DISCUSSION: define the role of a liaison

[James M Galvin <galvin+ietf-nomcom@eListX.com>]

Currently, the document does not define the role or responsibility of a
liaison, except to say that organizational liaisons represent their
organization and that liaisons "participate in some or all of the
deliberations of the committee."  It has been suggested that the
document should more clearly state the purpose of a liaison.

The document has been intentionally silent on this issue to date because
it was originally believed the Chair should have the flexibility to use
the liaisons as needed.  However, experience has shown that liaisons
participate more or less as full members of the committee except that
they do not vote.  In addition it has been suggested that there are
times when the voting members of the committee would appreciate the
opportunity to have discussions without the liaisons.  Although in
principle the document permits this it is problematic in practice.

So it would seem the liaisons should either be voting members or not,
and we should make this clear.

If they are voting members this is a straightforward change to the
document.  If they are not voting members we should state explicitly
what their role and responsibility is.

I'm looking for comments and suggestions from people as to whether or
not the liaisons should be voting members and, if not, how should we
define their role and responsibility?

Thanks,

Jim