On 7/19/2024 7:12 PM, NomCom Chair 2024 wrote:
Hello, For full transparency about the NomCom voting member selection process, I am sending this email. During the challenge period, some community members raised objections about Kiran Makhijani's status as an independent volunteer. Martin and I received a satisfactory explanation regarding Kiran's independent status, and according to the RFC 9389 eligibility requirements, she qualifies to serve on the NomCom 2024 as voting member. There is a possible question: when can a volunteer be considered independent? Is a grace period needed between their last employer and achieving independent status?
That's a good question. There are probably no clear cut answers. In some cases, people leave their employers because they are pushed out, and they will have no tie at all. In other cases, people retire and have investments in their former employer's stock and are thus interested in the continuous success of that employer. Or they may have good friends and former colleagues still working there. I suspect that there are no clear cut rules, and that whatever information is used to decide is better kept private.
Having the nomcom chair decide after a private discussion looks like a good solution.
-- Christian Huitema
