Dear 802.16 Working Group,
As you have seen, IEEE 802.16 Vice Chair Jose Puthenkulam has resigned his position, effective at the end of Session #70. We need to consider filling the resulting vacancy in the position, for the current term extending to March 2012.
In considering how to move forward, I have consulted the "IEEE Project 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee Working Group Policies and Procedures (P&P)" <
http://ieee802.org/PNP/2010-07/IEEE_802_LMSC_WG_PandP_approved_100716.pdf>. In subclause 6.3, it says that, in the case of vacancy in an officer position, "an appointment or election for the vacated office shall be conducted at the earliest practical time." The P&P also says "All WG elections become effective at the end of the plenary session where the election occurs." This implies that WG elections are held only at 802 plenary sessions. I have also reviewed the IEEE 802.16 Working Group Officer Election Process <
http://ieee802.org/16/docs/#10_0012>, which says "Sometimes, such as in the case of unexpired vacancies, special elections may be required. These shall be scheduled for an 802.16 LMSC Plenary Session but may be deferred there to a future 802.16 Session. The special election shall be announced to the Working Group as soon as possible after the need to hold one is identified."
Given these procedural requirements, Session #70 is "the earliest practical time" for the election. Accordingly, I am scheduling the IEEE 802.16 Working Group to hold a special election at Session #70 to fill the Vice Chair position through the remainder of the unexpired term (through the end of the March 2012 Plenary).
This election will be on the agenda for Session #70 Opening Plenary on the afternoon of Monday 8 November 2010, starting at 1 pm. The process will be as described in the "IEEE 802.16 Working Group Officer Election Process." Note that "Should no candidate receive a majority..., a runoff election shall be held at the Working Group Closing Plenary meeting." The Closing Plenary meeting is scheduled for Thursday 11 November, beginning at 7 pm.
As stated in the procedures, "Candidates are encouraged to declare their candidacy, in a Working Group meeting or via the Working Group email reflector, as soon as possible before the election. The names of those eligible who declare their candidacy at least eight days before the scheduled election shall be included on the paper ballot." The deadline is 31 October AOE <
http://tinyurl.com/36ebkqp>. If you would like to be a candidate, please let the reflector know by then. I'll be happy to discuss the position with you if you like.
Note that, per the P&P, elections are subject to confirmation by the 802 Executive Committee. I expect confirmation to take place on 12 November and the elected individual to assume office later that day. Note also that confirmation requires endorsement and affiliation letters, samples of which are available <
http://ieee802.org/devdocs.shtml>.
Regards,
Roger
Roger B. Marks