Re: [Diversity] 'Paywall, ' IETF self-sufficiency, increasing participation (was Re: Remote participation fees)

[Andrew Sullivan <[e-mail]>]

On Sun, Mar 01, 2015 at 04:45:07AM +0530, Pranesh Prakash wrote:
> It seems like a fiction because it is a fiction.
> 
> Check the IETF main list where there is discussion going on about CFOs
> (Chief Financial Officers) footing the bills for participants.
> 
> That doesn't sound like a person participating in their personal capacity to
> me.

Quite apart from what John says, I'd like to know what you think
determines when someone is participating in their personal capacity.
You seem to be suggesting that the source of the funding automatically
determines what a participant does or says.

I can tell you that my employer subsidizes participation of a number
of us in the IETF because my employer thinks the Internet is better if
the IETF is strong and full of independent voices.  We do not
co-ordinate our positions.  My employer does not have a view (or at
least not one it has expressed) about what I ought to interest myself
in at the IETF.  The biggest problem I have ever had is juggling these
obligations (which my employer recognizes and supports) with the rest
of my day job.

So, if you prefer to say that I'm still not acting "in my personal
capacity", very well; but I'd like to know what the difference is (in
operationalized terms, please).

Best regards,

A

-- 
Andrew Sullivan
[e-mail]