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As set forth in ICANN's bylaws, underpinning the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is a network of self-organizing, self-supporting At-Large Structures throughout the world involving individual Internet users at the local or issue level.

The At-Large Structures (either existing organizations or newly formed for this purpose) are in the process of organising into five Regional At-Large Organizations (RALO) . There will be one RALO in each ICANN region - Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean, and North America). The RALOs will manage outreach and public involvement and will be the main forum and coordination point in each region for public input to ICANN.

Minimum criteria for an At-Large Structure:

1. Commit to supporting individual Internet users' informed participation in ICANN by distributing to individual constituents/members information on relevant ICANN activities and issues, offering Internet-based mechanisms that enable discussions of one or more of these activities and issues among individual constituents/members, and involving individual constituents/members in relevant ICANN policy development, discussions and decisions.
2. Be organised so that participation by individual Internet users who are citizens or residents of countries within the Geographic Region in which the ALS is based will predominate in the ALS' operation. The ALS may permit additional participation by others that is compatible with the interests of the individual Internet users within the region.
3. Be self-supporting (not rely on ICANN for funding).
4. Post on the Internet (on the ALAC's website or elsewhere) publicly-accessible, current information about the ALS's goals, structure, description of constituent group(s)/membership, working mechanisms, leadership, and contact(s).
5. Assist the RALO in performing its function.

Certification process for At-Large Structures (ALS):

1. Submit to the ALAC, in electronic form (provided by the ALAC), a completed ALS application (in English) and provide the ALAC with any requested documentation. The application should be sent to: als@alac.icann.org. This is also the best address to address any questions about the applications process.
2. The ALAC will conduct due diligence, reviewing the application and performing necessary tasks in an effort to ensure that the established ALS criteria has been/will be met. This could include requesting references, interviewing the applicant's contact(s), gathering/requesting additional information on the applicant, and (for existing organizations) requesting information on applicant's leadership and operations, verifying general funding sources, and requiring the applicant to demonstrate the identity of their individual constituents.
3. Upon completion of its due diligence, all ALAC members will review the application and related documentation; the ALAC will then vote on certifying the applicant an ALS, with each ALAC member voting ELIGIBLE or NOT ELIGIBLE.
4. Decisions to certify an ALS require a 2/3 vote of all of the members of the ALAC and shall be subject to review according to procedures established by the Board. The ALAC will notify the applicant of its certification decision, and, if applicable, provide information on requesting a review of the decision.
5. Decisions to de-certify an ALS require a 2/3 vote of all of the members of the ALAC and shall be subject to review according to procedures established by the Board. Reasons for the ALAC to pursue de-certification action, and to de-certify an ALS, may include persistent non-compliance with significant ALS requirements. The ALAC will provide advance notice to the ALS in question, and the ALS will have an opportunity to be heard and respond to the ALAC prior to a decision on de-certification. The ALAC will notify the ALS of its de-certification decision and provide information on requesting a review of the decision.
6. On an ongoing basis, the ALAC may give informal advice and support to organizations seeking certification. It is intended that the ALAC work informally with organizations over time to assist with their efforts to comply with the criteria and achieve the necessary standing to seek certification.
7. ALS applications, ALAC decisions on applications, and other information, as appropriate, will be publicly posted by the ALAC.

Where to Go For More Information

Here are some useful URLs:

List of ALSes and Applicants: http://www.alac.icann.org/applications/

African RALO: http://www.afralo.org/

Asia/Australia/Pacific RALO: http://www.apralo.org/

European RALO: http://www.euralo.org/

Latin America/Caribbean RALO: http://www.lacralo.org/

North American RALO: http://www.naralo.org/

At Large Advisory Committee: http://www.icannalac.org/

ICANN Homepage: http://www.icann.org/