[Gnso-sc-budget] Reduction of travel spend by $0.5m in GNSO policy development budget - what impact, if any, on the GNSO?

[Ayden Férdeline]

(personal capacity)

Michele,

It is very possible; as I acknowledged, I do not know what rate was ultimately negotiated. All I know is that ICANN staff were accommodated in a property which has a higher ranking than the property that community members were placed in and, if we were to compare rack rates for a standard room for the two, that property is noticeably more expensive. I am told that staff spend ICANN's funds diligently and I would like to believe that; I am just trying to piece together where resources are actually going.

— Ayden

-------- Original Message --------
On 18 February 2018 6:43 PM, Michele Neylon - Blacknight <michele at blacknight.com> wrote:

> Ayden
>
> Regarding hotel rates I think you’re missing a very important detail.
>
> A lot of organisations have corporate rates either with individual properties or entire chains.
>
> So you might see a price of $200 listed for a hotel, whereas because my company has a negotiated rate we’d only pay $150 (for example).
>
> Also I don’t think you really meant “rack rate”. The rack rate would be the absolute highest amount a hotel could charge for a room, which is what you’ll often see printed on a card on the back of your hotel room door. What I think you were referring to was “standard rates”.
>
> Regards
>
> Michele
>
> --
>
> Mr Michele Neylon
>
> Blacknight Solutions
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> From: Gnso-sc-budget <gnso-sc-budget-bounces at icann.org> on behalf of Ayden Férdeline <icann at ferdeline.com>
> Reply-To: Ayden Férdeline <icann at ferdeline.com>
> Date: Saturday 17 February 2018 at 21:32
> To: "gnso-sc-budget at icann.org" <gnso-sc-budget at icann.org>
> Subject: [Gnso-sc-budget] Reduction of travel spend by $0.5m in GNSO policy development budget - what impact, if any, on the GNSO?
>
> [Hi all,]
>
> I am reviewing the documents that Berry prepared in advance of our call for this Monday. I understand that Berry will walk us through them then, but I had one question now and just thought I'd flag it so we can hopefully get a response on Monday:
>
> According to the comparative table, the Policy team's travel spend is being reduced by $500,000 in FY19. As best I can tell, that figure includes the CROP travel spend, so the reduction is just $300,000 over FY18. Under the header "GNSO Related Project Deltas from FY18," the project "FY18 Ongoing Policy ‐ General Management Administration" is described as having a reduction of $300,000 in its travel spend. However, the description in table indicates, "Project will continue into FY19, but Prof. Svcs. resource reduction (appx. $500k)".
>
> Can you please clarify, is there actually a reduction in staff travel?
>
> If so, can you please advise what the reductions in staff travel would entail, and whether they would negatively impact your work? This is in line with the 'penny wise, pound foolish' principle I introduced into an email earlier today; I'd like to look carefully at any reductions in service to the GNSO. If this spend is unnecessary, let's slash it, but if it is ultimately going to harm the service which the GNSO and/or the Council receives, we need to know so that we can raise awareness on the Council and in our communities.
>
> Perhaps some savings will be achieved through efficiencies and there will not be a degradation of service? For instance, by staying in the same type of hotel as ICANN accommodates community members? (From what I understand, the Policy team stayed at the Marina del Rey Hotel in January, while GNSO community members participating in the Council Strategic Planning Session stayed at the DoubleTree a week later. At least based on hotel rack rates, which I confirmed mid-January, the DoubleTree was half the price.)
>
> Not trying to throw any stones here; not trying to be judge and jury -- just trying to understand where and how resources which support policy development and policy-related activities are being spent, and how any reductions could impact us (if at all). Thank you.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Ayden
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