[Npoc-discuss] NCSG Finance Committee: Update & Background

[Sam Lanfranco]

Dear NCSG Colleagues,

As of the first of August, I am the NCSG Finance Committee Chair on an 
interim basis, until NCUC selects its FC member and the FC decides on a 
Chair.

I would first like to thank Ayden Férdeline, the outgoing chair, for his 
able management of the chairpersonship. I will call on him for advice as 
we move forward.

There are several things that NCSG members, especially relatively new 
NCSG members, should know about the Finance Committee.

 1. Since the NCSG charter was adopted (2011) the Finance Committee has
    only operated intermittently.
 2. The Finance Committee has no money, no budget to manage, and no
    treasurer role to carry out.
 3. The Finance Committee carries out literally none of the tasks
    sketched out in the NCSG Charter.
 4. The Finance Committee is more-or-less a “workspace” to assist NCSG
    through the NCSG Policy, and Executive Committees, in their work.

When the NCSG Charter was adopted there was a much grander role foreseen 
for the Finance Committee. Literally (or virtually) none of that was 
ever undertaken. See (below) relevant Finance Committee text from the 
NCSG Charter.

To give you an idea of what the Finance Committee is currently doing 
here is the agenda for it last (July 23^rd ) online meeting:

    I. Updates to Statements of Interest
    II. Finalize Finance Committee Comment on Financial Assumptions for
    Formal Review by NCSG Policy Committee
    III. Continue Wordsmithing Operating Procedures and Discuss Next Steps
    IV. Finalize Code of Ethical Conduct Document for Review by NCSG
    Executive Committee
    V. Discuss Process for Appointing New Finance Committee Chair
    VI. Any Other Business

Here is the wording of the remit of the Finance Committee as found in 
the 2011 NCSG Charter. (/formatting slightly off due to pdf copy/)

https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_25801/ncsg-charter-05may11-en.pdf

NCSG Finance Committee (NCSG-­‐FC):

The NCSG Finance Committee is responsible for establishing a firm 
financial footing for the NCSG and administering NCSG funds within a 
defined framework that meets relevant legal requirements as well as 
requirements imposed by ICANN. The NCSG-­‐FC’s responsibilities include 
fund raising, setting voluntary contribution levels for members, 
determining procedures for the distribution of funds, and for monitoring 
the utilization of funds. The NCSG-­‐FC will also be responsible for the 
Treasurer function. Formation of the NCSG-­‐FC, its composition, and 
duties within the NCSG-­‐FC are set out in Section 2.6.

/Here is the text of Section 2.6:/

2.6 The Financial Committee

The NCSG Finance Committee is responsible for the following:

•Elect a Chair who will also serve as NCSG Treasurer;

•Determine rates for voluntary contributions from members;

•Develop and deploy a fund-­‐raising plan for the NCSG;

•Work with the ICANN staff to determine levels of support available to 
the NCSG;

•Work with ICANN finance officers to insure the NCSG and its 
Constituencies receive fair and equivalent financial support from ICANN;

•Accounting for any funds received by the NCSG from any source. This 
accounting will include the following:

*All funds raised by voluntary membership fees or otherwise must be held 
in a separate NCSG account.

*Proper controls must be implemented.

*Regarding Expenditures:

•All expenditures under 500 Euro may be made on the authority of the 
NCSG Treasurer

•All expenditures over 500 Euro must be approved by the NCSG-­‐FC

*Financial reports must be prepared annually and be made public.

•Provide internal conflict resolution process regarding funds.

•Provide the oversight of the Treasurer function.

•Fulfill any other accounting, auditing or other prescribed financial 
requirements as set by the ICANN Board of Directors for organizations 
within the ICANN structure.

•Document methods and procedures used for accounting, reporting and 
budget creation. Such documentation is subject to review by the NCSG-­‐EC

Comments, opinions, suggestions and questions are welcomed.

Sam Lanfranco, interim Chair,

NCSG Finance Committee

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