Summary Record of 62nd meeting of the Executive Committee – 25 April 2022

Jun 17, 2022 | Meeting Summary Records, Reports and Meeting Minutes

Internet Governance Forum Support Association (IGFSA)

62nd meeting of the Executive Committee

25 April 2022

 

  1. The Executive Committee held its 62nd meeting on 25 April 2022. The meeting took place in a virtual setting with the following participants: Markus Kummer (Chair), Amrita Choudhury, Anriette Esterhuysen, Fiona Asonga, Chris Mondini, Wisdom Donkor; IGFSA Secretariat Jennifer Chung. Apologies were received from Nigel Hickson and Eduardo Santoyo. A quorum was established for the meeting, with six of the eight Executive Committee members taking part in the call.

 

  1. The Agenda was adopted as circulated to the EC mailing list. The Summary Record of the 61st EC meeting was adopted to be posted on the IGFSA website.

 

  1. The Chair formally called for the Appointment of the IGFSA Treasurer, this proposal received unanimous approval by the EC to appoint Nigel Hickson to serve as IGFSA Treasurer.

 

  1. The Chair introduced the request from the IGF Secretariat regarding the funding request for accessibility requirements. Further details received from the IGF Secretariat clarified that the request is to cover subsequent annual maintenance and licensing fees of accessibility application which is not covered by IGF Trust fund from the previous funding IGF Sec received for website development. This request was approved by the EC with details to be handled by the IGFSA accountant.

 

  1. The Chair and participants at the EGM from the IGFSA EC and Secretariat gave a brief report back from the outcomes of the EGM held in New York 30 March – 1 April. The Chair highlighted one of the questions that arose regarding why the IGF has not gone after commercial funding or bigger sponsors, and noted that as there are rules governing the IGF Trust Fund, this can be one area where IGFSA can explore going forward as there is more flexibility for IGFSA to gain commercial and other types of sponsors and donors.

 

Fundraising

  1. Chris Mondini gave a general update on the general strategy for fundraising. He noted that AT&T is considering a 10k USD grant to IGFSA and noted that they do already support the IGF Trust fund. There was discussion on what can be highlighted to organisations and companies on the differences in supporting the IGF Trust and supporting the IGFSA. It was reiterated that IGFSA has shifted focus to supporting the NRIs and the IGF Trust Fund directly supports the central and administrations operations of the IGF Secretariat.

 

  1. Chris gave a brief update on the status of follow up on several potential donors including SAP, Donuts, and noted that they may consider supporting individual NRIs as well as via IGFSA. Amrita gave a brief update regarding her outreach to via Internet Society of China to translate materials into Chinese for outreach to Chinese big tech companies.

 

  1. There was discussion on earmarking funding as an opportunity for IGFSA to channel funds directed certain regions or certain groups such as the current Accessibility funds. Other opportunities include sending letters to humanitarian organisations at the end of their fiscal year to request for funding support. It was noted that current MAG chair, Paul Mitchell, offered to have a call with the IGFSA fundraising small group regarding how the IGFSA can put together material targeted towards the private sector. Anriette took an action item to liaise and schedule the call with the Secretariat.

 

  1. The Chair gave an update regarding current banking processes and noted that the grant from Google is in process, as well as other banking and back payments to NRIs.

 

Communications

  1. The Chair confirmed that the IGF Secretariat is willing to distribute announcements and communication materials from IGFSA to their mailing lists and ask their contacts to opt into the IGFSA mailing list. There was a suggestion to see if IGFSA can work with Youth IGFs to tap into enthusiasm and social platform know-how to spread IGFSA messaging. The Secretariat took an action to set up a call to discuss any dedicating mailing and other call to action messaging.

 

AOB

  1. It was suggested to have the next EC on the sidelines of the ICANN 74 meeting at The Hague. The Secretariat took an action to coordinate with Chris Mondini regarding logistics.