+1 Ayden

-Michael

On Sun, Jul 3, 2016 at 3:48 PM, Ayden Férdeline <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

It is great to hear that both James and Sam have joined Tapani in stepping into this important role. I must say, Sam, I do like your idea of an annual report — this would be an excellent resource not only for ensuring we are doing our part in realising the Sustainable Development Goals, but so that we can measure our own progress and ensure that we are working in a way that is consistent with our own, internally-set strategic and regional engagement strategies. Thank you again for stepping forward here, James, Sam, and Tapani. - Ayden

On Sun, Jul 3, 2016 2:04 PM, Rafik Dammak [log in to unmask] wrote:

Hi Sam,

just to make 2 corrections here:

- NCUC has already a representative, James Gannon, to NCSG FC and I do think he participated in your election

- NCSG doesn't have a bank account. 

Best,

Rafik

2016-07-03 21:29 GMT+09:00 Sam Lanfranco <[log in to unmask]>:

I would like to thank those who have wished me well in the position as Chair of the NCSG finance committee and take this opportunity to make a short assessment of the issues and challenges to be faced. First, here is a bit of background. I am the long serving treasurer for a small community museum support group whose budget amounts are similar to those involved in this position. I have been on non-profit boards with annual budgets of several million dollars , and with a past as board chair I am well aware of the transparency and accountability requirements for fiduciary responsibility.

I am now also the treasurer for NPOC and will represent NPOC on the finance committee. Tapani, as chair of NCSG, is on the committee. NCUC will designate a person to the committee.

Initially I have two goals. The first is to propose a reporting scheme for NCSG, NCUC and NPOC to report out financial information in ways that support transparency and accountability, as a matter of best practice and not because of any worries about accountability. The second is look for possible improvements for how the modest (minimal) funding is administered. That involves dealing with a number of minor but bedeviling issues. None of our three entities has an independent legal status (we are not NGO’s). Thus, most financial systems will not allow us to have independent bank accounts. At the moment the NPOC account is held by an individual, as is the case I believe for NCSG and NCUC. Also, for such accounts national tax authorities may treat deposits as “personal income” and impose taxes. The committee will explore (the rather limited) options for independent bank accounts. The occasional suggestion that NCSG, et. al., look to incorporation as not-for-profit entities brings additional complications and is an unlikely option.

Some of the comments have brought up the prospects for “fund raising”. Certainly, if George Soros turned up with his Open Government support cheque/check book, we would figure out how to be grateful recipients, but that is unlikely.  At the moment the activities of our groups may have modest ongoing financial support from some quarters, but we mainly gain effectiveness in outreach and engagement by partnering in with others to do what we do. That is probably where we best continue our efforts to leverage our effectiveness in outreach and engagement, and in recruiting support for engagement within ICANN's activities. I note that “partnership” is goal #17 in the UN’s list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It is beyond the scope of the finance committee but we might collectively consider doing an annual report of such collaborative outreach and engagement to document the extent of our multistakeholder engagement with our constituencies and their interests in Internet governance, interests that in their case may go well beyond ICANN’s internal remit.  Such a report would be in addition to ICANN's efforts at internal Key Performance Indicators (PKIs). Lastly, any and all suggestions are gratefully accepted.

Sam Lanfranco, NCSG Finance Committee

Ayden Férdeline

Statement of Interest