Re: [Manycouches] Meet Only line - I object

[Michael StJohns <[e-mail]>]

On 2/3/2021 4:28 PM, Kathleen Moriarty wrote:
> I'd like to see more online and not have 3 in-person meetings a year. 
> The lower costs may make it more accessible to some who cannot afford 
> to travel.  It is also more equitable if everyone is remote for at 
> least some of the meetings.  One time a year in person might be fine 
> and I think we can figure that out.  This may also help primary 
> caretakers of children or parents.  I know that has been a barrier 
> expressed int he past from parents of young children.

Hi Kathleen -

I sort of get this, but that means the dynamic is a bit different, 
because you're not necessarily meeting with everyone you might want to 
meet with, just the ones on a schedule compatible with yours.

I think that we've moved the WG schedules over to virtual interims with 
a will and I don't think that's going to go back to where it was.  It's 
possible that we can shorten the IETF week, or provide more activities 
that benefit from having people in the same place for a period of time 
and narrow down the WG time.  I myself continue to come primarily for 
the hallway conversations and I find having those about 3 times a year 
to keep the connections going is Mama Bear - just right.  :-)   I do pay 
attention to some WGs and find that sitting down with an appropriate 
adult beverage with folks I'm having discussion disconnects with to be 
extremely helpful in resolving issues or just getting on the same page.  
Virtualizing will probably not work.

One thing I've noticed from the last few meetings is that being home I 
have a lack of desire to extend my time on line past specific scheduled 
activities (WGs, plenary) and I think I've seen that in others.  Things 
like Gather have helped a little but there's a real loss of useful 
random interaction in our current models.

Not having had custodial duties for parents or children I have no real 
comment there.  I believe the IETF is now (planning on?) providing some 
child care in situ, but I do understand that nothing the IETF can do 
will completely mitigate those barriers.

Later, Mike