[rpd] Resignation of Policy Development Appeal Committee member

[Fernando Frediani]

Guys, please let's speak frankly and directly.

It seems there is a bit of regret due to the fact that the work done is 
voluntary. And because of that I read some people suggesting that those 
in these roles are excused to commit mistakes and eventually violate 
rules (regardless if it was unintentional or not) as it happened 
recently and was confirmed by the Recall Committee.

It is always good to have people volunteered for a lot of community 
things but nobody may use the volunteer status as an excuse to do things 
in the wrong way.
Sometimes you don't have very much experienced volunteers but have 
people trying to do their best to fix their own mistakes when warned by 
other and carry things on. I believe the previous Co-Chairs were given 
enough chances for quiet a while to fix wrong decisions but they decided 
to keep them, despite some unnecessary reactions coming from them as 
pointed by Recall Committee report as well.

I have no idea why some people form the Appeal Committee have resigned 
but if they either they were not prepared, they were feeling pressured 
or had other more important stuff to do it was a good thing their 
resignation. Then Board of Directors appoints new people willing to 
serve and knowing the situation. That's how the PDP works and we keep 
moving.

So in resume let's not to use the "volunteer" argument that reduces the 
seriousness of the job to be done or as an excuse to commit mistakes and 
not be able to fix them. If one is not prepared perhaps it's just not 
time to accept the role yet.

Regards
Fernando

On 16/02/2021 15:00, Anthony Ubah wrote:

> Hello Jaco,

>

>

> I completely agree with you. I think we should be gravely worried.

> I'm no expert, but it is appropriate to investigate these occurrences.

>

> The unfair criticism and aggressive behavior of community members 

> towards volunteers are uncalled for, and calls to question the 

> mentality of these volunteers in discharging their duties moving forward.

>

> There is a need to review the conduct of community members towards 

> members who have volunteered in good faith.

>

> I have spoken about the misconduct from members of this community 

> towards voluntary officials in countless comments in the RPD.

>

> One of such is my response to you in "REQUEST TO RECALL THE AFRINIC 

> PDWG CO-CHAIRS", on Nov 17, 2020

> https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/011996.html 

> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/011996.html>

>

> Below;

>

>     Hello Jaco

>     I will have to agree with Daniel.

>     It is sad to note that these Co-Chairs have been stretched,

>     dragged, and bullied by members of the community since I can

>     remember. with respect to the policies being discussed, the

>     co-chairs who were elected by the community were pushed by voices

>     in the community to take action. Reaction to actions taken will

>     always be relative and comes with divided views as before actions

>     were taken.

>     They have worked under immense pressure to man such a difficult

>     community as ours, and have endured tsunamis of pressure from

>     different matters arising, members and perhaps interest groups

>     clamoring for their biddings to be done against that of other

>     members. What will the replacement do differently?

>     Chairing a community like this at this time has proven to be very

>     complex. A call for their removal is unwarranted. People must

>     learn to agree to disagree sometimes for calm and order to ensure,

>     or perhaps follow due process and exercise patience for the

>     process to run it’s course naturally. I will also say this call it

>     is in bad taste, and may cause a fracture in an already battered

>     structure.

>     I ran for and lost the race for one of the then-available seats in

>     Kampala, there I spoke about the hostility, intimidations, and

>     bullying which I felt and still feel is resident in the community,

>     prompting me to run. I stated clearly that these factors are

>     responsible for discouraging younger generations from actively

>     participating and bringing in fresh ideas into the community.

>     Today, I dared not declare interest in running for a seat in this

>     capacity at Afrinic again because of these persistent

>     happenings...But I digress

>     This call may set bad precedence within the community and It

>     should be rejected this time. ........

>

>

>

> Another such comment is on the thread "Re: Community Feeback" on Dec 

> 2, 2020.

> https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/012088.html 

> <https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2020/012088.html>

>

>  I wrote;

>

>     " +1

>     From my understanding, the co-chair role is a voluntary role, and

>     a very tasking one at it. The truck loads of pressure and

>     opposition is really alarming and this makes the role very

>     difficult and unattractive for the next sets of volunteers.

>     There should be respect and decorum in dealing with, and most

>     especially opposing them. Since it is unrealistic to please

>     everyone, patience and understanding is key from us all in the

>     community too.

>

>     Like Daniel Yakmut has said, if it is difficult to cope with the

>     human nature of the elected co-chairs,  perhaps we should seek an

>     auto regulating model, and run on some sort of poll opinions. That

>     way charts and numbers will settle differences and no one can have

>     reasons to be disgruntled.

>     ..........."

>

>

>  We must explore new ways to protect these volunteers and their mental 

> health.

>

>

> Best Regards,

>

> UBAH ANTHONY

>

> *

> *

>

> *Best Regards,*

>

> *UBAH ANTHONY*

>

>

> On Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 3:19 PM Jaco Kroon <jaco at uls.co.za 

> <mailto:jaco at uls.co.za>> wrote:

>

>     Hi SM,

>

>     This is the second resignation from the AC in less than a week.

>

>     Should we be worried?

>

>     Kind Regards,

>     Jaco

>

>

>     On 2021/02/16 15:34, chair at afrinic.net <mailto:chair at afrinic.net>

>     wrote:

>

>     > Dear Policy Development Working Group,

>     >

>     > Ms Wafa Dahmani informed the AFRINIC Board of Directors of her

>     > resignation from the Policy Development Appeal Committee member with

>     > immediate effect.  The Board would like to thank Ms Dahmani for her

>     > work on the Policy Development Appeal Committee.

>     >

>     > Regards,

>     > S. Moonesamy

>     >

>     > Board Chair, AFRINIC

>     >

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