Travel Support--Public Comments

[SS Kshatriy <sskshatriy@xxxxxxxxx>]

 Hi, 
This refers: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-25mar09-en.htm
 
I am S. S. Kshatriya, Work Team Member of GNSO Council Constituency Operations 
Team (COT), an ISOC Global Member, and an Internet Consultant in India. As I am 
interested in ICANN Fellowship Program, my comment will primarily focus for 
that with some additional comments.
 
1. ICANN provides to its Fellows air tkts, accommodation and meals. $ 300/- are 
given to meet other expenses. A participant in Public Meting ends up spending 
money in visa expenses; taxi expenses to and from airport, and in-room service 
expenses depending on his food/drink requirements and habits. There are several 
other incidental expenses when one travels outside. Taxi expenses can be as 
high as $200 in some cases. At times, it is required to travel to other towns 
to get visa—meaning expenses in travel and stay. $ 300 is too little for that.
My suggestion is: 

Let ICANN pay for limited room services such as tea/coffee/snacks and drinks. 
This should be part of accommodation.
Allow a cash grant of $ 1000/- (in place of $ 300/- to meet all sundry expenses.
 
2. I am an Independent Member of GNSO Council Constituency Operations Team 
(COT). Persons like me who are voluntary working for ICANN, and not associated 
with any Body, can be encouraged, by providing travel support, once in a while 
to attend Public Meetings. This will encourage such voluntary work and also, 
ICANN will draw new volunteers.
 
3. Many of those associated with ICANN bodies are well placed in their parent 
organizations. They should be encouraged to draw travel support from their 
parent organizations. Money thus saved should be used to support Independent 
volunteers.
 
4. While working as Member of PIR’s (www.pir.org) .ORG Advisory Council, I 
observed that ticket bought from India for the same travel cost less than that 
brought in USA (by PIR).  A participant can be given a choice to make his own 
travel arrangement; ICANN paying him the ticket amount it would have otherwise 
spent on it. This will give flexibility of travel/route/class etc. If the 
participant saves some money, it will meet his incidental expenses. What is 
important is that ICANN has not paid more and the participant is present when 
he was desired to be.
 
Thanks and best,
 
S S Kshatriya (SS)
sskshatriy@xxxxxxxxx