Not answering any specific email, just establishing position: - I support a newcomers' list. However, I do believe that the definition of newcomer must be relaxed a bit. A newcomer is not a 'first time attendee'. Being a IETF youngster I would say that for the first three meetings you are a newcomer. This may vary, but if I had to draw a line somewhere, three would be my choice. - Breakfasts / lunch meetings are great, but they are not enough. These slots might need some augmentation. I don't have many ideas except dinners and parallel slots while the WGs sessions are in progress. - However tempting, I don't think ADs / WG chairs are ideal mentoring choices. During the IETF week they are drenched in work with their "area directoring"/ "working group chairing" duties and most of them won't have a lot of time for meeting newcomers and attending to their needs. - Mentors SHOULD be notified of their duties within reasonable time, and preferably be introduced to their 'pupils' via private email. I don't know how hard this would be to implement, but it would definitely help. Another thing to keep in mind: Do all newcomers want being mentored? I can think of one or two cases I know personally that probably wouldn't want a mentor. - Moving the newcomers reception to later in the week is a MUST. Mentors should obviously be also invited to this reception. Warm regards, ~Carlos On 3/14/13 9:30 AM, Adrian Farrel wrote: > Mary, > > I need to check but... > >> [MB] What I find interesting is that there was 200+ newcomers, but I >> certainly didn't find that many at the meet and greet. I have to >> wonder whether this doesn't have to do with the overlap between Sunday >> tutorials and this event. I think that needs to be fixed. > > Very right that it would need to be fixed, but I thought that it was avoided explicitly and > deliberately. Anyone got a copy of the agenda in front of them? > > Maybe we could do a little research on why newcomers don't show at this meeting. Are they tired? > Shy? Unaware? Not perceiving the value? > > Adrian >