ByLaws — selfdriven Foundation Co-operative

These ByLaws describe how the Co-operative functions day-to-day. Where there is any conflict, the Constitution takes precedence.

1. Interpretation & Scope

  • These ByLaws apply to all members, committees, working groups and elected representatives.
  • The Board maintains the current version and may propose amendments.
  • Detailed procedures may be documented in policies without requiring a ByLaws amendment.

2. Membership — Practical Rules

2.1 Joining

  • Membership applications must follow the standard application process.
  • A short onboarding session or equivalent orientation is required before first voting participation.

2.2 Member Participation Expectations

Members are expected to:

  • contribute in at least one capacity (time, skills, knowledge, infrastructure or funding);
  • act in alignment with guiding principles;
  • participate in decision-making when reasonable.

2.3 Lapsed / Dormant Membership

  • Members with no engagement for 12 months may be contacted to confirm intent to remain active.
  • After a reasonable attempt at contact, the Membership Committee may recommend suspension to the Board of Stewards.

2.4 Resignation & Transfer of Work

  • Members who resign must ensure reasonable handover of responsibilities and project assets associated with Cooperative stewardship.

3. Governance — Operational Rules

3.1 Committees and Committees

  • Committees operate with delegated authority granted by the Board or General Assembly.
  • Each Committee must maintain:
    • scope and mandate;
    • membership list;
    • meeting rhythm;
    • decision-record-keeping.

3.2 Committee Leads

  • Leads are selected by Committee members and ratified by the Board.
  • Leads may be rotated at least annually to support shared stewardship.

3.3 Transparency

  • All governance-related decisions must be recorded publicly (or member-only where privacy/safety requires).

4. General Assembly — Meeting Rules

The Constitution defines formal powers; these ByLaws define practical operation.

  • Notice periods may include delivery via email and digital platforms.
  • Discussion may occur asynchronously before a vote.
  • Members may submit an agenda item or proposal by:
    • notifying two Stewards, or
    • raising it through a Committee with delegated mandate.

Minimum supporting information for proposals:

  • summary of decision requested;
  • rationale and alignment to mission;
  • impact assessment (benefits, risks, resourcing);
  • proposal of who is responsible for delivery if adopted.

5. Digital Governance

  • Digital meetings, voting and participation tools are valid.
  • Verifiable identity (VCs, SSI, wallet-based auth, or equivalent) may be used to confirm membership.
  • Anonymous or pseudonymous participation in discussion is permitted so long as voting identity is verifiable.

6. Financial Participation — Operational Rules

  • Recognition of non-financial contribution (time, skills, infrastructure) may be quantified using Cooperative-approved contribution models.
  • Patronage distribution formulas must be:
    • transparent;
    • calculable by members independently;
    • published before any distribution vote.
  • Surplus decisions must always reference:
    1. sustainability,
    2. ecosystem development,
    3. fair member benefit.

7. Conflict Resolution

  • Most issues should be resolved at Committee level where possible.
  • If unresolved, escalation path:
    1. Committee Lead(s)
    2. Board of Stewards
    3. independent review (appointed by Board)
  • All parties must be heard respectfully; mediation or restorative processes may be used.

8. Conduct & Accountability

  • Behaviour inconsistent with the mission, principles or Constitution may trigger a conduct review.
  • Temporary suspension may be applied while a review is underway.
  • Sanctions may include warnings, suspension from roles, or membership termination (in accordance with the Constitution).

9. Record-Keeping & Documentation

  • Key Cooperative documents must be version-controlled and accessible to members.
  • Minimum lifecycle requirements:
    • meeting summaries within 7 days;
    • decision/vote records within 7 days;
    • policy updates within 14 days after adoption.

10. Amendments to these ByLaws

  • Small operational adjustments may be made through member-approved policy without changing the ByLaws.
  • Structural changes to these ByLaws require:
    • publication of proposed changes at least 21 days prior, and
    • approval via General Assembly vote.

Appendix — Relationship to Constitution

  • Constitution = legal foundation
  • ByLaws = operational rules
  • Policies = procedural detail