Council
What is the Star Atlas Council?
The Star Atlas Council is a small group of representatives elected by the Star Atlas DAO to help guide and organize the governance process. Think of them as helpful organizers and advisors who make sure the DAO’s decisions are clear, well-thought-out, and in the best interest of the whole community.
Why Does the Star Atlas DAO Need a Council?
In a large community, it can be hard for every member to discuss and vote on every single proposal, which can lead to confusion or even ideas that aren’t practical or legal. The Council helps by working with proposal authors to ensure each proposal, or PIP (POLIS Improvement Proposal), is clear, follows the rules, and is safe for the Star Atlas ecosystem. They’re like the “editors” who keep things organized and moving smoothly.
What Does the Star Atlas Council Do?
The Council has several main responsibilities:
Moderating Discussions: Council members keep the conversation constructive in the Star Atlas governance channels, like Discord, to ensure everyone feels welcome and encouraged to share their ideas.
Reviewing PIPs: Before a proposal moves to a community vote, the Council reviews it, provides feedback to the author, and recommends revisions if needed. If a PIP doesn’t meet the standards set by the DAO, the Council can suggest it be reworked or rejected.
Advising the Foundation: When a PIP is well-drafted and ready, the Council recommends it to the Star Atlas Foundation for the next steps toward voting.
Evaluating Governance: The Council continually reviews the DAO’s governance process, identifying strengths and weaknesses and suggesting improvements to make it more efficient and transparent.
Setting Resolutions: For smooth operations, the Council may develop internal resolutions to ensure they work consistently and clearly across all their activities.
Council Composition and Term Details
The first Council is made up of five elected members, who serve a term of six months. If someone has to leave their position early, the Star Atlas Foundation can appoint a temporary replacement until the end of that term.
For future Council Terms, the number of seats and the length of their term could change. The plan is to submit a PIP that defines a new default for subsequent elections.
See the Council Terms section for more information on who is on the current council. Here, you can also find a history of past Council Terms.
How Does the Council Benefit the DAO?
The Council helps maintain a balanced and well-functioning DAO in a few important ways:
Creating Quality Proposals: By working with PIP authors, the Council ensures that proposals are solid and practical before they go to vote.
Improving Consistency: With the same group reviewing and guiding PIPs, the DAO gets a consistent approach to decision-making.
Providing Confidential Insight: Sometimes, proposals require access to sensitive information. The Council, as a trusted body, can review confidential information and share only what’s necessary to benefit the DAO.
Consulting with Experts: If specialized knowledge is needed, the Council can connect with experts to help the DAO make informed decisions.
What the Council Can’t Do
The Council is there to guide, not control. It doesn’t make decisions for the DAO, and it can’t approve or reject proposals on its own. Its job is to support the community by making sure the governance process is smooth, consistent, and safe.
How is the Council Different from the Foundation?
The Star Atlas Council is focused on organizing and improving the proposal process, while the Star Atlas Foundation acts as the legal representative that implements the DAO’s approved proposals in the real world. The Council reviews and guides, and the Foundation makes it official.
References
See the References section for the source material for all of the above.
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