[Chapter-delegates] On Board Diversity

[Tom Fredrik Blenning]

On 07/10/2021 20:52, Caleb Olumuyiwa Ogundele via Chapter-delegates wrote:

> Hi John,
>
> I have also served on an RIR's NoMCoM to see that diversity is not an
> issue, as a matter of fact, it makes it very representative and one
> can ask the person representing the region to what they are doing
> about a particular issue or need that is peculiar to their region.
>
> When you say the internet is for all, it means equity of service for
> all regions Africa, Asia Pacific, Europeans, and Americans e.t.c,
> However, it also means each region with its own peculiarity the
> underserved region such as Africa.
>
> Therefore, the ISOC stands for every internet user. Take for example,
> if I have an issue peculiar to my region, how do I make a case for it
> on the board except if I have a common interest with the person
> presenting the case I'm making. Therefore, making a case for regional
> representation for diversity isn't much of an ask if it doesn't exist.
>
> The Internet Society supports and promotes the development of the
> Internet as global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich
> people's lives, and a force for good in society. Our work aligns with
> our goals for the Internet to be open, globally-connect.
>
> I believe this is what we should be guided by.

I think the key point is being guided by. Formalizing requirements about
diversity can indeed be very rigid, but an amendment to Nominations
Committee Charter could be all that is needed.

Today they read "Establish selection criteria for prospective candidates
for nomination.", adding a subpoint below reading something like: "The
selection criteria shall aim to ensure that the board is composed of
members who together holds the necessary skills and perspectives deemed
necessary to fulfill the foundations charter."

This is quite flexible in how the nomination committee chooses to
fulfill its obligation, but also restrictive enough that the same
committee will be hard pressed to explain choosing a completely
homogeneous group.

-Tom Fredrik