proposals-and-voting-structure

Introduction to Proposals

As decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) continue to revolutionize the way communities collaborate and make decisions, with ICONists has established a robust proposal workflow to ensure effective governance. With a strong emphasis on open discussion and consensus-building, the DAO operates through various channels on Discord to enable participation from all members. This article outlines the step-by-step process of how proposals are generated, evaluated, and voted upon within the 'with ICONists' DAO, shedding light on the role of counsellors and the subsequent stages of discussion.



How Does a Proposal Evolve?


proposals-and-voting-structure

Discussion and Ideas

The first stage in the proposal workflow is the generation of ideas within the diverse range of discussion channels available on the Official ICON Discord. These channels cover a wide spectrum of the initiatives within the DAO's scope and also provide space for new initiatives and ideas to be developed further. Members are encouraged to present their proposals and engage in thorough discussions until a consensus is reached within the DAO community. The aim is to ensure that proposals have significant support before proceeding to the next stage.


Propose to DAO

Once an idea has gained substantial backing from the DAO community, it is time to write up a formal proposal. A blank proposal form is made available on the DAO's GitHub page, simplifying the process and maintaining consistency. The proposal, after being carefully drafted, is submitted to the DAO Managers and Counsel via an online form. This step marks the official initiation of the proposal within the DAO's workflow.


Counsel Judges

The role of the counsel members is pivotal in the proposal workflow. Their responsibility is not to impose personal judgments on proposals but rather to evaluate them against specific criteria, acting as the gatekeepers of the proposal flow. The counsel ensures that the proposal aligns with the objectives and scope of the initiative. They also verify whether the proposal has received reasonable public discussion and support from the DAO members. Lastly, the counsel assesses whether the project can be feasibly executed within the available resources, skills, and timeframe.


DAO Vote

After the counsel's evaluation, the proposal proceeds to the DAO vote, utilizing the custom Agora platform. All eligible DAO members have the opportunity to participate in the voting process. The proposal is either approved or refused based on the outcome of the vote. This democratic decision-making ensures that proposals are accepted or rejected based on the collective agreement of the DAO members.


Implementation and further synthesis

Regardless of whether the proposal is approved or refused, the weeks following the vote are crucial for open discussion and reflection. If the proposal is approved, the DAO community reopens the discussion to assess the effectiveness of the implemented changes or actions. This evaluation helps in refining future proposals and maximizing their impact. On the other hand, if the proposal is refused, the discussion shifts towards identifying ways to improve the proposal for future consideration, particularly if certain members still believe in its potential benefits


What is a Counsellors role?

Counsellors play a vital role in the proposal workflow. Their primary objective is to act as gatekeepers for the process, ensuring that proposals meet the necessary criteria for further consideration by the DAO. They assess the proposal's alignment with the initiative's objectives and scope, evaluate the level of public support it has garnered, and analyse its feasibility within available resources. Importantly, counsellors do not impose personal judgments on proposals but express their thoughts during the DAO vote, alongside other members.


Conclusion

The proposal workflow within the 'with ICONists' DAO emphasizes open discussion, consensus-building, and democratic decision-making. By leveraging Discord channels for idea generation, providing a standardized proposal form, and involving counsellors in the evaluation process, the DAO promotes transparency, collaboration, and effective governance. The subsequent DAO vote serves as the final decision-making mechanism, either approving or refusing proposals based on the collective will of the DAO members. Furthermore, the post-vote discussion phase allows for continuous improvement and reflection, ensuring that proposals contribute to the DAO's overall goals and objectives.


As the 'with ICONists' DAO evolves and matures, the role of counsellors may be subject to rotation or voting by the DAO members. This adaptive approach ensures that fresh perspectives and expertise are continuously integrated into the evaluation process, enhancing the DAO's decision-making capabilities.


In summary, the proposal workflow within the 'with ICONists' DAO fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and effective governance. By encouraging open discussion, thoroughly evaluating proposals, and utilizing democratic voting mechanisms, the DAO ensures that decisions are made collectively and in the best interest of the community. With its commitment to continuous improvement and learning, the 'with ICONists' DAO seeks to set an example for decentralized organizations seeking to harness the power of collaboration and community-driven decision-making.