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Re: Nomcom Enhancements: Improving the IETF leadership selection process

2010-07-18 06:00:12
Hi Dave,

I read the Summary (http://www.bbiw.net/specifications/IETF-Nomcom-Process-Summary.html) - timing being short at the moment. Looks mainly very good.

In Section 5.2 I find...

RECOMMENDATION -- Politicking
- Any evidence of politicking should be reported to Nomcom and should be treated as a significant, negative factor when considering the nominee who
  is intended to benefit from the politicking.

It may be that my mind is unnecessarily devious, but it seems to me that this assumes that either no-one will execute a bluff, or that Nomcom will detect it. That is, if I wish to ensure that Dave Crocker does not become the next Foo Area Director, I could engineer a campaign of lobbying in his support. According to your recommendation, this would have a significant negative impact.

IMHO, the actions of others have absolutely zero relevance to the competence of an individual performing their IETF management tasks. NomCom should consider only material facts (positive or negative) and should not be distracted by any politicking or lobbying.

I note that this is probably a simplistic statement since the line between sending your fair and honest opinion that Dave would be good or bad as the Foo AD can only truly be construed as not lobbying if you are entirely unconcerned as to whether the final selection matches your own preferences and opinions.

It may also make a difference if it is the candidate who is organising or instigating the lobbying on his own behalf. But determining this is likely to require some form of court! So perhaps it is best to simply stick to the candidates' competences, and to interviews advised by feedback from the community.

Cheers,
Adrian


----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave CROCKER" <dhc2(_at_)dcrocker(_dot_)net>
To: "IETF Discussion" <ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:48 PM
Subject: Nomcom Enhancements: Improving the IETF leadership selection process


Folks,

Nomcom has been an integral part of the IETF for nearly 20 years.

A number of us have been developing a set of recommendations designed to adapt the Nomcom process to better match current realities of the IETF community. The draft has progressed far enough to call for public consideration.

Some of the proposal's recommendations require no changes in formal rules. They can be adopted immediately, possibly by the current Nomcom, should it so choose.
Others require a formal development and approval cycle.

At:

     <http://www.bbiw.net/recent.html#nomcom2010>

there is a copy of the Full Proposal, and a Summary which primarily contains just the recommendations.


The proposal's Abstract is:

Every year the IETF's Nominating Committee (Nomcom) reviews and selects half
of the IETF's leadership on the IESG, IAB and IAOC/Trust. In the 18 years
since the inception of the Nomcom process, the Internet industry and the IETF have gone through many changes in funding, participation and focus, but not in the basic formation, structure or operation of Nomcom. This paper explores
challenges that have emerged in the conduct of Nomcom activities,
particularly due to changing IETF demographics. The paper reviews the nature,
causes and consequences of these challenges, and proposes a number of
specific changes. The changes provide better communication of Nomcom
institutional memory, enhance Nomcom membership expertise, and produce
stronger confidentiality and etiquette practices among Nomcom participants.
Some changes require formal modification to Nomcom rules; others can be
adopted immediately.


Please feel free to discuss the proposal with any of the authors or folks listed
in the Acknowledgments section, or on this list.


d/
--

  Dave Crocker
  Brandenburg InternetWorking
  bbiw.net

--

  Dave Crocker
  Brandenburg InternetWorking
  bbiw.net
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