[anti-abuse-wg] Final Draft Version - Appointment & Removal of AA-WG Chairs

Colleagues,

Apologies for the long delay on this, here is some very slightly revised 
text. It hasn't diverged much from the text of the 26th of September, 
but I've taken into account a number of comments that were made, 
especially around language.

It is still my intention, at least initially, to limit this to the 
people in the room at a WG session at a RIPE meeting, but obviously this 
is up to the WG, so we can discuss this tomorrow.

**************

Note on Language: Throughout this document the word Chair shall be used 
for both Chairs and Co-Chairs.

** Introduction:

This document outlines procedures dealing with the tenure of RIPE 
Working Group Chairs. It applies to all RIPE Working Groups.

** WG Chair Term:

The term of a WG Chair is three years.  A current chair may stand for 
re-selection at the end of their term.  A WG Chair may resign 
voluntarily at any time.

** Selection of a WG Chair:

WG Chair vacancies, along with a call for candidates, must be announced 
on the WG mailing list at least one month in advance of the date upon 
which the selection will be held. The announcement should set a closing 
date for candidates. A WG may request that a WG Chair vacancy be opened 
so long as the addition of a new Chair would not cause the number of 
Chairs of that WG to exceed three.

WG Chairs are elected at WG sessions at RIPE meetings. Anyone physically 
present at the WG session is eligible to participate in the selection 
process.  The candidate does not need to be physically present at the WG 
session.

If possible the Chair should be elected by acclamation by the WG or by 
consensus after discussion. If the result is unclear, then a secret 
ballot should be held. In the case of a ballot, votes will be counted by 
RIPE NCC Staff and/or Chairs of other WGs. The result will be determined 
by simple majority.

** Removal of a WG Chair:

A WG Chair may be unable to fulfil their duties as described in this 
document or otherwise fail to serve the WG and the community. With the 
endorsement of a significant share of the WG, a vote of no confidence 
may be initiated.

Before a vote of no confidence is taken, due effort should be made to 
address the issue(s) leading to the vote. The right of reply must be 
given to all parties involved in the procedure. If this effort fails to 
resolve the issue, the vote may proceed.

The vote must be requested on the WG mailing list at least one week in 
advance of the WG Session at a RIPE meeting and should take place during 
the WG session. Anyone physically present at the WG session may take 
part in the vote. The vote should be conducted by secret ballot and 
votes counted by RIPE NCC Staff and/or WG Chairs of other WGs. The 
result will be determined by simple majority. If the vote of no 
confidence in a WG Chair is passed, the seat is vacated and the WG Chair 
is not eligible for stand for re-selection.

** No Chair:

If a working group is left with no Chair, e.g. due to the resignation or 
removal of the sole WG Chair, then the WG may elect an interim WG Chair 
according to the selection procedures specified above, but with 
candidates nominated at the WG session. An interim WG Chair must resign 
at the next WG session, but may stand for re-selection.

** Staggered Introduction:

For the purposes of staggering the introduction of this policy, in the 
case where all co-Chairs of a WG have served for more than the standard 
WG Chair term limit, an optional waiver is given to these WGs to allow 
them to schedule the automatic resignations of their Chairs over the two 
RIPE meetings immediately following the adoption of this policy. If the 
WG decides to avail of this waiver, it is the responsibility of the WG 
to decide in what order its co-Chairs should stand down.