In the IEEE802.11 meeting, we have a controversial topic. As I wrote in a couple of past articles in my Japanese blog, we have a clear mechanism of decision making of the group. Group makes decision of many matters by voting
The voting right is given by participation of required meetings. Therefore record of correct attendance is important in order to maintain this system.
However, some people record the attendance without participation to maintain their voting right. This is certainly ethics issue of the participants, but we may be required to reduce the impact of those unfair.
On the other hand, the balance of right and duty also should be considered. Duty of the qualified voter is not only participating in the meeting, but also contributing to the standard development. Unfortunately, in some case the person who did not contribute to standardization progress uses only a right to vote.
Today we had one motion which was proceeded by recording vote, because we recognise some people participated only for the voting. This is also one of the ethics issue of participants, but sometimes it makes a big impact on the development of standard.
Furthermore, there is the issue of the use of the voting right of the officer (especially the Chair), too. According to the Robert's Rule of Order, officer has the voting right too. However, officers do not normally use a right to vote unless they affect a result. But, with the very important voting, the officer shows their own intention. This is a gentlemen's agreement, and this is not prescribed formally.
I experienced those voting right issue as real case today. This experience reminded me Spielberg's movie "Lincoln".
In a movie, some voters are confined on the way to vote. And the Chair voted "Yes" on 13th Amendment with a strong statement of him.
Always this activity teaches me the management of group and decision making that may be a key of democracy.