Extend the diversity fund

[LJWatson]

The diversity fund is supported by donations from W3C member organisations and enables people from groups that are under-represented at W3C to participate in TPAC .

Can we extend the diversity fund to cover:

• Paying for people's time to contribute to W3C activities
• Travel and accommodation beyond TPAC
• Expenses for equipment needed to participate (webcam, headset etc.)
• Expenses for services (cell phone, internet etc.)
• Child, elder, or personal care

Can we also create a longer-term fund for participation in working/community groups, F2F meetings, and other events to cover some of these expenses?

[wareid]

Next action: @koalie to begin the process of setting up the application process, due for mid-August early-to-mid-September.

[koalie]

Update with conclusion:
It is currently difficult for W3C Hosts to reimburse or pay for people's time, and impossible for W3C Hosts to pay for services like Child, elder, or personal care.

I propose de close this issue as done.

[chaals]

I disagree that we should simply abandon the goal of providing things like carers or replacement income, that are a significant factor in some people attending.

If W3C hosts cannot do this, then that seems a good reason to look at an alternative strategy for managing the funds, where that isn't a barrier.

(Also, I thought in some cases W3C managed to pay honoraria this year. Is that not the case?)

[koalie]

I disagree that we should simply abandon the goal of providing things like carers or replacement income, that are a significant factor in some people attending.

I forgot one important piece in my update:
There were only two diversity fund applications for TPAC 2020, both were for the purchase of hardware (laptops and tablets respectively). None asked for reimbursement of carers or replacement income.

If W3C hosts cannot do this, then that seems a good reason to look at an alternative strategy for managing the funds, where that isn't a barrier.

I don't disagree. I am not convinced of the posititve impact (any impact, as a matter of fact) of including those as part of the diversity fund. This year's applications did not support that claim.

(Also, I thought in some cases W3C managed to pay honoraria this year. Is that not the case?)

Correct. The request emanated from the W3C team as a result of an opportunity related to TPAC that arose. It was difficult to pay honoraria, but not impossible.

[koalie]

Per the 2020-12-01 IDCG Meeting, we're leaving this issue open.

Suggestions included considering OpenCollective to manage the Diversity Fund, as well as re-exploring the payments through w3c issue.

[wseltzer]

As we prepare for our second virtual TPAC, I'm thinking about what diversity fund should be and support. Should we continue to focus on TPAC, and provide honoraria to participants there? Should we think beyond TPAC, e.g. supporting training for participants to help existing groups be more inclusive, or commission other resources to share?

[TzviyaSiegman]

This has been completed