Council in DAOs

Understanding DAO Councils

Before diving into the technical aspects of adding or removing council members, it's important to understand the role and significance of councils in DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations).

What is a DAO Council?

A DAO council is a group of elected or appointed members who have special privileges and responsibilities within the organization. They often play a crucial role in governance, decision-making, and day-to-day operations of the DAO.

Importance of Council in DAOs

Efficient Decision Making: Councils can make quicker decisions on routine matters, operations or more sensitive matters which can improve the DAO's operational efficiency.
Specialized Expertise: Council members are often chosen for their expertise in specific areas, bringing valuable knowledge to the DAO.
Representation: Councils can represent different stakeholder groups within the DAO, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered.

Adding Council Members

Step 1 - Accessing Members Panel

Navigate to the Members section of your DAO's interface.
Ensure you have the necessary permissions to propose new members.

Step 2 - Initiating New Member Addition

Click the [+] button in the members panel to start the process of adding a new member.

Step 3 - Proposing a New Member

Enter the new member's wallet address in the provided form.
Click the [Add Proposal] button to create a proposal for adding the new member.

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The proposal form auto-fills with default values. You can override these if needed, but it's not required.

Understanding Proposal Details

Proposal Title: A concise, descriptive title for the proposal. This is what other DAO members will see when voting.
Proposal Description: A detailed explanation of why this member should be added to the council. Include their qualifications, expected contributions, and any other relevant information.
Voter Weight: This determines the new member's voting power within the DAO. A weight of 1 equals one vote. Consider carefully as this affects the balance of power in the DAO.

Step 4 - The Voting Process

After submitting your proposal and casting your vote, other DAO members must vote on the proposal.
The required approval percentage depends on your DAO's specific governance rules.

Step 5 - Executing the Proposal

When enough members approve the proposal and the approval quorum is reached, it is automatically passed without waiting the full voting time (3 days by default).
Finally, after the proposal is approved by the DAO members, in the "Instructions" section of the proposal click on the [Execute] button to mint the membership token(s) to the new member.

Removing Council Members

Removing council members is a critical governance function that ensures council composition remains aligned with DAO interests and maintains active, effective leadership.

When to Remove Council Members

Consider removing council members when:

Inactivity: Extended periods without participation in governance
Misconduct: Behavior that violates DAO principles or community standards
Conflict of Interest: Actions that prioritize personal gain over DAO interests
Loss of Community Trust: Significant erosion of member confidence
Capacity Changes: Member unable to fulfill council responsibilities

Removal Process

Step 1 - Assess Removal Necessity

Before initiating removal, consider:

Documentation: Gather evidence supporting the removal
Community Sentiment: Gauge community opinion on the matter
Alternative Solutions: Consider warnings, temporary suspension, or role modification
DAO Impact: Assess how removal affects council functionality

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Step 2 - Access Council Management

Navigate to the Members section and locate the council member to be removed.

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Step 3 - Initiate Removal Proposal

Click on the member's profile and select "Propose Removal" option.

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Step 4 - Complete Removal Form

Fill out the removal proposal form:

Member to Remove: Confirm the correct member's wallet address
Reason for Removal: Detailed justification for the action
Supporting Evidence: Links to relevant discussions, votes, or incidents
Effective Date: When the removal should take effect

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Step 5 - Configure Proposal Parameters

Set voting parameters for the removal proposal:

Voting Duration: Time period for community voting (typically 3-7 days)
Approval Threshold: Percentage of votes needed for approval
Quorum Requirements: Minimum participation needed for valid vote

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Step 6 - Submit Removal Proposal

Review and submit the removal proposal:

Double-check Details: Verify all information is accurate
Preview Instructions: Ensure removal instructions are correct
Community Notice: Proposal becomes visible to all DAO members

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Step 7 - Community Voting Phase

During the voting period:

Active Discussion: Community debates the removal proposal
Vote Casting: Members vote yes/no on the removal
Transparency: All votes are recorded on-chain
Real-time Updates: Vote counts update as members participate

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Step 8 - Execute Removal

If the proposal passes:

Automatic Execution: Removal executes automatically upon approval
Token Revocation: Council tokens are burned or returned to treasury
Access Removal: Member loses council privileges immediately
Notification: Community is notified of successful removal

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Post-Removal Procedures

Immediate Actions

After successful removal:

Role Transition: Transfer any ongoing responsibilities to remaining council members
Access Revocation: Ensure removed member cannot access privileged systems
Communication: Announce the change to the broader community
Documentation: Record the removal in DAO governance history

Council Restructuring

Consider if removal requires:

Replacement Selection: Identify and elect new council members
Responsibility Redistribution: Reassign duties among remaining members
Process Evaluation: Review and improve removal procedures if needed
Community Healing: Address any community divisions from the removal

Types of Removal

Voluntary Resignation

When members voluntarily step down:

Simplified Process: Streamlined removal without extensive voting
Graceful Transition: Organized handover of responsibilities
Community Recognition: Acknowledge member's past contributions
Future Involvement: Potential for future council participation

Involuntary Removal

For members removed against their will:

Full Vote Required: Complete community voting process
Due Process: Fair hearing and evidence presentation
Clear Justification: Detailed reasoning for removal action
Appeal Options: Potential for reconsideration processes

Emergency Removal

In cases requiring immediate action:

Fast-Track Voting: Shortened voting periods for urgent situations
Temporary Suspension: Immediate privilege revocation pending full vote
Council Authority: Emergency powers for remaining council members
Community Ratification: Subsequent full community vote to confirm removal

Best Practices

For Removal Proposers

Gather Evidence: Document specific incidents and patterns of behavior
Seek Community Input: Discuss concerns with other members before proposing
Fair Process: Ensure the accused member has opportunity to respond
Focus on DAO Health: Prioritize organization welfare over personal disputes

For Council Members

Stay Active: Maintain consistent participation in governance activities
Transparent Communication: Keep community informed of your activities
Ethical Behavior: Uphold high standards of conduct and integrity
Responsive Leadership: Address community concerns promptly and thoroughly

For the Community

Informed Voting: Research all aspects of removal proposals thoroughly
Fair Consideration: Evaluate based on facts, not personal preferences
Constructive Discourse: Engage in respectful debate about removal decisions
Future Focus: Consider long-term DAO health in voting decisions

Prevention Strategies

To minimize need for removals:

Clear Expectations: Establish specific council member responsibilities
Regular Check-ins: Monitor council member activity and engagement
Performance Reviews: Periodic evaluation of council effectiveness
Training Programs: Provide ongoing education for council members
Community Feedback: Regular channels for community input on council performance

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Due Process is Critical: Ensure fair procedures when removing council members. Rushed or unfair removals can damage DAO credibility and community trust.

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Consider the impact of removal on DAO operations. Ensure sufficient council members remain to maintain effective governance after removal.

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Removal procedures should be clearly defined in DAO governance documents to ensure consistent and fair application across all situations.

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In need of help? Hop on on Realms Discord (opens in a new tab) and ask away your questions!

Proposals Civic Pass