RE: [registrars] ICANN Budget Update

["Michael D. Palage" <michael@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Rob:

Thanks for keeping the registrars constituency involved in this very
important process. I believe the collective work of you, Tim, Brian and
Elana will be critical in representing the collective voice of all
registrars in this process. Just a couple of points of clarification.
You are correct that I do currently serve as one of five members of the
Board Finance Committee. However, although the Finance Committee plays
an important role in ICANN's budget process, its real work begins once
the President's proposed budget is posted. (This year, that will happen
in the next several days.) The proposed budget is developed by the
President and staff; in that process they consult with both the Budget
Advisory Group and the Finance Committee.

Once the budget is posted, according to its charter the Finance
Committee is responsible for "Review[ing] the annual budget and mak[ing]
specific recommendations to the Board on its adoption, including where
desirable, comments on expense levels, revenue structures, fees and
charges, adequacy of proposed funding levels of programs, and adequacy
of provision for reserves."

As a member of the Finance Committee, I intend to approach this advisory
role by listening to the entire community including the
registrars, who have long funded the bulk of ICANN's budget. I'll try
my best to begin by focusing on understanding any concerns registrars
may have, so that these inputs can assist in developing recommendations
to the Board. I plan to form definite opinions on the budget only after
I've had a chance to hear the community's views and discuss them with the
community.

I do hope there will be a thoughtful dialog among all registrars, large,
medium
and niche, regarding ICANN's budgetary priorities and how best to raise
the funds needed to meet those priorities. Of course, the other members
of the Finance Committee (Ivan Campos, Hagen Hultzsch, Tricia Drakes,
and Tom Niles) I believe are also quite interested in hearing views from
throughout the community as well as other Board members that will have to
approve the final budget.

I look forward to receiving anyone's feedback.

Best regards,

Michael D. Palage



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-registrars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-registrars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Rob Hall
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 1:29 PM
To: Registrars Mail List
Subject: [registrars] ICANN Budget Update


Hello all,

As you know, the ICANN Budget committee received it's first draft copy of
the budget on Monday night.  This was my first chance to see the budget
ICANN was proposing.  There was also conference call to discuss the draft
with ICANN staff and the other members of the committee yesterday (Tuesday).

The budget was created by ICANN staff before Rome, and has been in the hands
of the ICANN Board's Finance Committee until this point.  I am told it has
undergone several revisions and cuttings by the ICANN staff and the Board
Finance Committee.  I believe Mike Palage is a participant on the Board
Finance Committee, and from his comments in Rome, I understand he has been
working closely with staff to review and refine the budget prior to it's
release.

I know many of you are anxious to see the budget details. Some of you may
have already seen it as I know ICANN has had discussions with some
Registrars directly to gain their input on the new model.  While I know the
delay for those of you who have not yet seen the budget may be frustrating,
I am pleased to report that ICANN should be posting it publicly on their
website within the next few days (probably by Monday at the latest).

We will be scheduling a conference call for the constituency shortly after
it is posted, so we can answer any of your questions concerning the budget.
You should plan to go through the document thoroughly as soon as it is
posted, as there are significant changes to the budget, and the way
Registrar payments are calculated and collected.

Please also be aware that until the budget is posted publicly, the budget co
mmittee can not discuss the draft.  I would ask that you refrain from
posting/asking your questions/speculations until you have had a chance to
read the document when it becomes available.

Rest assured, we will make every effort to answer your questions and address
all of your concerns as soon as the budget is public.

Thank you.

Rob Hall
Registrar Rep to the ICANN Budget Committee.