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.