Dear Friends,
The SIG Guidelines Review Working Group would like to present *Draft Recommendations* to the SIG community captured in the table below for feedback. *We request the SIGs to kindly provide feedback on the Draft Recommendations by **20 July 2026.* The Working Group has agreed to take a *principles-first approach* when sharing its Draft Recommendations with the SIGs. This means we are seeking feedback on the key issues identified and whether the proposed direction for addressing them is suitable before developing detailed guideline text. The Draft Recommendations should therefore be viewed as a set of proposed principles and outcomes, rather than final SIG Guidelines wording or implementation details. Feedback received during this phase will be used to develop the *SIG Guidelines Consensus Call Draft*, which will be open for community feedback at least four weeks before the consensus call at APNIC 62. We warmly welcome the SIGs to review the recommendations and share whether the proposed direction appropriately addresses the issues identified by the Working Group. *Draft Recommendations* *#* *Issue* *Issue Description* *Recommended Principles* *1* *Term Limits* There are currently no limits on the number of terms a Chair or Co-Chair may serve, which could impact opportunities for broader community participation in leadership roles. Introduce term limits for Chairs and Co-Chairs. The WG proposes limiting service to four terms (8 years) in total across all SIGs. For current and past SIG chairs who will run for re-election and have served the maximum 4 terms already, they will be allowed one more term for continuity of the SIGs up until 2027 SIGs elections. Current or past SIG chairs who have served less than the maximum 4 terms will not get the additional term. Terms of less than one year would not count towards this limit, including Acting chair positions. *2* *SIG Charter Governance* The current SIG Guidelines treat a SIG Charter primarily as a description of purpose and activities rather than the governing instrument of a SIG. Strengthen Charter requirements so that a Charter clearly defines purpose, scope and objectives. *3* *SIG Formation and Charter Endorsement* The current SIG formation process uses permissive language throughout, making mandatory and optional steps difficult to distinguish. Clarify mandatory and optional steps to create a clear and transparent SIG formation process such as the preliminary BoF needs to prepare a SIG charter as a mandatory step. *WG requests feedback from SIGs on what should be mandatory and optional steps.* *4* *SIG Dissolution Process* The current Guidelines on SIG dissolution process relies on subjective criteria and provides limited procedural safeguards or community involvement. Introduce objective criteria, notice requirements, opportunities for remediation, publication of reasons, appeal rights, and alignment with the SIG formation framework. *WG requests SIGs feedback on terms or criteria for SIG Dissolution.* *5* *Chair Responsibilities* Several listed responsibilities appear specific to the Policy SIG rather than applying across all SIGs. Move SIG-specific responsibilities into relevant SIG Charters and retain only common responsibilities within the Guidelines. *6* *Initial Co-Chair Vacancy* The current Guidelines election model could leave a newly formed SIG operating without a Co-Chair for its first year. Consider electing both positions simultaneously, with an initial one-year Co-Chair term to preserve staggered elections. *7* *Eligibility Criteria* Election eligibility provisions contain ambiguities regarding nominee eligibility pathways. Clarify nominee eligibility requirements and ensure alignment with voter eligibility and related APNIC governance documents. *8* *Chair and Co-Chair Removal Process* The EC has authority to remove elected SIG leaders, but the process lacks procedural fairness safeguards and clear performance criteria. Introduce notice requirements, response opportunities, written reasons, appeal rights, and greater involvement of the SIG community. *9* *Working Group Governance* The Guidelines do not clearly define WG creation authority, accountability arrangements, or leadership appointment mechanisms. Establish a clearer framework for WG formation, operation, leadership, reporting, and closure. *10* *BoF Alignment with SIG Formation Process* Existing BoF provisions may become inconsistent depending on the final SIG formation process proposed by the WG. Review and update BoF provisions after the SIG formation model is finalised (Mandatory step for Charter in SIG Formation to be added if accepted). *11* *Code of Conduct Application* The current Guidelines do not explicitly state that the Community Code of Conduct applies to Chairs and Co-Chairs in the performance of their duties. Clarify that the Code of Conduct applies to all SIG activities, including leadership responsibilities, and align related enforcement mechanisms. *12* * Appeals Process* The current Guidelines does not have an appeals process mechanism. Define a formal appeals process within the Guidelines or remove the reference if no appeals framework is intended for SIG dissolution and Chair or co-chair removal process. *WG requests feedback from the SIGs on whether an appeals process is required.* A PDF copy of above *Draft Recommendations* is also attached for your convenience. For your information, the SIG Guidelines Review timeline has been revised slightly and shared below for your reference: [13 July 2026 - 20 July 2026] *Draft recommendations submitted to the SIGs for feedback. * [20 July 2026 - 27 July 2026] *Based on SIG feedback, finalise recommendations and prepare a Consensus Call Draft. * [August 2026] *At least four weeks before APNIC 62, initiate a call for feedback of the Consensus Call Draft of the SIG Guidelines in all SIG mailing lists and apnic-talk. * [September 2026] *Final Consensus Call Draft to be presented for a consensus call in accordance with the current SIG Guidelines at APNIC 62. * I hope this timeline reassures you that we are still on track with progress. *Call To Action:* The Working Group *requests the SIG community to kindly provide feedback on the Draft Recommendations**by **20 July 2026.* Warm regards, Gaurav Kansal and Joy Chan (on behalf of SIG Guidelines Review Working Group)
SIG Guidelines Review Draft Recommendations.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
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