ISOC Trustee Process: IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures
How the IETF chooses the person it nominates to the Internet Society's Board of Trustees each year.
Daigle, L., Ed. and Internet Architecture Board, "IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures", BCP 77, RFC 3677, DOI 10.17487/RFC3677, December 2003, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3677>.
@misc{rfc3677,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 3677,
howpublished = {RFC 3677},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC3677},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3677},
author = {L. Daigle and Internet Architecture Board},
title = {{IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures}},
pagetotal = 7,
year = 2003,
month = dec,
} RFC text
Contents
Network Working Group L. Daigle, Ed.
Request for Comments: 3677 Internet Architecture Board
BCP: 77 IAB
Category: Standards Track December 2003
IETF ISOC Board of Trustee Appointment Procedures
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This memo outlines the process by which the IETF makes a selection of
an Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees appointment.
1. Introduction
The Internet Society (ISOC) provides organizational and financial
support for the IETF. As stipulated in ISOC's by-laws the IETF is
called upon to name 3 Trustees to its Board (BoT), with staggered 3
year terms. This requires that the IETF name one Trustee each year.
This memo outlines the process by which the IETF makes that
selection. This process will also be used in the event of mid-term
vacancies that may arise with IETF nominated Board positions.
1.1. Overview of Selection Process
In brief, this document describes the timeframe and procedures for
the IAB to solicit public input and make a selection for the open
position each year.
1.2. Rationale
An alternative approach to making a selection for these positions
would be to use the IETF's NomCom (RFC 2727 [1] and its revisions).
However, that NomCom is chartered and defined specifically to the
task of making selections for IETF organization tasks, and the ISOC
BoT appointment process does not fit that in 2 ways:
1. the timeframe of the appointment does not mesh with the IETF
appointment cycle
2. the nature of the deliberations and the type of information
solicited would be significantly different for an external
appointment, such as this appointment to the ISOC BoT
The first issue (timing) could be resolved fairly easily for this
specific appointment. The second issue is more general, and not
reasonably reconciled with the IETF NomCom task as currently
specified.
The process described in RFC 2727 is oriented toward soliciting
feedback from the IETF community with respect to individuals and
technical positions with which they have personal experience. To
make a good decision on external appointments, in general, the NomCom
would have to understand the requirements for those positions, and
attempt to evaluate candidates for a very different set of skills
than is required of IAB/IESG members. It might also require
soliciting feedback from outside the IETF community. There is no
question that the individuals that constitute the IETF NomCom each
year have the competence to carry out such a search; the issue is
that it is a very different task, would require additional time and
resources, and therefore is a side effort that could very well
undermine the effectiveness of the NomCom in carrying out its primary
task for the IETF.
By contrast, the IAB is chartered to be responsible for IETF external
liaisons, is a standing body that works with ISOC (and the ISOC
Board), and therefore has a working knowledge of the requirements of
the specific position discussed here.
At some future point, if there is a more general need to make
external appointments, the IETF may consider broadening the scope of
the IETF NomCom role, or create a separate nominating committee for
such external non-liaison appointments. This document proposes that
is not necessary or desirable for the purposes of this one annual
appointment.
2. Desirable Qualifications and Selection Criteria for an
IETF-Nominated ISOC Trustee
Candidates for an ISOC Trustee should have a demonstrable involvement
in the IETF with a particular focus on active participation in IETF
Working Groups.
The candidate is expected to possess clearly demonstrated technical
competence in Internet technology, and be able to articulate
technology issues such that the ISOC Board can be provided with sound
technical perspectives. The candidate is also expected to be able to
understand the respective roles and responsibilities of the IETF and
ISOC and be able to articulate these roles within both organizational
communities.
The candidate will also be expected to exercise all the duties of an
ISOC Board member, including fiduciary responsibility, setting of
policies, oversight of the operation of the Society, representing
the interests of the members and stakeholders of the Society and
participation in all Board meetings and Board activity programs.
The candidate is not a representative or a delegate of the IETF and
is not chartered to represent the IETF or the IETF Standards Process
within the ISOC Board or the broader ISOC community. However it is
expected that the candidate would be able to call on experts in the
IETF community as required, to ensure that the ISOC Board receives
the highest quality technical advice available.
3. IETF ISOC Board of Trustees Selection Process
3.1. Nominations and eligibility
Each year, the IAB will make a public call for nominations on the
ietf-announce@ietf.org mailing list. The public call will specify
the manner by which nominations will be accepted and the means by
which the list of nominees will be published.
Self-nominations are permitted. Along with the name and contact
information for each candidate, details about the candidate's
background and qualifications for the position should be attached to
the nomination. All IETF participants, including working group
chairs, IETF NomCom members, IAB and IESG members are eligible for
nomination.
IAB and IESG members who accept nomination will recuse themselves
from selection and confirmation discussions respectively.
3.2. Selection
The IAB will publish the list of nominated persons, review the
nomination material, and make a selection.
The selection criteria will include additional consideration of any
nominated candidates who are concurrently members of the IAB or IESG
members such that at the time of selection no more than two of the
three IETF-appointed ISOC Trustees are IAB and IESG members.
3.3. Confirmation
The IESG will act as the confirming body for the selection. In the
event that the IESG determines not to confirm the nominated
candidate, the IESG will provide the IAB with the basis for this
determination and the IAB will nominate another candidate.
3.4. Timeframe
ISOC expects to seat new Board members at its annual general meeting
in June of each year. Basic timeframe requirements for the IETF
process are as follows:
o 4-6 weeks for solicitation of nominations
o 4-6 weeks for review of nominees, deliberation and selection
o 4-6 weeks for confirmation (and re-selection as necessary) and
delivery to ISOC
In January of each year, the IAB will announce the specific dates for
the IETF ISOC Trustee selection process for that year (taking into
account the particular dates of the first IETF meeting of the year,
etc), following the guidelines above.
3.5. Mid-term Vacancies
This document describes the process for the general, annual
appointment of ISOC Trustees to fill the seats of Trustees whose
terms are ending. However, if an IETF-appointed Trustee is unable to
serve his or her full term, the IAB may, at its discretion,
immediately select a replacement to serve the remainder of the term
using the interim process defined in Section 3.5.1. If the IAB does
not invoke the interim process, the next annual selection process
will fill the vacancy (if the vacant term does not end at that point)
as well as the regular appointment for that selection cycle.
3.5.1. Interim Appointment Process
If the IAB elects to fill the mid-term vacancy before the next annual
selection, a separate timeline will be announced and the rest of the
process described in this document will be followed.
4. Security Considerations
This document does not describe any technical protocols and has no
implications for network security.
5. Intellectual Property Statement
The IETF takes no position regarding the validity or scope of any
intellectual property or other rights that might be claimed to
pertain to the implementation or use of the technology described in
this document or the extent to which any license under such rights
might or might not be available; neither does it represent that it
has made any effort to identify any such rights. Information on the
IETF's procedures with respect to rights in standards-track and
standards-related documentation can be found in BCP-11. Copies of
claims of rights made available for publication and any assurances of
licenses to be made available, or the result of an attempt made to
obtain a general license or permission for the use of such
proprietary rights by implementors or users of this specification can
be obtained from the IETF Secretariat.
The IETF invites any interested party to bring to its attention any
copyrights, patents or patent applications, or other proprietary
rights which may cover technology that may be required to practice
this standard. Please address the information to the IETF Executive
Director.
6. References
[1] Galvin, J., "IAB and IESG Selection, Confirmation, and Recall
Process: Operation of the Nominating and Recall Committees", BCP
10, RFC 2727, February 2000.
Appendix A. IAB Members at the time of this writing
Bernard Aboba
Harald Alvestrand
Rob Austein
Leslie Daigle
Patrik Faltstrom
Sally Floyd
Mark Handley
Geoff Huston
Jun-ichiro (Itojun) Hagino
Charlie Kaufman
James Kempf
Eric Rescorla
Mike St.Johns
Authors' Addresses
Leslie Daigle
Editor
Internet Architecture Board
IAB
EMail: iab@iab.org
Full Copyright Statement
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003). All Rights Reserved.
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to
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or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published
and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any
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Acknowledgement
Funding for the RFC Editor function is currently provided by the
Internet Society.
ISO Plain Language
On this page
§1Introduction
The Internet Society (ISOC) provides organizational and financial support for the IETF. As the ISOC by-laws stipulate, the IETF is called upon to name 3 Trustees to the ISOC Board of Trustees (BoT), with staggered 3 year terms. That arrangement means the IETF names one Trustee each year.
This memo sets out the process the IETF follows to make that selection. It also covers the mid-term vacancies that may arise with IETF-nominated Board positions. In short, the document describes the timeframe and the procedures for the IAB to solicit public input and make a selection for the open position each year.
The IETF names three people to sit on the Internet Society's Board of Trustees. Their terms last three years and are staggered, so one new trustee is chosen each year. This document describes how that choice is made.
§1.2Why the IAB Makes the Selection
An alternative approach would be to use the IETF's Nominating Committee (NomCom), described in RFC 2727 and its revisions. The memo says NomCom is chartered and defined specifically for selecting people for IETF organization tasks, and that the ISOC Board appointment does not fit that in two ways. First, the timeframe of the appointment does not mesh with the IETF appointment cycle. Second, the nature of the deliberations and the type of information solicited would be significantly different for an external appointment, such as this appointment to the ISOC Board.
The memo says the first issue, timing, could be resolved fairly easily for this specific appointment. The second issue is more general, and is not reasonably reconciled with the IETF NomCom task as currently specified. The process described in RFC 2727 is oriented toward soliciting feedback from the IETF community about individuals and technical positions with which they have personal experience. To make a good decision on external appointments, the NomCom would have to understand the requirements of those positions and evaluate candidates for a very different set of skills than IAB and IESG members need. It might also have to ask for feedback from outside the IETF community.
The memo is careful to note that the people who make up the IETF NomCom each year have the competence to carry out such a search. The issue, it says, is that it is a very different task, would take additional time and resources, and is therefore a side effort that could well undermine the effectiveness of the NomCom in its primary task for the IETF.
By contrast, the IAB is chartered to be responsible for IETF external liaisons, is a standing body that works with ISOC and the ISOC Board, and therefore has a working knowledge of the requirements of the specific position discussed here. The memo proposes that broadening the scope of the IETF NomCom role, or creating a separate nominating committee for such external non-liaison appointments, is not necessary or desirable for the purposes of this one annual appointment.
The IETF already has a nominating committee for filling IETF jobs, but this document does not use it. Picking an outside trustee needs different skills and a different timetable, and the IAB already works with the Internet Society, so it makes the choice itself.
§2Qualifications for an IETF-Nominated Trustee
Candidates for an ISOC Trustee should have a demonstrable involvement in the IETF, with a particular focus on active participation in IETF Working Groups. The candidate is expected to possess clearly demonstrated technical competence in Internet technology, and to be able to articulate technology issues such that the ISOC Board can be provided with sound technical perspectives.
The candidate is also expected to understand the respective roles and responsibilities of the IETF and ISOC, and to be able to articulate those roles within both organizational communities. The candidate will also be expected to exercise all the duties of an ISOC Board member: fiduciary responsibility, setting of policies, oversight of the operation of the Society, representing the interests of the members and stakeholders of the Society, and participation in all Board meetings and Board activity programs.
The candidate is not a representative or a delegate of the IETF, and is not chartered to represent the IETF or the IETF Standards Process within the ISOC Board or the broader ISOC community. The memo does expect the candidate to be able to call on experts in the IETF community as required, to ensure that the ISOC Board receives the highest quality technical advice available.
The person nominated should have worked in IETF working groups, be technically strong in Internet technology, and understand how the IETF and the Internet Society differ in role. They would sit on the board as an individual, not as a spokesperson for the IETF.
§3.1Nominations and Eligibility
Each year the IAB makes a public call for nominations on the ietf-announce@ietf.org mailing list. The public call specifies the manner in which nominations will be accepted and the means by which the list of nominees will be published. Self-nominations are permitted.
Along with the name and contact information for each candidate, details about the candidate's background and qualifications for the position should be attached to the nomination. All IETF participants are eligible for nomination, including working group chairs, IETF NomCom members, IAB members and IESG members.
IAB and IESG members who accept nomination recuse themselves from the selection discussions and from the confirmation discussions respectively.
Anyone in the IETF community can put themselves forward, including working group chairs and IAB or IESG members. The IAB asks for names on a public mailing list, and members who accept a nomination step back from deciding it.
§3.2Selection and Confirmation
The IAB publishes the list of nominated persons, reviews the nomination material, and makes a selection. The selection criteria include additional consideration of any nominated candidates who are concurrently members of the IAB or the IESG, such that at the time of selection no more than two of the three IETF-appointed ISOC Trustees are IAB and IESG members.
The IESG acts as the confirming body for the selection. In the event that the IESG determines not to confirm the nominated candidate, the IESG provides the IAB with the basis for that determination, and the IAB nominates another candidate.
The IAB reads the nominations and picks one candidate. At most two of the three IETF trustees may also be IAB or IESG members. The IESG then checks the choice, and if it says no, the IAB has to find someone else.
- PUBLIC CALL FOR NOMINATIONSPosted on ietf-announce@ietf.org.
- NOMINATION MATERIALName, contact details, background and qualifications.
- SELECTED CANDIDATEThe IAB publishes the nominee list and makes a selection.
- CONFIRMATIONIf the IESG declines, it gives the IAB its reasons.
- NAME DELIVERED TO ISOCISOC seats the trustee at its June annual meeting.
§3.4The Annual Timeframe
ISOC expects to seat new Board members at its annual general meeting in June of each year. The memo sets out three basic timeframe requirements for the IETF process: 4-6 weeks for the solicitation of nominations, 4-6 weeks for the review of nominees, deliberation and selection, and 4-6 weeks for confirmation, including re-selection as necessary, and delivery to ISOC.
In January of each year the IAB announces the specific dates for that year's IETF ISOC Trustee selection process, taking into account the particular dates of the first IETF meeting of the year, and following the guidelines above.
The Internet Society seats new board members at its June meeting, so the work happens in three stages of four to six weeks each: collecting nominations, choosing a candidate, and confirming the choice and handing the name over. The IAB publishes the exact dates each January.
- Nominations4-6 weeks for the solicitation of nominations.
- Selection4-6 weeks for review of the nominees, deliberation and selection.
- Confirmation4-6 weeks for confirmation, re-selection if needed, and delivery to ISOC.
- SeatingISOC seats new members at its annual general meeting in June.
§3.5Mid-Term Vacancies
The document describes the process for the general, annual appointment of ISOC Trustees to fill the seats of trustees whose terms are ending. If an IETF-appointed trustee is unable to serve the full term, the IAB may, at its discretion, immediately select a replacement to serve the remainder of the term, using the interim process defined in section 3.5.1. If the IAB does not invoke the interim process, the next annual selection process fills the vacancy, if the vacant term does not end at that point, as well as the regular appointment for that selection cycle.
If the IAB elects to fill the mid-term vacancy before the next annual selection, a separate timeline is announced and the rest of the process described in this document is followed.
If a trustee leaves early, the IAB can either pick a replacement straight away, on a timetable it announces, or leave the seat empty until the next annual round, which then fills both the gap and the regular position.
§4Security Considerations
The memo says it does not describe any technical protocols and has no implications for network security.
Nothing here describes a network protocol, so this document has no effect on network security.