guidance on avoiding too many people from one company/group

[avri doria <avri@sm.luth.se>]

After this year's selection was made, the issue resurfaced
of whether there should be a rule, or guidance,
relating to the number of Nomcom volunteers from a single
company or group.

Aspects of the issue:

- While the policy of the IETF is that individuals participate
  as individuals and not representatives of their companies,
  it is also accepted that in practice, many participants do
  represent their employer's viewpoints.

- Too many participants from one company could prejudice the
  decision of the nomcom in favor of a particular set of
  choices.

- Too many participants from one company could prejudice the
  decisions away from a good candidate in order to avoid the
  appearance of prejudice.

- If we do something to consider companies as participants in
  this instance, the IETF may need to do something about it
  in a broader sense.

-- However, since the nomcom process is not an open process,
   the normal safeguards against collaboration may not operate.
   a limit of 2 individuals from one company should be put into
   the rules.

--- While not an open process, it is a scrutinized process. This
    should be enough to keep it honest.

--- If the issue is collaboration and control of a single group,
    should we also consider limitations such as coming from a
    single country, e.g. the US.

--- Perhaps it should be 2 from any single organization, with the
    Nomcom chair defining what an organization is.

--- Perhaps it should be just 1 individual from an organization

--- Changes in affiliation after the Nomcom is formed should not be
    taken into account.  I.e. there would be no obligation to resign
    from the nomcom if someone is hired by an organization who
    already  has a sitting member.

--- Volunteers should declare their primary company affiliation.
    The limitation applies to a company and not to companies owned
    by the company.  I.e. if company A owns company B, it would be
    permissible for 2 participants to come from A and 2 from B.
    Presumably contractors would not be affected by a rule.


And an issue that came up in conversations not on the list, though
referred to on the list:

-- Instead of a rule should it be guidance that organizations
   voluntarily limit their participation to a maximum number.
   This would involve a recommendation that volunteers resign
   if too many are selected form their organization.
-- Should the rule eliminate selectees who are selected after the
   organization maximum is reached
-- Should the rule allow the those chosen to choose which of the
   multiple organization selectee resigns.


--
Avri Doria
http://www.sm.luth.se/~avri/