Michael, Bob, all, On 2019-05-19 06:46, Michael Richardson wrote:
Bob Hinden <bob.hinden@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> Can anyone tell me whether our standards process allows for >> virtual-only working groups? In other words, could a working group >> choose to stop meeting at IETF venues and only convene online? > As many folks have said, this is possible and has been done. > However, as a follow-on question, could there be a working forming BOF that is virtual? I think that this has happened, but I don't have an existence proof. I know that WGs have been formed without in-person BOFs, and I suspect it resulted from a few email conversations, and some well written charters. Whether there were informal phone calls or unofficial virtual interim meetings, I don't know.
I guess we could run a working group, as long as there is a solid rough consensus on what should be done, based on virtual meetings or entirely on a wg mailing list. Same for a BoFs. However we all know that working groups frequently run into issues that needs to be discussed f2f. Same for BoFs. I don't think that we ever can charter a working group that is not allowed to hold f2f meetings at an IETF meeting. I also think that wg chairs in such a wg must be quite liberal listening to request for f2f meetings.
Our rules say you don't have to have a BOF.
Well, yes IESG can form a working group as soon as it is convinced that there is work to be done and enough people interested in doing this work. Now, the BoFs are there to investigate those two issues. BoFs are useful, but not always necessary. /Loa
-- Michael Richardson <mcr+IETF@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, Sandelman Software Works -= IPv6 IoT consulting =-
-- Loa Andersson email: loa@xxxxx Senior MPLS Expert Bronze Dragon Consulting phone: +46 739 81 21 64