stds-802-mobility: Re: 802.20 Nominations and Elections
Dear Everyone,
Here is further thought to consider regarding this issue. Hopefully this
is calming. As best I
could, I tried to make it unbiased.. Let's finish this so that valuable
time next week is not lost. See everyone at the meeting next week.
bob ward
First, at the end of this email are excerpts from 802 operating rules
(downloaded from http://ieee802.org/devdocs.htlml ) so
that readers of this may draw their own conclusions. Section 5.1.3
pertains to membership. Section 5.1.4.4 pertains to the working group
chair's authority. 5.1.2 pertains to the election of working group
chairs. And lastly, 5.1.4.5 Removal of Working Group Chairs or Vice
Chairs.
Now with readers given the opportunity to read "in context", consider a
few salient points
1.
All persons participating in the initial meeting of the Working Group
become members of the Working Group,
"participating" a definition of this word is cited momentarily
"become" "come to be something: to change or develop into
something" -- a verb indicating something in the future will occur; note
it does not specify when that occurs, e.g. in the middle,
at the end, or the next plenary, etc.
2. "participating"
Participation is defined as at least 75% presence at a meeting. --- Note
the period. Thus, this is the complete definition. Further, there is no
explicit moment stated as to when 75% is achieved. Thus, 75% must be
interpreted literally by computation, rather than by opinions. Knowing
in advance
how long the meeting will be at its conclusion does allow computation
prior to the meetings end.
3. "Is there another means described by the 802 rules by which membership
can be granted? Yes.
"Membership may be declared at the discretion of the Working Group Chair
(e.g. for contributors by correspondence or other significant
contributions to the Working Group)." Note the parenthetic remark
provides two examples. No, it does not describe the only reasons that the
chair may use his/her discretion.
4. Chair authority
"To carry out the responsibilities cited in 5.1.4.3 Working Group Chair’s
Responsibilities, the Working Group Chair has the authority to:
b) Decide which issues are technical and which are procedural.
c) Establish Working Group rules beyond the Working Group rules
set down by the Executive Committee. These rules must be written and all
Working Group members must be aware of them.
5. ... misrepresentation or disagreements ...5.1.4.5 Removal of Working
Group Chairs or Vice Chairs.
The procedures specified in 5.1.2 Chair are to be followed under normal
circumstances. If a Working Group or TAG feels it is being
inappropriately led or significantly misrepresented by its Chair or a
Vice Chair and is unable to resolve the issue internal to the Working
Group or TAG, then it is the responsibility of that Working Group to make
and pass (75% of voting members present required) a motion to that effect
and so notify the 802 Executive Committee with the recommended action and
all supporting rationale in written form.
Now we can ask some related questions. This is not meant to be an
exhausive list.
Do the 802 rules unambiguously, specifically, restrict, precisely and
explcitly state when membership is granted (we should not use subjective,
anecdotal
rationale)?
If yes, then this issue is resolved. It would be appreciated if the
experienced and knowledgeable 802 member would post those specific rules.
If not, then discretion by the chair is allowed, as indicated by the
chair authority rules. We should note that Mark's email clearly
informs us by written means.
Is Mark Klerer the working group chair?
Is this procedural or technical? If so, the Chair normally rules.
Is this a significant disagreement?
Thoughtfully the Executive Committee has provided us recourse via rules
under 5.1.4.5. And by providing this recourse, it implies that members of
the working group should be diligent regarding group operation. Thus we
should thank all members raising such issues. However, I would ask any
IEEE member for courtesy here not to pursue such a course vigorously,
especially if that member has not been significantly participating in the
developmental work of 802.20 with their presence and therefore may not
have had the opportunity to learn if misrepresentation has ocurred. And
of course, if action
is however deemed necessary, then work through the working group, so that
the group's opinion is
respresented to the Executive Committee.
Additionally, haven't there been numerous discretionary decisions made by
WG Chairs in 802 which may have not been popular. Popularity is not what
matters though in determining if this is a significant disagreement.
We want to make positive strides at our meeting. If there are not
explicit, pre existing 802 rules on this matter that would override
written "Chair's discretionary" decision/rules, lets move on.
thanks,
bob ward
*****************************
5.1.2 Chair
LMSC Working Group Chairs and Vice Chairs shall be elected by the Working
Group and confirmed by the LMSC Executive Committee. Terms shall end at
the end of the first Plenary session of the next even numbered year.
Initial appointments, and temporary appointments to fill vacancies due to
resignations or removals for cause, may be made by the Chair of the LMSC,
and shall be valid until the end of the next Plenary session. An
individual who has served as Chair or Vice Chair of a given Working Group
for a total of more than eight years in that office may not be elected to
that office again.
A Working Group may elect a new Chair at any Plenary session, subject to
confirmation by the LMSC Executive Committee. A motion to hold an
election must be passed by 75% of the voting members of the Working Group
present.
5.1.3 Membership
Membership belongs to the individual, not an organization, and may not be
transferred.
5.1.3.1 Establishment
All persons participating in the initial meeting of the Working Group
become members of the Working Group. Thereafter, membership in a Working
Group is established by participating in the meetings of the Working
Group at two out of the last four Plenary sessions, and (optionally) a
letter of intent to the Chair of the Working Group. Participation is
defined as at least 75% presence at a meeting. Membership starts at the
third Plenary session attended by the participant. One duly constituted
interim Working Group or task group meeting may be substituted for the
Working Group meetings at one of the two Plenary sessions (See 5.1.3.5
Meetings and Participation).
Attendees of the Working Group who have not achieved member status are
known as observers. Liaisons are those designated individuals who
provide liaison with other working groups or standards bodies. Although
not a requirement for membership in the Working Group, participants are
encouraged to join the IEEE, IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) and the
IEEE Computer Society. Membership in the IEEE SA will also allow
participants to join the sponsor level ballot group. Working Group
members shall participate in the consensus process in a manner consistent
with their professional expert opinion as individuals, and not as
organizational representatives. No participation credit will be granted
to any individual who has outstanding financial obligations to LMSC;
retroactive credit for participation in meetings shall not be granted if
payment is not made prior to the start of the next meeting. (Note:
Assumes LMSC Treasurer personally contacts individual, verbally or in
writing, but with some assurance that communication was, in fact,
received, and in sufficient time to respond.) Membership may be declared
at the discretion of the Working Group Chair (e.g. for contributors by
correspondence or other significant contributions to the Working Group)
5.1.4.4 Working Group Chair’s Authority
To carry out the responsibilities cited in 5.1.4.3 Working Group Chair’s
Responsibilities, the Working Group Chair has the authority to:
a) Call meetings and issue meeting minutes.
b) Decide which issues are technical and which are procedural.
c) Establish Working Group rules beyond the Working Group rules
set down by the Executive
Committee. These rules must be written and all Working
Group members must be aware of them.
d) Assign/unassign subtasks and task leaders or executors, e.g.
secretary, subgroup chair, etc.
e) Determine if the Working Group is dominated by an
organization, and, if so, treat that
organizations’ vote as one (with the approval of the Executive
Committee).
f) Make final determination if and how negative letter ballots
are to be resolved when a draft
standard, recommended practice, or guideline, is to be sent to
the Executive Committee for
approval for Sponsor Ballot Group voting.
g) Collect fees to meet Working Group expenses.
5.1.4.5 Removal of Working Group Chairs or Vice Chairs.
The procedures specified in 5.1.2 Chair are to be followed under normal
circumstances. If a Working Group or TAG feels it is being
inappropriately led or significantly misrepresented by its Chair or a
Vice Chair and is unable to resolve the issue internal to the Working
Group or TAG, then it is the responsibility of that Working Group to make
and pass (75% of voting members present required) a motion to that effect
and so notify the 802 Executive Committee with the recommended action and
all supporting rationale in written form. The process for removal of
committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, and other officers is prescribed in the
IEEE Computer Society, Standards Activities Board "SAB Policies and
Procedures" Section 4.8.3.1, Removal of Chairs and Vice Chairs, is
included here with relative terminology (e.g., subsidiary committee)
translated to LMSC terms (e.g., Working Group). The LMSC Executive
Committee may remove the Chair or a Vice Chair of a Working Group or TAG
for cause.
The Chair of the LMSC Executive Committee shall give the individual
subject to removal a minimum of thirty (30) days written mail notice,
with proof of delivery, of a meeting of the LMSC Executive Committee at
which the removal is to be decided. The individual subject to removal
shall have the opportunity to confront the evidence for removal, and to
argue in his or her behalf.
In the clear and documented case of gross misconduct, the Chair of the
LMSC Executive Committee may suspend the Chair of a Working Group, with
the concurrence of the IEEE Computer Society VP of Standards. A meeting
or teleconference of the LMSC Executive Committee shall be convened as
soon as practical, but in no case later than thirty (30) days, to review
the suspension as provided for above.