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Minutes of the 66th Executive Board Meeting

Author: Paul Rendek
Date: 2009/02/25
Revision No.: 1.3
Status: Final
Maintainer: Sabine Mader

Attendees:

Fahad AlShirawi, Member
Dmitry Burkov, ICANN Liaison
Nigel Titley, Chairman
Andreas Wittkemper, Secretary
János Zsakó, Treasurer

Guest:

Rob Blokzijl, RIPE Chairman

Axel Pawlik, Managing Director, RIPE NCC
Paul Rendek, Head of External Relations and Comms., RIPE NCC
Jochem de Ruig, Chief Financial Officer, RIPE NCC

AGENDA:

1. Agenda / Comments
1.1 Apologies, New Agenda Points
1.2 Approval of Previous Minutes, EB#65
1.3 Date of Next Meetings
(proposed 10 or 11 March 2009, two sessions during RIPE-58, or 1 teleconference + 1 lunch meeting during RIPE-58).
2. Remaining Outstanding Actions
3. Report from the RIPE NCC
3.1 Review of Membership Developments
3.2 Review of Estimated End of Year Financials
3.3 Review of amended Financial Scenarios, 30'
EB142 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide an updated set of financial scenarios with modifications to RIPE NCC expenses in the worst-case scenario.
STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Full update for next Board meeting 4. Approval of Activity Plan 2009
5. Review of Budget Amendments +Approval of Budget 2009
6. External Relations
6.1 ICANN / IANA
6.2 NRO / RIRs
6.3 RIPE
7. Review of Articles of Association
7.1 Electronic Voting Systems
EB144 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to propose new voting procedures for the Board to discuss at the Executive Board meeting in December 2008, taking into account information about evoting systems.
STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Ongoing 8. Withdrawal of resources on LEA demand
DB WG and the Cooperation WG: "What would the RIPE NCC do if an approach was made by law enforcement agencies demanding the withdrawal of address blocks used for criminal activities? "It might be useful to get some input from the lawyers prior to discussing this.
9. AOB
9.1 GM Minutes
9.2 Data Protection Task Force/Real time feed of personal data
9.3 Cap/Exp ratio
EB143 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide several Capital/Expense Ratio scenarios for Board review prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.
STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Full update for next Board meeting
10. Executive Session (1700)

Nigel Titley, RIPE NCC Chairman, opened the meeting at 13:00

1. Agenda / Comments

1.1 Apologies, New Agenda Points

- The following agenda points were raised:
- Re-opening fee for RIPE NCC Members
- Feedback from the RIPE 57 Mtg.

The Chairman noted that these new agenda points would be covered in agenda point 9.

1.2 Approval of Previous Minutes, EB#65

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

1.3 Date of Next Meetings

Executive Board Meeting #67 will take place on 11 March 2009 at 13:00 at the RIPE NCC offices in Amsterdam. Lunch is served prior to the meeting at 12:00.

Two separate meetings were proposed around RIPE-58, one session on Monday, 4 May at 5:00pm. A lunch meeting prior to the GM meeting is also planned.

2. Remaining Outstanding Actions

It was noted that the outstanding action items have been inserted into the agenda points. It was agreed that they would be covered in each section as they appear.

3. Report from the RIPE NCC

Following a short discussion about the report from the RIPE NCC the Board asked for the following information to be included in the monthly reporting to the Board:
- Provide the number of closed LIRs split up into non-payment and mergers/takeovers categories;
- Provide the number of LIRs that re-open;
- Give an indication of the membership growth rate.

The Board also asked for the RIPE meeting financial reports to be published in the document repository.

Nigel asked if there were any further points. None were raised.

3.1 Review of Membership Developments

Jochem presented the latest update on membership developments. A discussion took place comparing growth patterns in previous years.

Jochem pointed out that the rate of growth has slightly slowed down compared to 2007 however, it was noted that membership growth estimates for 2008 were in line with what was projected.

ACTION: Fahad asked if the RIPE NCC could look at the percentage change in the rate of membership growth from 2007 to present. This should be included in the monthly EB report.

The Board will monitor the rate of LIRs that re-open after being closed. Currently the rate of LIRs that re-open is approximately 50% but the Board agreed that this is likely to decrease.

3.2 Review of Estimated End of Year Financials

Jochem mentioned that there is not much change to the estimated end of year financial figures presented at the GM meeting in Dubai.

There was a question over the amount of funding the RIPE NCC provides to subsidise the RIPE Meeting. After a short discussion the Board asked the RIPE NCC to update the RIPE Meeting Expenses spreadsheet.

ACTION: The Board has asked the RIPE NCC to update the RIPE Meeting spreadsheet prior to the next Board meeting.

3.3 Review of amended Financial Scenarios, 30'

Jochem provided the Board with an updated set of financial scenarios. It was noted that the modifications to the RIPE NCC expenses in the worst-case scenario were added as requested by the Board.

EB142 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide an updated set of financial scenarios with modifications to RIPE NCC expenses in the worst-case scenario.
STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Full update for next Board meeting
STATUS: 2/12/2008 - DONE

ACTION: The Board asked the RIPE NCC to continue to expand the scenarios and to provide a view looking 5 years forward.

The Board discussed the various scenarios. The Board was pleased that the RIPE NCC has produced the scenarios for the Board in order to engage in discussions about future direction. The Board thanked the RIPE NCC for the work carried out so far.

4. Approval of Activity Plan 2009

Axel stated that the addition of IPv6 training was the only activity change in the activity plan since the GM meeting. There was a brief discussion and the Board approved the RIPE NCC Activity Plan 2009 and asked the RIPE NCC to publish the document.

ACTION: The Board asked the RIPE NCC to publish the Activity Plan 2009.

5. Review of Budget Amendments + Approval of Budget 2009

Jochem presented the amendments to the budget. Nigel asked the Board if they were prepared to approve the budget. The Board unanimously agreed the Budget 2009.

ACTION: The Board asked the RIPE NCC to publish the Budget 2009.

6. External Relations

6.1 ICANN / IANA

Dmitry provided an update on ICANN activities. He commented specifically on discussions between ICANN and the NTIA.

Axel said that relations with IANA are positive and stable. He commented that the RIPE NCC is pleased with the ongoing services it receives from IANA.

6.2 NRO / RIRs

Axel provided an update on activities that require RIR coordination. He mentioned that the RIRs would be working together at the upcoming IGF meeting in Hyderabad.

Rob commented that the RIRs should continue to find common issues that the RIRs could work on together for the good of the RIR constituencies.

Dmitry stated that the RIRs should be working together on 5 specific topics that he believes could disrupt a stable functioning Internet. The topics he suggested were as follows:

1. With regards to data - IPv4/IPv6 coexistence issues
2. With regards to control - Route scalability issues and possible future changes in routing technology
3. DNSSEC issues as a result of straightforward deployment
4. SIDR/RPKI possible deployment
5. Current weaknesses in ICANN after NTIA stopped any discussions on the future of IANA and VeriSign contracts, etc.

6.3 RIPE

Rob reported on RIPE stating that activities are carrying on well and he was pleased to report that topics and speakers for the upcoming RIPE meeting in Amsterdam were already being brought forward.

7. Review of Articles of Association

Axel presented two e-voting systems to the Board. There was discussion about the various voting and e-voting methods possible for the election of a RIPE NCC Board member.

Axel asked the Board for their approval to further investigate the e-voting system RIES as a system of voting for the RIPE NCC. He also asked the Board to support instant runoff as an electoral procedure. The Board was in agreement that e-voting could increase transparency and the ability for a larger amount of RIPE NCC members to participate in elections. The Board approved further investigation of RIES as a system using instant run-off as an electoral procedure.

However, potentially significant issues from some countries with regard to the use of PKI systems and electronic signatures were raised for further research.

7.1 Electronic Voting Systems

EB144 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to propose new voting procedures for the Board to discuss at the Executive Board meeting in December 2008, taking into account information about evoting systems.


STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Ongoing

STATUS: 02/12/2008 - Axel was asked to further investigate RIES as an e-voting system using instant run-off as an electoral procedure.

8. Withdrawal of resources on LEA demand

The Board discussed the legal advice received from the RIPE NCC lawyers regarding the withdrawal of IP resources from LIRs. After discussion it was agreed that only upon request from a Dutch court would the RIPE NCC comply to withdraw resources.

9. AOB

9.1 GM Minutes

Janos suggested expanding the IPRA acronym in the GM minutes under point 2. He also suggested expanding section 7 to note where Gert Doering commented on charging scheme from the RIPE AP-WG perspective.

Nigel asked that "affect" be changed to "effect" in section 7.

ACTION: The Board asked the RIPE NCC to circulate another version of the GM minutes with the requested changes.

9.2 Data Protection Task Force/Real time feed of personal data

Janos provided a summary of the work that was carried out by the Data Protection Task Force regarding the bulk distribution of personal data from the RIPE Database.

The Board discussed the legal advice received from the RIPE NCC lawyers about the legal distribution of bulk personal data from the RIPE Database. The RIPE NCC Board agreed that no bulk personal data would be distributed to third parties, however, nonpersonal bulk data would be offered.

9.3 Cap/Exp ratio

EB143 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide several Capital/Expense Ratio scenarios for Board review prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.

STATUS: 28/10/2008 - Full update for next Board meeting

STATUS: 02/12/2008 DONE

The Board would like to see the additional Strategic Business Unit KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) reported regularly in the Board report.

9.4 Re-opening fee for members

The fee for re-opening an LIR once its status was closed was discussed. Input from the GM meeting was also taken into account. The Board agreed to discuss this issue further and reach a decision at the next scheduled Board meeting.

9.5 Feedback from Members about RIPE Meeting

The Board discussed various feedback they received from attendees about the RIPE 57 meeting.

It was suggested that feedback forms be made available at RIPE meetings giving participants an opportunity to give feedback.

9.6 Performance Reporting from RIPE NCC

The Board discussed RIPE NCC services and performance reporting.

ACTION: The Board asked Axel to prepare a summary of how reporting is given to the Board for the upcoming Board meeting.

9.7 Housing Contract

Axel reported that the RIPE NCC office space contracts are due to be renewed. An internal investigation of several office space options was undertaken but the option of extending the current office space contracts was seen as the most favourable.

It was reported that negotiations are currently taking place. The Landlord will make a contribution of roughly 200 kEUR if the RIPE NCC extends the current contract. It was noted that the lease terms would remain as they are including the possibility to sublet if necessary.

The Board commented that it wanted to be informed about office space contract issues well in advance of any renewal negotiations or decisions.

10. Executive Session

The Chairman thanked the Board members and the RIPE NCC staff and closed the meeting at 17:30.

ACTION ITEMS

Outstanding Action Items:

EB142 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide an updated set of financial scenarios with modifications to RIPE NCC expenses in the worst-case scenario.
STATUS: 01/12/2008 - DONE

EB143 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to provide several Capital/Expense Ratio scenarios for Board review prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.
STATUS: 01/12/2008 DONE

EB144 10/09/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to propose new voting procedures for the Board to discuss at the Executive Board meeting in December 2008, taking into account information about evoting systems.
STATUS: 01/12/2008 - Axel was asked to further investigate RIES as an e-voting system using instant run-off as an electoral procedure.

New Action Items:

EB147 01/12/2008 AP
Fahad asked if the RIPE NCC could look at the percentage change in the rate of membership growth from 2007 to present. This should be included in the monthly EB report.

EB148 01/12/2008 AP
The Board has asked the RIPE NCC to update the RIPE Meeting spreadsheet prior to the next Board meeting.

EB149 01/12/2008 AP
The Board asked the RIPE NCC to continue to expand the scenarios and to provide a view looking 5 years forward.

EB150 01/12/2008 AP
The Board asked the RIPE NCC to publish the Activity Plan 2009.

EB151 01/12/2008 AP
The Board asked the RIPE NCC to publish the Budget 2009.

EB152 01/12/2008 AP
The Board asked the RIPE NCC to circulate another version of the GM minutes with the requested changes.

EB153 01/12/2008 AP
The Board asked Axel to prepare a summary of how reporting is given to the Board for the upcoming Board meeting.