IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures
RFC 3677
| Document | Type |
RFC - Best Current Practice
(December 2003; Errata)
Also known as BCP 77
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Last updated | 2015-10-14 | ||
| Stream | IAB | ||
| Formats | plain text pdf html bibtex | ||
| Stream | IAB state | (None) | |
| Consensus Boilerplate | Unknown | ||
| RFC Editor Note | (None) | ||
Network Working Group L. Daigle, Ed.
Request for Comments: 3677 Internet Architecture Board
BCP: 77 IAB
Category: Standards Track December 2003
IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This memo outlines the process by which the IETF makes a selection of
an Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees appointment.
1. Introduction
The Internet Society (ISOC) provides organizational and financial
support for the IETF. As stipulated in ISOC's by-laws the IETF is
called upon to name 3 Trustees to its Board (BoT), with staggered 3
year terms. This requires that the IETF name one Trustee each year.
This memo outlines the process by which the IETF makes that
selection. This process will also be used in the event of mid-term
vacancies that may arise with IETF nominated Board positions.
1.1. Overview of Selection Process
In brief, this document describes the timeframe and procedures for
the IAB to solicit public input and make a selection for the open
position each year.
1.2. Rationale
An alternative approach to making a selection for these positions
would be to use the IETF's NomCom (RFC 2727 [1] and its revisions).
However, that NomCom is chartered and defined specifically to the
task of making selections for IETF organization tasks, and the ISOC
BoT appointment process does not fit that in 2 ways:
Daigle & IAB Best Current Practice [Page 1]
RFC 3677 ISOC Trustee Appointment Procedures December 2003
1. the timeframe of the appointment does not mesh with the IETF
appointment cycle
2. the nature of the deliberations and the type of information
solicited would be significantly different for an external
appointment, such as this appointment to the ISOC BoT
The first issue (timing) could be resolved fairly easily for this
specific appointment. The second issue is more general, and not
reasonably reconciled with the IETF NomCom task as currently
specified.
The process described in RFC 2727 is oriented toward soliciting
feedback from the IETF community with respect to individuals and
technical positions with which they have personal experience. To
make a good decision on external appointments, in general, the NomCom
would have to understand the requirements for those positions, and
attempt to evaluate candidates for a very different set of skills
than is required of IAB/IESG members. It might also require
soliciting feedback from outside the IETF community. There is no
question that the individuals that constitute the IETF NomCom each
year have the competence to carry out such a search; the issue is
that it is a very different task, would require additional time and
resources, and therefore is a side effort that could very well
undermine the effectiveness of the NomCom in carrying out its primary
task for the IETF.
By contrast, the IAB is chartered to be responsible for IETF external
liaisons, is a standing body that works with ISOC (and the ISOC
Board), and therefore has a working knowledge of the requirements of
the specific position discussed here.
At some future point, if there is a more general need to make
external appointments, the IETF may consider broadening the scope of
the IETF NomCom role, or create a separate nominating committee for
such external non-liaison appointments. This document proposes that
is not necessary or desirable for the purposes of this one annual
appointment.
2. Desirable Qualifications and Selection Criteria for an
IETF-Nominated ISOC Trustee
Candidates for an ISOC Trustee should have a demonstrable involvement
in the IETF with a particular focus on active participation in IETF
Working Groups.
Daigle & IAB Best Current Practice [Page 2]
RFC 3677 ISOC Trustee Appointment Procedures December 2003
The candidate is expected to possess clearly demonstrated technical
competence in Internet technology, and be able to articulate
technology issues such that the ISOC Board can be provided with sound
technical perspectives. The candidate is also expected to be able to
understand the respective roles and responsibilities of the IETF and
ISOC and be able to articulate these roles within both organizational
communities.
The candidate will also be expected to exercise all the duties of an
ISOC Board member, including fiduciary responsibility, setting of
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