[ARIN-consult] Consultation on Expanding the Size of the ARIN Board of Trustees

[ARIN]

In May 2017, the ARIN Board of Trustees proposed expansion of the size 
of the Board of Trustees in order to increase opportunities for 
diversity in the background of Board members, including geographical and 
gender representation. This proposal was the topic of an energetic 
community consultation with mixed outcome indicating both support and 
concerns with such a change. The ARIN Board considered the outcome of 
the consultation, but ultimately the measure did not achieve the 
four-fifths approval threshold necessary for changing ARIN's Bylaws.

In February of this year, the ARIN Board discussed an additional issue 
related to the present size of the Board: specifically, the challenge 
that a smaller Board poses when engaging in strategic discussions, for 
example in regard to long-term direction or relationships with other 
Internet organizations. While many of these topics are discussed with 
the community prior to decision (e.g. formation of the NRO, support for 
the IANA Stewardship Transition), it is often up to the ARIN Board of 
Trustees to decide whether to explore these initiatives when they are at 
an early stage. There is a very wide diversity of the Internet ecosystem 
that can be affected by ARIN's strategic direction and this includes 
Internet service providers of all sizes and types (transit, access, 
etc.), Internet online and content industries, data center and cloud 
operators, educational and government networks, commercial firms, and 
civil society. While the Trustees elected by the community often have a 
broad knowledge of the Internet ecosystem, seven Trustees is a 
relatively small group to evaluate impacts across the entire Internet 
ecosystem.

As a result of this discussion, the ARIN Board agreed to initiate a new 
community consultation to expand the number of elected Board members 
from six to nine, in order to allow for wider representation of the 
Internet community during Board discussions.

*Board proposal:*

ARIN should add three more elected voting seats to the Board of 
Trustees, raising the current six (two elected per year) to nine (three 
elected per year). New Board seats are to be added to the Board in a 
phased manner – one per year in the 2018 thru 2020 elections as noted below

     * October 2018: 3 Board members will be elected for 2019; 8 Trustee 
board (9 if the appointed seat is used)
     * October 2019: 3 Board members will be elected for 2020; 9 Trustee 
board (10 if the appointed seat is used)
     * October 2020: 3 Board members will be elected for 2021; 10 
Trustee board (11 if the appointed seat is used)

We are seeking community feedback on this proposed change to the size of 
the ARIN Board of Trustees. This consultation will remain open for at 
least 30 days.

Please provide comments to arin-consult at arin.net.

Discussion on arin-consult at arin.net will close on 14 May 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info at arin.net.

Regards,

John Curran
President and CEO
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)



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