Re: [Rfced-future] ** Consensus check on part of Issue 12: Is the person an advisor (RSA) or an Executive Editor (RSE) **

[Eliot Lear <[e-mail]>]

Good morning/evening both of you,

> On 27 Nov 2020, at 21:37, Brian E Carpenter <[e-mail]> wrote:
> 
> On 28-Nov-20 05:46, Adrian Farrel wrote:
>>>> I found this just a tiny bit ambiguous. I think that, in the context of the subject line, I can work it out. So, to be clear...
>>>> 
>>>> • The chairs think that there is likely rough consensus that role of the chair and the RS[EA] should be split.
>>>> 
>>>> • The chairs think we have consensus that the RS[EA] can raise issues to the strategic group
>>>> 
>>>> • The chairs think there is likely rough consensus that the RS[EA] does not make strategic decisions but that those are decided by the strategic body
>>>> 
>>>> • The chairs think there is likely rough consensus that the RS[EA] does not direct the RPC/REP.
>>>> 
>>>> Right?
>>> 
>>> Right.
>> 
>> Good, then I'm OK with the first three bullets, but unsure about the last one. It covers a rather large area since there are number of things on which the RPC need advice, guidance, and direction per the helpful email from Sandy.
> 
> I think there is some ambiguity about the word "direct". Does it mean "give orders to" as in "the policeman directed me to put my hands behind my head", or "give authoritative advice to" as in "Heather directed Sandy towards the new edition of the Chicago Manual of Style"?
> 
> If the former, I'm sure bullet 3 is correct, as orders come from the customer, which is the IETF LLC. If it's the latter, I'm sure it's wrong.
> 

Yes, just to be clear, we are talking in the negative here.  So… “The RS[EA] does not direct me to put my hands on my head” ;-) or perhaps more apposite: “The RS[EA] does not order the staff to take specific actions.  That person may offer guidance in specific situations, but is not in the chain of command.”

Is there general agreement on what I just wrote?

As to the style guide, perhaps that’s a separate issue or a good more-than-hypothetical to work out.  Is it maintained by the RPC with guidance of the RS[EA]?  Is it maintained by the strategic body?  Is it maintained by the RS[EA]?  Does that need to be specified here or by the strategic body?

Eliot