RE: A thought about agendas.....

["bill" <bill@strahm.net>]

Harald,

I put this into the maximum openness category, kind of like asking if
there are any questions at the end of a talk.  I go out of my way to
talk to authors and people with work that needs to be talked out at the
meeting.. They get a specific invitation to talk and as much time as I
can give them.

At the same time, I always open it up for "random" talks in case there
is new work that people are conducting that I am not aware of (also
things like implementation reports, problems with current work etc.)  I
do this before I propose the first agenda so people don't feel left out
if there isn't time for "random" presentations.  I also like to ask
before scheduling so I know if I need a simple one hour slot with work I
know about, or if there is a need to get a 2 hour slot (or two slots)

There are two very powerful powers that working group chairs get that
need to be handled in a very open process so there aren't accusations of
favoritism.  Scheduling, and declaring consensus.

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-wgchairs@ietf.org [mailto:owner-wgchairs@ietf.org] On Behalf
Of Harald Tveit Alvestrand
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 12:25 PM
To: wgchairs@ietf.org
Subject: A thought about agendas.....


I've noticed on some WG lists a note that says something on the order of

"calling all agenda items - if you want something on the agenda, send it
in 
now" - with no further info.

I just wondered..... is this really the best way to make sure the
important 
work gets the most time on the agenda?
I mean - if the WG chair(s) already knows what the charter of the WG is,

what documents are in active development, and what the important issues 
with them are, shouldn't the WG chair be able to write a proposal for an

agenda without asking for (randomized) input, and then say "what else do
we 
need to talk about?" to the WG?

I think this has something to do with WG chairs and empowerment......

OTOH, ANY agenda that is sent out to the WG and posted on the Web ahead
of 
the meeting greatly increases the chances for success (I think!)

                 Harald