Re: [Diversity] IETF Diversity Update

[Fernando Gont <[e-mail]>]

Jari,

On 12/14/2015 11:10 AM, Jari Arkko wrote:
> 
>> There is a bias in the nomination process as it is based on the
>> economic ability of a participant to attend meetings.  Does that
>> have an effect the IESG selection?  I don't know.
> 
> Right. There is some bias on economic ability and cycles
> availability to both participate in general and being a leadership
> member.

My question would be: why a person that attends X meetings (but e.g. has
not got involved in the standards process, other than by *attending* the
meetings) is supposed to be more qualified as an AD candidate than
someone that, e.g., has written 5 RFCs in the last couple of years or
that has reviewed 10+ documents in the last couple of years?

It seems to me that this is a bit more than just "some" bias.



> I’m open to suggestions, but there are funding agencies that are
> specially focused on networking research, and leveraging them has
> proven useful. For instance, EU research programs have often included
> standardisation work, incl. IETF participation. I don’t know how to
> replicate that more globally. Ideas?

FWIW, that doesn't replicate at all in developing countries.




> You have a point there. I agree that participation in the IETF should
> not require extremely long term commitment. While very nice when that
> happens, I’d like to see a situation where people are who experts in
> Internet technical matters can easily join an IETF activity and get
> going, at any level they desire and are suitable for.
> 
> But again, I don’t have many ideas on how to change this, and I’m
> open to suggestions…

Ones suggestion: Rotate chairs, as you rotate ADs. Have one experienced
chair, and say two fresh chairs. Eventually one of the "fresh" chairs
becomes the experienced one, and you keep refreshing them.

That way, each chair will have IETF management experience, and as a
result you get more possible candidates for running as ADs.

And obviously, don't just rotate the same set of folks over different
chairs. The goal should be to increase the opportunity window for all folks.

Thanks,
-- 
Fernando Gont
SI6 Networks
e-mail: [e-mail]
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