[members-discuss] IETF funding

On Wed, May 25, 2016 at 05:31:41PM +0200, Sander Steffann wrote:

> As requested by Nigel Titley at the NCC Services working group session, I would like to express my support for the RIPE NCC to participate in the long-term funding to the IETF.

I think it is easy to agree with the general principle, however I was not impressed
by today's presentation because it did not provide relevant information in addition
(nor in response) to the discussion at the previous GM.  Back then the plan was
to transfer a million (USD/EUR, whatever) out of the NCC's reserve into the IETF
endowment fund. It was explained that this would irreversibly sacrifice the exceptionally
tax privileged status of that reserve.  The RIPE NCC is already an ISOC organisational
member and thus contributing to ISOC's budget and, essentially to the IETF's funding.

Today we heard a less specific, but slightly changed plan that would spread out the
flow of money across 'a longer period', assuming a decade. Ignoring inflation, that
would be 100k per annum.  In both cases, the donation would be accumulated in the safe
part of the fund with the interest available for IETF operational expenses.  Let's assume
a rather optimistic 5% that's 5k in the first and an additional 5k per subsequent year,
adding up to 275k after 10 years.

I'd appreciate if anybody could explain to me why this achievement (not to forget the
million that has changed hands in a single or multiple tranches) would be more in the
interest of both the IETF and the NCC and its membership than a commitment by the NCC
to support the IETF work with any fixed amount between, say, 50k and 100k per annum,
over 10 years, immediately dedicated to IETF operations expenses.

An increased ISOC membership level would even come with at least some participation
in the relevant governance structures (that is the OMAC == Org Member Advisory Council
and the ability to participate in board elections).

Thanks,
  Peter