Dear Hank, The draft agenda containing the resolution was published and announced to members on 17 September, six weeks before the GM. This provides four weeks for members to review and comment on the resolutions before the agenda is final. The draft agenda was also highlighted in subsequent mails to the members. The resolution change was highlighted in the mail that the Executive Board Chair sent to members two weeks ahead of the GM with the Board’s recommendations on voting on the resolutions: https://mailman.ripe.net/archives/list/ncc-announce@ripe.net/thread/C3YEARA7... And the change was also explained in two of the presentations delivered at the GM - the Report from the Executive Board and the Financial Update and RIPE NCC Surplus presentations: https://www.ripe.net/membership/gm/meetings/october-2026/documents-and-archi... We were conscious that this was a change that needed to be clearly communicated to members, and we made these efforts to do just that. If you or other members have thoughts on how we can better make sure that changes like this are well communicated, then please do let us know. Best regards, Fergal Cunningham Head of Membership Engagement RIPE NCC In the latest voting that took place at the GM, there was the following summary: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The General Meeting approves to add/subtract the excess contribution/deficit paid in the financial year 2026 in the following way: - In case there is an excess contribution, this will be added to the RIPE NCC reserves. - In case of a deficit, this will be covered by the RIPE NCC membership in 2027.” NOTE: If the membership does not approve the resolution, the excess contribution paid will be redistributed to the membership in 2027 according to the RIPE NCC Clearing House procedure and the deficit will be paid by RIPE NCC reserves. Yes - 57% No - 42% ------------------------------------------------------------- I think that the wording on this resolution determined the results. Everyone on this list has complained over the increase of budgets and the need for a smaller budget. In the past, excess budget has been redistributed to the members. If the resolution had been worded as: The General Meeting approves to redistribute the excess contribution to the membership in 2027 according to the RIPE NCC Clearing House procedure and if there is a deficit it will be paid by RIPE NCC reserves. Then it would have easily passed. Perhaps, in the future, wording of resolutions can be vetted by the membership so as to eliminate these kinds of issues? Thanks, Hank