On Thu 14/Nov/2013 19:54:06 +0100 Brian E Carpenter wrote:
On 15/11/2013 03:20, Moriarty, Kathleen wrote:
...
I don't think it's the IETF's place to provide a policy back to
companies on who to send or how many people can attend. This is
a financial decision for many companies. The cost of the trip
itself isn't the issue, but the person's time for the week may
be.
I completely agree. On the other hand, we could have a prominent
"equal opportunity" statement that would remind everybody, including
employers, that we want diversity among our participants. (And think
what fun we could have wordsmithing such a statement.)
Me too. If improperly worded, Vegas-like ladies admission policies
might carry the risk of inadvertently putting in some "What Happens
Here Stays Here" slogan as well ;-)
The other issue, involving small businesses, probably needs something
more substantial than a policy. For a small business, the cost of the
trip can be weighty in and of itself, let alone the person's time,
e.g. [1]. Arrangements such as tax breaks or public subsidies are out
of IETF reach, AFAIK. Could ISOC help here, maybe?
Ale
[1] Things that need discussion face to face?
http://www.ietf.org/mail-archive/web/spfbis/current/msg01789.html