Amendment to our standing rules

["Philpott, Robert" <rphilpott@rsasecurity.com>]

In discussing charter clarifications, etc. with Karl, a side discussion came up about our current standing rule re: email ballots. Karl and I both agreed that the SSTC's current rule is irrelevant and needs to either be changed or removed.  Standing rules can be adopted or changed via majority vote, so I'd like to consider bringing ours in line with current TC guidelines at the meeting tomorrow.

 

Here's why...

 

The current standing rule (at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/security/charter.php) states:

2. The chair may initiate email ballots.

As it turns out, the TC can decide to hold any of their votes electronically (via email or Kavi). This applies to all TCs and does not have to be initiated by the chair and does not require a standing rule.  When the TC Guidelines were updated by OASIS earlier this year, the section re: email balloting was replaced to permit either email or Kavi-based balloting (http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.php#voting):

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Electronic Voting

TCs may conduct electronic ballots via the TC's general mail list or the publicly archived electronic voting functionality provided by OASIS. The minimum period allowed for electronic voting shall be seven calendar days, unless the TC specifies a longer voting period for a particular ballot. For the purposes of electronic voting, a vote is valid only when a majority of TC members who are eligible at the beginning of the vote have cast ballots, and a majority (or super majority, when required) of the ballots cast will decide the issue.

A TC may adopt a standing rule allowing for members to make motions via the TC's general mail list; seconding of the motion and discussion would also take place via the mail list, with voting via the mail list or the publicly archived electronic voting functionality provided by OASIS. In the absence of such a standing rule motions may only be made in a TC meeting.

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A standing rule is only required if a TC wants to permit members to make motions, second them, and discuss the motions on the email list.  This is primarily available so TC's the do not hold regular meetings can conduct business. 

 

So, to summarize, we need a vote to

-          eliminate the current standing rule re: email ballots, or

-          replace the rule with one stating that the TC will permit TC members to use email to the list for motions, seconds, and discussion.  If this is done, then the voting on such a motion can be done either by email or Kavi.

Rob Philpott
RSA Security Inc.
The Most Trusted Name in e-Security
Tel: 781-515-7115
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