different regions, cultures, genders and linguistic groups, that are consistent with the diverse make up of the Canadian population
  • Provide necessary professional expertise
  • Have significant relevant corporate and/or organizational governance experience
  • Be an individual, at least 18 years of age, with power under law to contract
  • Consent to be a Nominee, a Candidate and if elected, a Director
  • Ability to participate in at least three meetings in person or via conference call
  • On the day the Election Period begins, meet the Qualification requirements defined in subsection 3.02 of CIRA's By-law No. 1
  • Directors are not required to be Members of CIRA
  • Current Directors are eligible, if qualified, for re-election
  • Agree to abide by CIRA's Code of Conduct and Policy on Conflict of Interest, CIRA's By-laws, Policies and rules