Robotics and Automation Society Business Plan Motions

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Robotics and Automation SocietyBusiness
PlanMotions
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Motion 1

• The business principles listed below shall be
  adopted as the basis for RAS financial operations.

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Business Plan Principles

• There shall be a process to annually review
  business divisions and set operating and reserves
  goals
• Our reserves shall
• Be maintained at or above the TAB specified
  minimum plus a safety term
• Suggest TAB min 50 worst market loss
  initiative capacity
• For example, (1,940k/2) (383k/2) 125k
  1,300k
• Be the basis for establishing new initiatives

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Business Plan Principles

• Operating budget surplus and initiatives shall be
  targeted to manage reserves
• While initiatives are encouraged when resources
  are available, strong proposals are expected.
• Reserves should not be spent simply because the
  excess reserves are substantial
• Consideration should be given to reducing member
  costs as well as to new initiatives

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Business Plan Principles

• Non-member income should support member services
• The initiative process shall consider
• Income sources and budget impact
• Formal independent review of initiative
• Transition from initiative to ongoing expense or
  sunset
• Expenses (to members) of carrying out society
  business shall be reimbursed

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Business Plan Principles

• Members should not normally be paid for society
  activities
• Major business activities should be led by member
  volunteers but supported by professional
  services, either inside or outside the IEEE
• As a volunteer-run Society, consideration should
  continually be given to business simplification

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Motion 2

• The business process described below shall be
  adopted for RAS financial operations.

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Annual Business Process

• FAB review of ongoing activities, in conjunction
  with boards where appropriate
• Benefit/cost review of initiatives at end of
  period
• Self study from initiative managers
• Independent review
• If appropriate, recommendation on continuation or
  termination

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Annual Business Process

• Divide new initiatives into two categories
• Fixed duration
• Secondary impact on budget, use reserve funds
• Expected ongoing activity
• Possible initial reserve funding
• Assess long term operating budget impact
• Minimum size unspecified, but est. 5,000
• Require detailed proposal for initiatives
• All information required for unbudgeted expenses
• If over X, process plan for implementation
• Evaluation plan

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Annual Business Process

• Obtain LRPC input on desired annual initiative
  capacity
• FAB review, AdCom decisions
• Set subscription, ad rates
• Set ongoing expense budget
• Set target reserve level
• Target budget surplus goal to move toward desired
  reserve level, while avoiding Watch List problems.