Hi Ray, As you may know, the form of the question asked in any survey can have a major impact on both how it is answered and the rates at which it is answered. If you are considering adding a question on gender, may I suggest you look at: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/collecting-transgender-inclusive-gender-data-in-workplace-and-other-surveys . It lays out some of the challenges faced there. Since the next meeting will be in Berlin, I also recommend that the IAOC read: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/themes/Ethnic_statistics_and_data_protection.pdf as it lays out both case studies and at least a few pointers to the relevant data protection requirements for collecting data deemed to be "sensitive". regards, Ted Hardie On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 8:18 AM, IETF Administrative Director <iad@xxxxxxxx> wrote: > > The IETF is concerned about diversity. As good engineers, we would like > to attempt to measure diversity while working on addressing and increasing > it. To that end, we are considering adding some possibly sensitive > questions to the registration process, for example, gender. Of course, > they need not be answered and would be clearly labeled as optional. > > The IAOC would like to hear from the community on this proposal. It > plans to make a decision on its 18 April call in order to make the changes > in > time for the Berlin registration and will consider all input received by > 17 > April. Thanks for your feedback. > > Please direct your comments to iaoc@xxxxxxxx > > Ray > IAD