[anti-abuse-wg] Appointment & Removal of Working Group Chairs

On 9/26/2014 2:23 AM, Brian Nisbet wrote:
> Tobias & I would like to present the text below as a starting point for
> this discussion 

These are always fun exercises...


> Note on Language: Throughout this document the word Chair shall be used
> for both Chairs and Co-Chairs.
> 
> ** Introduction:
> 
> This document aims to provide outline procedures to deal with the tenure
> of RIPE Working Group Chairs. It applies to all RIPE Working Groups.

   This document outlines procedures dealing with the tenure...


> ** WG Chair Term:
> 
> The normal term for a WG Chair is three years, after which the WG Chair
> must resign. A WG Chair may stand for re-selection after resignation. A
> WG Chair may resign voluntarily at any time.

As phrased, this means that there is a gap between resignation and
filling the spot with the replacement chair.  And if the resignation is
'forced' it isn't really a resignation; it's just the end of their term.

Perhaps:

   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, should be

   should -> must

Seems essential to make the minimum announcement time mandatory.


> 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

   a WG Chair vacancy -> an additional WG Chair position


> be opened so long as the addition of a new Chair would not cause the
> number of Chairs of that WG to exceed the maximum number specified in
> this document.

I didn't see where that maximum was specified.


> 
> 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

This obviously allows a form of ballot-box stuffing, by permitting votes
from people who have not been involved in the wg up to that point.  I
have no idea how to prevent this, however.  In addition, it can be
argued that anyone garnering enough ire to motivate the ballot-stuffing
effort probably is causing serious problems.  The counter to that is
that they might be standing up to efforts to coerce the wg...


> 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.
> 
> 


-- 
Dave Crocker
Brandenburg InternetWorking
bbiw.net