EGP-11: Working Groups Framework

EGP: 11 Title: Working Groups Framework Authors: @Bobbay_StableNode @Re'em Type: Social Proposal Date proposed: August 26th, 2022 Date ratified: N/A

EGP References: EGP-7: Bootstrap Workstream

Sentence Summary

This proposal provides a framework for creating, amending, and removing working groups and outlining their roles and responsibilities.

Paragraph Summary

EGP-XX: Working Group Framework provides a framework for creating, amending, and removing working groups, as well as clear roles and responsibilities for those involved in working groups. Working groups will help Element DAO streamline its work processes as decisions are made on a working-group level rather than a DAO level. Only working groups that align with the DAO's success should be active. 

Motivation

Working groups are for Element DAO to distribute and decentralize their workload, as core DAO contributors would pass decisions at a working group level rather than passing everything by on the DAO level. With the introduction of pods, we have enabled working groups to work on a specific domain. As a result, Element DAO operates more efficiently.

Each working group should contribute to the DAO's success in specific domains, enabling Element DAO to become a leader in DeFi. These working groups will include various roles, modifications, and accountability mechanisms to uphold a particular standard as well as enable flexibility.

Specification

Table of contents.

1. Working groups A. Establishing a working group B. Removal of a working group C. Amendment of a working group
2. Accountability
3. Facilitators and contributors A. Minimum engagement levels
4. Communication Channels

Working groups

What is a working group?

Working groups are the building blocks to help build a foundation. A working group is a team of individuals who share an alignment with Element DAO. These individuals come together and execute on a specific goal that the community perceives will bring improvement to the DAO.  

A. Establishing a working group

1. To create a new working group, a social proposal must be followed and passed by the DAO as defined by ELFI governance. A. "A new working group" is any working group that is a new working group, adjacent or extended to any existing working group.
2. Within the social proposal, we recommend following the guidelines below to present a case for creating a working group.
3. Prior to putting forward the social proposal, it is best practice to have discussions with relevant core DAO contributors for support and feedback. This will help you understand whether a new working group is viable and needed in the current operational structure.  A. These conversations should occur in the Element Finance Discord within the #gov-general channel, under the "Governance" Section. B. Each working group has discord tags (@GOV xxx), so tag the relevant members to initiate a conversation.

I. Domain of Operation

Domain refers to the type of work a working group will undertake, such as operations, marketing, community, etc. Some working groups might have overlapping domains, but modular structures within pods such as sub-pods will help keep each pod distinct and reduce potential overlap.

Suppose a new working group aims to work in a domain occupied by another working group. In that case, the new working group should outline how they plan to tackle different topics and reduce redundancy.

ii. Key Objectives

Key objectives will clearly define the work performed by a working group and, in some cases, highlight how they won't overlap with other working groups if they are in a similar domain.

iii. Team background

A working group is required to comprise of at least a single member, and each team member that is requesting to be onboarded shall document their previous experience. 

B. Removal of a working group

1. To dissolve a working group, a social proposal must be followed and passed by the DAO as defined by ELFI governance.
2. If there is an active snapshot proposal approved by 3 GSC members to dissolve a working group, all working group funds are frozen immediately, waiting for the vote result.
3. Upon the removal of a working group, all unspent operational funds are tobe immediately returned to the DAO treasury.
4. Within the social proposal, we recommend following the guidelines below to present a case for dissolving a working group.

I. Working group in question ii. Domain of working group. iii. Reason for removal of a working group iv. Evidence

C. Amendment of a working group 

1. To amend a working group, a social proposal must be followed and passed by the DAO as defined by ELFI governance.
2. Amendments include change of key objectives, change of facilitator, or other influential changes.
3. If there is an active snapshot proposal for amendments to a working group, funds should be frozen immediately until a change of objectives has been approved.

Accountability

Each working group will work transparently, giving the community insights into their work. ELFI holders are responsible for employing working groups that align with the DAO. We proposed the following rules for working groups to be held accountable:

• Working groups present monthly summaries in the commonwealth forum to detail their progress towards their key objectives. 
  • Overview - What's been done this month?
  • Next steps - What's being worked on and is coming up next?
  • Reflection - What have we done well, and what could we have done better? (Leaving room for feedback)
• Facilitators of each working group will attend weekly meetings to present their progress and evaluate whether all working groups are aligned for the DAO.
• At least one member from a working group should attend bi-weekly community calls to represent the working group and answer any questions.

Facilitators and Contributors

A facilitator will have administrative work within their scope of work and are expected to follow the guidelines outlined below.

• Onboard contributors to the pod
• Coordinate the pod to reach their objectives
• Present monthly summaries in the forums 
• Handle compensation for their working group
• Disclose if contributors aren't pulling their weight

Minimum Engagement Levels

Community members are also responsible for supporting working groups that act in the interest of ELFI DAO. The guideline outlined within this framework empowers community members to make any changes if deemed necessary by the DAO.

Facilitators:

• Organize and lead meetings for your working group
• Attend community calls
• Responsible for tracking and updating the community on season goals
• Responsible for monitoring contributor participation in projects
• Participate in forum discussions
• Provide feedback for other WG documents/projects when required

Contributors:

• Attend meetings for your working group
• Attend community calls
• Choose and participate in specific projects for your WG
• Record your contribution and output
• Participate in forum discussions

These minimum requirements act as guidelines for the facilitators to evaluate whether contributors are eligible for compensation. Alongside the minimum engagement levels, below are a few different ways for facilitators to evaluate contributors.

1. Community participation
   • Attending working group meetings
   • Attending community governance meetings
   • Participation in forum discussions 
2. Work ethic
   • Taking initiative 
   • Collaborating with DAO contributors
3. Behavior
   • Adherence to the code of conduct
   • Open communication

Contributors have a responsibility to adhere to a high standard of work and, if not deemed suitable by the facilitator, can be removed from the working group.

Communication Channels

Working group Communication

Working groups will be assigned a channel within the Element Finance Discord under Element DAO where they can communicate or use another channel of their choice. 

Cross-working-group Communication

Working group members have the ability to look into other working group channels on discord allowing cross-communication between working groups. 

Facilitators will also be expected to attend weekly facilitator meetings to discuss any potential overlap in work and how to support each other.

Public Communication

Working groups are expected to be transparent in all their work, posting monthly summaries in the forums to show their progress. All working group members will be reachable through discord or telegram.

Amendments

This framework can be amended in the future by passing a social proposal.

Next Steps

1.Discuss this proposal on the forum and discord

The Operations pod is open to feedback and suggestions to improve the onboarding framework if needed.

2. Implement a poll on this proposal on Snapshot

Option A [YES]: The proposal will be executed, and the "Working Groups Framework" will be incorporated within Element Finance DAO. Option B [NO]: The "Working Groups Framework" will not be implemented into Element Finance DAO and needs further changes. Option C [Abstain]