RE: [registrars] RE: [RC Voting] Dues of $750 with "forgiveness" for those who choose to pay $250

["tom barrett" <tbarrett@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

<DIV style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif; font-size:10pt;"><DIV>Rob,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I meant raising the dues more than what we paid last year.&nbsp; The actual amount does not matter.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I was making the point that&nbsp;any&nbsp;increase in dues will result in fewer registrars participating in the RC.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Other than voting, the benefits of being a dues-paying registrar are not obvious to me.&nbsp; Could you summarize what your proposal was for new benefits?</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>For example, part of the reason for&nbsp;the increased budget is to hire someone to write&nbsp;position papers and to do public relations.&nbsp; The output of this person will benefit ALL registrars, not just the paying registrars.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I do not see any large registrar trying to use a smaller registrar to try to save a few hundred dollars.&nbsp; Also, for the range of dues we are talking about, I&nbsp;don't think any registrar is going to plead&nbsp;"poverty" or ask "forgiveness".&nbsp; They already pay ICANN over $4000 a year.&nbsp; (by the way, we should ICANN to contribute some of this to the RC)</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>The reality is that&nbsp;the notion of reducing ones' fees because of "poverty" and "asking forgiveness"&nbsp;will simply discourage anyone from&nbsp; pursuing this option...and thereby discourage new paying members.&nbsp; At a minimum, it will delay entry of new registrars into the RC</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I agree that publishing the dues paid by each member is a good idea.&nbsp; This might even encourage some registrars to donate larger amounts than the standard fee.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>best regards,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Tom</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>====================</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr">
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2">Tom,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">I am unclear what you mean by raising the dues.&nbsp; Do you mean raising them higher than the proposed budget, or are you saying they should not be raised to the 750 mark that they used to be at.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">As you may recall, all dues used to be 750, and we lowered them a few years back as we had built up a bit of cash.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">I think now the Execom has presented a budget that shows a need for the higher dues for the spending contemplated, and the dues proposed are simply going back to what they used to be.&nbsp; I would also point out that at the last in person meeting of the constituency, the straw poll of going back to 750 per year was unanymously in favour of it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">I do take issue with your second principle a bit.&nbsp; I think there needs to be some benefits to membership in the constituency, not just voting. We made some proposals towards such an end in PR, and I think you will see that they have the effect of increasing membership as we are able to roll out better services to the Membership.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">As to your proposal of tiering based on the number of names, I can tell you the Execom did indeed look at that.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">The concern was brought forward by Adrian, who pointed out that some of the smaller registrars might want to pay more, and that some of the larger groups could pick one of their smaller ones.&nbsp; I commend Adrian for taking the high road and saying that he wants to pay the full fare, because of all the benefits he gets from the constituency.&nbsp; I think there are many out there that would agree that they receive more than 750 dollars worth of benefit a year.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">So we decided to leave it as a flat fee, and allow someone to ask for forgiveness down to the 250 if they needed it.&nbsp; I think it achieves the same result, but with a more positive outlook of saying that we all gain huge benefits from being members, and also takes care of those that need a reduction.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">I also supported publishing those that had asked for and been granted the reduction in price, in order to keep the larger groups such as ourselves from simply picking a small registrar and pleading poverty.&nbsp; I assure you we are very happy to&nbsp;be members,&nbsp;and would happily pay even more than 750 for the privledge of membership.&nbsp; I figured that if you published all our members, their renewal dates and what they paid, that we would be completely open and transparent about our fees, finances and collections.&nbsp; I still believe this may be the way to go. I believe if we can get more organized, and be more transparent about what everone's status is, we will be more succesful in attracting members.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2">Rob</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><FONT face="Arial" size="2"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr"><BR>
<HR>
<FONT face="Tahoma" size="2"><B>From:</B> owner-registrars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of tom barrett<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sun 29/07/2007 10:48 PM<BR><B>To:</B> owner-votingmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; registrars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<BR><B>Subject:</B> [registrars] RE: [RC Voting] Dues of $750 with "forgiveness" for those who choose to pay $250.<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>Bob et al,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN><SPAN>The problem with raising the RC dues, is that it will result in lower registrar participation.&nbsp; This is not a desirable result.</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN><SPAN>Theoretically, the following&nbsp;three principles represent&nbsp;how things are today:</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><FONT size="3"><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN>First Principle:&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN>The RC constituency should represent all ICANN Accredited Registrars.&nbsp;We have all paid ICANN dues.&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN>Towards this end, all should be welcome to participate in discussions and endorse RC statements.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><FONT size="3"><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN>Second Principle:&nbsp;The RC has&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN>adopted the position that only those registrars that have paid RC dues are eligible to vote in RC elections.&nbsp; This has been the only area where registrars have been restricted from participating unless they have paid the dues.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>Third Principle: Related registrars do not receive an additional vote in RC elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;Note: this doesn't prevent related registrars from participating or paying RC dues if they choose to do so.&nbsp; They simply do not get to buy another vote.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>I believe these first three principles should continue to be followed.&nbsp; (although I&nbsp;think we can do more&nbsp;regarding the first principle.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>Proposal:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>I believe a tiered dues structure makes a lot of sense for the RC.&nbsp; This is common in many associations.&nbsp; It is also the model being followed by ICANN for cctld AND registrar contributions.&nbsp; Here is how it could work:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>1. We define a minimum dues amount that all registrars must satisfy</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>2. We suggest higher amounts based on ICANN names under management.&nbsp; Each registrar can decide whether they want to pay the minimum amount,&nbsp;the suggested higher amount or something in between.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>3. Registrar contributions are published for all to see.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>for example: Here is an example: (these numbers are completely hypothetical)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>base RC fee: $250</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 1: 0-5000 names: $300</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 2: 5001-25,000 names: $350</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 3: 25,000-100,000 names: $400</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 4: 100,001-500,000 names $500</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 5: 500,000-1,000,000 names: $600</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN>tier 6: 1,000,001+ names: $750</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT color="#0000ff"><SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><FONT size="3">I believe this sort of structure would encourage participation by more registrars.&nbsp; <SPAN>Registrars are free to pay more than their "suggested" amount.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT color="#0000ff"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><FONT size="3"><SPAN>I'm aware this makes the budgeting process a bit more difficult.&nbsp; But j</SPAN>ust&nbsp;as&nbsp;ICANN&nbsp;needs&nbsp;to<SPAN> </SPAN>make&nbsp;some&nbsp;assumptions&nbsp;<SPAN>in its budget </SPAN>about&nbsp;registrar&nbsp;contributions,&nbsp;I&nbsp;think&nbsp;<SPAN>the RC ex-com&nbsp;</SPAN>can&nbsp;too.</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3">best regards,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3"></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3">Tom Barrett</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#0000ff" size="3">EnCirca</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir="ltr" align="left"><SPAN><FONT face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial"><FONT color="#0000ff"><FONT size="2"></FONT></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial"><FONT color="#0000ff"><FONT size="2"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Arial"><FONT color="#0000ff"><FONT size="2"><SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>