Dear APRALO Community, Thank you to all who submitted their response to the Travel Policy Poll. While the responses of the poll were shared in yesterday's APRALO Monthly call, sharing a summary of the same here. 34 people participated in the poll. As the poll was conducted prior to the Pilot Travel Policy being shelved (Ref: Mail from ALAC Chair). some of the responses will not be relevant. - 76% respondents supported the APRALO LT position on the Pilot Travel Policy. - 63% opined that the Pilot Travel Policy should be rejected. - 82% respondents felt that APRALO should have the discretion on how to use the 2 travel slots of the RALO - 94% felt that APRALO should be empowered to set APRALO specific metrics to evolve the travel policy which is fair and accountable and where required people for the meetings are predictable - In terms of suggestions for what could be the 2 or 3 parameters APRALO should apply metrics on to establish the new travel policy program for the RALOs, were: Engagement and Participation Equity Impact Assessment of Contribution (RALO, Community, IG) Diversity & Inclusion Incentive to engage Prioritize travel slots for RALO members who have proposed specific session topics, workshops, or initiatives that align with ICANN's strategic objectives and tnterests of the At-Large community. As a next step we will deliberate further in a small group on these metrics. Regards, Amrita On Tue, 16 Apr 2024 at 09:54, Amrita Choudhury <amritachoudhury@ccaoi.in> wrote:
Dear APRALO members,
We have a few questions where we need your inputs, related to travel policy. *Link: https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7 <https://forms.gle/gabjf8fshuM7x1pZ7>*
Sharing the background and recent developments first.
The background
As per the existing travel policy, there are 2 travel slots for each RALO and each of the 3 ALAC members travel to each meeting.
A small team had been constituted at the At Large to discuss and evolve a more fair and transparent travel policy than the existing one which is performance and utility based. The small team had two online discussions. Most felt that the performance metrics need to be evolved which are flexible and creative and RALOs have the independence to create their own metrics. At a session at San Juan there was a discussion but it was inconclusive.
Current developments:
About two weeks ago the ALAC Chair sent an email announcing a pilot where slots for travel to ICANN80 were assigned based on the utility of travel members. However the slots of each RALO was reduced from 2 to 1 and 5 slots were allotted to AFRALO travellers.
This pilot has led to concerns in most RALOs. The main reason being it was a top down decision where before implementing it was not discussed in the small team or with the RALOs.
Several RALOs such as AFRALO, LACRALO and EURALO have issued statements against it and asked to repeal it.
APRALO LT position so far:
APRALO LT had written back the following statement:
"There had been no concluding discussions at San Juan on the topic of travel policy. Rather the key takeaway was that there needs to be more deliberation and discussion before we agree on any new process. Therefore this proposal was a bit unexpected.
While we from APRALO are ok to go age will go with this proposed pilot travel policy, just as a one time PILOT, however we will discuss it with the other RALOs and go with what all the RALOs together decide upon.
Further, we wish to add that,
1. Any future travel policy needs extensive prior deliberation and agreement between all ALAC members and RALOs etc. Even for a pilot it is preferred there is deliberation.
2. We agree that metrics need to be implemented, but that would require further discussion and flexibility region wise. RALOs should have the discretion to fix their own metrics and allot the 2 seats they have. Once we have proper metrics in place and it is agreed by all, only then it should be implemented. It should not be enforced.
3. Additionally, while we have no issues with AFRALO being given additional slots, I hope the same will be reciprocated when we have meetings in other regions. The APRALO will definitely be keen to have more travel slots during the Istanbul meeting. Of course we will request that based on what sessions/ initiatives we propose for that meeting.
4. For the one seat allotted this time we will continue with the rotation system that we are following, at least for ICANN80 and Ali will attend it ."
The Situation now:
Three of the RALOs have written back rejecting the Pilot Travel Plan. NARALO has not issued any statement. As mentioned above APRALO LT had stated that we will go ahead with whatever all RALOs decide together.
In that context we have a few questions where we need your view preferable by 17 April 2024 EOD.
Regards,
Amrita on behalf of APRALO LT