agentic-govbot/templates/elected-board.md

# Elected Board Constitution

This constitution establishes representative governance where community members elect a board to make policy decisions on behalf of the community.

## Article 1: Governance Structure

### Section 1.1: The Board
The Board is the primary decision-making body:
- Sets policies and community rules
- Makes administrative decisions
- Oversees community operations
- Interprets this constitution
- Acts on behalf of the membership

### Section 1.2: Board Composition
The Board consists of:
- 5-7 elected members (odd number for tie-breaking)
- Representatives serve staggered terms (2 years)
- Board elects its own Chair from among members
- Rotating elections maintain continuity

### Section 1.3: Board Authority
The Board has authority to:
- Create and modify policies
- Allocate community resources
- Authorize bot actions and permissions
- Make operational decisions
- Form committees and working groups
- Amend this constitution (with supermajority)

## Article 2: Membership

### Section 2.1: Member Rights
All community members have the right to:
- Vote in Board elections
- Run for Board positions
- Petition the Board
- Attend Board meetings (as observers)
- Access Board meeting minutes
- Appeal Board decisions

### Section 2.2: Member Responsibilities
Members should:
- Participate in elections
- Stay informed about Board decisions
- Provide input on important matters
- Support community governance
- Follow Board policies

### Section 2.3: Membership Criteria
Membership requirements:
- Meet platform account requirements
- Agree to code of conduct
- Active participation for at least 30 days before voting
- Bot tracks membership eligibility

## Article 3: Elections

### Section 3.1: Election Schedule
Board elections occur:
- Annually for rotating seats
- 2-3 seats elected each cycle
- Elections in same month each year
- Special elections for vacancies if needed

### Section 3.2: Election Timeline
Standard election process:
1. Nominations open (10 days)
2. Candidates post statements
3. Member Q&A period (7 days)
4. Voting period (7 days)
5. Results announced
6. New Board members take office

Bot coordinates entire election process.

### Section 3.3: Nominations
Nomination process:
- Any member can nominate themselves
- Nominators post candidate statement
- Statement includes background and goals
- No endorsements required
- Bot tracks all nominations

### Section 3.4: Voting Method
Elections use majority voting:
- Members cast votes for candidates
- Each member votes for up to [number of open seats]
- Candidates with most votes win seats
- Ties resolved by runoff vote
- Bot conducts secure voting

## Article 4: Board Operations

### Section 4.1: Board Meetings
The Board meets regularly:
- At least once per month
- Special meetings as needed
- Meetings announced in advance (3 days notice)
- Members can observe
- Minutes published within 3 days

### Section 4.2: Decision-Making
Board decisions require:
- Simple majority (more than half) for routine decisions
- 2/3 supermajority for constitutional amendments
- Quorum of at least 60% of Board
- Recorded votes on substantive matters

### Section 4.3: Meeting Procedures
Board meetings follow these procedures:
1. Chair calls meeting to order
2. Approve previous meeting minutes
3. Address agenda items
4. Member comments period
5. Adjourn and publish minutes

Bot facilitates virtual meetings and records.

## Article 5: Board Positions

### Section 5.1: Board Chair
The Chair is elected by Board members:
- Sets meeting agendas
- Facilitates Board discussions
- Represents Board to community
- Coordinates with bot
- Serves 1-year term

### Section 5.2: Secretary
Board elects a Secretary:
- Records meeting minutes
- Maintains governance documents
- Tracks Board decisions
- Ensures transparency
- Works with bot for documentation

### Section 5.3: Committees
Board may form committees:
- Specialized working groups
- Advisory committees
- Investigation committees
- Committees report to Board
- Bot tracks committee work

## Article 6: Representation and Accountability

### Section 6.1: Representing Members
Board members should:
- Act in community's best interest
- Consider diverse member perspectives
- Communicate Board decisions clearly
- Be responsive to member concerns
- Maintain transparency

### Section 6.2: Member Input
The Board should seek member input on:
- Major policy changes
- Significant resource allocation
- Controversial decisions
- Constitutional amendments
- Strategic direction

Methods:
- Town halls
- Surveys
- Open comment periods
- Community discussions
- Bot-facilitated consultations

### Section 6.3: Recall
Members can recall Board members:
1. Petition signed by 20% of members
2. Recall discussion period (7 days)
3. Recall vote (requires 2/3 to remove)
4. If removed, special election held
5. Bot manages recall process

## Article 7: Administrative Actions

### Section 7.1: Policy Implementation
Board policies are implemented by:
- Board directing bot to execute actions
- Committees carrying out Board decisions
- Community members volunteering
- Appointed administrators

### Section 7.2: Moderation
Board oversees moderation:
- Appoints moderators
- Sets moderation policies
- Reviews moderation actions
- Handles appeals
- Bot executes authorized moderation

### Section 7.3: Platform Management
Board manages platform:
- Server configuration
- Federation policies
- Technical infrastructure
- Resource allocation
- Bot capabilities and permissions

## Article 8: Member Petitions

### Section 8.1: Petition Process
Members can petition the Board:
1. Draft petition with clear request
2. Gather member signatures (minimum 5% of members)
3. Submit to Board via @govbot
4. Board reviews within 14 days
5. Board responds with decision and reasoning

### Section 8.2: Petition Types
Members can petition for:
- Policy changes
- Board action on specific matters
- Constitutional amendments
- Board member recall
- Emergency interventions

### Section 8.3: Binding Petitions
Some petitions are binding:
- Recall petitions (if thresholds met)
- Constitutional referendum (if 30% of members sign)
- Emergency override (if 40% of members sign)

## Article 9: Appeals and Oversight

### Section 9.1: Appealing Board Decisions
Members can appeal by:
1. Submitting appeal to Board
2. Explaining grounds for appeal
3. Board reconsiders decision
4. Board responds within 14 days
5. Further appeal via petition process

### Section 9.2: Constitutional Interpretation
Board interprets this constitution:
- Members can request interpretations
- Board discusses and votes on interpretation
- Interpretation published with reasoning
- Guides future similar cases

### Section 9.3: Transparency Requirements
Board must maintain transparency:
- Publish meeting minutes
- Explain significant decisions
- Share vote tallies
- Maintain accessible records
- Bot archives all governance documents

## Article 10: Constitutional Amendments

### Section 10.1: Board Amendment Process
Board can amend this constitution:
1. Board member proposes amendment
2. Board discusses (minimum 2 meetings)
3. Requires 2/3 Board supermajority
4. Announced to community (7 days before vote)
5. Members can petition against (see 10.2)

### Section 10.2: Member Referendum
Members can force referendum:
- If petition signed by 30% of members within 14 days of amendment
- Referendum held (requires majority to override Board)
- Gives members final say on constitutional changes

### Section 10.3: Core Principles
Amendments should preserve:
- Representative governance
- Regular elections
- Member voting rights
- Board accountability
- Transparency requirements

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## Implementation Notes

This constitution creates representative governance:

1. **Democracy**: Members elect representatives
2. **Efficiency**: Board can act decisively
3. **Accountability**: Elections and recall mechanisms
4. **Transparency**: Open meetings and records
5. **Member Voice**: Petitions and referendums

The bot should facilitate elections, track Board composition and decisions, implement Board-authorized actions, manage petitions and appeals, and maintain the governance archive.