Hello All, The ICANN staff have recently updated the agenda page at: http://www.icann.org/meetings/mardelplata/ Three meetings have been scheduled to provide further input into ICANN's planning process. Please note that this is a personal attempt to provide context for the three meetings based on discussions with senior ICANN staff, and recommend the documents that should be read prior to the meetings. I would welcome any clarifications/corrections from the ICANN staff. (1) Monday 4 April 2005 17:00 - 19:00 ======================================= "Public Discussion to Provide Input into the ICANN Operational Plan and Budget for July 2005 to June 2006" The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for the ICANN community to provide input to ICANN staff on the key operational tasks for the next 12 months, which will be included in a Budget document to be published on 17 May 2005 for July 2005 to June 2006, for approval by the ICANN Board in Luxembourg. As reported in last year's budget document, the process for the development of the budget consists of consultation with the community, the Budget Advisory Group, and the ICANN Board's Finance committee. This is the first attempt to have a public meeting where members of the community can share ideas about the plan for the next 12 months before the Budget is released for public comment on 17 May 2005. The new operational plan/budget will be in a similar format to that used last year, and the tasks will need to be consistent with ICANN's strategic objectives. Members of the ICANN community should review last years budget document, along with the strategic plan, and consider what tasks should be given priority for the next 12 months (for resourcing purposes - assume revenue approximately the same as last years budget). Note that from the ICANN bylaws: "Section 4. ANNUAL BUDGET At least forty-five (45) days prior to the commencement of each fiscal year, the President shall prepare and submit to the Board, a proposed annual budget of ICANN for the next fiscal year, which shall be posted on the Website. The proposed budget shall identify anticipated revenue sources and levels and shall, to the extent practical, identify anticipated material expense items by line item. The Board shall adopt an annual budget and shall publish the adopted Budget on the Website." The ICANN Board's Finance Committee reported in the Cape Town meeting: See http://www.icann.org/presentations/finance-public-forum-ct-04dec04.pdf That the Budget Advisory Group (BAG) would meet in Mar Del Plata, and that the draft budget will be posted on 17 May 2005. There would then be the usual public comment period prior to the Board approving the budget in Luxembourg. The input documents are: ICANN's July 2004 - June 2005 budget: http://www.icann.org/financials/budget-fy04-05-06oct04.html ICANN's draft strategic plan document: http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/strategic-plan-v6.pdf (which currently contains proposed operational tasks) ICANN's revised draft strategic plan document: (to be provided on 28 March 2005) ICANN's MOU with the Department of Commerce (as amended 16 Sept 2003): http://www.icann.org/general/amend6-jpamou-17sep03.htm (2) Tuesday 5 April 16:30 - 18:30 ========================================== "Public Discussion on Revised draft of ICANN Strategic Plan" This session is a follow-up to the public meeting held in Amsterdam on the draft strategic plan document. The next draft of the strategic plan document will be posted on 28 March 2005, and this session will provide an opportunity for members of the community to provide further feedback. Input documents: ICANN's draft strategic plan document: http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/strategic-plan-v6.pdf (which currently contains proposed operational tasks) Public comments submitted on the ICANN strategic plan: http://forum.icann.org/lists/strategic-plan-comments/ Output from the Amsterdam meeting: http://forum.icann.org/lists/strategic-plan-comments/msg00028.html ICANN's revised draft strategic plan document: (to be provided on 28 March 2005) (3) Wednesday 6 April 16:30 - 18:00 =================================== "Public Discussion on Development of Process of Consultation for Ongoing Strategic and Operational Planning Cycles" The purpose of this meeting is to identify the ongoing process for the development of a rolling 3 year strategic plan, a 12 month operational plan, and a budget that ensures the operational plan can be met. One possible high level approach, could be to spend the period July to December on a strategic plan (next 3 years), and the period Jan to June on an operational plan and budget. The process needs to incorporate the schedule of face-to-face ICANN meetings. Input documents: Schedule of ICANN meetings: http://www.icann.org/meetings/ ICANN bylaws with respect to the Budget: (Article XVI) http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm#XVI Regards, Bruce Tonkin (as an individual)