BOF Procedures
BOFs will NOT be scheduled unless the Area Director(s) approved the BOF.
The proponents behind a BOF need to contact a relevant Area Director,
preferably well in advance of the BOF approval deadline date. The AD
needs to have the full name of the BOF, its acronym, suggested names of
chairs, an agenda, full description of the BOF and the information
covered in item 4. Please read RFC 5434 for instructions on how to drive
a successful BOF effort. The approval depends on, for instance,
Internet-Drafts and list discussion on the suggested topic. BOF agenda
requests, if approved, will be submitted to the IETF Secretariat by the
ADs.
As of March 1993, the IESG adopted the following policy on the
scheduling of BOFs during IETF meetings.
1. All BOFs wishing to meet during an IETF meeting must have the
approval of the appropriate Area Director. A list of current Area
Directors can be found on the IETF Web site. The Secretariat will NOT
schedule or allocate time slots without the explicit approval of the
Area Director. Please send a courtesy copy of your request to
[email protected] and ask the Area Director to copy this address on the
decision.
NOTE: ALL requests for BOFs must be accompanied by BOF Description
and Agenda, and the relevant Area Directors must be copied. The
Secretariat should ONLY schedule complete requests (pending AD approval)
2. The purpose of a BOF is to conduct a single, brief discussion or
to ascertain interest and establish goals for a working group. All BOF
organizers are required to submit a brief written report of what
transpired during the BOF meeting, together with a roster of attendees,
to the IETF Secretariat for inclusion in the proceedings.
3. A BOF can only be held once (ONE slot at one IETF meeting).
4. Under unusual circumstances an Area Director can allow a BOF to
meet for a second time. Typically, though not a requirement, this is to
develop a charter to be submitted to the IESG.
5. BOFs are not permitted to meet three times.
6. Non-IETF groups wishing to participate in IETF meetings may hold a
BOF for single-event discussion, or may pursue creation of normal IETF
working groups for on-going interactions and disussions. The rules
governing such BOFs are the same as for all other IETF BOFs and working
groups.
7. When necessary, working groups will be given priority for meeting
space over BOFs.
8. Once scheduled, BOFs are handled like working groups with regard
to the meeting and proceedings. We require minutes and an attendee
roster for the proceedings.
9. BOF chairs are asked to send a brief announcement of the BOF to
the IETF list.
NOTE: NOTHING is automatic, especially obtaining a meeting slot
for a BOF. Creation of a draft charter or description and demonstration
of interest does NOT mean a BOF will be held. It is up to the
APPROPRIATE Area Director to approve.
