Blogs

Over the weekend, I participated in the "Tough Mudder," an obstacle course spanning 12 miles over rocky and hilly terrain in Pocono, Pa.   Among other challenges, it involved numerous dunks in ice cold water pits -- usually for failing to manage an obstacle properly or sometimes just because they were part of the course.

Months ago when I was originally invited to participate, I seriously debated whether or not to take part in this grueling event. One factor that sealed my decision to participate was learning that proceeds from the Tough Mudder are donated to the Wounded Warrior project, an organization that strives "to honor and empower wounded warriors" with community support and unique services that enable them to readjust successfully to civilian life. Thinking of the men and women who make unfathomable sacrifices for their country, and knowing that my registration for the Tough Mudder would benefit an organization that supports this courageous group of individuals gave me just the motivation I needed to commit to this challenge.

In a world of overhyped sporting events, extravagant halftime celebrations and gloried, high-priced athletes, there comes a 73–year-old annual basketball tournament that needs no hype or halftime show. Instead, its magic lies in the fact that families, colleagues, alumni and bar flies stop and watch hundreds of amateur athletes participate in what I dare say might be America’s most thrilling and beloved sporting event of all times. Yes, I’m talking about March Madness, a term first coined by Bob Walsh of the Seattle Organizing Committee for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) back in 1984.

Like many office water cooler chats, we at PIR talk a lot about celebrities. But in addition to bantering about Angelina’s right leg or the latest Dancing with the Stars cast, we often discuss celebrities who use their influence to establish nonprofits and foundations, and who in turn look to .ORG to mobilize support for their causes. Today’s topic of conversation? Lady Gaga’s the Born this Way Foundation (www.bornthiswayfoundation.org).  Even before her organization’s launch, Lady Gaga has been an unwavering advocate of the anti-bullying movement that has heated up in the past year (heck, she wrote her hit song, “Born this Way,” about these very issues). So it’s no surprise that the Born this Way Foundation’s mission is to “foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated.” Ultimately, the foundation aims to cultivate a safe community where young people can obtain the skills and opportunities necessary to encourage a kinder, braver world.

The ICANN Board made a couple of important decisions regarding accountability and transparency at its 8 December meeting.  Specifically, it approved compensating Directors and also enhanced ICANN’s conflicts of interest rules.  These are positive developments for the organization, and come at a critical juncture as the Internet governance debate heats up in 2012.
 

It’s been quite a busy few months here at PIR. Our team has continued its travels across the globe—most recently to India, Brazil, Senegal, Argentina, Korea, and Bangladesh—to meet with global non-governmental organizations to educate them on our .NGO initiative and better understand how we can help them with their online needs.