--On Sunday, February 16, 2014 09:19 +1300 Brian E Carpenter
<brian(_dot_)e(_dot_)carpenter(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com> wrote:
Thanks for the update.
I'd really like to push the idea that we stop using the word
"leaders" and start using "spokespeople".
It's something I should have realised many years ago; the
enormous scientific collaborations at CERN who used to be my
customers have used this terminology (or
spokesman/spokeswoman) for ever. It really is closer to what
we want to project about our community, isn't it?
Brian,
Yes. The problem is that, while the RIR and ISOC CESs, and
maybe the ICANN one, have the authority and perhaps even a
mandate, to act as spokespeople. The IAB and IETF Chairs have
no such authority: in the absence of rather specific inquiries
of the community and determination of consensus, they are not
supposed to "speak for", e.g., the IETF. It is entirely
reasonable, and sometimes necessary, that they be able to speak
as individuals who happen to hold those positions and who have
the perspective that comes with those positions but, in allowing
them to do that, the community trusts that they will make the
distinction as clear as necessary for the particular
circumstances that apply.
Certainly you understand that. My recollection is that you were
exceptional careful about the distinctions while wearing the
relevant hats.
It is a challenging situation for everyone involved, but I don't
think the terminology change would improve things. It might
make them worse.
best,
john