NomCom Example

An example NomCom (the IETF NomCom).

IETF NomCom

“The principal functions of the nominating committee are to review each open IESG, IAB, and IAOC position and to nominate either its incumbent or a superior candidate.”

NomCom Members

At least one Chair: “The ISOC President appoints the Chair, who must meet the same requirements for membership in the nominating committee as a voting volunteer”
10 voting Volunteers: chosen at random (more on this shortly)”
3 Liaisons: “expected to provide information to the nominating committee regarding the operation, responsibility, and composition of their respective bodies committee”
An Advisor: “The Chair of the prior year's nominating committee serves as an advisor to the current committee... expected to review the actions and activities of the current Chair and to report any concerns or issues to the nominating committee Chair immediately.”

Rules:

Must have attended 3/5 recent IETF meetings
Cannot be from another IETF related board
No more than two volunteers with the same primary affiliation
15 month term.

Selection (nomination then random selection)

Nominated: “Any member of the IETF community may nominate any member of the IETF community for any open position, whose eligibility to serve will be confirmed by the nominating committee. A self-nomination is permitted.”
Random selection (RFC3797)
Algorithm is to be published prior to selection
Lottery-like, can change.

Candidate Selection / Appointment Process

Nominees must be made aware of their nomination (email and response)
Nominees receive a questionnaire, they must complete this and send back to NomCom with a written Testimony (brief statement of the qualifications for the position that is being filled)
Selected candidates notified, send list to IESG, IAB, IAOC
Candidates are interviewed, job-like, for their potential roles
NomCom sends elections to boards, boards may challenge, may result in the Resolution Process
Successful candidates are notified.

Benefits of NomCom

The NomCom is a committee which can receive and respond to all complaints related to appointments to the TAG and AB.
Self-nomination allows for larger pool of candidates, NomCom ensures the ones which progress are qualified.
Empowers diversity
Everyone has the same chance to make it to NomCom given the random selection process.
Self nomination and Interview process help encourage newcomers. Campaigning for elections is time consuming; completing a questionnaire and taking an interview is more worthy and takes less time.
NomCom adds advisors, plus can aid in finding more potential candidates.
NomCom can aid in sourcing candidates, they can refuse when only one or few unqualified candidates, and go back to nomination process.
Interview process ensures “voices” are heard, also, these “voices” have the option to run for NomCom.

Constraints of NomCom

Chair Selection: Chair is selected by ISOC President, relies on president being uncorrupt [Solved if a trusted, impartial senior leader exists (cough...director...cough)]
Random Selection and Diversity: Random selection may still prove difficult for diverse candidates; as 9 “samey candidates” and 1 “diverse candidate” will still likely result in 1 “samey candidate” being selected. [Unsolvable problem: elections produce non-diverse results, as does random selection. Random selection is probably better option]
Scary Interview: Interview may discourage new candidates. But; the interview process ensures the correct candidates are selected [Advantage outweighs disadvantage]
Club the NomCom: a set of people elected to the NomCom could exert power over the others. [Should be controlled by random selection process if enough candidates are nominated]
NomCom needs candidates: NomCom requires enough nominees to work. Smaller NomCom would be advised for W3C.