Hi all,<div><br></div><div>I was just on the latest of the community budget calls for the FY14 ICANN budget and strategic plan. Bill was on, too, and may have some comments. </div><div><br></div><div>Here are the greatest hits:</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal">FY14 Budget process and timeline.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Long presentation on new management system and software and
how it translates strategic objectives down to programs and projects run by
individual staff. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">On broader issue of the FY14 budget and chances for input to
it, the detail on spending will not be available till 13 May, so the chances
for input will be limited before the Board makes its decision. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">My main interest was simply how to successfully make a ‘special
budget request’ for travel / support, etc.: </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">On special budget requests:</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">March 22 first deadline</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">April 19 normal deadline</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Feedback on april 26</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Publication date for budget: may 13</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Then community budget review calls, public comments, budget
to be approved by board by end of June. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">No special budget requests yet received.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Chuck Gomes made the point that the process is very
different to last year – not a criticism as he thinks it’s going in the right
direction – and that there will probably be a lot more questions about it, and
it’s hard for people to hit the deadlines. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Progress on payments issue. I’d asked in January how
payments are actually made (cheque / transfer / direct payments to vendors) and
staff said they’d get back as it’s difficult.<span style> 
</span>They’re trying to make all third party payments direct to vendors so
it’s not a grant-making program but rather purchase via budget of services/products
that tie into overall organizational goals. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Do all projects have to slot into the staff program and
project objectives?</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Liaise with your SG secretariat, in this case Glen, to get a
check on whether the proposed activity aligns with organizational goals. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:[log in to unmask]"><a href="/scripts/wa.exe?LOGON=A3%3D1303%26L%3DNCSG-DISCUSS%26E%3Dquoted-printable%26P%3D184733%26B%3D--f46d04462b7244687b04d731728a%26T%3Dtext%252Fhtml%3B%2520charset%3Dwindows-1252%26pending%3D" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a></a>
for questions in general. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Last year’s requests:</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.icann.org/en/about/planning/ops-budget/community-requests-07mar12-en.htm">http://www.icann.org/en/about/planning/ops-budget/community-requests-07mar12-en.htm</a>
</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">All the best, Maria</p>

</div>