[ripe-chair-discuss] RIPE Chair Selection Process

Colleagues,

Before we discuss how to select a person to fill the role of "RIPE
Chair" we should have consensus about what that role is. As the
Accountability TF points out, we do not have that yet. Consensus about
the role itself  will guide us in establishing consensus on a selection
process. Doing it the other way around, or in parallel, is neither
rational nor effective.

Therefore I suggest that we put the discussion of the selection process
on hold and work to make serious progress on the role description during
the coming week. Maybe we can even have a consensus call on Friday! This
quickly addresses one of the recommendations of the Accountability TF as
well.

Over the last couple of months I have drafted the RIPE document below.
The text is based on my personal knowledge of the RIPE Chair role from
its inception until the present time. It incorporates comments from
knowledgeable members of the community including the current chair and
some WG chairs.

Let us establish consensus about the status-quo first and let us avoid
mixing that with a discussion about how to evolve the role. Once we have
consensus about the status-quo we can continue the discussion on the
selection process from a more solid basis. We can also have a discussion
about evolving the role itself based on changes to a consensus document.

Please let the list know whether you agree/disagree to proceed like this!

Please suggest new or alternative text for the document below so that we
can make progress towards consensus.

Daniel


--------

The RIPE Chair

Daniel Karrenberg
[looking for co-authors]

ripe-xxxx

DRAFT - Version 0.5
October 2018

Scope

We describe the role of the RIPE chair as it has evolved from 1989
until the present time. We intend to document current practice
specifically for the sake of those who have not witnessed its evolution.
This documents represents RIPE community consensus about the role.

Function of the RIPE Chair

    The RIPE chair ensures that the RIPE community functions well.

This one sentence fully describes the role, function and task of the
RIPE Chair. All current practices described below all directly follow
from this.


Current Practices of the RIPE Chair

This is not intended to fully describe the activities of the RIPE chair
or to prescribe the actions of the RIPE chair in any way.
The ordering is not intended to convey any meaning either.

The RIPE chair sets the agenda for the RIPE meetings and chairs the
meetings.

The RIPE chair determines the location of the RIPE meetings.

The RIPE chair ensures that RIPE establishes consensus about how RIPE
operates, particularly about formal procedures.

The RIPE chair ensures that useful WGs and task forces are properly
created, chartered and disbanded.

The RIPE chair ensures that WG chairs are properly selected.

The RIPE chair chairs and supports the WG chair collective as necessary.

The RIPE chair monitors the work of RIPE and intervenes where necessary.

The RIPE chair ensures that the results of RIPE work are communicated to
other parties, such as the RIPE NCC, other RIRs and government bodies.
Note: RIPE is not formally represented in other organisations.
Therefore the RIPE chair does not formally represent RIPE anywhere.

The RIPE chair reports their actions to the community as appropriate.

The RIPE chair delegates their duties when appropriate to an appropriate
person or entity such as the RIPE NCC, a working group chair or a
committee, such as the RIPE programme committee.
Note: Between 1990 and 1992 the RIPE Chair delegated some of his duties
to a vice chair.