[arin-ppml] [arin-council] AC Role in Petitions

[Joe Maimon]

John Curran wrote:
> On Apr 14, 2011, at 10:33 AM, Leo Bicknell wrote:
>
>> Many on the AC seem to feel that once a decision is made, all must
>> tow that line.  That is a dangerous, chilling situation.  It reduces
>> the effectiveness of the AC by reducing discussion and searching for
>> alternative solutions.  It makes the AC look more secretive, as
>> decisions are made in private and then not discussed externally.
>>
>> Dissent is an essential part of any democratic body.  I wish the
>> AC would focus much more on _why_ there is dissent than trying to
>> snuff it out and impose a totalitarian structure.
>
> Leo -
>
> As Marty noted, the AC adopted a rule to not be included in
> the petition count, but specifically noted that they can still
> participate in the discussion of the merits of the petition.
>
> /John
>
> John Curran
> President and CEO
> ARIN


PDP states "Any member of the community, including a proposal 
originator". On the face of it, this means anyone, including the AC, 
possibly even including ARIN Bot and Staff. Further, stating that a 
forthcoming revision will contain this rule is an implicit 
acknowledgment of such.

I will note that the PDP explicitly excludes ARIN BoT and Staff from 
submitting a proposal except under Emergency Action. I do not see a 
corresponding exclusion for petition counting.

Is this AC rule even valid?

On the face of it I do not support this rule. Stated justification is 
dubious and depicting as an abuse of the petition process that 7 AC 
members + 3 other community members may override an AC decision is not 
particularly compelling. AC decisions with considerable dissenting 
minority deserve to be questioned and petitioned.

Successful petitions are rare enough. Has one ever occurred where a 
large minority of dissenting AC members resulted in a successful petition?

Considering that the AC typically contains some of the more vocal and 
active community members and proposal drafters (as it should), removing 
them from the petition process should show some sound reasoning, other 
than "the AC makes decisions as a body" and therefore the members of the 
AC are no longer part of the community who may petition ARIN and PDP 
actions.

Do AC members need to resign in order to participate in the PDP petition 
process?

Joe