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BEST CURRENT PRACTICE
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) M. Kucherawy, Ed.
Request for Comments: 8713
BCP: 10 R. Hinden, Ed.
Obsoletes: 7437, 8318 Check Point Software
Category: Best Current Practice J. Livingood, Ed.
ISSN: 2070-1721 Comcast
February 2020
IAB, IESG, IETF Trust, and IETF LLC Selection, Confirmation, and Recall
Process: Operation of the IETF Nominating and Recall Committees
Abstract
The process by which the members of the IAB and IESG, some Trustees
of the IETF Trust, and some Directors of the IETF Administration LLC
(IETF LLC) are selected, confirmed, and recalled is specified in this
document. This document is based on RFC 7437. Only those updates
required to reflect the changes introduced by IETF Administrative
Support Activity (IASA) 2.0 have been included. Any other changes
will be addressed in future documents.
This document obsoletes RFC 7437 and RFC 8318.
Status of This Memo
This memo documents an Internet Best Current Practice.
This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
(IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has
received public review and has been approved for publication by the
Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on
BCPs is available in Section 2 of RFC 7841.
Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8713.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2020 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(https://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must
include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
described in the Simplified BSD License.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. General
3.1. Completion Due
3.2. Nominating Committee Principal Functions
3.3. Positions to Be Reviewed
3.4. Term Lengths
3.5. Mid-term Vacancies
3.6. Confidentiality
3.7. Advice and Consent Model
3.7.1. Positions to Be Reviewed
3.7.2. Candidate Selection
3.7.3. Candidate Review
3.7.4. Confirmation
3.8. Sitting Members, Directors, and Trustees
3.9. Announcements
4. Nominating Committee Selection
4.1. Timeline
4.2. Term
4.3. Structure
4.4. Chair Duties
4.5. Chair Selection
4.6. Temporary Chair
4.7. Liaisons
4.8. Liaison Appointment
4.9. Advisors
4.10. Past Chair
4.11. Voting Volunteers
4.12. Milestones
4.13. Open Positions
4.14. Volunteer Qualification
4.15. Not Qualified
4.16. Selection Process
4.17. Announcement of Selection Results
4.18. Committee Organization
5. Nominating Committee Operation
5.1. Discretion
5.2. Selection Timeline
5.3. Confirmation Timeline
5.4. Milestones
5.5. Voting Mechanism
5.6. Voting Quorum
5.7. Voting Member Recall
5.8. Chair Recall
5.9. Deliberations
5.10. Call for Nominees
5.11. Nominations
5.12. Candidate Selection
5.13. Consent to Nomination
5.14. Notifying Confirming Bodies
5.15. Confirming Candidates
5.16. Archives
6. Dispute Resolution Process
7. Member, Trustee, and Director Recall
7.1. Petition
7.1.1. Community Petition
7.1.2. Ombudsteam Petition
7.2. Recall Committee Chair
7.3. Recall Committee Creation
7.4. Recall Committee Rules
7.5. Recall Committee Operation
7.6. 3/4 Majority
7.7. Position to Be Filled
8. IANA Considerations
9. Security Considerations
10. References
10.1. Normative References
10.2. Informative References
Appendix A. Changes Since RFC 3777
Appendix B. Changes Since RFC 7437
Appendix C. Oral Tradition
Appendix D. Nominating Committee Timeline
Acknowledgments
Authors' Addresses
1. Introduction
This document is a revision of [RFC7437] that updates it to be
consistent with the IETF Administrative Support Activity (IASA) 2.0
changes. RFC 7437 was based on [RFC3777] that consolidated and
updated other RFCs that updated that document into a single
specification. The result is a complete specification of the process
by which members of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and
Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG), some Trustees of the IETF
Trust, and some Directors of the IETF Administration LLC (IETF LLC),
are selected, confirmed, and recalled.
This revision addresses only the changes required for IASA 2.0;
should the community agree on other changes, they will be addressed
in future documents.
Section 2 of [RFC8714] provides further details about the IETF Trust
Trustees positions that are filled by the IETF Nominating Committee
(NomCom).
Section 5 of [RFC8711] provides further details about the IETF LLC
Director positions that are filled by the NomCom.
The following two assumptions continue to be true of this
specification:
1. The Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) and Internet Research
Steering Group (IRSG) are not a part of the process described
here.
2. The organization (and reorganization) of the IESG is not a part
of the process described here.
The time frames specified here use IETF meetings as a frame of
reference. The time frames assume that the IETF meets three times
per calendar year with approximately equal amounts of time between
them. The meetings are referred to as the First IETF, Second IETF,
or Third IETF as needed.
The next section lists the words and phrases commonly used throughout
this document with their intended meaning.
The majority of this document is divided into four major topics as
follows:
General: This is a set of rules and constraints that apply to the
selection and confirmation process as a whole.
Nominating Committee Selection: This is the process by which the
volunteers who will serve on the NomCom are selected.
Nominating Committee Operation: This is the set of principles,
rules, and constraints that guide the activities of the NomCom,
including the confirmation process.
Member, Trustee, and Director Recall: This is the process by which
the behavior of a sitting member of the IESG, or IAB, or IETF
Trust Trustee, or IETF LLC Director may be questioned, perhaps
resulting in the removal of the sitting member. See Section 2 for
a description of what a sitting member means for each of these
groups.
A final section describes how this document differs from [RFC3777]
and [RFC7437].
An appendix of useful facts and practices collected from previous
NomComs is also included.
This document updates the IAB, IESG, and IAOC Selection,
Confirmation, and Recall Process to be aligned with IASA 2.0 Model
[RFC8711] that creates an IETF Administration Limited Liability
Company (IETF LLC) managed by a Board of Directors (IETF LLC Board).
This document obsoletes [RFC7437] and [RFC8318].
2. Definitions
The following words and phrases are commonly used throughout this
document. They are listed here with their intended meaning for the
convenience of the reader.
Candidate: A nominee who has been selected to be considered for
confirmation by a confirming body.
Confirmed Candidate: A candidate that has been reviewed and approved
by a confirming body.
Nominating Committee Term: The term begins when its members are
officially announced, which is expected to be prior to the Third
IETF to ensure it is fully operational at the Third IETF. The
term ends at the Third IETF (not three meetings) after the next
NomCom's term begins.
IETF Executive Director: The person charged with day-to-day
operation of the IETF's administrative functions. (See
Section 4.1 of [RFC8711]). Note: This was previously the name of
the IETF Secretariat position that is now called the "Managing
Director, IETF Secretariat".
Managing Director, IETF Secretariat: The person charged with
operation of the IETF Secretariat function. (See Section 2 of
[RFC3710] and [RFC8717]).
Nominee: A person who is being or has been considered for one or
more open positions of the IESG, IAB, IETF Trust Trustee, or IETF
LLC.
Sitting Member: A person who is currently serving as a member of the
IESG or IAB.
Sitting Director: A person who is currently serving as a Director of
the IETF LLC.
Sitting IETF Trust Trustee: A person who is currently serving as a
Trustee of the IETF Trust.
3. General
The following set of rules apply to the process as a whole. If
necessary, a paragraph discussing the interpretation of each rule is
included.
3.1. Completion Due
The completion of the annual process is due within seven months.
The completion of the annual process is due one month prior to the
Friday of the week before the First IETF. It is expected to begin at
least eight months prior to the Friday of the week before the First
IETF.
The process officially begins with the announcement of the Chair of
the committee. The process officially ends when all confirmed
candidates have been announced.
The annual process is comprised of three major components as follows:
1. The selection and organization of the NomCom members.
2. The selection of candidates by the NomCom.
3. The confirmation of the candidates.
There is an additional month set aside between when the annual
process is expected to end and the term of the new candidates is to
begin. This time may be used during unusual circumstances to extend
the time allocated for any of the components listed above.
3.2. Nominating Committee Principal Functions
The principal functions of the NomCom are to review each open IESG,
IAB, IETF Trust, and IETF LLC Director position and to select either
its incumbent or a superior candidate.
Although there is no term limit for serving in any IESG, IAB, or IETF
Trust position, the NomCom may use length of service as one of its
criteria for evaluating an incumbent.
The NomCom does not select the open positions to be reviewed; it is
instructed as to which positions to review.
The NomCom will be given the titles of the positions to be reviewed
and a brief summary of the desired expertise of the candidate that is
selected to fill each position.
Incumbents must notify the NomCom if they wish to be nominated.
The NomCom does not confirm its candidates; it presents its
candidates to the appropriate confirming body as indicated below.
A superior candidate is one who the NomCom believes would contribute
in such a way as to improve or enhance the body to which he or she is
nominated.
3.3. Positions to Be Reviewed
Approximately one-half of each of the then current IESG and IAB
positions, one IETF Trust position, and one IETF LLC Director
position, is selected to be reviewed each year.
The intent of this rule is to ensure the review of approximately one-
half of each of the IESG and IAB sitting members, one of the three
NomCom-nominated IETF LLC Director positions, and one of the three
nominated IETF Trust Trustee positions, each year. It is recognized
that circumstances may exist that will require the NomCom to review
more or less than the usual number of positions, e.g., if the IESG,
IAB, IETF Trust, or IETF LLC Board have reorganized prior to this
process and created new positions, if there are an odd number of
current positions, or if a member, a Director, or a Trustee
unexpectedly resigns.
3.4. Term Lengths
Confirmed IESG and IAB candidates are expected to serve at least a
two-year term. The intent of this rule is to ensure that members of
the IESG and IAB serve the number of years that best facilitates the
review of one-half of the members each year.
Confirmed IETF LLC Director candidates are expected to serve at least
a three-year term, except if a nominating or selection body decides
to use a shorter term to allow for initial staggered appointments.
Please refer to Section 6 of [RFC8711] for additional guidance on
term length and term limits for the IETF LLC Board.
Confirmed IETF Trust Trustee candidates are expected to serve at
least a three-year term, except if a nominating or selection body
decides to use a shorter term to allow for initial staggered
appointments. Please refer to Section 2 of [RFC8714] for additional
guidance on term length and term limits for the IETF Trust.
The term of a confirmed candidate selected according to the mid-term
vacancy rules may be less than a full term (two years for IESG and
IAB, three years for the IETF Trust and IETF LLC), as stated
elsewhere in this document.
It is consistent with this rule for the NomCom to choose one or more
of the currently open positions to which it may assign a term of not
more than three years in order to ensure the ideal application of
this rule in the future.
It is consistent with this rule for the NomCom to choose one or more
of the currently open positions that share responsibilities with
other positions (both those being reviewed and those sitting) to
which it may assign a term of not more than three years to ensure
that all such members, Directors, or Trustees will not be reviewed at
the same time.
All sitting member terms end during the First IETF meeting
corresponding to the end of the term for which they were confirmed.
All confirmed candidate terms begin during the First IETF meeting
corresponding to the beginning of the term for which they were
confirmed.
For confirmed candidates of the IESG, the terms begin no later than
when the currently sitting members' terms end on the last day of the
meeting. A term may begin or end no sooner than the first day of the
meeting and no later than the last day of the meeting as determined
by the mutual agreement of the currently sitting member and the
confirmed candidate. A confirmed candidate's term may overlap the
sitting member's term during the meeting as determined by their
mutual agreement.
For confirmed candidates of the IAB, the terms overlap with the terms
of the sitting members for the entire week of the meeting.
For confirmed Trustee candidates of the IETF Trust, the term begins
at the next IETF Trust meeting or as dictated by the policies and
procedures of the IETF Trust.
For confirmed Director candidates of the IETF LLC, the term begins at
the next appropriate IETF LLC Board meeting or as dictated by the
policies and procedures of the IETF LLC Board.
For candidates confirmed under the mid-term vacancy rules, the term
begins as soon as possible after the confirmation.
3.5. Mid-term Vacancies
Mid-term vacancies are filled by the same rules as documented here
with four qualifications, namely:
1. When there is only one official NomCom, the body with the mid-
term vacancy relegates the responsibility to fill the vacancy to
it. If the mid-term vacancy occurs during the period of time
that the term of the prior year's NomCom overlaps with the term
of the current year's NomCom, the body with the mid-term vacancy
must relegate the responsibility to fill the vacancy to the prior
year's NomCom.
2. If it is the case that the NomCom is reconvening to fill the mid-
term vacancy, then the completion of the candidate selection and
confirmation process is due within six weeks, with all other time
periods otherwise unspecified prorated accordingly.
3. The confirming body has two weeks from the day it is notified of
a candidate to reject the candidate, otherwise the candidate is
assumed to have been confirmed.
4. The term of the confirmed candidate will be either:
A. the remainder of the term of the open position if that
remainder is not less than one year or
B. the remainder of the term of the open position plus the next
two-year term for IESG and IAB positions or three-year term
for IETF LLC Director and IETF Trust positions if that
remainder is less than one year.
In both cases, a year is the period of time from a First IETF meeting
to the next First IETF meeting.
3.6. Confidentiality
All deliberations and supporting information that relate to specific
nominees, candidates, and confirmed candidates are confidential.
The NomCom and confirming body members will be exposed to
confidential information as a result of their deliberations, their
interactions with those they consult, and from those who provide
requested supporting information. All members and all other
participants are expected to handle this information in a manner
consistent with its sensitivity.
It is consistent with this rule for current NomCom members who have
served on prior NomComs to advise the current committee on
deliberations and results of the prior committee, as necessary and
appropriate.
The list of nominees willing to be considered for positions under
review in the current NomCom cycle is not confidential. The NomCom
may disclose a list of names of nominees who are willing to be
considered for positions under review to the community, in order to
obtain feedback from the community on these nominees.
The list of nominees disclosed for a specific position should contain
only the names of nominees who are willing to be considered for the
position under review.
The NomCom may choose not to include some names in the disclosed
list, at their discretion.
The NomCom may disclose an updated list, at its discretion. For
example, the NomCom might disclose an updated list if it identifies
errors/omissions in a previously disclosed version of the disclosed
list, or if the NomCom finds it necessary to call for additional
nominees, and these nominees indicate a willingness to be considered
before the NomCom has completed its deliberations.
Nominees may choose to ask people to provide feedback to the NomCom
but should not encourage any public statements of support. NomComs
should consider nominee-encouraged lobbying and campaigning to be
unacceptable behavior.
IETF community members are encouraged to provide feedback on nominees
to the NomCom but should not post statements of support/non-support
for nominees in any public forum.
3.7. Advice and Consent Model
Unless otherwise specified, the advice and consent model is used
throughout the process. This model is characterized as follows.
3.7.1. Positions to Be Reviewed
The Chairs of the IESG, IAB, IETF Trust, and IETF LLC Board each
informs the NomCom of their respective positions to be reviewed.
The IESG, IAB, IETF Trust, and IETF LLC are responsible for providing
a summary of the expertise desired of the candidates selected for
their respective open positions. The summaries are provided to the
NomCom for its consideration.
3.7.2. Candidate Selection
The NomCom selects candidates based on its understanding of the IETF
community's consensus of the qualifications required and advises each
confirming body of its respective candidates.
3.7.3. Candidate Review
The confirming bodies review their respective candidates; they may at
their discretion communicate with the NomCom, and then consent to
some, all, or none of the candidates.
The sitting IAB members review the IESG candidates.
The Internet Society Board of Trustees reviews the IAB candidates.
The sitting IESG members review the IETF Trust Trustee candidates.
The IETF LLC Director candidate is reviewed as specified in
[RFC8711].
The confirming bodies conduct their reviews using all information and
any means acceptable to them, including but not limited to the
supporting information provided by the NomCom, information known
personally to members of the confirming bodies and shared within the
confirming body, the results of interactions within the confirming
bodies, and the confirming bodies' interpretation of what is in the
best interests of the IETF community.
If all of the candidates are confirmed, the job of the NomCom with
respect to those open positions is complete.
If some or none of the candidates submitted to a confirming body are
confirmed, the confirming body should communicate with the NomCom
both to explain the reason why all the candidates were not confirmed
and to understand the NomCom's rationale for its candidates.
The confirming body may reject individual candidates, in which case
the NomCom must select alternate candidates for the rejected
candidates.
Any additional time required by the NomCom should not exceed its
maximum time allotment.
3.7.4. Confirmation
A confirming body decides whether it confirms each candidate using a
confirmation decision rule chosen by the confirming body.
If a confirming body has no specific confirmation decision rule, then
confirming a given candidate should require at least one-half of the
confirming body's sitting members to agree to that confirmation.
The decision may be made by conducting a formal vote, by asserting
consensus based on informal exchanges (e.g., email), or by any other
mechanism that is used to conduct the normal business of the
confirming body.
Regardless of which decision rule the confirming body uses, any
candidate that is not confirmed under that rule is considered to be
rejected.
The confirming body must make its decision within a reasonable time
frame. The results from the confirming body must be reported
promptly to the NomCom.
3.8. Sitting Members, Directors, and Trustees
The following rules apply to nominees and candidates who are
currently sitting members of the IESG or IAB, IETF Trust Trustees, or
IETF LLC Directors, and who are not sitting in an open position being
filled by the NomCom.
The confirmation of a candidate to an open position does not
automatically create a vacancy in the IESG, IAB, IETF Trust, or IETF
LLC Board position currently occupied by the candidate. The mid-term
vacancy cannot exist until, first, the candidate formally resigns
from the current position and, second, the body with the vacancy
formally decides for itself that it wants the NomCom to fill the mid-
term vacancy according to the rules for a mid-term vacancy documented
elsewhere in this document.
The resignation should be effective as of when the term of the new
position begins. The resignation may remain confidential to the
IESG, IAB, IETF Trust, IETF LLC Board, and NomCom until the confirmed
candidate is announced for the new position. The process, according
to rules set out elsewhere in this document, of filling the seat
vacated by the confirmed candidate may begin as soon as the vacancy
is publicly announced.
Filling a mid-term vacancy is a separate and independent action from
the customary action of filling open positions. In particular, a
NomCom must complete its job with respect to filling the open
positions and then separately proceed with the task of filling the
mid-term vacancy according to the rules for a mid-term vacancy
documented elsewhere in this document.
However, the following exception is permitted in the case where the
candidate for an open position is currently a sitting member of the
IAB. It is consistent with these rules for the announcements of a
resignation of a sitting member of the IAB and of the confirmed
candidate for the mid-term vacancy created by that sitting member on
the IAB to all occur at the same time as long as the actual sequence
of events that occurred did so in the following order:
1. The NomCom completes the advice and consent process for the open
position being filled by the candidate currently sitting on the
IAB.
2. The newly confirmed candidate resigns from their current position
on the IAB.
3. The IAB Chair (or the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat, if no
Chair has been named or the vacancy was created via the departure
of the IAB Chair) informs the NomCom of the mid-term vacancy.
4. The NomCom acts on the request to fill the mid-term vacancy.
3.9. Announcements
All announcements must be made using at least the mechanism used by
the IETF Secretariat for its announcements, including a notice on the
IETF web site.
As of the publication of this document, the current mechanism is an
email message to both the "ietf" and the "ietf-announce" mailing
lists.
4. Nominating Committee Selection
The following set of rules apply to the creation of the NomCom and
the selection of its members.
4.1. Timeline
The completion of the process of selecting and organizing the members
of the NomCom is due within three months.
The completion of the selection and organization process is due at
least one month prior to the Third IETF. This ensures the NomCom is
fully operational and available for interviews and consultation
during the Third IETF.
4.2. Term
The term of a NomCom is expected to be 15 months.
It is the intent of this rule that the end of a NomCom's term overlap
by approximately three months the beginning of the term of the next
NomCom.
The term of a NomCom begins when its members are officially
announced. The term ends at the Third IETF (not three meetings),
i.e., the IETF meeting after the next NomCom's term begins.
A term is expected to begin at least two months prior to the Third
IETF to ensure the NomCom has at least one month to get organized
before preparing for the Third IETF.
A NomCom is expected to complete any work in progress before it is
dissolved at the end of its term.
During the period of time when the terms of the NomComs overlap, all
mid-term vacancies are to be relegated to the prior year's NomCom.
The prior year's NomCom has no other responsibilities during the
overlap period. At all times other than the overlap period, there is
exactly one official NomCom and it is responsible for all mid-term
vacancies.
When the prior year's NomCom is filling a mid-term vacancy during the
period of time that the terms overlap, the NomComs operate
independently. However, some coordination is needed between them.
Since the prior year's Chair is a non-voting advisor to the current
NomCom, the coordination is expected to be straightforward.
4.3. Structure
The NomCom comprises at least a Chair, 10 voting volunteers, two
liaisons, and an advisor.
Any committee member may propose the addition of an advisor to
participate in some or all of the deliberations of the committee.
The addition must be approved by the committee according to its
established voting mechanism. Advisors participate as individuals.
Committee members are encouraged to propose the addition of
advisor(s) who are knowledgeable about the operations of the IETF
Trust and/or IETF LLC Board, whether or not that NomCom is reviewing
an IETF Trust Trustee or IETF LLC Director position. The NomCom may
choose to ask the IETF Trust and/or IETF LLC Board to suggest
advisors who are knowledgeable about their operations but may select
any advisor they vote to approve.
Any committee member may propose the addition of a liaison from other
unrepresented organizations to participate in some or all of the
deliberations of the committee. The addition must be approved by the
committee according to its established voting mechanism. Liaisons
participate as representatives of their respective organizations.
The Chair is selected according to rules stated elsewhere in this
document.
The 10 voting volunteers are selected according to rules stated
elsewhere in this document.
The IESG and IAB liaisons are selected according to rules stated
elsewhere in this document.
The Internet Society Board of Trustees may appoint a liaison to the
NomCom at its own discretion.
The IETF Trust may appoint a liaison to the NomCom at its own
discretion.
The IETF LLC Board may appoint a liaison to the NomCom at its own
discretion.
The Chair of the prior year's NomCom serves as an advisor according
to rules stated elsewhere in this document.
The Chair, liaisons, and advisors do not vote on the selection of
candidates. They do vote on all other issues before the committee
unless otherwise specified in this document.
4.4. Chair Duties
The Chair of the NomCom is responsible for ensuring the NomCom
completes its assigned duties in a timely fashion and performs in the
best interests of the IETF community.
The Chair must be thoroughly familiar with the rules and guidance
indicated throughout this document. The Chair must ensure the NomCom
completes its assigned duties in a manner that is consistent with
this document.
The Chair must attest by proclamation at a plenary session of the
First IETF that the results of the committee represent its best
effort and the best interests of the IETF community.
The Chair does not vote on the selection of candidates.
4.5. Chair Selection
The Internet Society President appoints the Chair, who must meet the
same requirements for membership in the NomCom as a voting volunteer.
The NomCom Chair must agree to invest the time necessary to ensure
that the NomCom completes its assigned duties and to perform in the
best interests of the IETF community in that role.
The appointment is due no later than the Second IETF meeting to
ensure it can be announced during a plenary session at that meeting.
The completion of the appointment is necessary to ensure the annual
process can complete at the time specified elsewhere in this
document.
4.6. Temporary Chair
A Chair, in consultation with the Internet Society President, may
appoint a temporary substitute for the Chair position.
There are a variety of ordinary circumstances that may arise from
time to time that could result in a Chair being unavailable to
oversee the activities of the committee. The Chair, in consultation
with the Internet Society President, may appoint a substitute from a
pool comprised of the liaisons currently serving on the committee and
the prior year's Chair or designee.
Any such appointment must be temporary and does not absolve the Chair
of any or all responsibility for ensuring the NomCom completes its
assigned duties in a timely fashion.
4.7. Liaisons
Liaisons are responsible for ensuring the NomCom in general and the
Chair in particular execute their assigned duties in the best
interests of the IETF community.
Liaisons are expected to represent the views of their respective
organizations during the deliberations of the committee. They should
provide information as requested or when they believe it would be
helpful to the committee.
Liaisons are expected to provide information to the NomCom regarding
the operation, responsibility, and composition of their respective
bodies.
Liaisons are expected to convey questions from the committee to their
respective organizations and responses to those questions to the
committee, as requested by the committee.
Liaisons are expected to review the operation and executing process
of the NomCom and to report any concerns or issues to the Chair of
the NomCom immediately. If they cannot resolve the issue between
themselves, liaisons must report it according to the dispute
resolution process stated elsewhere in this document.
Liaisons from confirming bodies are expected to assist the committee
in preparing the testimony it is required to provide with its
candidates.
Liaisons may have other NomCom responsibilities as required by their
respective organizations or requested by the NomCom, except that such
responsibilities may not conflict with any other provisions of this
document.
Liaisons do not vote on the selection of candidates.
4.8. Liaison Appointment
The sitting IAB and IESG members each appoint someone from their
current membership who is not sitting in an open position to serve as
a liaison to the NomCom.
The sitting IETF Trust Trustees and IETF LLC Directors each may
appoint a liaison from their current membership, someone who is not
sitting in an open position, to serve on the NomCom.
4.9. Advisors
An advisor is responsible for such duties as specified by the
invitation that resulted in the appointment.
Advisors do not vote on the selection of candidates.
4.10. Past Chair
The Chair of the prior year's NomCom serves as an advisor to the
current committee.
The prior year's Chair is expected to review the actions and
activities of the current Chair and to report any concerns or issues
to the NomCom Chair immediately. If they cannot resolve the issue
between themselves, the prior year's Chair must report it according
to the dispute resolution process stated elsewhere in this document.
The prior year's Chair may select a designee from a pool composed of
the voting volunteers of the prior year's committee and all prior
Chairs if the Chair is unavailable. If the prior year's Chair is
unavailable or is unable or unwilling to make such a designation in a
timely fashion, the Chair of the current year's committee may select
a designee in consultation with the Internet Society President.
Selecting a prior year's committee member as the designee permits the
experience of the prior year's deliberations to be readily available
to the current committee. Selecting an earlier prior year Chair as
the designee permits the experience of being a Chair as well as that
Chair's committee deliberations to be readily available to the
current committee.
All references to "prior year's Chair" in this document refer to the
person serving in that role, whether it is the actual prior year's
Chair or a designee.
4.11. Voting Volunteers
Voting volunteers are responsible for completing the tasks of the
NomCom in a timely fashion.
Each voting volunteer is expected to participate in all activities of
the NomCom with a level of effort approximately equal to all other
voting volunteers. Specific tasks to be completed are established
and managed by the Chair according to rules stated elsewhere in this
document.
4.12. Milestones
The Chair must establish and announce milestones for the selection of
the NomCom members.
There is a defined time period during which the selection process is
due to be completed. The Chair must establish a set of milestones
which, if met in a timely fashion, will result in the completion of
the process on time.
4.13. Open Positions
The Chair (or the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat, if no Chair
has been named four weeks after the First IETF meeting of the year)
obtains the list of positions to be reviewed and announces it along
with a solicitation for names of volunteers from the IETF community
willing to serve on the NomCom.
If the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat, issues the solicitation
for volunteers, the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat, must also
collect responses to the solicitation and provide the names of
volunteers to the incoming NomCom Chair when the incoming NomCom
Chair is named.
At the Chair's request, the IETF Secretariat may perform other
clerical support tasks, as long as the task being performed does not
require NomCom Chair judgment, in the NomCom Chair's opinion, and as
long as the community is appropriately notified that this request is
being made. This request may come from the incoming NomCom Chair (if
one has been selected for this NomCom cycle) or the previous NomCom
Chair (if the search for an incoming NomCom Chair is still underway).
The solicitation must permit the community at least 30 days during
which they may choose to volunteer to be selected for the NomCom.
The list of open positions is published with the solicitation to
facilitate community members choosing between volunteering for an
open position and volunteering for the NomCom.
4.14. Volunteer Qualification
Members of the IETF community must have attended at least three of
the last five IETF meetings in order to volunteer.
The five meetings are the five most recent meetings that ended prior
to the date on which the solicitation for NomCom volunteers was
submitted for distribution to the IETF community.
The IETF Secretariat is responsible for confirming that volunteers
have met the attendance requirement.
Volunteers must provide their full name, email address, and primary
company or organization affiliation (if any) when volunteering.
Volunteers are expected to be familiar with the IETF processes and
procedures, which are readily learned by active participation in a
working group and especially by serving as a document editor or
working group chair.
4.15. Not Qualified
Any person who serves on the Internet Society Board of Trustees, the
IETF Trust, the IETF LLC Board of Directors, the IAB, or the IESG,
including those who serve on these bodies in ex officio positions,
may not volunteer to serve as voting members of the NomCom. In
addition, employees or contractors of the IETF LLC may not volunteer
to serve as voting members of the NomCom. Liaisons to these bodies
from other bodies or organizations are not excluded by this rule.
4.16. Selection Process
The Chair announces both the list of the pool of volunteers from
which the 10 voting volunteers will be randomly selected and the
method with which the selection will be completed.
The announcement should be made at least one week prior to the date
on which the random selection will occur.
The pool of volunteers must be enumerated or otherwise indicated
according to the needs of the selection method to be used.
The announcement must specify the data that will be used as input to
the selection method. The method must depend on random data whose
value is not known or available until the date on which the random
selection will occur.
It must be possible to independently verify that the selection method
used is both fair and unbiased. A method is fair if each eligible
volunteer is equally likely to be selected. A method is unbiased if
no one can influence its outcome in favor of a specific outcome.
It must be possible to repeat the selection method, either through
iteration or by restarting in such a way as to remain fair and
unbiased. This is necessary to replace selected volunteers should
they become unavailable after selection.
The selection method must produce an ordered list of volunteers.
One possible selection method is described in [RFC3797].
4.17. Announcement of Selection Results
The Chair randomly selects the 10 voting volunteers from the pool of
names of volunteers and announces the members of the NomCom.
No more than two volunteers with the same primary affiliation may be
selected for the NomCom. The Chair reviews the primary affiliation
of each volunteer selected by the method in turn. If the primary
affiliation for a volunteer is the same as two previously selected
volunteers, that volunteer is removed from consideration and the
method is repeated to identify the next eligible volunteer.
There must be at least two announcements of all members of the
NomCom.
The first announcement should occur as soon after the random
selection as is reasonable for the Chair. The community must have at
least one week during which any member may challenge the results of
the random selection.
The challenge must be made in writing (email is acceptable) to the
Chair. The Chair has 48 hours to review the challenge and offer a
resolution to the member. If the resolution is not accepted by the
member, that member may report the challenge according to the dispute
resolution process stated elsewhere in this document.
If a selected volunteer, upon reading the announcement with the list
of selected volunteers, finds that two or more other volunteers have
the same affiliation, then the volunteer should notify the Chair who
will determine the appropriate action.
During at least the one week challenge period, the Chair must contact
each of the members and confirm their willingness and availability to
serve. The Chair should make every reasonable effort to contact each
member.
* If the Chair is unable to contact a liaison, the problem is
referred to the respective organization to resolve. The Chair
should allow a reasonable amount of time for the organization to
resolve the problem and then may proceed without the liaison.
* If the Chair is unable to contact an advisor, the Chair may elect
to proceed without the advisor, except for the prior year's Chair
for whom the Chair must consult with the Internet Society
President as stated elsewhere in this document.
* If the Chair is unable to contact a voting volunteer, the Chair
must repeat the random selection process in order to replace the
unavailable volunteer. There should be at least one day between
the announcement of the iteration and the selection process.
After at least one week and confirming that 10 voting volunteers are
ready to serve, the Chair makes the second announcement of the
members of the NomCom, which officially begins the term of the
NomCom.
4.18. Committee Organization
The Chair works with the members of the committee to organize itself
in preparation for completing its assigned duties.
The committee has approximately one month during which it can self-
organize. Its responsibilities during this time include but are not
limited to the following:
* Setting up a regular teleconference schedule.
* Setting up an internal web site.
* Setting up a mailing list for internal discussions.
* Setting up an email address for receiving community input.
* Establishing operational procedures.
* Establishing milestones in order to monitor the progress of the
selection process.
5. Nominating Committee Operation
The following rules apply to the operation of the NomCom. If
necessary, a paragraph discussing the interpretation of each rule is
included.
The rules are organized approximately in the order in which they
would be invoked.
5.1. Discretion
All rules and special circumstances not otherwise specified are at
the discretion of the committee.
Exceptional circumstances will occasionally arise during the normal
operation of the NomCom. This rule is intended to foster the
continued forward progress of the committee.
Any member of the committee may propose a rule for adoption by the
committee. The rule must be approved by the committee according to
its established voting mechanism.
All members of the committee should consider whether the exception is
worthy of mention in the next revision of this document and follow up
accordingly.
5.2. Selection Timeline
The completion of the process of selecting candidates to be confirmed
by their respective confirming body is due within three months.
The completion of the selection process is due at least two months
prior to the First IETF. This ensures the NomCom has sufficient time
to complete the confirmation process.
5.3. Confirmation Timeline
The completion of the process of confirming the candidates is due
within one month.
The completion of the confirmation process is due at least one month
prior to the First IETF.
5.4. Milestones
The Chair must establish a set of NomCom milestones for the candidate
selection and confirmation process.
There is a defined time period during which the candidate selection
and confirmation process must be completed. The Chair must establish
a set of milestones that, if met in a timely fashion, will result in
the completion of the process on time. The Chair should allow time
for iterating the activities of the committee if one or more
candidates are not confirmed.
The Chair should ensure that all committee members are aware of the
milestones.
5.5. Voting Mechanism
The Chair must establish a voting mechanism.
The committee must be able to objectively determine when a decision
has been made during its deliberations. The criteria for determining
closure must be established and known to all members of the NomCom.
5.6. Voting Quorum
At least a quorum of committee members must participate in a vote.
Only voting volunteers vote on a candidate selection. For a
candidate selection vote, a quorum is comprised of at least seven of
the voting volunteers.
At all other times, a quorum is present if at least 75% of the NomCom
members are participating.
5.7. Voting Member Recall
Any member of the NomCom may propose to the committee that any other
member except the Chair be recalled. The process for recalling the
Chair is defined elsewhere in this document.
There are a variety of ordinary circumstances that may arise that
could result in one or more members of the committee being
unavailable to complete their assigned duties, for example, health
concerns, family issues, or a change of priorities at work. A
committee member may choose to resign for unspecified personal
reasons. In addition, the committee may not function well as a group
because a member may be disruptive or otherwise uncooperative.
Regardless of the circumstances, if individual committee members
cannot work out their differences between themselves, the entire
committee may be called upon to discuss and review the circumstances.
If a resolution is not forthcoming, a vote may be conducted. A
member may be recalled if at least a quorum of all committee members
agree, including the vote of the member being recalled.
If a liaison member is recalled, the committee must notify the
affected organization and must allow a reasonable amount of time for
a replacement to be identified by the organization before proceeding.
If an advisor member other than the prior year's Chair is recalled,
the committee may choose to proceed without the advisor. In the case
of the prior year's Chair, the Internet Society President must be
notified and the current Chair must be allowed a reasonable amount of
time to consult with the Internet Society President to identify a
replacement before proceeding.
If a single voting volunteer position on the NomCom is vacated,
regardless of the circumstances, the committee may choose to proceed
with only nine voting volunteers at its own discretion. In all other
cases, a new voting member must be selected, and the Chair must
repeat the random selection process including an announcement of the
iteration prior to the actual selection as stated elsewhere in this
document.
A change in the primary affiliation of a voting volunteer during the
term of the NomCom is not a cause to request the recall of that
volunteer, even if the change would result in more than two voting
volunteers with the same affiliation.
5.8. Chair Recall
Only the prior year's Chair may request the recall of the current
Chair.
It is the responsibility of the prior year's Chair to ensure the
current Chair completes the assigned tasks in a manner consistent
with this document and in the best interests of the IETF community.
Any member of the committee who has an issue or concern regarding the
Chair should report it to the prior year's Chair immediately. The
prior year's Chair is expected to report it to the Chair immediately.
If they cannot resolve the issue between themselves, the prior year's
Chair must report it according to the dispute resolution process
stated elsewhere in this document.
5.9. Deliberations
All members of the NomCom may participate in all deliberations.
The emphasis of this rule is that no member can be explicitly
excluded from any deliberation. However, a member may individually
choose not to participate in a deliberation.
5.10. Call for Nominees
The Chair announces the open positions to be reviewed, the desired
expertise provided by the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat, and
the call for nominees.
The call for nominees must include a request for comments regarding
the past performance of incumbents, which will be considered during
the deliberations of the NomCom.
The call must request that a nomination include a valid, working
email address, a telephone number, or both for the nominee. The
nomination must include the set of skills or expertise the nominator
believes the nominee has that would be desirable.
5.11. Nominations
Any member of the IETF community may nominate any member of the IETF
community for any open position, whose eligibility to serve will be
confirmed by the NomCom.
A self-nomination is permitted.
NomCom members are not eligible to be considered for filling any open
position by the NomCom on which they serve. They become ineligible
as soon as the term of the NomCom on which they serve officially
begins. They remain ineligible for the duration of that NomCom's
term.
Although each NomCom's term overlaps with the following NomCom's
term, NomCom members are eligible for nomination by the following
committee if not otherwise disqualified.
Members of the IETF community who were recalled from any IESG, IAB,
IETF Trust, or IETF LLC Board position during the previous two years
are not eligible to be considered for filling any open position.
5.12. Candidate Selection
The NomCom selects candidates based on its understanding of the IETF
community's consensus of the qualifications required to fill the open
positions.
The intent of this rule is to ensure that the NomCom consults with a
broad base of the IETF community for input to its deliberations. In
particular, the NomCom must determine if the desired expertise for
the open positions matches its understanding of the qualifications
desired by the IETF community.
The consultations are permitted to include names of nominees, if all
parties to the consultation agree to observe the same confidentiality
rules as the NomCom itself, or the names are public as discussed in
Section 3.6. Feedback on individual nominees should always be
confidential.
A broad base of the community should include the existing members of
the IESG and IAB, IETF Trust Trustees, and IETF LLC Directors,
especially sitting members who share responsibilities with open
positions, e.g., co-Area Directors, and working group chairs,
especially those in the areas with open positions.
Only voting volunteer members vote to select candidates.
5.13. Consent to Nomination
Nominees should be advised that they are being considered and must
consent to their nomination prior to being chosen as candidates.
Although the NomCom will make every reasonable effort to contact and
to remain in contact with nominees, any nominee whose contact
information changes during the process and who wishes to still be
considered should inform the NomCom of the changes.
A nominee's consent must be written (email is acceptable) and must
include a commitment to provide the resources necessary to fill the
open position and an assurance that the nominee will perform the
duties of the position for which they are being considered in the
best interests of the IETF community.
Consenting to a nomination must occur prior to a nominee being a
candidate and may occur as soon after the nomination as needed by the
NomCom.
Consenting to a nomination must not imply the nominee will be a
candidate.
The NomCom should help nominees provide justification to their
employers.
5.14. Notifying Confirming Bodies
The NomCom advises the confirming bodies of their candidates,
specifying a single candidate for each open position and testifying
as to how each candidate meets the qualifications of an open
position.
For each candidate, the testimony must include a brief statement of
the qualifications for the position that is being filled, which may
be exactly the expertise that was requested. If the qualifications
differ from the expertise originally requested, a brief statement
explaining the difference must be included.
The testimony may include a brief resume of the candidate and/or a
brief summary of the deliberations of the NomCom.
5.15. Confirming Candidates
Confirmed candidates must consent to their confirmation, and rejected
candidates and nominees must be notified before confirmed candidates
are announced.
It is not necessary to notify and get consent from all confirmed
candidates together.
A nominee may not know they were a candidate. This permits a
candidate to be rejected by a confirming body without the nominee
knowing about the rejection.
Rejected nominees, who consented to their nomination, and rejected
candidates must be notified prior to announcing the confirmed
candidates.
It is not necessary to announce all confirmed candidates together.
The NomCom must ensure that all confirmed candidates are prepared to
serve prior to announcing their confirmation.
5.16. Archives
The NomCom should archive the information it has collected or
produced for a period of time but not to exceed its term.
The purpose of the archive is to assist the NomCom should it be
necessary for it to fill a mid-term vacancy.
The existence of an archive, how it is implemented, and what
information to archive is at the discretion of the committee. The
decision must be approved by a quorum of the voting volunteer
members.
The implementation of the archive should make every reasonable effort
to ensure that the confidentiality of the information it contains is
maintained.
6. Dispute Resolution Process
The dispute resolution process described here is to be used as
indicated elsewhere in this document. Its applicability in other
circumstances is beyond the scope of this document.
The NomCom operates under a strict rule of confidentiality. For this
reason, when process issues arise, it is best to make every
reasonable effort to resolve them within the committee. However,
when circumstances do not permit this, or no resolution is
forthcoming, the process described here is to be used.
The following rules apply to the process:
1. The results of this process are final and binding. There is no
appeal.
2. The process begins with the submission of a request as described
below to the Internet Society President.
3. As soon as the process begins, the NomCom may continue those
activities that are unrelated to the issue to be resolved except
that it must not submit any candidates to a confirming body until
the issue is resolved.
4. All parties to the process are subject to the same
confidentiality rules as each member of the NomCom.
5. The process should be completed within two weeks.
The process is as follows:
1. The party seeking resolution submits a written request (email is
acceptable) to the Internet Society President detailing the issue
to be resolved.
2. The Internet Society President appoints an arbiter to investigate
and resolve the issue. A self-appointment is permitted.
3. The arbiter investigates the issue making every reasonable effort
to understand both sides of the issue. Since the arbiter is
subject to the same confidentiality obligations as all NomCom
members, all members are expected to cooperate fully with the
arbiter and to provide all relevant information to the arbiter
for review.
4. After consultation with the two principal parties to the issue,
the arbiter decides on a resolution. Whatever actions are
necessary to execute the resolution are immediately begun and
completed as quickly as possible.
5. The arbiter summarizes the issue, the resolution, and the
rationale for the resolution for the Internet Society President.
6. In consultation with the Internet Society President, the arbiter
prepares a report of the dispute and its resolution. The report
should include all information that in the judgment of the
arbiter does not violate the confidentiality requirements of the
NomCom.
7. The Chair includes the dispute report when reporting on the
activities of the NomCom to the IETF community.
7. Member, Trustee, and Director Recall
The following rules apply to the recall process. If necessary, a
paragraph discussing the interpretation of each rule is included.
It applies to IESG and IAB Members, the NomCom-appointed IETF Trust
Trustees, and the NomCom-appointed IETF LLC Directors.
7.1. Petition
At any time, a signed petition (email is acceptable) may be submitted
to the Internet Society President to request the recall of any
sitting IESG or IAB member, or NomCom-appointed IETF Trust Trustee,
or NomCom-appointed IETF LLC Director. There are two different types
of petitions: a petition by participants of the IETF community, and a
petition by the Ombudsteam as described in [RFC7776].
7.1.1. Community Petition
A recall petition can be made by at least 20 members of the IETF
community who are qualified to be voting members of a NomCom. All
individual and collective qualifications of NomCom eligibility are
applicable, including that no more than two signatories may have the
same primary affiliation.
Each signature must include a full name, email address, and primary
company or organization affiliation.
The IETF Secretariat is responsible for confirming that each
signatory is qualified to be a voting member of a NomCom. A valid
petition must be signed by at least 20 qualified signatories.
The petition must include a statement of justification for the recall
and all relevant and appropriate supporting documentation.
The petition and its signatories must be announced to the IETF
community.
7.1.2. Ombudsteam Petition
The Ombudsteam process allows the Ombudsteam to form a recall
petition on its own without requiring 20 signatories from the
community. As defined in [RFC7776], the petition and its signatories
(the Ombudsteam) shall be announced to the IETF community, and a
Recall Committee Chair shall be appointed to complete the recall
committee process. It is expected that the recall committee will
receive a briefing from the Ombudsteam explaining why recall is
considered an appropriate remedy.
7.2. Recall Committee Chair
The Internet Society President shall appoint a Recall Committee
Chair.
The Internet Society President must not evaluate the recall request.
It is explicitly the responsibility of the IETF community to evaluate
the behavior of its leaders.
7.3. Recall Committee Creation
The recall committee is created according to the same rules as is the
NomCom with the qualifications that both the person being
investigated and the parties requesting the recall must not be a
member of the recall committee in any capacity.
7.4. Recall Committee Rules
The recall committee operates according to the same rules as the
NomCom with the qualification that there is no confirmation process.
7.5. Recall Committee Operation
The recall committee investigates the circumstances of the
justification for the recall and votes on its findings.
The investigation must include at least both an opportunity for the
member being recalled to present a written statement and consultation
with third parties.
7.6. 3/4 Majority
A 3/4 majority of the members who vote on the question is required
for a recall.
7.7. Position to Be Filled
If a sitting member is recalled, the open position is to be filled
according to the mid-term vacancy rules.
8. IANA Considerations
This document has no IANA actions.
9. Security Considerations
Any selection, confirmation, or recall process necessarily involves
investigation into the qualifications and activities of prospective
candidates. The investigation may reveal confidential or otherwise
private information about candidates to those participating in the
process. Each person who participates in any aspect of the process
must maintain the confidentiality of any and all information not
explicitly identified as suitable for public dissemination.
When the NomCom decides it is necessary to share confidential or
otherwise private information with others, the dissemination must be
minimal and must include a prior commitment from all persons
consulted to observe the same confidentiality rules as the NomCom
itself.
10. References
10.1. Normative References
[RFC3777] Galvin, J., Ed., "IAB and IESG Selection, Confirmation,
and Recall Process: Operation of the Nominating and Recall
Committees", RFC 3777, DOI 10.17487/RFC3777, June 2004,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3777>.
[RFC7437] Kucherawy, M., Ed., "IAB, IESG, and IAOC Selection,
Confirmation, and Recall Process: Operation of the
Nominating and Recall Committees", BCP 10, RFC 7437,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7437, January 2015,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7437>.
[RFC7776] Resnick, P. and A. Farrel, "IETF Anti-Harassment
Procedures", BCP 25, RFC 7776, DOI 10.17487/RFC7776, March
2016, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7776>.
[RFC8711] Haberman, B., Hall, J., and J. Livingood, "Structure of
the IETF Administrative Support Activity, Version 2.0",
BCP 101, RFC 8711, DOI 10.17487/RFC8711, February 2020,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8711>.
[RFC8714] Arkko, J. and T. Hardie, "Update to the Process for
Selection of Trustees for the IETF Trust", BCP 101,
RFC 8714, DOI 10.17487/RFC8714, February 2020,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8714>.
[RFC8717] Klensin, J., Ed., "IETF Administrative Support Activity
2.0: Consolidated Updates to IETF Administrative
Terminology", BCP 101, RFC 8717, DOI 10.17487/RFC8717,
February 2020, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8717>.
10.2. Informative References
[Err232] RFC Errata, Erratum ID 232, RFC 3777,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/errata/eid232>.
[Err4179] RFC Errata, Erratum ID 4179, RFC 3777,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/errata/eid4179>.
[RFC3710] Alvestrand, H., "An IESG charter", RFC 3710,
DOI 10.17487/RFC3710, February 2004,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3710>.
[RFC3797] Eastlake 3rd, D., "Publicly Verifiable Nominations
Committee (NomCom) Random Selection", RFC 3797,
DOI 10.17487/RFC3797, June 2004,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3797>.
[RFC8318] Dawkins, S., "IAB, IESG, and IAOC Selection, Confirmation,
and Recall Process: IAOC Advisor for the Nominating
Committee", BCP 10, RFC 8318, DOI 10.17487/RFC8318,
January 2018, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8318>.
Appendix A. Changes Since RFC 3777
* Converted source file from nroff to XML, resulting in some
reformatting.
* Applied errata for RFC 3777 ([Err232] and [Err4179]).
* Applied RFC 5078 update.
* Applied RFC 5633 update.
* Applied RFC 5680 update.
* Applied RFC 6859 update.
* Corrected a few grammatical errors.
* Added a reference to RFC 3710.
Appendix B. Changes Since RFC 7437
* Changed all mentions of the Internet Administrative Oversight
committee (IAOC), and replaced it with the appropriate references
to the IETF Administration LLC (IETF LLC). This included making
changes on an as needed basis to some aspects of the process for
the IETF LLC, in accordance with IASA2.
* Revised definition of IETF Executive Director, and added
definition of "Managing Director, IETF Secretariat". Changed text
to "Managing Director, IETF Secretariat" where appropriate.
* Added references to appropriate IASA2 documents.
* Modified the Advice and Consent model to enable IESG, IAB, and
IETF LLC to communicate directly with the NomCom rather than via
the Managing Director, IETF Secretariat.
* Updated removal text to reflect the new LLC rules, which enables
removal via the LLC or the IETF recall process, except for the
ISOC-appointed Director.
* Updated the document to clarify that there are members of the IAB
and IESG, Trustees of the IETF Trust, and Director of the IETF
LLC.
* Updated document to also specify procedures for the NomCom-
appointed IETF Trust Trustees.
* Revised Abstract and Introduction to provide current context.
* Changed "nominating committee" to "NomCom" throughout the document
because it is what most use to describe the IETF Nominating
Committee.
* Added that the IETF Trust Trustees and IETF LLC Directors, each
may appoint a liaison to the NomCom.
* Incorporated the update to RFC 7437 done by [RFC7776].
* Incorporated the update to RFC 7437 done by [RFC8318] and updated
it to refer to the IETF Trust and IETF LLC, instead of the IAOC.
* Editorial changes.
Appendix C. Oral Tradition
Over the years, various NomComs have learned through oral tradition
passed on by liaisons that there are certain consistencies in the
process and information considered during deliberations. Some items
from that oral tradition are collected here to facilitate its
consideration by future NomComs.
1. It has been found that experience as an IETF Working Group Chair
or an IRTF Research Group Chair is helpful in giving a nominee
experience of what the job of an Area Director involves. It also
helps a NomCom judge the technical, people, and process
management skills of the nominee.
2. No person should serve both on the IAB and as an Area Director,
except the IETF Chair whose roles as an IAB member and Area
Director of the General Area are set out elsewhere.
3. The strength of the IAB is found in part in the balance of the
demographics of its members (e.g., national distribution, years
of experience, gender, etc.), the combined skill set of its
members, and the combined sectors (e.g., industry, academia,
etc.) represented by its members.
4. There are no term limits for IAB and IESG members explicitly
because the issue of continuity versus turnover should be
evaluated each year according to the expectations of the IETF
community, as it is understood by each NomCom.
5. The number of NomCom members with the same primary affiliation is
limited in order to avoid the appearance of improper bias in
choosing the leadership of the IETF. Rather than defining
precise rules for how to define "affiliation", the IETF community
depends on the honor and integrity of the participants to make
the process work.
Appendix D. Nominating Committee Timeline
This appendix is included for the convenience of the reader and is
not to be interpreted as the definitive timeline. It is intended to
capture the detail described elsewhere in this document in one place.
Although every effort has been made to ensure the description here is
consistent with the description elsewhere, if there are any conflicts
the definitive rule is the one in the main body of this document.
The only absolute in the timeline rules for the annual process is
that its completion is due by the First IETF of the year after the
NomCom begins its term. This is supported by the fact that the
confirmed candidate terms begin during the week of the First IETF.
The overall annual process is designed to be completed in seven
months. It is expected to start nine months prior to the First IETF.
The time is split between three major components of the process
roughly as follows:
1. First is the selection and organization of the committee members.
Three months are allotted for this process.
2. Second is the selection of the candidates by the NomCom. Four
months are allotted for this process.
3. Third is the confirmation of the candidates by their respective
confirming bodies. Two months are allotted for this process.
The following list captures the details of the milestones within each
component. For illustrative purposes, the list presumes the Friday
before the First IETF is March 1. Numbers shown in square brackets
indicate the expected number of weeks at each step.
1. BEGIN Eight Months Prior to First IETF (approx. June 1);
Internet Society President appoints the Chair. The appointment
must be done no later than the Second IETF or eight months prior
to the First IETF, whichever comes first. The Chair must be
announced and recognized during a plenary session of the Second
IETF. [0]
2. The Chair establishes and announces milestones to ensure the
timely selection of the NomCom members. [1]
3. The Chair contacts the IESG, IAB, and Internet Society Board of
Trustees, IETF Trust, and IETF LLC and requests a liaison. The
Chair contacts the prior year's Chair and requests an advisor.
The Chair obtains the list of IESG, IAB, IETF Trust, and IETF
LLC open positions and descriptions from the chairs of each
group. [0]
4. The Chair announces the solicitation for voting volunteer
members that must remain open for at least 30 days. The
announcement must be done no later than seven months and two
weeks prior to the First IETF (approx. June 15). [6]
5. After the solicitation closes, the Chair announces the pool of
volunteers and the date of the random selection, which must be
at least one week in the future. The announcement must be done
no later than six months and two weeks prior to the First IETF
(approx. July 15). [1]
6. On the appointed day, the random selection occurs and the Chair
announces the members of the committee and the one week
challenge period. The announcement must be done no later than
six months and one week prior to the First IETF (approx. July
22). [1]
7. During the challenge period, the Chair contacts each of the
committee members and confirms their availability to
participate. [0]
8. After the challenge period closes, the Chair announces the
members of the committee and its term begins. The announcement
must be done no later than six months prior to the First IETF
(approx. August 1). [1]
9. The committee has one month during which it is to self-organize
in preparation for completing its assigned duties. This must be
done no later than five months prior to the First IETF (approx.
September 15). [6]
10. END the Committee Member Selection Process; BEGIN the Selection
of Candidates; Time is at least five months prior to the First
IETF (approx. September 22). [0]
11. The Chair establishes and announces the milestones to ensure the
timely selection of the candidates, including a call for
nominations for the open positions. The announcement must be
done no later than five months prior to the First IETF (approx.
October 1). [1]
12. Over the next three months, the NomCom collects input and
deliberates. It should plan to conduct interviews and other
consultations during the Third IETF. The committee is due to
complete its candidate selection no later than two months prior
to the First IETF (approx. January 1). [17]
13. END the Selection of Candidates; BEGIN the Confirmation of
Candidates; Time is at least two months prior to the First IETF
(approx. January 1). [0]
14. The committee presents its candidates to their respective
confirming bodies. The presentation must be done no later than
two months prior to the First IETF (approx. January 1). [0]
15. The confirming bodies have one month to deliberate and, in
communication with the NomCom, accept or reject candidates. [4]
16. The Chair notifies and advises unsuccessful nominees that they
have not been selected. [1]
17. The Chair announces the confirmed candidates. The announcement
must be done no later than one month prior to the First IETF
(approx. February 1). [4]
Acknowledgments
A great deal of work went into the RFCs that preceded this one. The
2014 NomCom and this editor would like to thank all of them once
again for the time and energy it took to get us to where we are now.
In no particular order, we acknowledge:
Jeff Case, Fred Baker, John Curran, Guy Almes, Geoff Huston, Michael
StJohns, Donald Eastlake, Avri Doria, Bernard Aboba, Ted T'so, Phil
Roberts, Jim Galvin, Harald Alvestrand, Leslie Daigle, Joel Halpern,
Thomas Narten, Spencer Dawkins, Barry Leiba, Lars Eggert, Ross
Callon, Brian Carpenter, Robert Elz, Bernie Hoeneisen, John Klensin,
Danny McPherson, S. Moonesamy, Scott Bradner, Ralph Droms, and Pekka
Savola.
Allison Mankin and Russ White provided early reviews and feedback
about this document.
Jari Arkko was very helpful by independently verifying that the
previous text from all the merged documents was marshaled correctly
into this one, and Adrian Farrel and Brian Carpenter caught the nits
that fell through the cracks.
Authors' Addresses
Murray S. Kucherawy (editor)
270 Upland Drive
San Francisco, CA 94127
United States of America
Email: superuser@gmail.com
Robert M. Hinden (editor)
Check Point Software
San Carlos, CA
United States of America
Email: bob.hinden@gmail.com
Jason Livingood (editor)
Comcast
Philadelphia, PA
United States of America
Email: jason_livingood@comcast.com
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