Social CGP 13 - Introducing the Connext Governance Task Force

Introduction

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Abstract

We propose integrating the Governance Task Force role into the DAO, outlining its selection process and guidelines.

Motivation

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Rationale

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Specifications

Roles

The scope of each position will be as follows:

Program Manager: will be in charge of driving the program forward, having the responsibility of coordinating all the verticals to generate an alignment towards the achievement of the objectives in ConnextDAO. The program manager will have to:

• Collaborate and coordinate with each of the verticals
• Supervise that the members of the team fulfill their tasks
• Make monthly reports on the performance of the program and the DAO activity metrics.
• Management of the Official Communications Channels like the Connext Gov X account and participate in discussions in the #governance-chat channel of Connext's Discord server.
• Being in charge of starting the different electoral processes to renew the latter in due time and form (in the case of the security council elections, this will be done jointly with Connext Foundation).
• Share strategic feedback with the Connext Foundation Governance team regarding community engagement and user needs within the DAO.
• Ensure respect and compliance with the constitution and regulations of the Connext DAO. The program manager will also report to the DAO any improper action/non-compliance by any of the team members.
• Analyze voting patterns and anticipate results to identify potential risks.
• To be a signer of the various multi-sigs (2 of 4, the Proposer, the Program Manager, the Treasury Officer and the Operations Officer) that are created to make partial payments to service providers and others. It will also exercise oversight over payments that are approved by the Task Force, ensuring that they do not occur without prior analysis/consensus from the community as a result of reports provided by the applicants as appropriate.
• Biweekly reporting on DAO activity
• In addition, the Program Manager shall monitor the compliance of proposals requiring periodic reporting and encourage those involved to comply with such reporting. (The PM is also responsible for reviewing)

Operations Officer: will be responsible for ensuring that the processes occur as outlined in the DAO. Duties include:

• Following up on the deadlines of the positions (to avoid their expiration)
• To provide support and insights to the Program Manager in regards to daily operations
• Participate and moderate discussions in the #governance-chat channel of Connext's Discord server and in the Governance Forum.
• To make sure that the different proposals in the forum can be submitted to vote (either by uploading it himself, another Facilitator, or a delegate from outside the program).
• To be a signer of the various multi-sigs (2 of 4) that are created to make partial payments to service providers and others as well as the Program Manager and the Treasury Officer.
• Provide advisory support to navigate the proposal process, including drafting proposals, formulating proposal code, and communicating with relevant parties, ensuring that the proposals meet the minimum requirements to be taken to a vote.
• Facilitate the creation of working groups for specific proposals.
• Organizing general delegate calls (in principle monthly), and meetings for specific purposes, generating reports based on both including transcripts, recordings, and a summary of what was discussed at each meeting.
• Communicating to delegates/community when a proposal is put to a vote and its outcome when it is concluded.

Treasury Officer: will be in charge of both the supervision of the state of the treasury as well as certain tasks related to the disposition of the treasury (always subject to approval by the DAO). To achieve these objectives, the Treasury Officer will be required to:

• Prepare monthly reports on the status of the treasury and project NEXT outflows (and income, if applicable in the future),
• Be a signer of the various multi-sigs (2 of 4) for payments, as well as the Operations Officer and the Program Manager.
• Provide and encourage feedback/discussion on those proposals deemed necessary to improve treasury management.
• Formulate proposals to the DAO to carry out treasury management.
• Promote the sustainability of the treasury by driving proposals that can generate funds for the DAO, which are necessary to meet its fixed costs.
• Seek partners who can provide treasury-related services to the DAO.
• Additionally, the Treasury Officer will have to implement (in consensus with the DAO) a framework to control a "cash fund" or a "multi-sig for Operational Payments" that will have the objective of facing amount payments in those cases where the proposal is denominated in USD and the supplier does not wish to run the risk of the price to be paid in installments.

Selection Process

The steps to select each Facilitator role are as follows:

Nominations: Any community individual or entity can apply for each role. Application Form: To nominate oneself, applicants must follow the provided format (Template). Application Period: Applicants have 7 days to submit their nomination on the forum. Voting: Once the nomination period ends, a proposal (for each position) will be presented on Snapshot with the list of candidates, allowing the DAO to select the candidate that best meets their expectations and needs. Results: The candidates with the majority of votes will be appointed as Facilitators. KYC: The selected candidate must undergo and complete the KYC process set forth by the Connext Foundation. Note: It is important to highlight that this position is not an employment under the Connext Foundation. The Governance Task Force will be accountable to ConnextDAO, which will determine and oversee its powers and functions.

Application Template

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Requirements

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Duration of the Role

Given that the Governance Task Force is new and experimental, its initial duration will be subject to DAO decision, during the Snapshot vote, 4 options will be provided:

Fund the Task Force for 6 months

Fund the Task Force for 4 months

Do not fund the Task Force

Abstain.

Role Renewal

After 4 or 6 months of service:

The Facilitator can choose to seek a renewal of their mandate for an additional 12 months. To initiate this process, they are required to create a forum post, which will then be subjected to a Snapshot vote. There is a restriction period of 2 weeks to submit the vote for a program renewal upon its ending (or from the delivery of the final report made by the Program Manager, whichever comes last), to provide the DAO the possibility to analyze the results of the program and propose changes to the current structure. In future iterations of the program, renewal may be requested during the month before the end of the term, being mandatory the presentation of a final report by the Program Manager. The DAO can start a new selection process for the Facilitator role, either replicating the previous method or implementing a new one. With a Snapshot vote, ConnextDAO has the authority to discontinue the role.

Compensation and Financing

The monthly budget allocated for each role is a fixed amount of 2,000 USD, which translates into a total monthly allocation of 6,000 USD.

Note: The amount in NEXT will be calculated at the time the Snapshot proposal is put to a vote. There will be a buffer of 20% to cover contingencies such as abrupt changes in the NEXT price. Any modification that leads to the use of this buffer must be properly pre-notified to the community. The Task Force reserves the right to request further funding from the DAO in the event that NEXT price changes exceed the pre-established buffer. Unused NEXT will be returned to the treasury (or may be used for the next mandate of the Governance Task Force, subject to DAO approval).

The monthly payment will be made through a 2 of 3 multisig composed of the Program Manager and two delegates who do not wish to be part of the Task Force. This should be done on a month-to-month basis for 4 or 6 months.

It will be the responsibility of the Program Manager to account for the executed payments in the monthly reports on the DAO metrics.

Facilitator Resignation

Any Facilitator has the right to submit their resignation with one month’s prior notice, justifying their reasons in a forum post. In such a case, they will be compensated up to their last month of service. If there are surplus funds, these will be returned to the ConnextDAO treasury.

Suspension and Dismissal of the Facilitator

ConnextDAO retains the authority to dismiss a Facilitator under the following circumstances:

• They have not met their responsibilities.
• Their actions are not aligned with the objectives of Connext.
• They have engaged in corrupt practices.

The dismissal process involves a Snapshot vote, and any remaining funds are to be returned to the ConnextDAO treasury.

Moreover, the Connext Foundation and other Facilitators can initiate the Facilitator’s dismissal through a forum post, outlining the reasons. In such cases, ConnextDAO is required to take immediate action.

In any scenario involving the reporting or requested dismissal of the Facilitator, a temporary suspension from all tasks and functions will be enforced until the matter is resolved or clarified.

Replacing a Task Force member

In the event of a Resignation or Dismissal of a Task Force member, Facilitator shall be replaced by Snapshot vote, using the same election procedure as above.

Implementation process

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Total Cost

Monthly payment per role: 2,000 USD

Roles: 3

Total monthly payment: 6,000 USD. 4 months payment: 24,000 USD 6 months payment: 36,000 USD