agentic-govbot/templates/self-appointed-board.md

# Self-Appointed Board Constitution

This constitution establishes governance by a self-selecting board where current board members choose their successors.

## Article 1: Governance Structure

### Section 1.1: The Board
The Board is the primary decision-making body:
- Sets all policies and community rules
- Makes administrative decisions
- Manages platform and resources
- Interprets this constitution
- Selects new board members

### Section 1.2: Board Composition
The Board consists of:
- 5-9 members (odd number)
- No fixed term limits
- Board determines its own size within range
- Board elects Chair from among members
- Self-perpetuating membership

### Section 1.3: Self-Selection Principle
Board members are chosen by the existing Board:
- Current members evaluate candidates
- Selection based on merit, values, commitment
- Ensures continuity and shared vision
- Balances stability and fresh perspectives

## Article 2: Board Authority

### Section 2.1: Decision-Making Power
The Board has authority to:
- Create, modify, and remove policies
- Allocate community resources
- Make operational decisions
- Authorize bot actions
- Modify board structure and procedures
- Amend this constitution

### Section 2.2: Board Independence
The Board operates independently:
- Not elected by membership
- Not subject to recall votes
- Self-governing within constitutional bounds
- Accountable to community values and mission

### Section 2.3: Board Responsibilities
The Board should:
- Act as stewards of community
- Consider member interests and feedback
- Maintain transparency about decisions
- Uphold community values
- Plan for long-term sustainability

## Article 3: Board Membership

### Section 3.1: Selecting New Members
When board seat opens:
1. Board identifies need (expansion or replacement)
2. Board considers candidates
3. Candidates may self-nominate or be invited
4. Board evaluates fit and qualifications
5. Board votes on appointment (majority required)
6. New member joins with full voting rights

### Section 3.2: Selection Criteria
Board considers:
- Alignment with community values
- Skills and expertise needed
- Commitment and availability
- Diversity of perspectives
- Track record in community
- Judgment and temperament

### Section 3.3: Term and Tenure
Board members:
- Serve indefinitely once appointed
- Can resign at any time
- Can be removed by board vote (2/3 majority)
- Expected to participate actively
- May take leaves of absence if needed

## Article 4: Board Operations

### Section 4.1: Board Meetings
The Board meets regularly:
- At least monthly
- Special meetings as needed
- Meetings announced to community (3 days notice)
- Open to member observation
- Executive sessions for sensitive matters

### Section 4.2: Decision-Making
Board decisions require:
- Simple majority (more than half) for routine matters
- 2/3 supermajority for:
  - Constitutional amendments
  - Board member removal
  - Major policy changes
  - Significant resource allocations
- Quorum of 60% of board for valid votes

### Section 4.3: Board Leadership
Board elects officers:
- **Chair**: Leads meetings, represents board
- **Vice Chair**: Assists chair, covers absences
- **Secretary**: Records minutes, maintains documents
- Officers serve 1-year terms
- Reelection allowed

## Article 5: Membership and Community

### Section 5.1: Member Rights
Community members have the right to:
- Observe board meetings
- Access board minutes and decisions
- Provide feedback to board
- Petition board for action
- Appeal board decisions
- Understand governance rationale

### Section 5.2: Membership Criteria
Community membership:
- Approved by board or designated admins
- Agree to code of conduct
- Participation expectations set by board
- Bot tracks membership

### Section 5.3: Member Participation
While not governing directly, members:
- Contribute to community life
- Follow board policies
- Provide input when sought
- Can raise concerns to board
- Help implement board decisions

## Article 6: Board-Community Relations

### Section 6.1: Member Input
Board should seek input on:
- Major policy changes
- Resource allocation priorities
- Community values and culture
- Strategic direction
- New initiatives

Methods:
- Town halls
- Surveys and polls
- Comment periods
- Community forums
- Bot-facilitated consultations

### Section 6.2: Transparency
Board maintains transparency through:
- Published meeting minutes
- Decisions explained with reasoning
- Advance notice of major changes
- Accessible governance archive
- Regular board reports

### Section 6.3: Responsiveness
Board should:
- Listen to member concerns
- Respond to petitions and questions
- Explain decisions when requested
- Consider member perspectives
- Balance various interests

## Article 7: Petitions and Feedback

### Section 7.1: Member Petitions
Members can petition the board:
1. Submit petition via @govbot
2. Gather member signatures (minimum 10% of members)
3. Board reviews within 30 days
4. Board responds with decision and reasoning
5. Bot tracks petitions and responses

### Section 7.2: Petition Consideration
Board should:
- Take petitions seriously
- Deliberate on merits
- Seek to understand concerns
- Make good faith decision
- Explain reasoning clearly

### Section 7.3: Board Discretion
Board has discretion to:
- Approve petition requests
- Modify proposals
- Reject with explanation
- Seek more information
- Implement alternative solutions

## Article 8: Administrative Actions

### Section 8.1: Policy Implementation
Board policies implemented through:
- Bot executing authorized actions
- Appointed administrators
- Community volunteers
- Board members directly
- All actions logged

### Section 8.2: Moderation
Board oversees moderation:
- Appoints moderators
- Sets moderation policy
- Reviews significant actions
- Handles appeals
- Bot supports moderation

### Section 8.3: Platform Management
Board manages:
- Server configuration
- Federation policies
- Technical infrastructure
- Resource allocation
- Bot capabilities and permissions

## Article 9: Board Member Removal

### Section 9.1: Voluntary Resignation
Members can resign:
- Submit resignation to board
- Effective immediately or with transition period
- Board thanks departing member
- Board begins replacement process

### Section 9.2: Removal for Cause
Board can remove member for:
- Serious misconduct
- Repeated absence without excuse
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Violation of community values
- Conflicts of interest

Process:
1. Concerns raised to board
2. Member has opportunity to respond
3. Board discusses in executive session
4. Vote requires 2/3 supermajority
5. Decision final

### Section 9.3: Incapacity
If member unable to serve:
- Board can declare seat vacant
- Requires majority vote
- Notice to member if possible
- Replacement process begins

## Article 10: Appeals and Review

### Section 10.1: Appealing Board Decisions
Members can appeal:
1. Submit appeal to board via @govbot
2. Explain grounds for reconsideration
3. Board reviews appeal
4. Board affirms or revises decision
5. Response within 30 days

### Section 10.2: Constitutional Interpretation
Board interprets constitution:
- Members can request interpretations
- Board discusses and decides
- Interpretation published
- Guides future decisions
- Bot archives interpretations

### Section 10.3: Board Self-Review
Board should periodically:
- Review its own performance
- Assess decision-making processes
- Consider member feedback
- Identify improvements
- Adjust procedures as needed

## Article 11: Succession and Continuity

### Section 11.1: Maintaining Board Size
Board should:
- Keep membership near target size
- Replace departing members promptly
- Balance continuity and renewal
- Maintain diverse perspectives
- Plan for succession

### Section 11.2: Knowledge Transfer
When membership changes:
- Onboard new members thoroughly
- Share institutional knowledge
- Explain precedents and context
- Provide relevant documents
- Bot maintains governance archive

### Section 11.3: Crisis Succession
If board falls below quorum:
- Remaining members have emergency powers
- Recruit new members immediately
- May temporarily lower thresholds
- Restore full board size quickly

## Article 12: Constitutional Amendments

### Section 12.1: Amendment Process
Board can amend constitution:
1. Board member proposes amendment
2. Board discusses (minimum 2 meetings)
3. Requires 2/3 supermajority
4. Announced to community 7 days before vote
5. Members can petition concerns

### Section 12.2: Major Constitutional Changes
For fundamental changes:
- Extended discussion period
- Seek member input explicitly
- Consider member petitions
- Unanimous board approval preferred
- Explain changes thoroughly

### Section 12.3: Core Principles
Amendments should preserve:
- Board governance structure
- Self-selection process
- Member basic rights
- Transparency requirements
- Appeal mechanisms

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## Implementation Notes

This constitution creates board-centric governance:

1. **Stability**: Self-selection ensures continuity
2. **Expertise**: Board chooses qualified members
3. **Efficiency**: Clear decision-making authority
4. **Stewardship**: Board as community trustees
5. **Accountability**: Through transparency and responsiveness

The bot should support board operations, implement board decisions, facilitate member petitions, maintain governance records, and help the board stay connected with the community.

This model works well for:
- Communities with clear mission and values
- Situations requiring consistent vision
- When expertise and judgment are crucial
- Organizations prioritizing stability
- Groups comfortable with trustee model