Update Discussion on P802.15 WG Rules

1. Project: IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) Submission Title: [Rules_Update_Discussion] Date Submitted: [17 March 2004] Source: [Tom Siep] Company [TMS Consulting] Address [Suite 100, ms 365, 1802 Pleasant Valley Dr, Garland, TX, USA, 75040] Voice:[+1 972 496 0766], FAX: [+1 469 366 1480], E-Mail:[tom.siep@ieee.org] Re: [original.] Abstract: [Policy and Procedure Update Discussion] Purpose: [Provide a mechanism for feedback to editors changing 802.15 WG P&P] Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein. Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by P802.15. Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

2. Rules Update Discussion Tom Siep TMS Consulting Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

3. Policy and Procedures • 802.15 policy and procedures (P&P) are in need of maintenance • Sponsor organizations’ P&P are changing, which flow down to us • Work has begun on updates, but is not complete • There are several potential critical changes that need WG review before incorporation into the rules Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

4. Definition of Technical Changes to Drafts • Current rules have no definition of what is (or is not) a “technical” change • Important for Ballots • “Editorial change” shall: • Be stylistic, spelling, or grammar changes • Not change meaning of the passage • Not insert or remove information • “Technical change” shall: • Affect requirements • Affect recommendations • Affect informative passages • Possibly affect an implementer’s design Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

5. Instant Messaging • Concern over IM being a “block voting” enabling mechanism • Proposed text: Private electronic communication to the officers is not allowed while the WG meeting is in session. No private electronic communications may be made between any members of the body from that time a motion has been made and until the vote is completed. Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

6. Recording of meetings • No electronic recording of any official meeting of WG, TG, or SGs is allowed. Electronic recording includes, but is not limited to, tape recording, video recording, still pictures, and audio recording. Typing meeting minutes and notes is not included in this prohibition. • The single exception of this rule shall be that with the consent of the membership at the option of the Chair of a meeting, still pictures of the general meeting are allowed. Tom Siep, TMS Consulting

7. Letter Ballots • SEC (and other) P&P will require 75% approval of ALL voters of a WG in Letter Ballots • Typically abstains + failures to vote > 25% • Stops all progress in WG • Possible solutions • Currently Letter Ballots are treated as “formal”. • We can make all LBs informal, to be confirmed at Plenary Meetings • Issue: limited number Plenary Meetings per year • Remove option of “abstain” -- rapidly age voters by having more votes – issue is 2 short term votes may be missed • Establish Ballot pools by TG Tom Siep, TMS Consulting