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Hi Ali,</div>
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As a small token of appreciation, the HotStorage’26 program committee would like to provide $250 honorarium for your keynote talk, which unfortunately means another paperwork (-: To receive the honorarium, would you please complete the attached ACM award/honorarium
form and send it to Tendo (cc’ed)? I’m copying ACM instructions below for more reference:</div>
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<a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances" id="OWA99eefaba-f332-75fa-b36e-9d251d0761d3" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="e8258040-43b4-4455-921f-5ad12cc2a64d">https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances</a></div>
<h2 id="h-paying-speaker-honorariums-or-conference-awards" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px 40px 0.5em; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(47, 47, 54);">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Paying Speaker Honorariums </b>or Conference Awards</span></h2>
<ul style="text-align: left; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem 40px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-position: outside; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Each recipient completes an
</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/sigs/conference-planning-guide/acm-award-form.xlsx" data-outlook-id="bea7182b-dfc2-455a-8bef-528483a2a7b3" style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); text-decoration: none;">award form</a></span><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Honorarium and award payments are subject to US IRS Miscellaneous Income Tax Reporting (Form 1099).</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">ACM is required by law to withhold taxes for non-resident individuals outside the United States. As a result, ACM will withhold 30%. <i>Grantees may qualify for reduced rates of US
tax pursuant to treaties into which the United States has entered with their countries of residence. Grantees who feel that they qualify for this relief would be able to recoup the taxes ACM withholds by filing US federal tax returns. Grantees should consult
with their own tax advisors to (i) determine whether they are eligible for such a treaty-based reduction in US tax, and (ii) obtain assistance in preparing a US federal tax return.</i></span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Recipient must provide the appropriate tax information to ACM through our
</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"><a href="https://financefiles.acm.org/" data-outlook-id="dbdca6df-3aa6-4296-a018-9741acb716ad" style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); text-decoration: none;">tax
form collection page</a></span><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">. For those receiving payment in the US, a W9 must be completed. For payments made outside the US, a W8 is required. Please notify your Conference Operations
Liaison once the appropriate tax information is completed at the link. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">US-based recipients are paid via direct deposit.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Recipients outside the US are paid via wire transfer. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<div role="presentation"><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;">Once a speaker submits a payment request, it can take up to 15 business days to receive payment. </span></div>
</li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px;">
<div role="presentation" style="font-family: Verdana;">An honorarium is considered an award, not a reimbursement, therefore receipts are not necessary </div>
</li></ul>
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Thank you again for your time and support! Please do not hesitate to contact us if there are any issues/questions!</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thanks,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mai</span></p>
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<b>From: </b>Tendo Mutanda <mutanda@hq.acm.org><br>
<b>Date: </b>Monday, October 5, 2026 at 1:34 PM<br>
<b>To: </b>Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
<b>Cc: </b>chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>, generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org>, Li, Bingzhe <Bingzhe.Li@utdallas.edu>, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reimbursement]<br>
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Hi Ali,</div>
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As far as travel reimbursement is concerned, the completed and signed form along with receipts for approved expenses suffices. I am deferring to the conference organizers regarding your additional question regarding an honorarium.</div>
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Best,</div>
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<b>Tendo Mutanda</b></div>
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Program Coordinator, SIG & Conference Operations</div>
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Association for Computing Machinery</div>
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1601 Broadway, 10th Floor</div>
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New York, NY, 10019</div>
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(212) 626-0602</div>
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Connect with us!</div>
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<b>From:</b> Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, October 5, 2026 12:56 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Tendo Mutanda <mutanda@hq.acm.org>; chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>; generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org>; Li, Bingzhe <bingzhe.li@utdallas.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reimbursement]</div>
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Thank you Mai.<br>
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One more question: Is the honorarium (i) in lieu of the reimbursement (one or the other), (ii) in addiiton and I have to add it to the form, or (iii) its done separately?<br>
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@tendo, I’ll send you the form and receipts shortly.<br>
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Thank you,<br>
-ali<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
> On Oct 5, 2026, at 11:36 AM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
><br>
> Dear Ali,<br>
><br>
> Thank you again for joining HotStorage’26 and giving us the great talk! We really appreciate your insights and support!<br>
><br>
> Regarding the travel reimbursement, would you mind completing the attached ACM expense report and submitting it along with receipts to Tendo Mutanda (the ACM Program Coordinator for HotStorage’26, cc’ed)? I’m copying the ACM guidelines at the end of this
email for more reference. If there are any questions regarding the report, please feel free to contact us!<br>
><br>
> Hi @Tendo Mutanda,<br>
> Ali kindly gave a keynote talk at HotStorage’26 and we would like to reimburse him for the travel. If anything else is needed besides his expense report and receipts, would you please let us know? Thanks again for all your help throughout the journey!<br>
><br>
> <a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances" id="OWA99eefaba-f332-75fa-b36e-9d251d0761d3" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="e8258040-43b4-4455-921f-5ad12cc2a64d">
https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances</a><br>
> Reimbursing Speaker Expenses<br>
> • For speaker travel reimbursements, ACM has an expense report that speakers must complete and submit along with their receipts to the Conference Operations Liaison. The expense report and receipts should be submitted as a single PDF rather than individual
files. ACM accepts scanned copies of receipts or originals via mail or courier, if preferred.<br>
> • Receipts must show payment was made rather than indicate a balance due.<br>
> • Receipts are required for all expenses over $25.<br>
> • ACM cannot accept order confirmations as proof of payment.<br>
> • Personal meal reimbursement is limited to $60 per day for conferences that take place in the US, and $75 per day for conferences outside the US.<br>
> • Once a reimbursement request is received, your Conference Operations Liaison will request payment approval from the Conference Chair or Treasurer.<br>
> • US-based recipients are paid via direct deposit.<br>
> • Recipients outside the US are paid via wire transfer. <br>
> • Once a speaker submits a payment request, it can take up to 15 business days to receive payment. <br>
> • Receipts need to show show that a payment was made, and not indicate a balance due.<br>
> • Per ACM travel policy, travel insurance, fees paid to travel agents, as well as frequent flyer miles are not reimbursable expenses. <br>
> • Requests for mileage reimbursement must include the to/from addresses, number of miles, and purpose of trip (a print mileage map with those details is acceptable as well). ACM reimburses according to the current IRS business mileage rates . IRS mileage
rates change frequently, so it is recommended to check the web-site prior to requesting reimbursement .<br>
> • Please note that timely payments are based on the accuracy of the information provided. ACM cannot release payments without the proper documentation and approvals as noted above. <br>
><br>
> Thanks,<br>
> Mai<br>
> From: Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
> Date: Monday, October 5, 2026 at 9:48 AM<br>
> To: Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
> Cc: chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>, generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
> Subject: Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reminder]<br>
><br>
> Dear Mai,<br>
><br>
> Thank you again for having me at HotStorage and the opportunity to give the keynote talk. I really enjoyed the interactions.<br>
><br>
> Now that the travel is complete, I have collected my receipts for reimbursement. Please let me know whom should I contact/send the receipts to. Appreciate your guidance.<br>
><br>
> Warm regards,<br>
> -ali<br>
><br>
><br>
> > On Aug 15, 2026, at 1:32 AM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
> ><br>
> > Hi Ali,<br>
> ><br>
> > Thank you for reaching out! Please feel free to arrange your travel including flights, lodging, etc. as you see fit. We will reimburse you later based on ACM's “Reimbursing Speaker Expenses” policy (<a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances" id="OWA5fc4dc7c-f4b6-8086-8971-37e459db4c94" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="cf26b3ac-fa60-492a-ab5e-3efafb9991c1">https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances</a>).
Please note that "Receipts are required for all expenses over $25” (-:<br>
> ><br>
> > Thanks again for accepting our invitation. We’re very much looking forward to your talk!<br>
> ><br>
> > Best,<br>
> > Mai<br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> > On 8/14/26, 5:36 PM, "Ali R. Butt" <butta@cs.vt.edu> wrote:<br>
> ><br>
> > Hi Mai,<br>
> ><br>
> > I am working on my flights this weekend, and will plan to be there on 28 and 29 both. Since I start from a small airport, I’ll do this now rather than later to get the best available journey.<br>
> ><br>
> > Let me know if I arrange my own lodgings and seek reimbursement, or will you guys do that direct for me. Either is ok. I’d need 27-30.<br>
> ><br>
> > Thank you and excited for the talk,<br>
> > -ali<br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> > > On Jul 21, 2026, at 12:14 PM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Hi Ali,<br>
> > ><br>
> > > This is great! Thank you so much for accepting our invitation! We are honored to have you join us! We will follow up with more details once the program is finalized. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or specific
requirements.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Thanks again, and we are looking forward to hosting you!<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Best,<br>
> > > Travis and MaiFrom: Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 10:09 PM<br>
> > > To: Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
> > > Cc: chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>; generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
> > > Subject: Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reminder]<br>
> > > Hi Mai and Travis,<br>
> > ><br>
> > > I am honored to be invited, and happy to accept.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Also, thank you for the follow up, the earlier email has fallen through the cracks.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Warm regards,<br>
> > > -ali<br>
> > ><br>
> > ><br>
> > > > On Jul 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > Dear Ali R. Butt,<br>
> > > > Hope you’ve been well. We're writing to follow up on our invitation for you to serve as a keynote speaker at HotStorage'26, to be held on September 28–29 in Prague, Czechia (<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org%2f&c=E,1,3Y4KG6Jd0Q7YNa7YPM_q9sn2EP-Aj-Wd-fF_jfge0XMrljD86e07p7PfUb0PX4rxb-tKlyTy-aiwk4fn6RzFnwO9of_vxWNFJ8Gi4full9Ya4pWn3NaLFlc,&typo=1" id="OWA764dbc69-5c0d-b0ee-86bd-709e23ad296c" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="5b489dfc-2f1c-4cef-bed6-2f21caa0f11b">https://www.hotstorage.org/</a>),
co-located with SOSP ’26.<br>
> > > > We would be delighted to have you join us, and your perspective on storage systems would be a great fit for the program. We realize your schedule is busy, so we wanted to check whether you’ve had a chance to consider the invitation.<br>
> > > > If helpful, we're happy to provide any additional details. We would appreciate it if you could let us know your availability at your earliest convenience.<br>
> > > > Thank you again for considering this, and we hope we’ll have the chance to host you!<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > Best regards,<br>
> > > > Travis Janssen & Mai Zheng<br>
> > > > On behalf of HotStorage’26 Organizing Committee<br>
> > > > <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org&c=E,1,sFVIx7vQhAsBAaXP80MglUsIo88wm99s0xpOx2Mgx2cB5iSDrsbBaIIC_UxTltxnJvj-rodgqLCnbfgT1U2lKioDYIMyn0rzSZBPufNUSVX6&typo=1" id="OWAb86c078e-972b-1b27-df37-62bf2f32cbc4" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="d673f648-54dc-4c46-9a73-225740ff13af">
https://www.hotstorage.org</a><br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > From: Zheng, Mai [E CPE]<br>
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 1:12 PM<br>
> > > > To: Ali R Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
> > > > Cc: generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org>; chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
> > > > Subject: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address<br>
> > > > Dear Ali R. Butt,<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > On behalf of the organizing committee of HotStorage '26, we are writing to invite you to deliver the keynote address at HotStorage '26, taking place September 28–29 in Prague, Czechia (<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org%2f&c=E,1,W92eMZ94oKJy0hGJP7N1gWVt6Leinquko8aDoq6lJ9dKD08s7Zdk92q296UXA-zsnGsoJoCKGTkucVScrAwmQ7tlxiv_PietC2ZxjdhZH5EZPcydz9YePm1qiA,,&typo=1" id="OWA54586256-89fa-837b-a95c-6a5e30de6d73" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="2f97037f-0eda-424a-8ad2-dcff32ca15a3">https://www.hotstorage.org/</a>),
co-located with SOSP ’26.<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > Your work on storage and I/O systems has had a significant impact on the field, and we believe your perspective would resonate strongly with our community. We would be honored if you would accept our invitation.<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > The keynote would run approximately one hour on September 29, the day before the SOSP main conference. We are happy to work around your schedule and accommodate any preferences you may have regarding the format. We will cover your travel and accommodation
expenses, and provide an honorarium in accordance with ACM policy as a token of our appreciation.<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > If you are interested, we would be delighted to share further details and answer any questions you may have. We would greatly appreciate hearing from you at your earliest convenience, and no later than July 21.<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > Thank you for considering our invitation, and for your many contributions to the community!<br>
> > > ><br>
> > > > Best regards,<br>
> > > > Travis Janssen & Mai Zheng<br>
> > > > On behalf of HotStorage’26 Organizing Committee<br>
> > > > <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org&c=E,1,CY_j5em2-xzxjL-Un17QWeUTINUKbyz56Zn92wrdSBbUNE09VE4RH8lSVSs1i4yNbAIEgaqscyW8Uke9CvKui49omAuiVE_DRNYzGBl9&typo=1" id="OWA727942bf-fc4b-a623-f3a4-1a25d4a790a4" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="7946881d-76a1-4e9f-ad14-54221035ee4f">
https://www.hotstorage.org</a><br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> > --<br>
> > Mai Zheng<br>
> > Associate Professor<br>
> > Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering<br>
> > Iowa State University<br>
> > <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ece.iastate.edu%2f~mai%2f&c=E,1,pp-vBJ7uVAVtdIXBZDlGb9Uoae-mRYWae3Z59jxY3XV-nQAyCcZ56piCjSqbEuwJ_3C-WdDv-PHKBjHs4OIjl0zt_V-V6YNik3JEPNQfHA,,&typo=1" id="OWA557f2680-baa7-9e1e-635f-a2ac419734e8" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="66bb33a7-4974-44a1-bc11-ad63eb8c4364">
https://www.ece.iastate.edu/~mai/</a><br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
><br>
> <2026-volunteer-reimbursement-report---blank-09.10.2026-with-instruction-tab.xlsx><br>
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