Fruit Haven

Layer 2 · Governance

Federation Protocol

  • Layer: 2 — Governance & Decision Logic
  • Status: Present
  • RCOS reference: §4.5

Defines the sovereignty, autonomy, and relationship dynamics between different properties and communities within the Fruit Haven federation.

1. Community Autonomy

1.1 Right to Self-Governance

Each sovereign Fruit Haven community governs its own internal affairs. Each community may:

  • Create and maintain its own bylaws.
  • Manage its own daily operations.
  • Admit residents.
  • Grant residency privileges.
  • Grant regular-use privileges.
  • Grant Fruit Haven Membership.

1.2 Limits of Authority

A community may only grant residency or usage rights within its own community area. A community may not grant residency rights in another Fruit Haven community area.

1.3 Local Decision-Making

When a proposal primarily affects a specific community area, only members with voting power who have residency or regular-use rights in that community area may block the proposal.

2. Access Between Communities

2.1 Access by Members and Residents

A person recognized as a Fruit Haven member or resident may access any Fruit Haven community area unless a restriction has been placed upon them for behavioral reasons.

2.2 Access by Trustees

Fruit Haven trustees may access all Fruit Haven community areas unless a restriction has been placed upon them for behavioral reasons. Access does not automatically grant residency or regular-use rights.

2.3 Guests and Volunteers

Guests and volunteers must have permission from a resident or member of the community area they wish to enter.

2.4 Respect for Local Rules

All residents, members, trustees, volunteers, guests, and other participants must follow the rules of the community area they are visiting.

3. Formation of New Sovereign Communities

3.1 Seed Community

Existing Fruit Haven members collectively serve as the Seed Community from which new Fruit Haven communities may develop.

3.2 Communities in Development

A community area that does not yet meet the requirements for sovereignty remains under the jurisdiction of Fruit Haven members regarding:

  • Residency decisions.
  • General community decision-making.

3.3 Requirements for Sovereignty

A community area becomes a sovereign Fruit Haven community when:

  • It has at least one resident Fruit Haven member and two additional residents; OR
  • It has at least three residents total, including at least one Fruit Haven member; AND
  • It has formally ratified written bylaws; AND
  • Those bylaws are displayed within the community area and available in Fruit Haven archives.

3.4 Effects of Sovereignty

Once sovereignty is achieved:

  • The community may grant residency.
  • The community may grant Fruit Haven Membership.
  • Fruit Haven members outside that community lose jurisdiction over residency decisions in that community.
  • Jurisdiction over day-to-day community operations transfers to the residents and members of that community.

4. Property Sovereignty

4.1 Independence of Properties

Except for this charter, Fruit Haven properties are not formally bound to one another.

4.2 Leaving the Federation

A Fruit Haven property may leave the Fruit Haven network if all owners consent through the consensus process using the unanimity decision rule. After leaving, the property may continue voluntary cooperation, interaction, or trade with other communities.

4.3 Owner Sovereignty

All Fruit Haven properties, their communities, and their participants are bound by this charter. However, this charter shall not override the authority of property owners when:

  • Addressing legal risk.
  • Removing a person due to legal risk.
  • Making decisions that significantly affect property value.
  • Making decisions that significantly affect legal liability.

5. Federation Voting Standards

Only members trained in the Consensus Decision Making method may exercise voting power across the wider Fruit Haven federation. A sovereign community may waive this requirement for local decisions affecting only that community area. In such cases, untrained members may vote only on matters that primarily affect that specific community.

6. Jurisdiction and Supremacy

This charter applies to all Fruit Haven properties and community areas. If a community bylaw conflicts with this charter, this charter takes precedence. Any owner who acquires ownership in a Fruit Haven property accepts this charter as a condition of participation in the Fruit Haven network.

Ratification Record

  • Adopted: 2019-05-17
  • Decision type: Constitutional
  • Version: v1.1.0
  • Decision record: proposals/passed/2019-05-17_federation-sovereignty.md

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