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ICANN FY27-31 Operating & Financial Plan; ICANN/IANA FY27 Op Plans & Budgets; Draft PTI FY27 Operating Plan and Budget
by Steve Chan Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Dear Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT) Members, There are two budget related public comment proceedings currently open: * ICANN FY27-31 Operating & Financial Plan, ICANN/IANA FY27 Op Plans & Budgets<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/icann-fy2731-operating-f…> – Close date of 12 February 2026 * Draft PTI FY27 Operating Plan and Budget<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/draft-pti-fy27-operating…> – Close date also 12 February 2026 The GNSO’s ICANN Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT), previously known as the Standing Committee ICANN’s Budget & Operations (SCBO), has been in operation for a few years now. As can be seen from the BOT’s charter<https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2023/draft/draft-scbo-cha…>, the focus of this group is “to coordinate and facilitate dialogue to fully understand ICANN's strategic and operational planning and budgetary processes” by interfacing “with ICANN Finance to gather information and ask questions as needed.” This is in contrast to the SCBO, which preceded the BOT, and was centered around formulating the Council’s comment specifically. Beyond reviewing the materials in the public comment proceeding page, I would encourage you all to start by reviewing the Informational Webinar on ICANN's and PTI’s Draft FY27 Plans if you have not already done so: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/projfinadhocws/pages/3940… Please note that there is an opportunity for community members to seek clarification for either of the draft plans by submitting their questions to planning(a)icann.org<mailto:planning@icann.org> and/or participating during an upcoming interactive webinar, scheduled for 14 January 2026. There is currently no BOT meeting scheduled. If after reviewing the materials and the webinar, you believe that there is a need to schedule a dialogue amongst each other, or potentially with ICANN Finance, please let us know. Best, Steve Steven Chan  VP, Policy Development Support & GNSO Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536  Email: steve.chan(a)icann.org<mailto:steve.chan@icann.org> Mobile: +1.310.339.4410

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Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT)
by Steve Chan Jan. 8, 2025

Jan. 8, 2025

Dear Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT) Members, With apologies for the belated delivery of this email, you are likely aware already, but there are two budget related public comment proceedings currently open: * Draft ICANN FY26 Plans<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/icann-fy2630-operating-f…> – Close date of 14 February 2025 * Draft PTI FY26 Operating Plan and Budget<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/draft-pti-fy26-operating…> – Close date also 14 February 2025 The GNSO’s ICANN Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT), previously known as the Standing Committee ICANN’s Budget & Operations (SCBO), has been in operation for a couple of years now. As can be seen from the BOT’s charter<https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2023/draft/draft-scbo-cha…>, the focus of this group is “to coordinate and facilitate dialogue to fully understand ICANN's strategic and operational planning and budgetary processes” by interfacing “with ICANN Finance to gather information and ask questions as needed.” This is in contrast to the SCBO, which was centered around formulating the Council’s comment specifically. Beyond reviewing the materials in the public comment proceeding page, I would highly encourage you all to start by reviewing one of the recordings from the Draft ICANN FY26 Operating Plan and Budget Community Webinar if you have not already done so: https://community.icann.org/display/projfinadhocws/FY26+Operating+Plan+and+… Please note that there is an opportunity for community members to seek clarification for either of the draft plans by submitting their questions to planning(a)icann.org<mailto:planning@icann.org> by Wednesday, 15 January 2025. There is currently no BOT meeting scheduled. If after reviewing the materials and the webinar, you believe that there is a need to schedule a dialogue amongst each other, or potentially with ICANN Finance, please let us know. Best, Steve Steven Chan  VP, Policy Development Support & GNSO Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536  Email: steve.chan(a)icann.org<mailto:steve.chan@icann.org> Skype: steve.chan55 Mobile: +1.310.339.4410 Find out more about the GNSO by visiting: https://learn.icann.org/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__learn.icann.org_&d=DwM…> Follow @GNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICANN_GNSO<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_ICANN-5FGN…> Transcripts and recordings of GNSO Working Group and Council events are located on the GNSO Master Calendar <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gnso.icann.org_en_grou…>

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Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT)
by Steve Chan Dec. 22, 2023

Dec. 22, 2023

Dear Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT) Members, You are likely already aware, but there are two budget related public comment proceedings currently open: * Draft ICANN FY25 Plans<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/draft-icann-fy25-plans-1…> – Close date of 12 February 2024 * Draft PTI FY25 Operating Plan and Budget<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/draft-pti-fy25-operating…> – Close date also 12 February 2024 Last year represented the first instance of the GNSO’s ICANN Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT), previously known as the Standing Committee ICANN’s Budget & Operations (SCBO). As can be seen from the BOT’s charter<https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2023/draft/draft-scbo-cha…>, the focus of this group is “to coordinate and facilitate dialogue to fully understand ICANN's strategic and operational planning and budgetary processes” by interfacing “with ICANN Finance to gather information and ask questions as needed.” This is in contrast to the SCBO, which was centered around formulating the Council’s comment specifically. Beyond reviewing the materials in the public comment proceeding page, I would highly encourage you all to start by reviewing one of the recordings from the Draft ICANN FY25 Operating Plan and Budget Community Webinar if you have not already done so: https://community.icann.org/display/projfinadhocws/FY25+Operating+Plan+and+… Please note that there is an opportunity for community members to seek clarification for either of the draft plans by submitting their questions to planning(a)icann.org<mailto:planning@icann.org> by Tuesday, 16 January 2024. There is currently no BOT meeting scheduled. If after reviewing the materials and the webinar, you believe that there is a need to schedule a dialogue with ICANN Finance to discuss issues or concerns (especially those that might not be fully addressed after writing to ICANN’s planning team), please let us know. Best, Steve Steven Chan  VP, Policy Development Support & GNSO Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536  Email: steve.chan(a)icann.org<mailto:steve.chan@icann.org> Skype: steve.chan55 Mobile: +1.310.339.4410 Find out more about the GNSO by visiting: https://learn.icann.org/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__learn.icann.org_&d=DwM…> Follow @GNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICANN_GNSO<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_ICANN-5FGN…> Transcripts and recordings of GNSO Working Group and Council events are located on the GNSO Master Calendar <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gnso.icann.org_en_grou…>

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Updated Charter for the Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT)
by Steve Chan Feb. 21, 2023

Feb. 21, 2023

Dear BOT Members, As you may be aware, the GNSO Council adopted<https://gnso.icann.org/en/council/resolutions/2020-current#202302-1> the updated charter for the Budget and Operations Townhall (BOT), formerly known as the GNSO Council Standing Committee on ICANN’s Budget & Operations (SCBO). You can find the updated charter on this group’s Wiki page<https://community.icann.org/display/GCSCOIBOP/2.+Charter>. Best, Steve Steven Chan  Senior Director, Policy Development Support & GNSO Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536  Email: steve.chan(a)icann.org<mailto:steve.chan@icann.org> Skype: steve.chan55 Mobile: +1.310.339.4410 Find out more about the GNSO by visiting: https://learn.icann.org/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__learn.icann.org_&d=DwM…> Follow @GNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICANN_GNSO<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_ICANN-5FGN…> Transcripts and recordings of GNSO Working Group and Council events are located on the GNSO Master Calendar <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gnso.icann.org_en_grou…>

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Post call | SCBO Planning Meeting | Monday, 09 January 2023
by Devan Reed Jan. 9, 2023

Jan. 9, 2023

Dear all, All recordings for the SCBO Planning Meeting held on Monday, 09 January 2022 at 21:00 UTC can be found on the agenda wiki page <https://community.icann.org/x/2pU-DQ> (attendance included). These include: * Attendance (please let me know if your name has been left off the attendance list) * Audio recording * Zoom chat archive * Zoom recording (including audio, visual, rough transcript) For additional information, you may consult the mailing list archives <http://mm.icann.org/pipermail/gnso-sc-budget/> and the main wiki page<https://community.icann.org/x/XgJyB>. Thank you. Kind regards, Devan

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Proposed Agenda - Monday, 9 January 2023 at 21:00 UTC
by Steve Chan Jan. 5, 2023

Jan. 5, 2023

Dear all, Welcome to the new incarnation of the Standing Committee on ICANN Budget & Operations (SCBO)! Please find the proposed agenda for the meeting on Monday, 9 January 2023 at 21:00 UTC: 1. Roll Call and SOI Updates 2. Introduction and brief background on changes to SCBO (John McElwaine, Council liaison to the SCBO) 3. High-level overview of the ICANN Budget (ICANN Finance) 4. Q&A with ICANN Finance (All) 5. AOB In preparation for the meeting, I recommend reviewing the ICANN Finance team’s webinar<https://community.icann.org/display/projfinadhocws/FY24+Operating+Plan+and+…> if you’ve not already done so. In addition, reviewing the budget documents<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/draft-fy2428-operating-f…> is of course highly recommended. The bulk of this meeting is envisioned to be focused on agenda item 4. Therefore lastly, I would highly encourage that if you already have questions in mind for finance, please share them on this list in advance. I believe this serves at least two purposes: 1) it helps give ICANN Finance more time to prepare a helpful answer and 2) your question may inspire questions from others. If you have any questions in advance of the meeting, please let John or me know. I look forward to seeing you all Monday! Best, Steve Steven Chan  Senior Director, Policy Development Support & GNSO Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536  Email: steve.chan(a)icann.org<mailto:steve.chan@icann.org> Skype: steve.chan55 Mobile: +1.310.339.4410 Find out more about the GNSO by visiting: https://learn.icann.org/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__learn.icann.org_&d=DwM…> Follow @GNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICANN_GNSO<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_ICANN-5FGN…> Transcripts and recordings of GNSO Working Group and Council events are located on the GNSO Master Calendar <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gnso.icann.org_en_grou…>

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Meeting Minutes - GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO) - 26 Jan 2022 14:00
by Berry Cobb Feb. 24, 2022

Feb. 24, 2022

Dear GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO), Please find below the meeting minutes from 26 Jan 2022 14:00: Session Recording: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/VTbwwrJxjrNIhC7RbV4VUGDGSEMLOgMhtbQ79P9bE-QK… Chat Log: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/ng2daxhljGZW34N6kHeB33spFJ1ccwwdjAmJ57B… Audio Recording: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/eG3L4Dw6EIx3ZPUo4-dNoHvr8lJemSBMkjjfx7mIxng2… Notes/Action Items/Minutes: Welcome and Roll call 2 minutesNone Introductions to group’s leadership teams 5 minutesSebastien has volunteered to serve as vice-chair.Andreas Musielak is the new chair and Irina Danelia is the vice-chair. Major FindingsMajor Findings SCBO + Q&A / Major Findings SOPC + Q &A) Shift in focus. Generally focus only on Operating Initiatives 3 and 4, which focus on policy development. and 14, which concentrates on project management. However, need to focus more on implementation, particularly for IRTs.Second focus is that many of the past comments from the SCBO related to software and tools have been supported, via other functions. There is also the SFICR now, which the SCBO believes is reason to ensure ICANN is aware of the forecast of upcoming work.Resource allocations – asked for increases and ICANN has delivered. Does the SOPC plan to consider? The SOPC believes it will be difficult to hire and expects the lower range of projected new hires. Not always clear how new hires will benefit the community in particular.In terms of identifying upcoming work and resource intensity, GNSO created an extract of upcoming work from its program management tools. This helps make clear what work will continue and likely begin in the upcoming FY.The SOPC wants have a conversation with HR to determine rationale for increases in staffing levels.Q: What is specifically unclear, to help understand if HR is the right group? A: 37 new hires, but it is unclear how they are allocated across functions and it is also unclear how the community benefits. Also important to understand what factors the Org uses to determine when additional resources are needed.What initiates increases in FTEs – a department/function identifies and demonstrates a need, why that work requires additional FTE, level/qualifications, how the new FTE fits in the org chart. Also requires exec approval, review from HR, and heads of finance and HR, and CEO.SFICR is for implementation work spanning more than one FY and exceeds $2million. This work seemingly would have been covered by the contingency fund. The SOPC believes the answers from Org are sufficient to understand the SFICR. Noted that using the SFICR to fund the SSAD will be insufficient.Support for budgeting 3 F2F meetings, even if that may not end up being the case. Believes there is a need for additional KPIs.Q: Does the SCBO believe the projections for high, medium, low seem reasonable. A: Not something the SCBO has considered. Something the registries and registrars would have better understanding. In the past, the projections have been quite close. Are driven primarily by .com and .net.The Operating Initiatives and Functional Activities have Targeted Outcomes. Are the additional KPIs needed relative to the Target Outcomes, or something different? KPIs were developed for IANA, which is service/transaction oriented. However, KPIs for other less operational activities (e.g., policy) is far different. There could potentially be KPIs to be considered for the community side.Example of KPI that does not mean much – number of reports published in a yearThe GNSO has focused on project management and effective planning, which helps inform comments to the budget. Next Steps per group & exploring possible joint initiativesNext Steps SCBO & initiatives + Q&A / Next Steps SOPC & Initiatives + Q&A SOPC wants to work jointly with ICANN to develop KPIs. Need to understand which projects are bringing the most benefit. Anything the GNSO can help to define the KPIs?Seek to better understand factors and process for FTEs, rationale for any increasesSebastien to run model on gTLD forecastingFinance will seek to better account for SCBO/SOPC concerns proactively, and not just wait for public comments.Share comments with other group, determine if there is any need for further discussion. SCBO will have a draft by 31 Jan. AOB (2 minutes)None Future meetings, if any, wrap-up (5 minutes)TBD, based on email exchanges?Believes an additional meeting, not necessarily just jointly, to discuss headcount, would be helpful. ClosingNone Sincerely, Policy Support Staff

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Meeting Minutes - GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO) - 2 Feb 2022 14:00
by Berry Cobb Feb. 2, 2022

Feb. 2, 2022

Dear GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO), Please find below the meeting minutes from 2 Feb 2022 14:00: Session Recording: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/gaRrbyG_kkYwjxHuh5iVmjsMBkNObvkFqQhXtpAAH4VI… Chat Log: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/C-6VUwwKeFRMT7rBZP-IVt866vH415Ugi2d794A… Audio Recording: https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/09DTO7jf7VstOhVKXveUqOTshNL_sQelpuxpgVfvmAsD… Notes/Action Items/Minutes: Roll Call & SOI UpdatesNone Welcome & Chair UpdatesNone Finalize draft of comments for FY23 via working documentGoal is to finalize and share with Council. Submit by 7 Feb.General Comments:Understanding resource allocations for each SO/SC/SG/C has been an ongoing ask for several years. Suggestion that more detail is needed to better understand how the groups will be able to hold each other mutually accountable by having detailed information.This question was submitted as a clarifying question in early January. Noted that the budget is broken out by operation initiatives and functional activities. The response from Org indicates their intention to understand breakout between SO/AC. The Council call should acknowledge the response from Org.Having the numbers for each group will help to manage against that number. And the details may then help to understand where deficiencies might lie.It may be more important to understand how resources are allocated for the GNSO, not necessarily across the group. So therefore, it may be more about holding ourselves accountable. The GNSO Council only has responsibility for gTLD policy development, so it might be better to just focus on that aspect, rather than other SO/ACs. The GNSO Council has no role in the financial accountability of the other SO/ACs.Budget versus actuals may be a more useful metric to better understand if resource allocations are sufficient.Add: Information is essential to hold the GNSO accountable to its responsibilities, effective performance, and being good stewards of the economy.Maintained a marker for tools and support.OFP Comments:Also maintained a marker for staffing.Included the work forecasted for the FY23 timeframe, to help demonstrate the impact on resources.Suggested addition: Notes monitoring legislation. Is the existing report insufficient? Does not believe the reporting is sufficient about the local engagement on the ground. How can this concern be focused back on the budget? Can it possibly be more about clarity in allocation? The need is for progress reporting. Will move to where it would fall within the budget.Another marker for planning and the SFICR, although requested more info about where the funds came from for the SFICR.FY23 budget:Another set of markers on PDP 3.0 and staffing. Next steps & closingJohn will make final edits before CoB today and provide to Council, to be submitted by the 7th.Next step is for finance to incorporate changes as necessary. Will also publish report of public comments.There will likely be a pre-ICANN73 webinar.Updated budget likely completed in April/May, for adoption by the Board.Staff will provide reference to responses to Council comments. The SCBO should review inputs and responses for other community groups.Some exploration in the future for leveraging the SCBO for other activities, such as for prioritization.Next meeting: none Sincerely, Policy Support Staff

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Post call | SCBO Meeting | Wednesday, 02 February 2022
by Julie Bisland Feb. 2, 2022

Feb. 2, 2022

Dear all, All recordings for the SCBO Meeting held on Wednesday, 02 February 2022 at 14:00 UTC can be found on the agenda wiki page <https://community.icann.org/x/MofOCg> (attendance included). These include: * Attendance (please let me know if your name has been left off the attendance list) * Audio recording * Zoom chat archive * Zoom recording (including audio, visual, rough transcript) For additional information, you may consult the mailing list archives <http://mm.icann.org/pipermail/gnso-sc-budget/> and the main wiki page<https://community.icann.org/x/XgJyB>. Thank you. Kind regards, Julie

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Agenda GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO) for 2 Feb 2022 14:00 UTC Meeting
by Berry Cobb Feb. 2, 2022

Feb. 2, 2022

Dear GNSO Council - Standing Committee on ICANN's Budget & Operations (SCBO), Please see below the proposed agenda for the meeting scheduled on 2 Feb 2022 14:00 UTC. Wednesday 02 February 2022 at 14.00 UTC Roll Call & SOI Updates (2 minutes)Welcome & Chair updates (Chair) (5 minutes)Finalize draft of comments for FY23 via working document (50 minutes)Next steps & closing (3 minutes)Next meeting: none Links to Relevant Documents:FY23 Draft Budget and Operating Plan Public CommentFY23 Webinar Recordings Schedule:15 Dec 2021 – SCBO meeting #01 @14:00 UTC to conduct initial review of draft documents05 Jan 2022 – SCBO meeting #02 @14:00 UTC07 Jan 2022 – Deadline to submit clarifying questions12 Jan 2022 – SCBO meeting #03 @14:00 UTC19 Jan 2022 – SCBO meeting #04 @14:00 UTC20 Jan 2022 – GNSO Council Meeting (update to Council)26 Jan 2022 – SCBO meeting #05 @14:00 UTC (joint session with the CCNSO’s SOPC)31 Jan 2022 – Submit draft to GNSO Council for review02 Feb 2022 – SCBO meeting #06 @14:00 UTC (as required)07 Feb 2022 – Close of public comments on FY23 draft documents; due by 23:59 UTC17 Feb 2022 – GNSO Council Meeting05 Mar 2022 – ICANN73 Sincerely, GNSO Policy Staff

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