agentic-govbot/templates/circles.md

# Circles Constitution

This constitution establishes domain-based governance through autonomous circles that coordinate via a representative council.

## Article 1: Circle Structure

### Section 1.1: What are Circles?
Circles are self-governing units with authority over specific domains:
- Each circle manages a defined area (e.g., Moderation, Events, Technology, Outreach)
- Circles make decisions within their domain autonomously
- Circles coordinate through the Council for cross-domain matters

### Section 1.2: Circle Formation
New circles can be created through Council proposal:
- Any member can propose a new circle
- Proposal must define the circle's domain and purpose
- Council approves via lazy consensus (Article 4)
- Bot tracks active circles and their domains

### Section 1.3: Circle Membership
Each circle determines its own membership:
- Circles set their own joining criteria
- Members can participate in multiple circles
- Circles can remove members via internal process
- Bot maintains membership rosters for each circle

## Article 2: Circle Authority

### Section 2.1: Domain Decisions
Within their domain, circles have full authority to:
- Set policies and procedures
- Make operational decisions
- Allocate resources within their budget
- Execute actions through the bot
- Establish internal processes

### Section 2.2: Cross-Domain Coordination
For decisions affecting multiple circles:
- Circle brings proposal to Council
- Council facilitates discussion across circles
- Resolution via Council consensus process
- Bot tracks cross-domain proposals

### Section 2.3: Constitutional Bounds
Circle decisions must align with:
- This constitution's core principles
- Decisions made by the Council
- Community-wide policies
- Legal and ethical requirements

## Article 3: The Council

### Section 3.1: Council Composition
The Council consists of representatives from each active circle:
- Each circle selects one representative (method determined by circle)
- Representatives serve rotating terms (default: 3 months)
- Representatives can be recalled by their circle
- Bot tracks current Council composition

### Section 3.2: Council Authority
The Council governs matters that:
- Affect multiple circles or the whole community
- Define new circles or change circle domains
- Amend this constitution
- Resolve disputes between circles
- Set community-wide policies

### Section 3.3: Council Decisions
Council uses lazy consensus (see Article 4):
- Any representative can bring proposals
- Discussion period set by proposal type
- Passes unless objections are raised
- Bot facilitates Council deliberations

## Article 4: Decision-Making Process

### Section 4.1: Lazy Consensus
Proposals pass via lazy consensus:
- Proposal posted with discussion period (default: 5 days)
- Passes automatically unless objections raised
- If objections, discussion continues to find resolution
- Objectors must suggest alternatives or modifications

### Section 4.2: Within Circles
Each circle determines its internal decision process:
- Can use lazy consensus, voting, or other methods
- Process should be documented and consistent
- Must allow all circle members to participate
- Bot adapts to each circle's chosen method

### Section 4.3: In Council
Council decisions require:
- Standard proposals: 5 days, lazy consensus
- Urgent proposals: 2 days, lazy consensus
- Constitutional amendments: 10 days, must have active support from at least half of circle representatives

### Section 4.4: Objection Resolution
When objections are raised:
1. Objector explains concerns
2. Proposer may modify proposal
3. Circle/Council discusses alternatives
4. Continue until consensus reached or proposal withdrawn
5. If stuck, escalate to constitutional interpretation

## Article 5: Delegation and Coordination

### Section 5.1: Circle Delegation
Circles can delegate specific tasks:
- To individual members within the circle
- To working groups for projects
- To other circles for specialized work
- Bot tracks delegations and authorities

### Section 5.2: Inter-Circle Collaboration
Circles can work together without Council approval:
- Joint working groups
- Shared projects
- Resource sharing
- Mutual support

### Section 5.3: Information Sharing
All circles should:
- Post meeting summaries
- Share significant decisions
- Update the community regularly
- Maintain transparency

## Article 6: Membership and Participation

### Section 6.1: Community Membership
Community members who aren't in any circle:
- Can observe circle discussions
- Can propose new circles
- Can apply to join circles
- Can bring concerns to Council

### Section 6.2: Circle Joining
To join a circle:
1. Express interest to circle members
2. Circle evaluates based on their criteria
3. Circle decides via their internal process
4. Bot updates membership records

### Section 6.3: Participation Expectations
Circle members should:
- Actively participate in their circle
- Attend meetings when possible
- Engage with circle decisions
- Represent circle values

## Article 7: Administrative Actions

### Section 7.1: Domain-Specific Actions
Circles execute actions within their domain:
- Moderation circle handles moderation
- Tech circle manages platform configuration
- Events circle organizes gatherings
- Bot performs actions as authorized by relevant circle

### Section 7.2: Cross-Domain Actions
Actions affecting multiple domains:
- Require Council approval
- Must consider impact on all circles
- Implemented with input from affected circles

### Section 7.3: Emergency Actions
For urgent safety/security matters:
- Relevant circle can act immediately
- Must report to Council within 24 hours
- Council can review and reverse if needed

## Article 8: Disputes and Appeals

### Section 8.1: Within Circles
Circle-internal disputes:
- Resolved within circle via their process
- Circle members try to find consensus
- Can request Council mediation if stuck

### Section 8.2: Between Circles
Inter-circle disputes:
- Brought to Council for mediation
- Council facilitates discussion
- Seeks solution respecting both domains
- May redefine domain boundaries if needed

### Section 8.3: Constitutional Interpretation
Council interprets this constitution:
- Any circle or member can request interpretation
- Council discusses and provides guidance
- Interpretations guide future similar cases

## Article 9: Constitutional Amendments

### Section 9.1: Amendment Process
To amend this constitution:
1. Any circle representative proposes amendment
2. Council discusses (10 days minimum)
3. Requires active support from at least half of circle representatives
4. Bot updates constitution when approved

### Section 9.2: Circle Domain Changes
To modify circle domains:
1. Affected circles discuss proposed changes
2. Bring proposal to Council
3. Council approves via lazy consensus
4. Bot updates circle definitions

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## Implementation Notes

This constitution creates distributed governance through circles:

1. **Autonomy**: Circles self-govern within their domains
2. **Coordination**: Council handles cross-domain issues
3. **Scalability**: New circles can form as community grows
4. **Efficiency**: Decisions made at appropriate level
5. **Flexibility**: Each circle chooses its internal processes

The bot should track circle boundaries, facilitate Council coordination, and execute authorized actions while respecting circle autonomy.