SUO: Current status of SUO WG
Lowell,
Certainly Jim may appeal a resolution of the Board of Governors
(although I think it is unseemly for him to do so while acting as
chair). The current state is that the SUMO vote failed and the SUO WG
must use the interpretation of Robert's Rules provided by the IEEE
Corporate Governance Office. If is not the case there is nothing for
Jim to appeal.
Making this appeal confirms his status as participating in debate of
business before the SUO. This would normally require that he vacate the
chair while doing so. Robert's Rules does give the chair the right to
participate in debate in support of his actions when defending a ruling
that he has made that has been appealed to the membership. This is not
the case. Jim is arguing his position regarding a decision of the Board
of Governors not his own ruling. A decision that other members have
both supported and disputed.
Since the chair is appealing the BoG decision, I believe it is
necessary for you to clarify the current state of affairs. The board's
decision is the official position and remains so until the BoG makes a
different decision, if ever. Judging from the amount of time this
decision required, it could be a lengthy process. Please confirm that
(1) the SUMO vote failed and (2) the IEEE Corporate Governance Office's
interpretation of Robert's Rules is the correct one.
Thanks,
Bob