Title: [RFC#] 1inch Network DAO operational framework
Squad: DAOplomats.eth
Simple Summary
This post outlines a 6-month operational strategy for 1inch Network DAO, which iteratively improves governance and operations within the DAO and aids in decentralisation.
Abstract
The proposal outlines an operational strategy divided into two epochs called ‘inches’ of 10 weeks each. The framework proposes four working groups (pods) with precise result-based compensation.
Between each ‘inch’ (epoch), there is a two-week period reserved for rest & reflection, which encourages contributors to evaluate the previous ‘inch’ and suggest changes for the next.
Motivation
The 1inch Network DAO, since the introduction of the community treasury, has collected over 15 million through DEX swap surplus. The funds accumulated in the treasury multisig should be used to develop the DAO. Still, the DAO hasn’t used the treasury effectively yet. Some community-led initiatives haven’t reached their full potential due to a need for more adequately established work streams.
Lack of organisation and guidance around ideation and implementation of tasks have hindered the development. In addition, the lack of clear direction for the community has left some proposals failing to achieve their full potential. Such as
From our experience as DAO operators, token holders only engage in governance if they are a part of the coordination layer or have a substantial amount at stake. Therefore, to foster an active engagement and facilitate sustainable contributor onboarding, we need to onboard quality participation from the community who will participate in debates and table new proposals. In other words, build a work/ contributor culture within 1inch Network DAO.
With the massive reach of the 1inch brand, the 1inch Network DAO can easily attract talent from the web3 space but would need help in contributor retention due to the DAO’s open nature. In addition, new joiners need help understanding the basic structure and how to contribute.
To retain contributors and facilitate the organic growth of the DAO, we should establish pools of talent (pods) with skill sets like writers, developers, marketers, designers, etc. These talent pools will establish a clear pathway for the contributors to develop new initiatives for the 1inch Network DAO.
To have a smooth functioning system, we should implement an operational framework.
Summarising the benefits of structured talent pools (Pods) in the DAO
- Direct the desires of contributors towards positively impacting the DAO
- Decentralise the protocol by providing ownership to contributors
- Iteratively develop operations based on regular feedback
- Attract new contributors to the DAO
- Encourage contributors to be active in governance
(Note: interchangeable terms: Working Groups, Pods, Units)
SPECIFICATION
General strategy
DAOplomats have highlighted their general goal here and we propose the following strategies (S) to achieve these goals.
S1. Form skill-aligned Pods in the DAO which
- Onboard talent (A1, B2)
- Develop skill sets of contributors (A2, B1, B2)
S2. Governance mining program to (C1)
- Incentivise talent to contribute to governance discussion (B2)
- Incentivise talent to learn and apply their skills (B2)
S3. Iterative improvement
- Implement the initial set of strategies over ten weeks (A1)
- Gather feedback from the community (A2)
- Modify strategies for the next 10 weeks (A2)
S3: Iterative improvement
- To iteratively develop decentralisation in the 1inch ecosystem, we propose a working model based on Epochs, called ‘inches’ lasting ten weeks.
- Each inch will start with a forum post stating the goals of the inch, a proposed budget and expected results.
Epoch 1 → The First Inch:
It starts on the first Monday after the snapshot is approved and ends in 10 weeks on the last Sunday
Expected results:
a. Run and record at least 1 ‘New Joiners Calls’ in the ‘inch’
b. Develop and implement a workflow for newbies to find a Pod to contribute to
c. Define and implement a framework for identifying active and passive contributors
S1: Organise the DAO talent-focused sub-groups to onboard and upskill human capital
‘A pod is a group of people with different abilities, talents, and experiences that come together for a shared purpose. This common goal defines them as a team (POD)’.
To build a work culture in the DAO, we propose to form small groups of contributors called pods. Pods are semi-independent groups within the 1inch Network DAO with its strategy and execution mechanism. Their main objective is to create opportunities for the members to contribute and help the DAO further in its goals.
Structure of a Pod
A pod comprises a coordinator (seasonal role) and pod members. The budget and direction of expenses for each pod are defined in the seasonal spec and executed by the treasury multi-sig members after following the 1inch Network DAO governance process.
For ‘The First Inch’, we suggest 1 Pod coordinator per Pod;
The Pod Coordinator applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient experience running decentralised groups.
Applications for all Coordinators will be made live by DAOplomats via a forum post, and applicants will be given seven days to express interest. The 1inch Network DAO recognised delegates, and the 1inch Foundation will vet the Applicants and present them to the community. This permission approach ensures the onboarding of high-performance individuals to the genesis cohort.
For ‘the first inch’ We propose starting with the following Pods:
1. Community pod
2. Treasury pod
3. Operations pod
DAO structure in a Bird’s eye view
Roles and compensations
- Pod Coordinator
Duration: 10 weeks
Responsibilities.
- Responsible for creating workstreams and opportunities for the pods.
- Responsible for maintaining documentation of the activities in the DAO and publishing detailed reports of the pod’s seasonal achievement.
- Host Pod meetings and share Pod updates on community calls
- Onboard new contributors via 1-1 meetings and assign specific tasks
- Envision an end state for the Pod at the end of the Inch, create bounties to achieve these goals, assign bounties to contributors, accept/reject work done by contributors
- Own the minimum Pod deliverables and work with contributors to achieve them
- Develop and implement a workflow for newbies to start contributing to Pods
- Determine the optimum way to spend the budget allocated for the pod contributors.
Compensation.
Pod Coordinator:
Performance-based Retroactive with the following criteria. 300 USD/week = 3000 USD
Pod Members:
3000 USD will be allocated for bounties within the Pod
Total Maximum allocation for each pod 6000 USDC for the first inch
Minimum Deliverables for each Pod:
- Community Pod
- Help new members onboard and orient themselves in the DAO
- Curate a talent pipeline of pod coordinators and members for the next inch
- Treasury Pod
- Produce a general state of 1Inch DAO treasury report covering the general strategies implemented through previous 1IPs and path forward.
- Coordinate with all pods for the distribution of payment approved thorough snapshot
- Operations Pod
- Educate contributors about coordinape and run two contributor-wide coordinape rounds for compensating non bountied DAO initiatives.
Scope of Operations for each Pod
These are the initial set of guidelines for pods. Each pod may decide to extend the scope of operations beyond these guidelines but must strive to fulfil these responsibilities.
- Community: Responsible for curating talent for the DAO.
- Treasury: Responsible for accounting, managing timely payments, developing reimbursement policies and governing the overall budget for the DAO.
- Ops: Responsible for moderating and modifying all tools, including discord, coordianpe etc., according to the wishes of the DAO, as well as running the epoch-based timeline
S2. Attention mining to incentivise participation
Contributors who can prove their contributions will be eligible to participate in DAOwide Coordinape rounds. This round will be organised and executed by the Ops Pod. To be eligible to participate in this round, contributors would need to
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Participate in forum discussions and voting
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Participate in DAOwide discussions in discord
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Participate in weekly meetings
DAOplomats.eth will suggest a few options to the DAO on which tools can be used to gauge participation via forum posts before beginning the first coordinape round. Tools such as showkarma or Thrivecoin are a few options to consider
Format: There will be two coordinape rounds in each inch. The first round will be held mid-inch and the last round will be held at the end of the inch.
Budget: We request a budget of 10000 USD in inch tokens to incentivize participation
Note: Pod Coordinators and all delegation groups are ineligible for DAOwide coordinape rounds.
FAQ
What are Pods?
Pods are individual talent collectives in the 1inch DAO to forward the mission of the DAO.
Who will be part of the treasury pod?
Initially, the multi-sig consisting of professional delegates and 1inch foundation members will govern the treasury multi-sig.
What happens at the end of the First Inch?
- The community pod has a list of active contributors and talent pipeline for the next inch
- The Ops Pod gathers feedback from contributors
- The DAO, along with the delegates, outline the strategy, goals and budget for ‘The Second Inch’
Rationale
In order to achieve the decentralised work culture, the DAOplomats crew has researched into different established structure in the DAO verse. During our research we have stumbled upon.
- Element.fi Governance Steering Council model.
- Independent groups onboarded for specefic tasks.
- Current 1inch Network DAO approch
A summary of other possible solutions:
1. Delegates are contributors
The Element.Fi’s GSC model is an innovative experiment where top delegates form a governing council and push the innovation forward.
Pros:
-
Experienced DAOer
-
Highly reliable output
Cons:
- Does not truly decentralised 1inch DAO
- Delegates have to do things which may not play into their strengths if they are selected by popularity contests
2. Independent Pods
Pros:
-
Highly decentralised
-
High ownership for contributors
-
Experiential learning opportunities
Cons:
-
Unpredictable outcome in the early stages
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No existing mechanisms to hedge against bad actors
3. Existing approach
Pros:
- Allows decentralisation to emerge
Cons:
- Lack of participation
Considerations
Financial Implications:
To execute the above framework, we suggest that the Treasury multi-sig be funded with 38000 USD worth of 1inch tokens at the end of the first inch.
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6000 USD for each Pod x 3 Pods = 18000 USD
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10,000 USD in 1INCH for attention mining
KPIs
#number of active members in 1inch DAO
#forum activity of non-delegate accounts