Re: Possible extra "oral tradition" for draft-ietf-nomcom-rfc2727bis-01.txt

[Dave Crocker <dcrocker@brandenburg.com>]

At 12:01 PM 7/9/2002 +0200, Brian E Carpenter wrote:
> In my experience, the confirming bodies don't attempt to second-guess
> ...
> 5. Most NomComs will have to make one or two very difficult or
>    controversial decisions, and these are likely to lead to debate
>    within the relevant confirming body. Although not a formal
>    requirement, a NomCom is well advised to inform the confirming
>    body of why and how they made the choice that they did in such cases,
>    rather than waiting until the confirming body comes back with
>    questions.

I suspect that Brian's assessment of confirming body perspective is not 
correct.  My sense, from two sittings on nomcom, receiving confirming body 
reactions, is that the confirming body really does believe it is approving 
the choice rather than the process that created the choice.

That said, I think Brian's suggestion is extremely constructive and 
heartily endorse it.  A bit of proactive frankness might well go a long 
way.  In particular, a summary report that a) indicates the nature and 
extent of the total interviewing and discussion process, and b) special 
mention of decisions that were difficult and are likely to be controversial 
to the confirming body, might be quite helpful.

The downside is the time it takes to produce such a report.

Brian's suggestion is especially appealing for the underlying tone that it 
encourages, which goes beyond the formal requirements that Jim cites.  In 
satisfying the formal requirements today, the nomcom interaction with 
confirming bodies is stilted, slow and highly calculated.  Both sides are 
so careful about what they say to the other, there is no real frankness to 
the exchange.  I take Brian's suggestion is offering a significant step 
towards changing that tone.

d/


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Dave Crocker  <mailto:dcrocker@brandenburg.com>
Brandenburg InternetWorking  <http://www.brandenburg.com>
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