[ARIN-consult] How does this improve Diversity? Community Consultation on Increasing the Size of the ARIN Board of Trustees

[Bill Woodcock]

> On May 12, 2017, at 6:52 AM, John Curran <jcurran at arin.net> wrote:
>    The Board has not gone any further (e.g. establishing rules that govern the backgrounds
>    of specific seats) instead leaving it to the membership to elect the candidates with the 
>    backgrounds it deems most appropriate.

But, at last fall’s meeting, the membership made it very clear in the closing session that the board was to do what it could to address the issue directly, which is why the board subsequently utilized its preexisting authority to appoint one additional seat.

The problem is that, unlike many non-profits and associations, ARIN’s board doesn’t select ARIN’s board.  ARIN’s membership elect the board directly.  So the membership asking the board to solve the problem of board composition isn’t a solution…  As Marla points out, having more seats doesn’t solve the problem.  Having more candidates makes the problem worse, rather than better, since it decreases the chances of any non-incumbent unseating an incumbent.  The fellowship program has been a great thing, and it’s putting more, and more diverse, faces in front of the electorate.  Likewise the ARIN-on-the-road program has been great, because it’s getting ARIN in front of people who wouldn’t otherwise get to a meeting.  

But ultimately the membership has to nominate and vote for more diverse candidates, if you want a more diverse board.

                                -Bill