Re: RFC Series Editor Resignation

[Nick Hilliard <[e-mail]>]

Michael StJohns wrote on 29/06/2019 23:23:
> In the instant case, this was a stupidity because it was a _completely 
> foreseeable result_ that was _completely avoidable_, but the result had 
> many many parents:
> 
> 1) The community for not more carefully constraining the IAB's assertion 
> of authority over the RFC process.
> 2) The IAB for delegation of said authority to the RSOC without 
> carefully constraining its exercise.
> 3) The IAB for not paying attention to the result of the RFC++ bof
> 4) The IAB for replacing the majority of the RSOC post the RFC++ bof 
> without input from the RSE, and in apparent violation of one of the 
> guiding principles of the RSOC - that of maintaining continuity from 
> year to year.
> 5) The community for not yelling a lot louder and longer when (4) happened.
> 6) The community, IAB and RSOC for not appreciating the value of a world 
> class professional editor/publisher to the continued excellence of the 
> RFC series, and for not expressing that appreciation in the form of 
> professional deference and independence rather than what appears to have 
> been more of a "you contractor, me boss"* model.
> 7) The RSOC for ... well - you know.
> 8) The LLC for not paying better attention to the relationship between 
> contractor and contractee.

also:

- not soliciting input from / listening to / acting on what the RSE says

Heather's resignation was deeply unfortunate and almost certainly 
completely avoidable, but having been the RSE, the various oversight 
committees need to understand that she will have insights into the 
position and function of the RSE that they will never have.

If her viewpoints and wisdom are not taken into account now, the 
likelihood is that all the mistakes which have led to this situation 
will be repeated in future.  This would be tragically unnecessary.

This goes well beyond the mantra of "oh, let's reform stuff".  It means 
frank and open discussion, a willingness to accept constructive 
criticism, taking Heather's viewpoints on board and actually doing 
something about them.  This is not easy, but it is necessary.

A good starting point would be: "can you identify and if so, how would 
you fix the problems which ultimately led to your resignation"?

Nick