[Gnso-sc-budget] [information] ICANN Community Childcare Grants Pilot Program

[Marilyn Cade]

I have many concerns about this.

I didn't see it in the budget either and would have objected if I had.

It seems generated by a couple of people, supported by 2-3 female Board members.

I am sympathetic to young families, whether single or with two parents, but I am not supportive to ICANN developing this program, at a time it is cutting its funding overall to the broader needs for engagement for the broader community.

I haven't seen a competitive analysis that documents that other International organizations [which is what ICANN is] conduct such programs and what the documented benefit is to the core mission.

I also was told by ICANN org staff that they explored the liability but I really a not comfortable with the liability issues. I asked if there had been a public comment and no, instead, ICANN org, in its infinite wisdom, developed the program, spent staff time to research it, and announced it as a pilot.

Normally, I am a big supporter of ICANN endeavors -- this is a bridge that looks very shaky to me.

First before even considering a pilot, let's ask to see the documented examples of other IOs that have such programs and what their results are.
Second, let's see the documented research on legal liability if the children are on site at ICANN.
Thirdly, how are the other costs covered? paying extra for airfare so that the family can have business class or preferred seating if ICANN funds the travel?

Thirdly, in some instances, other programs are prioritized to participants from developing countries -- is this program doing to fund those who attend from any country -- even the richer WEOG countries and even those from contracted parties, law firms, big corporations, etc. or only those from developing countries?

I think this needs more sunshine -- meaning, publish/get some comments..

Of course, it seems unique -- but do recall that ICANN org cut $$ programs that the community strongly supported in favor of ICANN org priorities, including maintaining staff growth, when the majority of the community called for staff freeze.

As long as ICANN has not restored other funding to programs with broad community support, pilots should be at least postponed.

Marilyn Cade



________________________________
From: Gnso-sc-budget <gnso-sc-budget-bounces at icann.org> on behalf of Ayden Férdeline <icann at ferdeline.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2019 4:19 PM
To: gnso-sc-budget at icann.org
Subject: [Gnso-sc-budget] [information] ICANN Community Childcare Grants Pilot Program

For information purposes I am sharing a link to this new initiative that ICANN is publicising on social media, which offers families up to $750 per ICANN meeting for babysitting services: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/community-childcare-grants<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fresources%2Fpages%2Fcommunity-childcare-grants&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce9f674b0b89b4eb892e908d6ff2a8e0b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636976955563033950&sdata=YxKLNG9aZVg05JWuT9tvQJRmEZ6XtI5ByGYXKLABeKU%3D&reserved=0>

I am not sure if there is a cap on the number of families who can claim it. But given the financial pressures the community has faced, with dramatic cuts to CROP and the halving of the spend on community-proposed Additional Budgetary Requests, I found the launch of this new program surprising and intriguing.

I don't think it is particularly egregious, as babysitting costs are high and might be a barrier to participation for some, but I am more curious as to who proposed this program and where the money came from, given I don't remember seeing this in the budget. (Though it is possible I missed it.)

Best wishes, Ayden
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