Year 1 Report

Internet Governance Forum Support Association (IGFSA) Year 1 Report

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1.      Structures of the Association

a)         The General Assembly

The IGFSA was launched on 1 September 2014 at its Inaugural General Assembly on the eve of the Ninth IGF meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. 72 participants joined the Association as founding members. A summary record of the proceedings was approved by the membership and made available on the IGFSA website.

The Inaugural General Assembly approved the Articles of Association and elected an Executive Committee. Nine individuals were initially elected in their personal capacity to the IGFSA Executive Committee; one of whom was elected as Chair. The Members and stakeholder affiliations are provided below.

• Raúl Echeberría, (Chair), Internet Society – technical community
• Virat Bhatia, AT&T  – private sector/business
• Subi Chaturvedi, Media For Change  – civil society
• Marilyn Cade, mCADE LLC – private sector/business
• Cheryl Miller, Verizon  – private sector/business
• Avri Doria, Independent Researcher –civil society
• Edmon Chung, DotAsia –technical community
• Tarek Kamel, ICANN – technical community
• Alice Munyua, African Union /IGO.

Alice Munyua asked to be relieved of her duties, due to conflicting commitments. She was thanked for her services and a call for nominations was issued to fill the vacancy.

The Executive board sought expressions of interest and appointed Jimson Olufuye, AfiCTA to fill the vacant seat, taking into account various factors such as geographical diversity and stakeholder balance.

b)         The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee’s main tasks include the preparation of the annual budget, development of communications materials and fundraising strategies and the establishment of principles for allocating funds raised on behalf of the IGFSA.

The Executive Committee held 12 meetings over the course of the year. Some meetings were held in person, either in conjunction with an IGF Open Consultation/MAG meeting or an ICANN meeting. All physical meetings always had remote participation available via a communication application. In order to enhance its effectiveness, the Executive Committee created two sub-committees, one for fund-raising and one for outreach/communications.

In carrying out its tasks, the Executive Committee is supported by a Secretary and Secretariat responsible for day-to-day activities, carrying out the Association’s operational tasks, preparing for meetings and other regular office requirements. Markus Kummer is the Association’s Secretary while Kyle Shulman is seconded by Internet Society to perform the operational Secretariat tasks.

c)         Membership

The Inaugural General Assembly allowed for two categories of membership: individual membership with annual membership dues of USD 25 and corporate membership with annual membership dues of USD 100.

Membership increased from the inaugural 71 members up to 114 active members in October 2015, coming from 47 nations from all stakeholder groups. Currently, there are also 14 corporate members.

Membership fees were paid in person at the 2014 IGF in Istanbul and/or via our membership portal on the www.IGFSA.org websites.  If for any reason, individuals or organizations were unable to sign up on the website, membership dues could be paid directly to the IGFSA Secretariat.

2. Activities of the Association

a) Fundraising

The Executive Committee gave fundraising its highest priority. To date, the IGFSA has raised USD 334,223.18.

While membership fees are not the primary source of funding to fulfill the IGFSA mission, it is important to note that USD 2,323.18 were received as regular Membership Dues and individual donations.

Below is a breakdown of all the contributions received as of 28.10.15:

Amount in USD	Organization
2,323.18	Membership dues
150,000.00	Internet Society
100,000.00	ICANN
50,000.00	CIRA
10,100.00	21st Century Fox
10,000.00	Verizon
4,300.00	.CO
2,500.00	Amazon
2,000.00	Comcast
1,000.00	Wiley Rein
1,000.00	LACTLD
1,000.00	GSMA
TOTAL:
334,223.18

b)         Allocation of Funds

The Executive Committee developed a model for the allocation of funds that takes into account its main priorities:

• Contributing to the UN-IGF Trust Fund: 60 % of all funds received
• Strengthening the IGF Secretariat: 10% of all funds received
• Regional/National IGF Initiatives: 15% of all funds received

The remaining 15% were reserved to outreach/communications activities (7%) and IGFSA contingencies (8%).

(i)         Contribution to the UN-IGF Trust Fund

On 13 May 2015, the Association signed a Trust Fund Agreement with UNDESA over a contribution of USD 114,000. The funds were transferred to the UN subsequently. The remaining funds allocated to the UN will be donated to the UN-IGF Trust at the end of the year.

(ii)        Support to the IGF Secretariat

In January 2015, The IGFSA Secretariat sent out a call for applications for a 4-month paid fellowship with the IGF Secretariat.  The IGFSA received 63 applications. Mr. Brian Gutterman was selected as the fellowship recipient and carried out the tasks of the fellowship from February-May 2014, for 4,000 USD/month compensation.

During this four-month period, Mr. Gutterman reported to the IGF Secretariat and contributed to the various work of the Secretariat including, but not limited to, support to the work of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). This work included drafting of meeting reports and other related documents, intersessional work of the IGF community and preparatory work for the 2015 IGF.

In October 2015, the Executive Committee agreed to provide a travel stipend to Ms. Sorina Teleanu, a long-time volunteer to the IGF Secretariat. She will be able to support the Secretariat during the 2015 IGF in João Pessoa, Brazil and perform duties as assigned to her by the IGF Secretariat.

(iv)       Regional/National IGF Initiatives

The Executive Committee attached a high priority to strengthen, seek and promote exchange and collaboration with national and regional IGF initiatives. This is one of the purposes of the Association, according to Article 3 of the Articles of Association.

As part of this priority, 7 regional and sub-regional IGF initiatives were approved to receive 3500 USD funding: EuroDIG, APrIGF, East Africa IGF, African IGF, West African IGF, Central African IGF and LAC IGF.

15 National IGFs were approved to receive 2000 USD funding: Argentina Internet Dialogues, Armenian IGF, Benin IGF, Bosnia- Herzegovina IGF, Chad IGF, Colombia IGF, Ecuador IGF, Ghana IGF, Moldova IGF, Paraguay IGF, Senegal IGF, Rwanda IGF, Sierra Leone IGF, Sri Lanka IGF, Togo IGF.

(v)       Outreach/Communications

WSIS Forum: In May, the IGFSA held an informational luncheon/outreach session during the WSIS High-Level Event. 40 people participated in a lively Q&A session.

UNESCO: Funds were allocated for the IGFSA Secretary to travel to Paris for the March UNESCO Meeting on “Connecting the Dots” and promote the IGFSA.

UN WSIS +10 : travel funds were allocated to an EC member to participate at the UN WSIS +10 event in New York to promote the IGFSA.

Design and advancement of the materials of the IGF:  Funds were used for the printing of IGFSA Brochures and other paraphernalia/promotional materials, which were distributed at all these events, and also at ICANN meetings, a few of the national and regional IGFs, and events at ITU, CSTD, which were attended by the chair of the outreach and communications sub-committees or the IGFSA Secretary.

(vi)       IGFSA Contingency

The Funds allocated under this category cover the daily operations of the IGFSA, such as banking fees, postage and shipping and other costs associated with running the IGFSA Secretary

ANNEX

Budget 2016

Percentage	Segment
60%	UN-IGF Trust
10%	IGF Secretariat
15%	Regional National IGFs
7%	Outreach/Communications
8%	IGFSA Contingency