[ripe-chair-discuss] RIPE Chair Selection Process

> On 9 Oct 2018, at 00:09, Nick Hilliard <nick at foobar.org> wrote:
> 
> Consider the following:
> 
> 1. WGCC appoints nomcom
> 2. A WG chair throws hat into RIPE Chair ring
> 3. Nomcom, appointed by WGCC, selects that WG chair as candidate
> 4. WGCC selects that WG chair as RIPE chair-to-be
> 5. RIPE Community approves the selection
> 
> Are you ok with this as an outcome of the process?  I'm not.

I wouldn’t be happy Nick but could live with it.

After all, the final say rests with the RIPE Community. If they’re comfortable with that somewhat ugly outcome, then we should accept the community's consensus decision.

I think the scenario you describe could be addressed by adding clarifying text on conflicts of interest*. For instance, candidates for the RIPE Chair cannot be involved in the appointment of the Nomcom or serve on the Nomcom or have any involvement in the WGCC review of the Nomcom’s shortlist. For bonus points, Joao’s comment about people recusing themself could be added too. This is just common sense.

I hoped RIPE wouldn't need to write down these sorts of statements of the bleedin’ obvious. Though if that’s what it takes to remove people’s unease, we should do that.

[* That text would also speak to the sanity checking stuff -- rejecting those with a conflict of interest or poor community standing -- I mentioned yesterday.]