Eric_Stanek
Well-known Pivian
Hello everyone!
I see the need for a new 'pool' of funds, to pay for Business Travel and Conferences. This may also include ongoing Merchandise re-orders etc. to stock booths etc. If we leave things until the last minute, there is no time really to wait for a proposal to pass, and plan things efficiently. Far better I think to set aside some funds each cycle.
This 'Travel and Conference Fund' (TCF) would basically be a pool that builds each cycle it passes. I suggest the pool request the same amount each cycle. If funds are tight, and there is no pressing need for the TCF, then MNOs could vote it down that cycle. Or, perhaps it builds to an amount that seems more than sufficient, and the MNOs vote it down for multiple months until it needs to be 'Topped Up' again.
PLEASE NOTE: It will NOT be me that submits or manages this proposal. I simply see the need, and wanted to create this draft, so that we can start discussions on it. Others can consider if they want to be the one to manage it, and make their offer in the comments below. Obviously, it needs to be a trusted PIVian. Other steps like setting up a dedicated MPW, and sharing access to it with a 2nd and perhaps 3rd person to protect against the 'Hit By A Truck' scenario, should be put in place too.
I also don't think it should be automatic that someone is paid from this fund. PIVians can 'Watch' this proposal so that they get notifications. Then, when there is a request for a disbursement or that funds be set aside for an upcoming conference etc., that should be documented in an update to the proposal. There, I would expect to see a deadline for people to present arguments against it - failing which the item is considered approved. This means the Community gets to approve/reject individual disbursements. The MNO vote will not apply at that point. This is similar to how 'Slush Funds' are managed.
Note that whoever manages this, will not be paying fiat to individuals. Each person will incur their own expenses personally, and simply request the equivalent in PIV be paid to them.
The table functionality in the forum would make it easy to show a running total and itemize each expenditure for full transparency. Below are examples.
To be clear, everything in this draft is just a suggestion. Please provide constructive feedback. Then, whoever moves forward with this proposal can incorporate the ideas, and manage it as they see fit. I just think that if a running balance is maintained, with each line item being approved first, the 'policing' becomes automatic really.
The idea shown in the 2 tables below, is that Treasury Funds are noted as deposits to the TCF Pool table, and for each Conference, or Business Trip (any event really) there is a dedicated separate table. This makes it easy to budget in the future for annual conferences etc. It also makes the accounting far simpler.
I have not included this below, but to help with planning, and for the MNOs to know what a reasonable budget balance is, perhaps the Community can be invited to suggest Conferences we should attend. Then PIVians can offer to staff it - ideally local PIVians to keep travel costs down - and then budgeting can continue. This could also be organized in a table so that we can space out dates and geographical regions.
So, everything above is preamble to explain my thoughts. Everything below is kind of an example/template I am suggesting for such a proposal submission.
Travel and Conference Fund (TCF)
Description:
This proposal requests a fixed amount be added to this Travel and Conference Fund (TCF) each Treasury cycle, to build a pool of funds held for Business Meeting travel, Conferences, and related expenses.
Amount:
The amount is fixed at 20,000 PIV per cycle. Depending on how funds are spent, and how many Business Trips or Conferences are included, as well as the then price of PIVX, this may be excessive. However, unlike other proposals, this one can be expected to be voted down indefinitely if the balance climbs to a substantial amount, or for a single cycle, if other proposals are given priority in the case of limited Treasury funds.
Duration:
This proposal runs for 12 budget cycles. This is much longer than most, given the fact that the purpose is ongoing, variations in price simply affect how fast/slow the pool grows, and it can be voted YES/NO each cycle temporarily/indefinitely as determined by the MNOs.
Management:
All funds will be held in a single dedicated instance of MPW. The seed words will be secured with a 2nd PIVian (TBD) for backup.
Funds flowing into the pool from the Treasury, and flowing out for an event, will be itemized in the TCF Pool table. (Example below)
Funds for an event will be itemized in a dedicated Event Pool table. (Example below) When the event expenses are finalized, the balance from the Event Pool table will be 'Deposited' back to the TCF Pool table. This captures budget data for future events, and also organizes the data making it easy to find errors, and to be completely transparent.
Approvals/Rejections:
It is MNOs that vote to determine if funds are directed to this proposal, and therefore the TCF Pool. That is the point where they can Approve/Reject. However, once deposited to this TCF Pool, then requests for new Events (Conferences or other Business Travel) to be covered by the TCF fund should be requested in the comments of this proposal. At that point, it is the entire Community that can contribute to the decision to Approve/Reject the request, by adding their feedback. Everyone that wants to participate in this way is encouraged to 'Watch' this proposal to receive notifications, such that they can Approve/Reject requests for funds in a timely manner. Each request should include a reasonable deadline for feedback, before the funds can be paid out. The bigger the amount requested, the more time that should be given, understanding that Conferences, and travel costs become more expensive, as deadlines approach.
TCF Pool:
Transactions: (Amounts in PIV, unless denoted in $ for USD.)
Conference ABC Budget Pool:
Notes:
Transactions: (Amounts in PIV, unless denoted in $ for USD.)
TBD .....
I see the need for a new 'pool' of funds, to pay for Business Travel and Conferences. This may also include ongoing Merchandise re-orders etc. to stock booths etc. If we leave things until the last minute, there is no time really to wait for a proposal to pass, and plan things efficiently. Far better I think to set aside some funds each cycle.
This 'Travel and Conference Fund' (TCF) would basically be a pool that builds each cycle it passes. I suggest the pool request the same amount each cycle. If funds are tight, and there is no pressing need for the TCF, then MNOs could vote it down that cycle. Or, perhaps it builds to an amount that seems more than sufficient, and the MNOs vote it down for multiple months until it needs to be 'Topped Up' again.
PLEASE NOTE: It will NOT be me that submits or manages this proposal. I simply see the need, and wanted to create this draft, so that we can start discussions on it. Others can consider if they want to be the one to manage it, and make their offer in the comments below. Obviously, it needs to be a trusted PIVian. Other steps like setting up a dedicated MPW, and sharing access to it with a 2nd and perhaps 3rd person to protect against the 'Hit By A Truck' scenario, should be put in place too.
I also don't think it should be automatic that someone is paid from this fund. PIVians can 'Watch' this proposal so that they get notifications. Then, when there is a request for a disbursement or that funds be set aside for an upcoming conference etc., that should be documented in an update to the proposal. There, I would expect to see a deadline for people to present arguments against it - failing which the item is considered approved. This means the Community gets to approve/reject individual disbursements. The MNO vote will not apply at that point. This is similar to how 'Slush Funds' are managed.
Note that whoever manages this, will not be paying fiat to individuals. Each person will incur their own expenses personally, and simply request the equivalent in PIV be paid to them.
The table functionality in the forum would make it easy to show a running total and itemize each expenditure for full transparency. Below are examples.
To be clear, everything in this draft is just a suggestion. Please provide constructive feedback. Then, whoever moves forward with this proposal can incorporate the ideas, and manage it as they see fit. I just think that if a running balance is maintained, with each line item being approved first, the 'policing' becomes automatic really.
The idea shown in the 2 tables below, is that Treasury Funds are noted as deposits to the TCF Pool table, and for each Conference, or Business Trip (any event really) there is a dedicated separate table. This makes it easy to budget in the future for annual conferences etc. It also makes the accounting far simpler.
I have not included this below, but to help with planning, and for the MNOs to know what a reasonable budget balance is, perhaps the Community can be invited to suggest Conferences we should attend. Then PIVians can offer to staff it - ideally local PIVians to keep travel costs down - and then budgeting can continue. This could also be organized in a table so that we can space out dates and geographical regions.
So, everything above is preamble to explain my thoughts. Everything below is kind of an example/template I am suggesting for such a proposal submission.
Travel and Conference Fund (TCF)
Description:
This proposal requests a fixed amount be added to this Travel and Conference Fund (TCF) each Treasury cycle, to build a pool of funds held for Business Meeting travel, Conferences, and related expenses.
Amount:
The amount is fixed at 20,000 PIV per cycle. Depending on how funds are spent, and how many Business Trips or Conferences are included, as well as the then price of PIVX, this may be excessive. However, unlike other proposals, this one can be expected to be voted down indefinitely if the balance climbs to a substantial amount, or for a single cycle, if other proposals are given priority in the case of limited Treasury funds.
Duration:
This proposal runs for 12 budget cycles. This is much longer than most, given the fact that the purpose is ongoing, variations in price simply affect how fast/slow the pool grows, and it can be voted YES/NO each cycle temporarily/indefinitely as determined by the MNOs.
Management:
All funds will be held in a single dedicated instance of MPW. The seed words will be secured with a 2nd PIVian (TBD) for backup.
Funds flowing into the pool from the Treasury, and flowing out for an event, will be itemized in the TCF Pool table. (Example below)
Funds for an event will be itemized in a dedicated Event Pool table. (Example below) When the event expenses are finalized, the balance from the Event Pool table will be 'Deposited' back to the TCF Pool table. This captures budget data for future events, and also organizes the data making it easy to find errors, and to be completely transparent.
Approvals/Rejections:
It is MNOs that vote to determine if funds are directed to this proposal, and therefore the TCF Pool. That is the point where they can Approve/Reject. However, once deposited to this TCF Pool, then requests for new Events (Conferences or other Business Travel) to be covered by the TCF fund should be requested in the comments of this proposal. At that point, it is the entire Community that can contribute to the decision to Approve/Reject the request, by adding their feedback. Everyone that wants to participate in this way is encouraged to 'Watch' this proposal to receive notifications, such that they can Approve/Reject requests for funds in a timely manner. Each request should include a reasonable deadline for feedback, before the funds can be paid out. The bigger the amount requested, the more time that should be given, understanding that Conferences, and travel costs become more expensive, as deadlines approach.
TCF Pool:
Transactions: (Amounts in PIV, unless denoted in $ for USD.)
| Date: | Description: | Deposit: | Allocated: | Disbursement: | Balance: |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Opening Balance. | 0 | |||
| Mar 01, 2025 | Superblock payment. | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||
| Mar 01, 2025 | Proposal fee refund. | 50 | 19,950 | ||
| Apr 01, 2025 | Superblock payment. | 20,000 | 39,950 | ||
| Apr 15, 2025 | Conference ABC budget. | 15,000 | 24,950 | ||
| Apr 30, 2025 | Superblock payment. | 20,000 | 44,950 | ||
| May 05, 2025 | Conference ABC budget. | 25,000 | 19,950 | ||
| May 31, 2025 | Superblock payment. | 20,000 | 39,950 | ||
| Jun 05, 2025 | Conference ABC budget. | 15,000 | 24,950 | ||
| Jun 15, 2025 | Conference ABC closing refund. | 6,200 | 31,150 | ||
| Jun 30, 2025 | Superblock payment. | 20,000 | 56,150 | ||
| ...... |
Conference ABC Budget Pool:
Notes:
| Description: | Conference is in Spain from May 15 thru May 22. For conference details see this link. For forum discussion on this specific conference, please see this link. |
| Attending: | Jeffrey(SA), Liquid (USA), PIVian 1 (Local - TBD), PIVian 2 (Local - TBD). |
| Budget: | $12,000 USD: Airfare x 2, Conference Booth, Meals for 4 days, Uber, Hotel 4 nights x 4 rooms. |
| Final Disbursements: | $12,200 @ $0.25/PIV = 48,800 PIV |
Transactions: (Amounts in PIV, unless denoted in $ for USD.)
| Date: | Description: | Deposit: | Disbursement: | Balance: |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Opening balance. | 0 | ||
Apr 15, 2025 | Allocated from TCF Pool. | 15,000 | 15,000 | |
| Apr 20, 2025 | Conference booth deposit. ($1,000 @ $0.25/PIV = 4,000 PIV) | 4,000 | 11,000 | |
| May 05, 2025 | Allocated from TCF Pool. | 25,000 | 36,000 | |
| May 06, 2025 | Airfare (Jeffrey) for SA to Spain return. ($1,500 @ $0.25/PIV = 6,000 PIV) | 6,000 | 30,000 | |
| May 06, 2025 | Airfare (Liquid) for USA to Spain return. ($1,200 @ $0.25/PIV = 4,800 PIV) | 4,800 | 25,200 | |
| May 08, 2025 | Conference booth final payment. ($5,000 @ $0.25/PIV = 20,000 PIV) | 20,000 | 5,200 | |
| Jun 05, 2025 | Allocated from TCF Pool. | 15,000 | 20,200 | |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Hotel, Uber, Meals etc. (Jeffrey) ($1,500 @ $0.25/PIV = 6,000 PIV) | 6,000 | 14,200 | |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Hotel, Uber, Meals etc. (Liquid) ($1,500 @ $0.25/PIV = 6,000 PIV) | 6,000 | 8,200 | |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Meals, Travel etc. (PIVian 1 - Local) ($250 @ $0.25/PIV = 1,000 PIV) | 1,000 | 7,200 | |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Meals, Travel etc. (PIVian 2 - Local) ($250 @ $0.25/PIV = 1,000 PIV) | 1,000 | 6,200 | |
| Jun 20, 2025 | Closing balance refund to TCF pool. | 6,200 | 0 |
TBD .....
Last edited:
That said, this all takes time to prep and prepare and print, so the lead time will be very important. 