From the IETF website....

"The Internet Engineering Task Force(IETF)is a large open international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet. It is open to any interested individual. The IETF Mission Statement is documented inRFC 3935.

The actual technical work of the IETF is done in its working groups, which are organized by topic into several areas (e.g., routing, transport, security, etc.). Much of the work is handled viamailing lists. The IETF holds meetings three times per year.
The IETF working groups are grouped into areas, and managed by Area Directors, or ADs. The ADs are members of the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Providing architectural oversight is the Internet Architecture Board, (IAB). The IAB also adjudicates appeals when someone complains that the IESG has failed. The IAB and IESG are chartered by the Internet Society(ISOC)for these purposes. The General Area Director also serves as the chair of the IESG and of the IETF, and is an ex-officio member of the IAB.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority(IANA)is the central coordinator for the assignment of unique parameter values for Internet protocols. The IANA is chartered by the Internet Society (ISOC) to act as the clearinghouse to assign and coordinate the use of numerous Internet protocol parameters."

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The IETF is an organized activity of the

The Internet Society (ISOC) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet relatedstandards,education, andpolicy. ISOC is supported by more than 90organizational membersand 26,000individual members