Layer 2 · Governance
Decision Matrix
- Layer: 2 — Governance & Decision Logic
- Status: Present
- RCOS reference: §4.2, §4.4, §4.7
Maps every decision type and domain to an authorized role or body, mechanism, threshold, and escalation path. Decisions made outside this matrix are considered invalid.
Consensus Principles
RCOS definition4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.4
- 4.2.1 Each decision type MUST have an explicitly defined decision-making mechanism.
- 4.2.3 Decision mechanisms MUST specify:
- 4.2.4 No informal or ad hoc decision mechanism MAY be used for collective decisions.
Why pin down mechanism, threshold, and timing?
A decision process without a predefined mechanism, threshold, and review window is an invitation to manufacture outcomes after the fact. Declaring these parameters in advance makes every collective decision reproducible and contestable on the same terms, whether members are present in the meeting or consenting through the absentia review period.
- Consensus Method: All formal collective decisions (Strategic and Constitutional) use the Consensus method at community meetings, supported by minimal sociocracy practices.
- Voting Power: Only Active Members who have watched the instructional consensus video and successfully completed the consensus quiz hold voting power for formal decisions.
- Formal Threshold: The threshold for formal decisions is Unanimity minus one (U-1) among Active Members with voting power.
- Absentee Review (2-week period): Upon testing consensus at a meeting, a proposal is considered “Passed, pending consensus of non-present community members with voting power.” Non-present members have 2 weeks to respond. If they do not present an objection (combined with demonstration that said proposal violates the community vision) within 2 weeks, they consent in absentia.
- Informal Decisions: The community will attempt to reach group consensus as far as practicable when making informal day-to-day (Operational) decisions.
- Jurisdiction of Trustees: Decisions that significantly affect the value of the property, or involve legal risk to the trustees, must be made by the trustees unless they permit the community to make such a decision. Trustees may also ask any person residing on the property to leave if their presence constitutes a legal risk or significant risk to property value.
- Future: Minimal sociocracy practices are being introduced as a proposal pending review to improve decision-making functionality.
Matrix
RCOS definition4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4
- 4.4.1 The community MUST maintain a Decision Matrix as a core governance artifact.
- 4.4.2 The Decision Matrix MUST map, at minimum:
- 4.4.3 The Decision Matrix MUST be publicly accessible to all members.
- 4.4.4 Decisions made outside the Decision Matrix MUST be considered invalid.
Why a single authoritative matrix?
If the rules for who decides what live in people’s heads, authority becomes whatever the loudest or most senior person says it is. A public matrix that binds every decision to a domain, body, mechanism, and threshold makes out-of-scope action visible the moment it happens — and makes any decision made outside it invalid by construction.
| Decision Domain | Decision Type | Authorized Body | Eligible Participants | Mechanism | Threshold | Blocking / Veto conditions | Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership admission | Operational | Membership Admin | N/A | Delegated | N/A | None | Active Members consensus |
| Membership forced exit | Strategic | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| RCOS artifact changes (wording, formatting, content) | Operational | Membership Admin | N/A | Delegated | N/A | None | Active Members consensus |
| RCOS Core layer changes | Strategic | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Adding or retiring optional RCOS modules | Operational | Membership Admin | N/A | Delegated | N/A | None | Active Members consensus |
| Treasury spending — any amount (current: limit is €0) | Strategic | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Platform and channel changes — routine | Operational | Infrastructure Steward / Communications Steward | N/A | Delegated | N/A | None | Active Members consensus |
| Platform and channel changes — structural | Strategic | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Partnerships and brand use | Strategic | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Governance rule changes | Constitutional | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting + 2-week period | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Primary purpose, scope, invariant, or identity constraint changes | Constitutional | Active Members | Active Members | Community Meeting + 2-week period | Unanimity minus one | Reasoned objection → re-vote | N/A |
| Community support and facilitation activities | Operational | Facilitator | N/A | Delegated | N/A | None | Active Members consensus |
Operational role holders: Each operational decision is executed by the named role holder responsible for that domain, acting within their defined scope per the Role Registry (Layer 5). Where a decision spans multiple domains, each role holder acts within their own scope.
Decision Type Definitions
RCOS definition4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5
- 4.1.1 All collective decisions MUST be classified into exactly one of the following decision types:
- 4.1.2 Operational Decisions concern day-to-day functioning and execution within existing rules.
- 4.1.3 Strategic Decisions concern long-term direction, allocation of significant resources, or creation/removal of major structures.
- 4.1.4 Constitutional Decisions concern changes to Layer 0 invariants, purpose, scope, or the governance system itself.
- 4.1.5 If a decision cannot be clearly classified, it MUST default to the higher-impact decision type.
Why classify every decision?
Without a type, every decision gets handled at whatever speed and scrutiny happens to suit the moment — routine changes stall in debate, and constitutional shifts slip through unnoticed. Fixed types tie the weight of a decision to the process it must pass through, and the default-higher rule closes the gap where ambiguity would otherwise be exploited.
- Operational — Day-to-day functioning within existing rules. Routine role-holder operations remain delegated (no vote). Informal consensus is attempted where practicable.
- Strategic — Long-term direction, significant resource allocation, creation or removal of major structures. Requires a formal proposal at a Community Meeting; Unanimity minus one threshold among Active Members.
- Constitutional — Changes to Layer 0 (purpose, scope, invariants, or identity constraints) or the governance system itself. Requires a formal proposal at a Community Meeting, Unanimity minus one threshold, and is subject to the 2-week absentia objection period.
If a decision cannot be clearly classified, it defaults to the higher-impact type.
Ratification Record
- Adopted: 2019-05-17 (Original Bylaws), 2026-05-19 (RCOS adaptation)
- Decision type: Constitutional
- Version: v1.0.0
- Decision record: proposals/passed/2019-05-17_fh1-bylaws.md