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Discussion on what constitutes Chair unavailability (resignation, conflict of interest, or removal via a "vote of no confidence"). The existing Dismissal Policy was referenced as the mechanism for removal. The policy needs to clarify procedures for addressing vacancies (e.g., Vice Chair stepping in). An issue was raised regarding rewarding absence and punishing participation when removal is difficult and replacement requires long election cycles.
Lorenzo to send a separate message/follow-up to an MCC member (Maureen) regarding confusion over the dismissal process.
Triggering a Chair Election (Mandatory vs. Optional)
The policy is designed to be optional unless triggered. Triggers include: 1. Chair Vacancy: Resignation, conflict of interest, removal, or end of committee term (if not re-elected). 2. Member Motion: A member can raise a motion to hold a new election. Debate: The threshold for triggering a motion for an election (Simple Majority vs. two people seconding) was discussed, emphasizing the need to respect the incumbent's term and prevent constant re-elections.
The Working Group to determine the necessary majority threshold (e.g., Simple Majority of committee members) required to pass a motion to hold an election between regular cycles.
Ensure the mandatory triggers (like vacancy/resignation) are clearly defined.
Chair Term Length
The current term is technically six months, aligning with committee election cycles. The consensus supports extending the committee member term to two years, which would logically make the Chair's term one year by default to align with the staggered annual election cycles.
The Working Group to recommend a standard Chair term (likely one year) that aligns with the proposed two-year committee term structure.
Single Candidate and Election Process
In cases where there is only one candidate (only the incumbent Chair applying, or a new person applying with no competition), the committee must still vote to confirm the candidate, ensuring the person has the committee's confidence (not just assuming approval). Nomination Process: Should allow self-nomination and must require candidates to confirm willingness to serve (e.g., via the member area system) and provide a motivation. The process should ideally be open and async (e.g., open nomination period following committee elections) to encourage shy members to apply.
The Working Group to clarify that even with one candidate, a vote of confirmation by the committee is required. Governance Support (Lorenzo) to
Draft the nomination process, requiring confirmation/motivation via the member area.
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Intersect Member
Kristijan Kowalsky
Yes
Former CBC Chair
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
Intersect Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Kevin Hammond
Yes
TSC Chair
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Chair/Vice Chair Election Policy Background
The discussion focused on standardizing the Chair/Vice Chair election process, as current practices vary (two common methods identified: Election of vice chair which results from automatic Vice Chair promotion vs. electing Chair). The goal is to agree on a single policy for submission to the Intersect Steering Committee (IC).
Share the draft policy document with all participants. The Secretary (Simo) to reschedule the Working Group call to be weekly to finalize the policy document (next calls planned for the 11th and 18th).
Review of Current Election Methods (Miro Board)
Two main processes were reviewed: 1. Elect Vice Chair, then Automatic Promotion: Pros: Continuity. Cons: Forces the committee to elect a Vice Chair from a smaller pool (new members) who may be unknown, and forces a Chair change every six months, which could create friction if the incumbent Chair is effective and wishes to stay. 2. Elect Chair/Vice Chair Every Term: Pros: Allows the committee to elect the most suitable person for the current moment, offers better continuity if the incumbent is re-elected, and is generally preferred by committees like TSC and Product. Cons: The Vice Chair might lack prior context. Conclusion: The policy should provide structure but not force committees to change the Chair if the incumbent is effective and willing to continue, unless another candidate steps forward.
The Working Group to review the draft policy, ensuring it provides flexibility for committees while defining mandatory triggers for elections.
Chair and Vice Chair Responsibilities
A participant questioned if the responsibilities and duties of the Chair are clearly defined, arguing that clear definition is necessary to justify the importance of holding an election at all. It was noted that the Chair receives extra compensation for extra effort.
Ensure the policy document includes a clear description of the Chair and Vice Chair responsibilities and duties.
Vice Chair Selection and Role
A participant criticized the practice of the second-highest vote-getter automatically becoming Vice Chair, arguing it doesn't guarantee the person is suitable or willing, and that it might create conflict with the Chair. Key Role of Vice Chair: To guarantee continuity of leadership when the Chair is unavailable or steps down. The policy must ensure the nominated Vice Chair confirms their willingness to serve. The Working Group to decide if the Vice Chair must be confirmed or elected separately.
Add a requirement that the proposed Vice Chair must confirm their acceptance of the role and its responsibilities.
Chair Removal and Vacancy
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Intersect Member
Kristijan Kowalsky
No
Former CBC Chair
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
Intersect Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Kevin Hammond
No
TSC Chair
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Chair/Vice Chair Election Policy
The Working Group reviewed the latest draft of the Chair/Vice Chair Election Policy. Simo and Lorenzo updated the document to incorporate all feedback received during previous meetings. The group held a final discussion to refine the details and successfully finalized the draft version. It was agreed that this version is ready for broader review.
Simo and Lorenzo to share the finalized policy with the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) as a first draft to gather their formal feedback.
Extending Committee Terms to 2 Years
Lorenzo presented the first draft of a document exploring the extension of committee member terms from one to two years. The discussion covered the "Why" (continuity and long-term execution), the "How" (necessary structural and policy changes), and the associated risks (potential member burnout or decreased turnover). It was noted that this change has been suggested by various stakeholders and members to improve governance stability.
The Working Group to kick off in-depth discussions on the 2-year term proposal upon returning from the break.
Holiday Schedule and Next Meeting
Due to the start of the holiday season, the group discussed the upcoming schedule. There was a unanimous agreement to cancel the remaining meeting scheduled for next week to allow members to observe the break.
The next week's meeting is cancelled. The Working Group will resume its weekly schedule in the new year on January 8, 2026.
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation)
The team reviewed the BPMN diagram created by Simo to map Intersect's decision-making process. The goal is to create a single, comprehensive process flow. Discussions highlighted the need to define separate lanes for working groups and committees, and to account for decisions that require input from multiple groups. The importance of adding a timeline to the process documentation was also raised, with a suggestion to define priority and effort levels to manage expectations.
Simo Simovic & Lorenzo Bruno: Work on a new version of the BPMN to incorporate all suggestions, including distinct swim lanes for working groups and committees.
Committee Stipend Policy
The group revisited an ISC decision from November 2024 regarding stipends for committee members (500 ADA/month for members, 1,000 ADA/month for chairs). Discussion centered on the nature of these payments—whether they are "tokens of appreciation" or compensation for work. Concerns were raised about potential reputational risk if non-participating members receive stipends. Suggestions were made to connect payments to a form of accountability, such as attendance or a clear demonstration of value.
Updates on Past Board Election Questions
Gintama asked for an update on the status of the recommendations for board elections questions. Lorenzo confirmed that the recommendations had been approved with minor additions and that the new application questions are with the board for final sign-off.
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Tes
Update from last week
Recommendations Discussion
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Vulnerability in Board Elections (Vote Buying/Multiple Memberships)
This issue presents a significant risk, particularly given the upcoming board election introducing four new community seats. The low cost of entry (approximately $4k per seat) could enable malicious actors to gain substantial influence. It was acknowledged during discussions that improving the election process promptly is essential to mitigate this risk ahead of the October election.
The working group will finalize the proposed recommendations to address this vulnerability.
Problem Statement Definition
Initial problem statements were deemed insufficiently clear. Emphasis was placed on articulating the core risk concisely. The agreed core risk is: "A majority of the board could be held by nefarious actors, rendering Intersect unworkable or allowing them to act against the organization's interests."
The presentation slides will be updated to clearly articulate the revised problem statement and highlight the severe/possible risk assessment.
Proposed Solutions & Risk Mitigation
Various solutions were discussed, including: * Avoiding the risk: Reducing the number of community seats elected in October from four to two, maintaining the founding members' majority for now. This would be a temporary measure to buy time for more robust solutions. * Reducing the likelihood: Implementing KYC/web3 identity verification to prevent multiple memberships. Tracking member participation for eligibility (e.g., membership duration, activity levels). Requiring an extra action (e.g., rationale) to vote in board elections. Changing bylaws to restrict individual multiple memberships. * Accepting the risk: Relying solely on the existing audit process as a contingency, with the understanding that the current audit cannot fully detect or prevent vote buying due to lack of identity verification and bylaws. This approach was largely dismissed as insufficient.
A poll will be conducted on the Discord channel for the motion to elect only two new community seats in October, delaying the other two until April. If the motion passes, this will be presented as the primary recommendation to the ISC. The working group will continue to develop other risk mitigation strategies (KYC/web3 identity, participation tracking, bylaws changes) as secondary recommendations, presenting them as "things we're working on" to the ISC.
Simo will create the Discord poll for the primary motion, tagging eligible voting members. The group will reconvene next week to discuss additional recommendations if the primary motion passes or not.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Wilco van de Burgwal
Yes
Next Priority for the WG
Committee Term Extension
Committee Chair/Vice Chair Election Process
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Working Group Continuation and Mandate
The initial discussion centered on the necessity and mandate of the Governance Working Group, following successful completion of previous recommendations. A participant argued that the group should either be formally closed/voted on by all initial participants or redefined with a clear, fresh scope to avoid carrying forward past friction and to attract new contributors.The Secretary noted the ISC initiated the group, and its purpose is ongoing governance improvement, which is still within its original charter.
Working Group Monitoring and Membership Value
Concerns were raised about the high number of inactive working groups (approx. 10-15 considered active out of 30 total) and the lack of proper tracking and accountability for member participation. A participant argued that if Intersect does not properly value and track member contributions, its status as a Member-Based Organization (MBO) is compromised. Suggestions were made to prioritize automation for collecting participation data. Membership team to continue working on the new working group section in the member area to improve visibility, archival, and tracking of working groups.
Improving Committee Operations and Accountability
A participant offered detailed recommendations for improving committee and working group efficiency, including using a simple Kanban board (Ideas, To-Do, In Progress, Blocked, Done) and conducting quick 10-minute status updates answering three questions: "What have you done last week?", "What are you doing this week?", and "What is blocking you?". It was stressed that Chairs need project management knowledge to enforce accountability and ensure clear task delegation.
A participant (Wilco) to share a presentation and ClickUp example detailing recommended operational principles (Kanban, 3-question updates) with the Working Group, potentially starting implementation with the MCC. The Chairs must set clear expectations and hold members accountable for task delivery.
Committee Term Extension (Two Years)
The idea of extending committee member terms from six months to two years was strongly supported, citing voter fatigue and the need for long-term continuity and execution, as six-month terms often end before major work is completed. A potential drawback raised was that good people might hesitate to apply due to the long commitment. This was countered by suggesting an increase in compensation and maintaining enough seats to have a line of succession (next highest vote-getter) if someone resigns.
The Working Group is to compile a simple proposal on extending committee terms to two years, outlining pros and cons, to be shared with the ISC/Board. Decision-makers to consider adjusting compensation in parallel with term extension.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Lorenzo Bruno
No
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Christina Gianelloni
Yes
Next Priority for the WG
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Working Group Mandate and Continuation
Discussion centered on whether the Working Group had completed its goals according to its original charter and if it should continue or close. A participant noted low regular attendance, suggesting a need to re-evaluate the group's composition and purpose.
Working Group Future and IC Guidance
Participants agreed that the group should either reassess its charter or formally request guidance from the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) on the group's continuation.The Working Group is to consider formally requesting guidance from the ISC on continuation and structure. Participants suggested communicating the working group's short-term focus to the general membership.
Impact of Intersect's Structural Changes (Post-Pivot)
A significant concern was the lack of clarity from the ISC regarding Intersect's changed organizational structure and the role/authority of committees and members following recent pivots. It was stated that this uncertainty creates a "limbo" state, hindering the Working Group's ability to define its future role in governance.
ISC vs. MCC Role and Bureaucracy
A member raised a radical point that the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) might be an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, overshadowing the Membership and Community Committee (MCC). The concern is that Intersect operates as a "committee-based organization" rather than a true "member-based organization," leading to member disengagement (evidenced by non-renewals).
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Nana Safo
No
DRep
Update from last week
Voting Members
Document Review
Recommendations Discussion
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Voting Member Criteria and Quorum
Discussion on defining who is eligible to be a voting member of the WG, including ideas such as attendance thresholds (e.g., 3 meetings to join, 2 missed to drop off). Agreement to start with a list and adjust if needed.
Simo: Track attendance and maintain list of voting members; group agreed on a flexible threshold-based approach.
Recommendation Register & Problem Framing
Discussion on improving how issues are entered into the recommendation register, emphasizing clarity in problem statements before discussing solutions.
All members: Review and revise entries to clearly state problem statements; flag high-priority items for next meeting.
Election Transparency and Voting Stats
Debate on the value and risks of live voting stats and dashboards. Pros: improved transparency and campaign adaptation. Cons: strategic voting, potential bias.
Marine, Gintama: Reframe suggestions as problem statements and update register; Phil: Flag topic for further review next session.
One-Person-One-Vote Concerns
Concerns about sybil resistance, especially for board elections. Suggestions included KYC, participation tracking, and merging multiple accounts under one identity.
Phil: Mark sybil resistance for board election as high priority; Lorenzo, Pedro: Explore options for identifying and merging accounts.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
Yes
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Additional Attendees:
Larisa Mcfarlane - Observer
David Muzzi - Observer
Terence McCutcheon - Observer
Recording:
Transcript:
Introduction
WG Charter Draft Review
WG Purpose Discussion
Prioritization & Next Steps
Decision:
Committee Chair/Vice Chair Election Process
The current process is inconsistent (some committees elect a Vice Chair who later becomes Chair, others elect both every term), leading to excessive elections and "seat warming" (a person may hold four roles in two years). Concerns: Lack of time for substantive work, excessive bureaucracy, and potential burnout. Proposal: Simplify the process; elect a Chair and Vice Chair, and the Vice Chair automatically steps in if the Chair steps down, without immediately forcing a new election.
Simo to document a proposal for a simplified, standardized Chair/Vice Chair election process (focusing on continuity and reduced election frequency), incorporating the two-year term proposal.
Chair's Role and Authority
A key question was raised about the Chair's actual power beyond being an ISC representative and meeting facilitator (e.g., veto power, removal power). It was asserted that if the Chair is merely an assistant/team leader, excessive election bureaucracy is unnecessary. It was noted the committee itself votes for its Chair to choose its leader, which is a different decision than the membership election.
The Working Group emphasized the need to first clearly define the Chair's responsibilities and duties to justify the importance of the Chair election process.
Scheduling and Next Steps
A participant (Wilco) requested access to the Working Group's Google Drive and Miro board. Given the discussion momentum and the importance of the topics (term extension, chair elections) leading into the next election cycle, the Secretary proposed resuming weekly calls to maintain focus and complete proposals quickly.
The Secretary to schedule weekly calls for the Working Group to finalize proposals. Secretary to draft the Chair Election/Term Proposal and the Two-Year Term Proposal for review.
Information Status and Next Steps
A participant mentioned that they are compiling information on membership renewal rates and committee reapplying trends to be shared with the ISC. The group tentatively agreed to regroup after the upcoming summit to continue the discussion, hoping for new information by then.
Technical Barriers to Membership
Issue raised that wallet-based payments for membership are not functioning consistently. Impacts community participation.
Meeting Structure and Time Use
Agreement to structure meetings with focus on problem statements first, and reserve time for solution ideation. Consider asynchronous collaboration or breakout sessions.
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
No
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
BPMN Diagram for Decision-Making
Simo presented an updated BPMN diagram that incorporates feedback from previous meetings, including separate swimlanes for working groups and committees. The diagram illustrates how proposals can originate from various stakeholders (members, staff, etc.) and flow through different levels of review (working group, committee, ISC, board). The need for a complementary document detailing timelines and SLAs was discussed. Phil suggested also mapping processes for changes initiated by staff or the board, not just members. Gintama proposed integrating this process into a new "member area" on the Intersect website to streamline creating and joining working groups.
Simo Simovic & Lorenzo Bruno: Continue to refine the BPMN diagram and its accompanying documentation.
Simo Simovic: Follow up with Lorenzo and Tex about the progress of the new member area.
Stipend Proposal Based on Peer Contribution
Lucas presented a new proposal for committee member stipends. His idea is to use a peer-review system where committee members evaluate each other's contributions on a scale, with a portion of the stipend (e.g., 40%) being distributed proportionally to a member's score. This approach aims to reward active participation and penalize "no-shows" while a baseline stipend remains. Phil suggested an alternative: using the peer scores as a threshold—if a member's score is below a certain point, they are ineligible for the stipend, simplifying the process.
Pedro Lucas: Share the spreadsheet and proposal on the ISC Discord channel. ISC Members: Review the document and be prepared to discuss it at the ISC meeting on August 18th.
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Dismissal Policy Update
A dismissal policy was presented to and approved by the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) on Monday. It is now posted on the committee's page and will be incorporated into future application slides to inform applicants. It will be directly managed with committee secretaries, with potential pending removals by early September.
A representative is implementing the policy with committee secretaries and chairs. The policy is accessible on the committee's page and will be integrated into future application materials.
Decision-Making Process Workflow
The working group reviewed a high-level Miro board mapping the decision-making flow within Intersect (from member/working group to committee, Board, and community). The aim is to standardize and document this process to ensure clarity for all participants and potentially simplify current complexities. Suggestions were made to map processes using BPMN (Business Process Model Notation) for clearer tracking and potentially automate parts of the workflow.
Simo (Lead) and Lorenzo will collaborate to create a BPMN version of the decision-making process for review and refinement by the working group. This will be an agenda item for next week's call.
Applicant Qualification Recommendations Update
The working group's initial suggestions for applicant qualifications (e.g., understanding the Cardano community, the Board, Intersect) were well-received by the Board with minor refinements. They were also presented to the ISC for feedback.
Lorenzo will continue to refine these recommendations, aiming to finalize them by the end of the month for Board approval. The Board's feedback on these recommendations is pending and will be incorporated.
Candidate Endorsements
The idea of requiring candidate endorsements from Intersect members (potentially 10) was heavily discussed as a prerequisite or an optional, weighted factor. There was debate on whether such a requirement would be too burdensome or give unfair advantage to well-known individuals.
The concept of candidate endorsements (whether mandatory pre-application or optional at application/voting stage) will be further discussed in a follow-up meeting, potentially as a test case for this year's election if feasible within development timelines.
Jack Briggs
No
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
Yes
Head of Operations
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Yes
Product Committee member
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Working Group Charter & Purpose
- Phil Lewis and Simo Simovic presented a draft charter for the working group, outlining its purpose and goals. - Discussions focused on defining the scope of the group, including improving committee structures, board elections, and overall governance processes. - The importance of understanding the current state of Intersect governance was emphasized, including reviewing key documents like the bylaws, membership governance document, and business plan.
- Agreement to operate under Chatham House rules.
- Simo Simovic: Add all relevant governance documents (bylaws, membership governance, business plan) to the Miro board.
- Simo Simovic: Finalize and distribute the working group charter for review and approval at the next meeting.
- Simo Simovic: Research and present a visualization of the current Intersect governance processes.
Open Communication & Information Sharing
- Concerns were raised about the openness of working groups and the need for transparent communication. <br> - Agreement to maintain an open Discord channel for community input, while meetings may be for working group members only. <br> - Discussion on how to handle sensitive information and ensure appropriate information sharing. <br> - Discussion on the need for a full time person to track and automate governance processes.
- Terence McCutcheon: Ensure the Discord channel for the working group is open for public comments. - Simo Simovic: Create meeting minutes, actions and share with everyone.
- Working Group: Discuss and establish clear guidelines for information sharing and transparency.
Prioritization & Next Steps
- The group discussed prioritizing key areas for improvement, including board elections, committee structures, and legitimizing committees via DRep involvement. <br> - Agreement to start by reviewing the current governance documents and visualizing the processes. <br> - Discussion on the upcoming committee elections and the need to improve the process for future elections. <br> - Agreement to hold weekly meetings at the same time.
- Simo Simovic: Schedule weekly meetings for the working group.
- Working Group Members: Review the provided governance documents before the next meeting. - Simo Simovic: Collect and add documentation related to board election improvement proposals to the Miro board. - Simo Simovic: Research and reach out to Matthew Capps regarding the work of the previous committee design working group.
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Meeting Cadence
The working group members agreed to switch from a weekly to a fortnightly meeting schedule, as many major topics have been covered. This will give members more time to work on tasks between calls. The cadence can be changed back to weekly if needed.
Simo Simovic: Schedule the next meeting for two weeks from today (August 28).
Decision-Making Process Diagram
The group reviewed a new version of the BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) diagram for Intersect's decision-making process. The updated diagram separates the roles of working groups and committees and ends the process once a decision is made, rather than including the execution phase. Discussion points focused on the need for a supplementary document to define different levels of decisions (e.g., low, mid, high impact) and to clarify the responsibilities of various bodies. Participants stressed the importance of documenting past decisions to test the process and make it more relatable.
Simo Simovic & Lorenzo Bruno: Finalize the diagram and create a supplementary document that explains the process, including SLAs (Service Level Agreements), and incorporates examples of past decisions.
Accountability & Governance
The conversation touched on the accountability of different Intersect bodies. It was noted that working groups are composed of volunteers, raising questions about their authority and accountability. The working group's charter states that they make recommendations, not final decisions. It was agreed that committees are ultimately responsible for decisions, and this should be clearly reflected in the process. The question of who holds the Board of Council accountable was raised, with one member suggesting that, legally, the members hold this power.
All Members: Provide feedback on the new document once it is shared to ensure clear lines of accountability and responsibility are defined.
No
Interim Executive Director
Nick Cook
No
Director - Operations (Interim)
Phil Lewis
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Nana Safo
No
DRep
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Update from last week
The meeting moved to Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. UTC as all participants agreed. UTC based on previous agreement.
Phil added a priority column (urgent, medium, low) and an "implemented" status to the recommendation register document.
No new recommendations were added to the register since the last meeting.
Election Process Review
Discussion to use the April committee election process as a reference point for improving the October board and committee elections.
Emphasis on providing feedback specifically on aspects of the election process that were not working well.
Working Group Members: Review the "Intersect Committee Election 2025 Process Overview" document and provide feedback on areas for improvement.
Sybil Attack Resistance Concerns
Concerns raised again about sybil attack resistance in elections due to the low cost of membership. Counter-argument that the current membership numbers and voting participation don't statistically support significant civil attacks.
Election Transparency
Suggestion to improve election transparency by providing live voting updates or a dashboard showing candidate progress.
Maureen Wepngong: Add a detailed recommendation for live voting updates to the recommendation register.
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Elaine Cardenas
Yes
Chair of OSC
James Meidinger
Yes
Member of Product Committee
Ken-Erik Ølmheim
Yes
Member of Civics Committee
Ryan Williams
Yes
Decision-Making Process Workflow Discussion
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Decision-Making Process Documentation
A draft supplementary document was created to work alongside a BPMN diagram. This document aims to explain the decision-making process for anyone in Intersect, from proposing an idea to its execution. It outlines three levels of decision impact (low, medium, and high) and the roles of various stakeholders, including working groups, committees, the ISC, the Board, and the Intersect team. The document also mentions special cases and timelines. The purpose is to formalize and document a process that already exists in practice.
Lorenzo Bruno will incorporate feedback on the draft document. The group will finalize the document and diagram over the next two weeks. The working group plans to present the refined documentation to the ISC after the next meeting.
Status of Past Recommendations
The status of various recommendations from the "recommendation register" was reviewed. This included a recommendation on board election integrity, a dismissal policy for inactive committee members, and improving candidate presentation. Updates on the progress of each of these were shared.
N/A
New Tools for Participation and Transparency
A new member area for working groups is being developed to increase transparency and participation. It will allow members to see a list of all working groups, their details, and who is active in them. Members will also be able to create or archive working groups through a standardized process. Additionally, the development of a member profile is underway, which will track participation in working groups and elections. It was also suggested to connect Discord accounts to Intersect profiles to better track member engagement.
The new member area for working groups and member profiles is expected to go live in October. The team will consider connecting Discord accounts to track participation. Gintama suggested an AI-powered summary of candidate applications for future elections.
Name
Attendance
Role
No
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
No
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
No
Head of Operation
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Tevo Saks
Yes
Community Member
Nana Safo
Yes
DRep
David Muzzi
Yes
Intersect
Update from last week
WG Delivery Timeline
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
WG Timeline Discussion
Review of the Miro board with agreed-upon goals: staff decision-making, board election improvement, and committee election improvement.
Initial discussion on creating a timeline (Q2/Q3/Q4 2025) for achieving these goals. Continue working on WG timeline/roadmap next week
- Working Group: Continue working on the timeline for each goal on the Miro board.
Governance Processes Document
The draft document summarizing current governance processes is ready for review.
Plan to review and analyze the document in the next 1-2 weeks to identify gaps and potential improvements.
Clarification sought on the meaning of "gaps" (missing information vs. process flaws).
Discussion on the role of secretaries and their official recognition.
Simo Simovic - Add committee secretary role and responsibilities to the current Gov Process Document
Election Processes & Tooling
- Discussion on documenting election processes for both Board and committees.
Inquiry about the possibility of community members using Intersect's membership tool for their own elections.
Brief discussion on the limitations and focus of current governance tools (Gov Tool).
Mention of a long-term goal to move towards more direct democracy for Intersect members.
Simo Simovic: Continue working on a document explaining the election processes.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
No
Yes
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
Yes
Head of Operation
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
WC Charter Update
Old vs New Budget Process Discussion
Charter Ratification & Communication
Update that the working group charter has been ratified by the ISC.
Plan to announce the charter ratification through the Friday development update.
Agreement to publish meeting recordings and summaries on a dedicated Gitbook page under the ISC.
Simo Simovic: Work with the comms team to include the charter ratification in the Friday development update.
Simo Simovic: Create a Gitbook page for the working group to publish meeting records and summaries.
Budget Process Discussion
Provided an overview of the budget process, including the new proposal submission flow and the role of DReps.
Discussion of vendor selection, smart contracts, and treasury withdrawal procedures.
Concerns raised about potential delays in the budget process and the need for clear accountability
Further refine the operational process for budget management and smart contract implementation.
Vendor Relationships & Administration
Debate on Intersect's role as administrator for vendor proposals, especially when vendors are directly proposed without a competitive selection process.
Discussion on the criteria for selecting vendors and the potential risks involved. Proposal for a system where DReps approve a list of recognized administrator
Working Group: Further explore and define the criteria and process for vendor selection and administrator roles.
Governance Tooling & Data Handling
Update on the development of a new proposal submission tool in gov.tools. Clarification on API access to proposal data and security considerations for DRep validation.
Discussion on migrating the proposal process to be handled on-chain in the future.
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
Yes
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Update from next week
Decision-Making Process Workflow
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Update on Board Election Application Discussion
The prior, additional meeting focused on board election applications. It resulted in more questions than answers regarding feasibility and implementation of potential features. No concrete actions were taken from that specific discussion, which was primarily for brainstorming.
Lorenzo will provide full clarification on the outcomes of the meeting, referencing the Miro board for details.
Review and Refinement of Decision-Making Process Diagram
A first draft of a Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) diagram visualizing Intersect's decision-making process was created. The goal is to clearly document and visualize how ideas, proposals, and recommendations flow from initiation to execution within Intersect. The diagram aims to help members and associates understand where to submit ideas and how the process works. Key questions raised include: specific contact points for submitting ideas, timelines for committee review/response, and overall process duration. It was noted that this diagram represents the current state of the process, which is being documented before potential simplification.
All participants are to review the diagram and provide feedback. Simo Simovic will continue to refine the diagram and associated written explanations. The group plans to continue discussion on the decision-making process at the next weekly call.
Directional Flow and Feedback Loops in the Diagram
Concerns were raised about the diagram's unidirectional arrows, specifically regarding information flow from the Board back to the ISC or relevant committees after a decision is made and executed. It was clarified that this feedback loop already exists in practice (e.g., executive team updates ISC in meetings) but needs to be explicitly visualized in the diagram to accurately reflect the current state.
Simo Simovic will incorporate bidirectional arrows or notification points in the BPMN diagram to represent existing feedback loops, particularly from the Board back to the ISC/relevant committees.
Redundancy Checks for Proposals
A participant suggested incorporating a triage step at the beginning of the proposal submission process to check for redundancy with existing proposals or ongoing work. This would prevent duplicated efforts and encourage collaboration. It was also suggested to track how long proposals stay at each stage of the process to identify bottlenecks.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
No
No
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
No
Head of Operation
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Olivier rishi Matabaro
Yes
Community Member
Nana Safo
Yes
DRep
Update from last week
Governance Processes Document Discussion
Workflow & Decision-Making
Any other Business
Update from last week
- Simo Simovic provided an update: WG purpose and goals were included in the Weekly Development report, last Friday.
- WG Knowledge Base is created, WG Charter and all meeting summary and recordings have been published as agreed.
- Simo Simovic: Publish this week meeting summary and recording on WG Knowledge Base
Governance Processes Document
- Simo Simovic shared a document summarizing current stakeholder roles and decision-making processes within Intersect. - Feedback was sought on the document's accuracy and completeness.
- Working Group: Review the governance processes document and provide feedback.
Workflow & Decision-Making
- Discussion on the workflow of information and decisions within Intersect, including the roles of committees, chairs, secretaries, and staff.
- Clarification on how committees interact with the ISC, executive team, and the board.
- Simo: Incorporate feedback into the governance processes document, particularly regarding the roles of chairs and secretaries.
Duplication of Work & Coordination
- Concerns raised about potential duplication of work between committees and working groups.
- Discussion on improving communication and coordination to avoid redundant efforts.
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
Lloyd Duhon - Observer
David Muzzi - Observer
Terence McCutcheon - Observer
Recording:
Transcript:
Jose Intro
Finalize WG Charter
WG Goals
Decision: All WG members agreed that WG Charter is Final v1. Ready to be presented to ISC for approval.
GovTool Team: Continue development and refinement of the gov.tools proposal submission feature.
Election Data Analysis & Security
Proposal to form a subgroup to analyze previous election data for potential Sybil attacks.
Discussion on the methodology for analyzing registration timestamps, voting patterns, and payment information.
Jose & Volunteers: Form a team to analyze previous election data and report findings
Meeting Schedule & Attendance
Discussion about the scheduling conflict with the Product Committee meeting and the need to find a more suitable time for the Governance Working Group meeting.
Discuss via discord and determine a new meeting time that accommodates all regular participants.
Software for Process Management & Democratic Participation
Discussion briefly touched on using open-source tools for process management (e.g., ClickUp, previously suggested “Camunda” by another member) and for democratic participation. An open-source software called "Decidim" was suggested for research, offering features like proposal creation, debate support, and vote traceability.
Simo Simovic expressed he would likely lead any internal development for such a platform if needed.
BPMN Diagram Notations & Consistency
Discussion occurred regarding the consistent use of colors and notations for comments, actions, and information items within the BPMN Diagram.
Simo Simovic will ensure consistency in notation.
- Working Group: Explore strategies for better coordination and communication between committees and working groups.
Committee Autonomy & Decision Thresholds
- Discussion on the level of autonomy committees have in making decisions and when to escalate decisions to the ISC, board, or wider membership.
- Working Group: Develop recommendations for clear decision-making thresholds and escalation processes.
Budgeting & Financial Incentives
- Discussion on how budget processes are currently implemented and the need for clear documentation.
- Concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to incentivizing committee members.
- Inquiry about the budget for Intersect staff and potential remuneration for committee members.
No
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
No
Head of Operations
Nick Cook
No
DHead of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee member
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Working Group Goals & Prioritization
- Discussion to define the working group's goals for the next 3-6 months.
- Review of proposed goals, including improving decision-making processes, board election processes, and committee composition.
- Agreement to prioritize goals through a voting process.
- Simo Simovic: Prepare documentation for next week's meeting to discuss the prioritized goals.
- Working Group: Review and discuss the proposed goals and prioritize them for action.
Intersect Governance Structure & Documentation
- Simo Simovic provided an update on the progress of documenting the current Intersect governance structure.
- Discussion on the need to capture the interconnections between different stakeholders (committees, board, executive team, staff).
- Agreement to review key documents like bylaws, membership governance, and the business plan.
- Simo Simovic: Continue working on the document capturing the current Intersect governance structure and stakeholder relationships.
Committee & Board Election Processes
- Discussion on improving the committee and board election processes.
- Emphasis on clarifying the roles and responsibilities of committee members.
- Proposal to separate board election rules from committee election rules.
- Concerns about ensuring fair representation and preventing civil attacks during elections.
Intersect Staff Decision-Making
- Discussion on the need to clarify how Intersect staff make decisions and where their authority comes from.
- Proposal to define processes for staff decision-making and reporting.
- Simo Simovic: Continue working on the document capturing the current Intersect governance structure and stakeholder relationships.
- Clarification on the role of committee chairs and secretaries in information sharing.
- Discussion on the importance of feedback mechanisms for all members.
- Updates on the addition of the Growth and Marketing Committee to governance diagrams.
- Invitation for Jose Iadicicco to join the working group's Discord channel.
- Simo Simovic: Ensure all members have access to the working group's Discord channel and meeting minutes.
- Simo Simovic: Update governance diagrams to include the Growth and Marketing Committee.
No
Head of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
No
Head of Operation
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Yes
Product Committee member
Yes
Community Member
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Member Validation & KYC
- Discussion on member validation, particularly for anonymous members.
- Concerns about potential Sybil attacks and the need for a validation process.
- Debate on whether to focus on stricter candidate requirements or voter restrictions.
- Proposal to require committee candidates to have prior work group or committee experience.
Simo Simovic: Review and share the anti-Sybil attack recommendation from the MCC.
Working Group: Continue discussion on member validation and candidate requirements during future election process reviews.
Charter Review & Goal Setting
- Review of the working group charter, with edits and clarifications.
- Discussion on the scope of the charter and whether to include implementation details.
- Proposal to add "Intersect members" to the list of key stakeholders.
- Initial discussion on working group goals, with plans to finalize them in the next meeting.
- Simo Simovic: Update the charter with agreed-upon edits (adding "Intersect members").
- Working Group: Finalize working group goals in the next meeting.
AI Integration & Tooling
- Proposal to use AI agents for governance support, ethical guidance, and conflict resolution.
- Concerns about potential dehumanization and community reliance on AI.
- Discussion on the feasibility and messaging of AI integration.
- Simo Simovic: Add AI integration to the backlog for future discussion.
Intersect Governance Structure & Processes
- Discussion on the current Intersect governance structure and information flow.
- Request for a comprehensive overview of all existing processes between stakeholders.
- Debate on whether a pyramid structure accurately represents the organization.
- Clarification on the role of the ISC (Intersect Steering Committee) and its reporting cadence.
- Simo Simovic: Create a detailed overview of the current Intersect governance processes and stakeholder interconnections.
- Working Group: Review and discuss the governance overview in the next meeting.
Communication & Collaboration
Key risks (vote buying, legitimacy, participation, candidate quality) were summarized. The group plans to brainstorm solutions. A document on "Sybill Attack Resistance" will be reviewed, and its points added to the Miro board for discussion.
Participants to propose solutions on Miro.
The Secretary to add "Sybil Attack Resistance" document to the next agenda.
Individuals to extract points from the document for Miro.
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
Yes
Community Member
Elaine Cardenas
Yes
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Board Election Risks & Problems
The group discussed high-priority risks for the upcoming board election, focusing on "sybil attacks" due to paid and powerful board seats. Participants brainstormed additional concerns like unvalidated candidate profiles and paid memberships, emphasizing the need for data and proactive solutions.
The Secretary to ensure Miro board access.
Participants to add identified risks to Miro.
Legitimacy & Board Perception
Concerns were raised about how the broader community perceives Intersect's elected board members, potentially impacting funding. Debate covered whether Intersect serves DReps or community members, and ideas for balancing member participation with broader Cardano governance. The aim is to clarify Intersect's purpose and ensure transparency.
Candidate Competence & Selection
The group discussed attracting competent candidates. A proposal for pre-election "town halls" or workshops was made to foster community engagement with potential candidates, without tying it to eligibility.
Board Term Extension
The board is considering extending terms from one to two years for continuity.
The Secretary to confirm board term extension status.
Solutions & Asynchronous Work
A participant provided a spontaneous presentation about a venue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a potential Intersect presence at a LATAM summit. The participant described the venue's features and offered to help with arrangements.
Simo Simovic indicated he would follow up with the appropriate individuals at Intersect to discuss the proposal further.
Next Steps
The next steps were outlined to continue refining the decision-making documentation. The goal is to create a complete package of documents (the diagram, the explanatory text, and the timelines) that can be published on the knowledge base.
Simo Simovic will incorporate all feedback into a final, refined version of the documents. The group will then review this version before presenting it to the ISC for publication.
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Decision-Making Workflow Documentation
The discussion focused on a draft supplementary document designed to accompany the decision-making process diagram. The document's purpose is to explain the process, including who can start an initiative, the three levels of decision impact (low, medium, high), and the roles of various stakeholders. The goal is to provide a clear, documented process for everyone in Intersect to follow. It was noted that this process, while previously undocumented, has already been used successfully by the working group.
Simo Simovic shared the first draft of the supplementary document for review. Gintama and Maureen provided feedback and suggestions for refinement.
Refining the Process and Clarifying Definitions
Feedback was given to refine the document and diagram. A participant suggested clarifying the "impact levels" to specify whether the impact is on Intersect's operations or the broader Cardano ecosystem. The inclusion of subcommittees (specifically the parameter subcommittee) in the diagram was also suggested. Another participant questioned who determines the impact level of a proposal and suggested this responsibility should lie with the body receiving the proposal, not the submitter. Concerns were also raised about the timelines, with a participant feeling that the proposed 5-10 business days for review might be too long for the fast-paced crypto space. The need for faster, asynchronous decision-making (e.g., polls) was also highlighted.
Simo Simovic will incorporate feedback to clarify the impact levels in the document and consider adding subcommittees. He will also work on defining the timeframes for the review process. The working group will continue to refine the process to make it more efficient and user-friendly.
Addressing Operational and Procedural Challenges
Participants identified several procedural challenges not fully captured by the initial draft: who to contact to start a process, how to ensure proposals are reviewed in a timely manner, and what happens when committees or working groups decline a proposal. A participant raised a special case, the "no confidence" vote in the Board, as an example of a high-impact situation that falls outside typical committee processes.
Simo Simovic will add a more detailed "story" to accompany the diagram, explaining who to contact and the expected timelines. A participant offered to provide more details on the "no confidence" special case, for internal review. The group also acknowledged the need for a mechanism to address cross-committee collaboration and to handle an influx of low-quality proposals.
Engagement and Accountability
A participant noted that the process can be slow due to the voluntary nature of the work and a lack of engagement from some members. The importance of leadership in pushing for contributions and meeting deadlines was emphasized. A participant also raised a question about accountability, asking what happens if people fail to meet the proposed timelines.
N/A
Proposal for the LATAM Summit
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Elaine Cardenas
No
Chair of OSC
James Meidinger
Yes
Member of Product Committee
Ken-Erik Ølmheim
Yes
Member of Civics Committee
Decision-Making Process Workflow
Next Priority for the WG
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Decision-Making Process Documentation
The group is finalizing a diagram and a supplementary document that formalize Intersect’s decision-making process. The process itself already exists, but it hasn't been clearly documented or adopted. A participant clarified that the group's role is to propose this formalized process as a single source of truth for ISC and Board consideration, not to unilaterally impose it. The group agreed that the final documents are ready to be presented to the ISC for review and feedback.
Simo Simovic will add the formalized decision-making process to the ISC agenda for an upcoming meeting.
Dismissal and Replacement Policy
A participant raised concerns that the current dismissal policy is too lenient, as a member can avoid dismissal simply by attending one meeting every eight weeks. This is particularly relevant given the upcoming stipends for voting members. The discussion highlighted differing opinions on how to handle this. Some believed committees should have the autonomy to decide on dismissal criteria and processes themselves, with the Board's support. Others argued for stricter, more formal disciplinary measures, such as temporarily barring a dismissed member from running in future elections, though this may conflict with the Cardano ethos of encouraging participation. The group agreed the current policy is a low bar and needs to be revisited, with a focus on a clearer definition of "active contribution."
The group will revisit and refine the current dismissal policy. Simo Simovic will work with a team member to review the existing document on committee responsibilities as a starting point. The group agreed to focus on defining "active/regular contributions" first before finalizing changes to the dismissal policy.
Member Participation and Accountability
There was a broad discussion about member participation and accountability. A participant noted that some committee members are not actively contributing, and asked whether committee chairs or secretaries have tried to reach out to them. The consensus was that committees should be empowered to address this themselves. The conversation also touched upon the lack of public awareness regarding committee activities and participation.
Next Steps
The working group's next steps involve taking the finalized decision-making process to the ISC and continuing the discussion on member responsibilities. A participant mentioned that the open-source committee already has a process in place for member replacement, which could serve as a useful precedent.
The working group's next call will continue the discussion on defining "active/regular contributions" and reviewing the existing documents on member responsibilities.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
Yes
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation
Close proposal for process regarding committee members not attending
Discuss risks for applicant side of board election
Process for Member Dismissal/Replacement
Terence McCutcheon presented a simplified, 3-slide process for dismissing non-participating members after an 8-week period. Key additions include the chair calling for a vote of no confidence and the secretary sending notification and removing access.
The process will be brought to the IC (Intersect Committee) on Monday, July 14, 2025, for approval to ensure it's in place before the next election cycle. Terence McCutcheon to share the updated presentation in the working group Discord channel.
Proposed Changes & Concerns:
- Nicolas Cerny suggested resignation letters also be submitted to the secretary for permanence, which was agreed to be a quick addition.
Terence McCutcheon to update the process to include submitting resignation letters to the secretary.
- Gintama suggested a resignation form for the member to sign after 8 weeks to maintain respect, but this was dismissed as the new application pack would include agreement to the removal process by proxy.
No
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
Interim Executive Director
Nick Cook
No
Director - Operations (Interim)
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Tevo Saks
Yes
Community Member
Nana Safo
No
DRep
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
David Muzzi
No
Intersect
Meeting Timing
Update from last week
Recommendations Register Discussion
Voting Members Discussion
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Meeting Time Change
Discussion to move the weekly meeting to Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. UTC to accommodate participant schedules and avoid conflicts with other committee calls.
Members agreed that this time suits most of the people, so from next week, the weekly meeting will be re-scheduled.
Simo Simovic: Schedule the WG weekly meeting on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. UTC
Action Items Update
Confirmation that Maureen received access to the working group's document folder.
Meeting minutes and recordings are being published on the knowledge base.
Phil created a recommendation document for tracking governance issues and solutions.
Recommendation Tracking Process
Phil presented a proposed process for identifying problems, developing solutions, and submitting recommendations to the ISC using a shared register. Discussion on the workflow and status updates for recommendations.
Suggestion to include a priority field in the register.
Phil Lewis: Add additional columns and update doc sheets per discussion to the recommendation tracking register.
Timeline & Deadlines
Discussion on establishing timelines for addressing governance issues and delivering recommendations, particularly in relation to the October elections. Suggestion to aim for a 15-30 day timeframe for completing recommendations.
Phil Lewis: Add suggestions from discussion in the Guide tab.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
No
No
Director of Ecosystem & Governance
Lawrence Clark
No
Head of Operation
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Tevo Saks
Yes
Community Member
Weekly Meeting Timing
Review current Intersect decision making process document
Meeting Schedule & Time Change
It was noted that the local time change in Serbia affected the scheduled meeting time.
A consensus was reached to adopt a fixed UTC schedule (1 p.m. UTC) for consistency.
Simo to update the meeting schedule using UTC time and confirm the new time with the group.
Governance WG Priorities
The group reaffirmed three main priorities: (1) Review current intersect governance and identify improvement areas; (2) Improve board election processes; (3) Review and refine committee election procedures using past election data.
Simo to create the governance document summarizing the current state for review; all members provide feedback.
Committee Election Policies & Eligibility
Discussion centered on whether there should be policies regarding multiple terms and minimum participation before standing for elections, given that current documentation lacks clear rules.
Election Vulnerabilities & Postmortem Analysis
Concerns were raised about vulnerabilities in upcoming elections (e.g., potential manipulation through mass registration or low entry thresholds).
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Jack Briggs
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
No
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation
Board Election Recommendations Discussion
Next priorities for the WG
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Update on Board Election Recommendations
The recommendations from the working group were presented to the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) and then to the Board. The Board accepted the core recommendations with minor refinements.
Lorenzo and team will begin refining the details of the approved recommendations, which includes adjusting the voting tool and understanding verification options (proof of life, KYC, other external tools).
Board Election Details
The Board confirmed that four community seats will be elected, with the top two having two-year terms and the next two having one-year terms. The membership duration requirement for voting was increased from three to six months. If a member fails to renew their membership for six months, their membership "counting" (for the six-month rule) restarts. The Board was receptive to the idea of overlapping terms by starting the election in September.
Lorenzo and team will lead the process of drilling down into the details and timing for the upcoming board election.
Applicant Qualifications for Board/Committee Seats
The Board is now also focusing on the quality and details of candidates for board elections. There's a concern that popular candidates may be elected over more qualified experts. The idea of improving candidate presentation on the website with more dynamic information (e.g., proofs of contribution, videos) was raised.
Tex will prepare a rough draft of applicant qualifications to be presented in a month's time.
Jose will write a problem statement on improving candidate presentation for discussion.
Gintama will also revise his problem statement regarding the election of "popular" candidates.
Simo will facilitate the discussion on improving applicant quality.
Committee Member Attendance and Removal
A significant issue with newly and formerly elected committee members not attending for months was highlighted. The need for a process to address this, including potential removal from committees, was discussed.
Tex will add the issue of committee member attendance and removal as a problem statement in the recommendation register and prepare documentation for next week's discussion, including an 8-week non-participation cycle.
Name
Attendance
Role
Yes
WG Lead/Secretary
Phil Lewis
No
This suggestion was not adopted.
- Lorenzo Bruno suggested softening the language from "removal" to "replacement" or "dismissal" to reflect a vote of no confidence rather than forced removal. "Dismissal" was deemed more appropriate.
Terence McCutcheon to review and adjust language to "dismissal" as appropriate.
- Tim Richmond emphasized the need for clear, published rules and regulations for members to abide by, making dismissals a consequence of rule breaches rather than a negative perception.
This aligns with the "dead man's switch" concept and will be emphasized in communication.
- Lorenzo Bruno suggested making it explicit that dismissal is an extreme, last-resort case for the IC's context.
Terence McCutcheon to incorporate this context into the presentation for the IC.
- Lorenzo Bruno proposed IC approval for dismissal. This was deemed an overcomplication and indicative of a lack of trust between chairs and the IC by Terence McCutcheon.
This suggestion was not adopted.
- Tim Richmond and Nicolas Cerny supported informing the IC/Board, but not requiring their approval, to ensure interconnectedness and awareness. Tim Richmond suggested notifying the board if a chair is unresponsive after 3-4 weeks.
The process will include informing the IC and potentially the Board, but without requiring their direct approval for dismissals.
- Lorenzo Bruno questioned the "remove access" detail, but Terence McCutcheon clarified it's a standard operating procedure (SOP) for secretary action (e.g., Discord, Google Drive access).
The "remove access" detail remains in the process.
Applicant Side of Board Election
Discussion on how to ensure competent candidates are elected and address concerns about popularity contests.
Problems Identified:
- Increased chance of competent candidates being elected is a problem related to participation.
Ongoing discussion.
- "Popular people get elected" and "politically connected people" might be elected over competent ones.
Will be addressed through new initiatives and clearer communication.
- Lack of clarity on who should be eligible to apply.
To be defined and included in eligibility criteria.
- Lack of understanding of what the Board does.
Will be addressed by current Board members.
- Board members interfering too much in day-to-day activities and making unilateral decisions without member accountability.
This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed structurally.
Proposed Solutions/Considerations:
- Tim Richmond suggested current board members should engage with the community to explain their role through videos or direct engagement to demystify the board.
Current board members encouraged to create short videos explaining their role and responsibilities.
- Define eligibility criteria, such as a minimum membership duration (e.g., 6 months or 9-12 months for candidates vs. 6 months for voters).
Further discussion needed to balance experience with new talent.
- Require candidates to supply a certain number of written recommendations (e.g., 10) from other members to show membership support.
Further exploration of this idea is needed.
- Include more specific questions in the application that demonstrate business experience and concrete contributions to the Cardano ecosystem.
Terence McCutcheon to redesign application questions.
- Jose Iadicicco emphasized the need for directors with a broad understanding of Cardano's vision, philosophy, community, technical aspects, and political landscape.
Application questions and candidate profiles should aim to assess these qualities.
- Gintama suggested a potential conflict of interest if board members hold other powerful positions in the Cardano ecosystem (e.g., SPOs, CC).
This conflict of interest will be made explicit in communication regarding board elections.
- Terence McCutcheon proposed a "letter to the community" from each applicant, allowing them to explain why they should be elected and showcase professional skills/communication. Also, pre-application X Spaces for candidates to engage with the community.
Terence McCutcheon to implement the "letter to the community" and plan X Spaces for candidates.
- Tim Richmond emphasized proactive engagement with potential candidates in relevant forums to attract the best talent.
Information about board elections to be disseminated in places likely to reach ideal candidates.
Voting Rights in Working Group
Discussion on determining voting members within the working group. Initial agreement to grant voting rights to Phil, Thiago, Nico, Gintama, and potentially others who regularly attend.
Simo Simovic: Finalize the list of voting members for the working group.
Sybil Attack Concerns
Brief mention of addressing Sybil attack risks in the election process; noting that the Intersect elections team is already working on this. Suggestion to collaborate on this matter,with all others, bringing them into the WG discussion.
Committee Collaboration
Emphasis on the importance of improving collaboration and communication between different Intersect committees.
Terence McCutcheon: Continue efforts to facilitate cross-committee collaboration.
Action Item Tracking
Agreement to use the shared register to track action items and their status.
Jose and Malik would like to be included in postmortem analysis of previous elections and review registration data for vulnerabilities.
Documenting Current Governance Processes
A document summarizing the bylaws, roles, and current decision-making processes was presented. The discussion emphasized capturing the present state accurately before proposing improvements.
Simo to update the document based on collective feedback; all members to review and identify any gaps.
Centralized Document Sharing
The need for a single, accessible repository for all governance-related documents was highlighted to improve transparency and ease of access.
Simo to create and share a centralized folder with all working group documents.
Capacity & Workload for Documentation
There were questions regarding available capacity to work on documentation for board elections and other priorities. Simo has confirmed that he has capacity to work on this, if he needs additional support he will ask for it.
Scheduling & Prioritization of Future Tasks
The group suggested establishing an overarching timeline for discussion topics and action items (e.g., internal state review, board elections, other discussions) to manage workload effectively.
Simo to incorporate a timeline with expected deadlines into planning documents for future sessions.
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
The meeting concluded with a commitment to review the updated documents, follow up on identified actions, and prepare for the next meeting.
Simo to lead the follow-up on action items and ensure that updated documents and schedules are circulated ahead of the next meeting.
Process for Decision-Making (Workflow)
The working group aims to document a clear, usable process for decision-making within Intersect, from working groups through committees to the Board. This includes defining how individual members can raise initiatives.
This topic will be on the agenda for next week's meeting. The working group will review the existing Miro board containing initial drafts and examples of workflows.
Working Group Leadership Transition
Simo announced he will be on PTO for the next two weeks.
Lorenzo will lead the working group meetings and handle summaries/publishing during Simo's absence.
Timeline for Implementation
To ensure fairness, any new removal process would officially start counting non-attendance from the date of ISC approval.
- If approved, non-compliant members would start at "week two" with a potential removal date by September 1st, given October elections.
Future Election Planning (October)
A provisional timeline for the October board and committee elections was presented.
- Terence McCutcheon outlined key dates: Board applications open September 1st (for two weeks), followed by voting. Committee applications open after board onboarding is complete. X-spaces and info sessions are planned to engage potential candidates.
Member Compensation/Stipends
Brief discussion on committee member stipends, emphasizing they are "support stipends" or "tokens of appreciation" rather than full compensation, and their role in ensuring commitment.
- This point was acknowledged as important for defining the nature of committee service.
Membership Requirement for Elections
A suggestion was made to implement a three-month membership requirement with KYC for committee elections, mirroring the six-month requirement for board elections.
- Terence McCutcheon will document this suggestion as part of the election process.
Phil Lewis
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation
Process for Non-Attending Committee Members
A proposed process for removing committee members for non-attendance was discussed. This process is for non-disciplinary reasons and focuses on lack of regular active contributions or absence for eight consecutive weeks (two months).
- Terence McCutcheon (Tex) to refine the proposal to include a committee vote for removal, as suggested by Lorenzo Bruno and Nicolas Cerny.
- Pedro Lucas to present OSC's peer review and attendance tracking method to the Intersect Steering Committee (ISC) as a best practice.
- Tex to ensure clear documentation outlining what constitutes "active contribution" and how it will be measured (e.g., meeting attendance, Discord participation, document contributions).
- Tex and Lorenzo Bruno to finalize the proposal for submission to ISC by Monday for a week's review.
Criteria for Removal
Debate around objective measures for "active contribution" and the role of the chair/secretary vs. committee vote in removals. The idea of missing a certain number of official votes as an objective criterion was raised.
- The refined proposal should clearly state that the chair initiates a vote of no confidence within the committee, rather than unilaterally removing a member.
- Consideration of compensation as a reason for removal (fiduciary responsibility) was highlighted.
Replacement of Removed Members
Discussion on the process for replacing a removed member, considering the minimum committee size (seven members) and proximity to the next election.
- If removal doesn't drop the committee below seven members and an election is less than 90 days away, replacement might not be necessary.
- The process should prioritize inviting the next candidate in line from the previous election results, with the committee also having discretion to select individuals who have shown active interest (e.g., observers).
Addressing Time Zone Challenges
Concerns were raised about committee members in challenging time zones and alternative ways for them to contribute asynchronously.
- Secretaries are expected to proactively inquire about optimal meeting times or consider two-time meetings for global inclusivity.
- Async contributions (e.g., reviewing meeting minutes, contributing to documents) should be recognized as participation and can prevent removal.
Clarification on the role of committee secretaries as coordinators between committees and Intersect staff. Formal description of the secretary role and responsibilities is documented and added to the Summary of Gov Processes (Current State)
Roadmap & Measurement
Discussion on the roadmap for achieving the working group's goals.
Initial thoughts on measuring the effectiveness of governance processes and reporting quality.
Election Endorsement Template
Pedro Lucas proposed creating a Google Doc template for members to publicly endorse election candidates.
Action to create and share this template with the community.
Pedro Lucas: Create and share a Google Doc template for election endorsements.
Document Review & Collaboration
Agreement to review the "summary of the processes" document and the "committee election process overview" document.
Phil Lewis suggested using a collaborative spreadsheet to track recommendations and issues.
Simo Simovic: Convert the "election improvement Doc" PDF to a Word document.
Phil Lewis: Create a Google Sheet to track recommendations and issues for each goal.
Meeting Structure & Communication
Suggestion to split future meetings into document review and recommendation discussion.
Call for clear communication channels and information sharing within the working group.
Simo Simovic: Consider splitting future meeting agendas.
Committee Mandate Length
It was proposed to extend committee member mandates to two years for better long-term engagement.
Working Group: Discuss the possibility of recommending changes to committee mandate lengths.
No
Interim Executive Director
Nick Cook
No
Head of Membership & Community Hubs
Phil Lewis
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee member
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Nana Safo
Yes
DRep
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
David Muzzi
No
Intersect
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Meeting Intro & Goals
Simo Simovic welcomed attendees, including a new WG member, Maureen.
Reiterated the working group's three main goals: improving staff decision-making, board election processes, and committee elections.
Simo Simovic: Grant Maureen access to the working group's document folder
Simo: Published Meeting Summary on ISC Knowledge Base
Bylaw Review & Election Improvement
Discussion on the need to update the bylaws to facilitate election improvements, particularly regarding civil attack prevention.
Differing opinions on whether bylaw changes are necessary or if internal governance documents are sufficient.
Working Group: Recommendation to focus on developing election improvement recommendations first, then address bylaw changes if needed.
Timeline & Workflow
Discussion on establishing a delivery timeline for the working group's goals.
Agreement to prioritize reviewing the current state of governance, identifying gaps, and recommending improvements.
Emphasis on being agile and adapting the timeline as information becomes available.
Addressing Misconduct & Accountability
Call for clear guidelines on how to address misconduct and hold individuals accountable within the organization.
Working Group: Develop recommendations for addressing misconduct and accountability mechanisms.
Secretary Role & Responsibilities
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
No
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Head of Product Curation
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Review of Previous Actions
The group reviewed the miro board from the previous meeting, which identified issues with the election process. The main problem statement focused on preventing vote buying and ensuring unique member accounts.
N/A
Proposed Solutions for Election Issues
The group discussed various solutions, including: * Limiting participation to registered members. * Implementing a web3 identity solution. * Tracking member participation. * Changing bylaws to limit individual memberships. * Requiring members to register for the election. * Adding a comment/rationale for vote choices. * Potentially requiring a certain ADA amount to participate. * Seeking endorsements for board applicants.
The group will prioritize solutions, focusing on web3 identity verification and requiring an extra action for board elections.
Atrium Integration
Gintama suggested using Atrium, a web3 tool, to track member activity and participation, potentially rewarding active members with XP and badges.
N/A
Next Steps and Action Items
The group discussed the process for moving forward with the proposed solutions, including internal review, ISC approval, and board feedback.
Simo and Lorenzo will draft a document outlining the solutions for review by the working group. The working group will review and agree on the proposed solutions before presenting them to the ISC.
The group noted that some committees, like the Open Source Committee, receive significant support from dedicated Intersect staff, which helps with their effectiveness. There was a consensus that other committees lack this level of support and that there's currently no single person focused on member relations.
No
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
No
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
Yes
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Jose Iadicicco
No
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
No
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
No
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
No
Head of Product Curation at Intersect
Elaine Cardenas
No
Chair of OSC
DeSciDegen
Yes
Ken-Erik Ølmheim
No
Member of Civics Committee
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Decision-Making Process Framework
The group is satisfied with the decision-making process framework, including the diagram and supplementary documentation. The IC (Interim Committee) has been given time to review the documents and provide feedback.
Simo will likely call it a final version next week and then work on publishing it.
Committee Member Responsibilities
Discussion on the formalization of committee member responsibilities, specifically the "onboarding pack" for new members. A key point was the challenge in defining a general workload, with a 20-hour-per-month expectation seen as too high for most members. Suggestions were made to have committees define their own responsibilities.
The group will continue to discuss and possibly revisit the dismissal and replacement policy.
Committee Member Participation and Engagement
The group discussed low committee member participation, with many members not attending meetings or actively contributing outside of meetings. The six-month election cycle was seen as disruptive, and the lack of a clear strategy for committees makes it difficult for members to contribute meaningfully.
The group proposed extending committee mandates to two years and creating a clear action plan or roadmap for each committee.
Funding and Incentives
The group explored ways to increase participation by aligning incentives. Suggestions included raising compensation for committee members and providing a budget for committees that don't have one, possibly using membership fees.
Organizational Structure and Support
Tex expressed concern that the discussion might be overcomplicating the membership process and that the risk of nefarious actors gaining control might be a "medium risk" rather than severe, arguing for a focus on incentivizing legitimate participation. Phil countered that the worst-case scenario (nefarious actors changing bylaws to lock in control) is severe. The group generally settled on the risk being "severe" with a "possible" likelihood.
The presentation will clearly articulate the severe impact of the risk (board majority by malicious actors) and the "possible" likelihood of it occurring.
Incentivizing Member Participation
Phil suggested exploring ways to incentivize members to vote and participate, moving from a "preventing bad actors" mindset to a more positive "encouraging good actors" approach. Ideas included reimbursing membership fees for voting.
This remains an area for future exploration and discussion as a long-term mitigation strategy, but is not part of the immediate recommendations.
Member Renewals and Data
Gintama inquired about current membership renewal rates and how they might inform voter numbers for the October election. Lorenzo noted that renewals have just begun, and more definitive data will be available in 6-8 weeks.
The team will monitor membership renewal data to get a clearer picture of potential voter turnout for the October election.
Business Process Management
Pedro introduced tools like Camunda for business process modeling and workflow management, suggesting their potential for mapping Intersect's governance processes, tracking actions, and archiving evidence.
Board Election Timeline
The board election is expected to start in September and conclude in early October. This means changes need to be in place by the end of June/early July to allow for communication and implementation.
The group will aim to present the recommendations to the ISC next Monday, with a push to surface them directly to the board next week if ISC is amenable, to ensure timely implementation before September.
Workshop for ISC (Decision-Making Workflow)
The second agenda item for the meeting was to discuss the decision-making workflow using a Miro board, to prepare a first draft for the ISC.
This discussion was deferred due to the in-depth focus on election vulnerabilities. It remains an important topic for a future session.
Yes
ISC Member
Thiago Nunes
Yes
Interim ISC Member
Pedro Lucas
Yes
OSC Chair, Representing two Enterprise Members
Nicholas Cerny
No
Civics Committee Chair
Vaibhav S
Yes
GMC Member
Naushad Fouze
Yes
Product Committee
Jose Iadicicco
Yes
Community Member
Maureen Wepngong
Yes
DRep
Terence McCutcheon
Yes
Intersect
Tevo Saks
No
Community Member
Lorenzo Bruno
Yes
Discussion Point
Notes
Actions: Responsible / Note
Prioritization of Open Topics
Discussion points from Discord were identified, including concerns about extra burden on users, UX issues, clarifying the term "later," and outlining what voids a vote. Phil also brought up points on changing bylaws and a new idea related to the early session.
The group decided to run through open topics one by one to close loops.
Revised Presentation for ISC
Phil presented a modified version of the deck, suggesting a simpler approach for the ISC. He emphasized reducing the burden on members to avoid decreasing participation and highlighted two primary recommendations: restricting voting based on membership duration (e.g., three months prior) and adding a multiplier for enterprise members' voting power to increase the cost of vote-buying attacks (e.g., 20x). The presentation also acknowledged other considered mitigations that would add friction to legitimate members and are not being recommended at this stage.
Membership UX/Friction
Phil clarified that his UX concerns stemmed from potential extra steps required for members to vote, which could deter participation, especially with current low engagement rates (25-30%). Lorenzo noted that new members joining close to an election might still need an option to verify their identity (e.g., DID, KYC, proof of life) to participate without imposing a mandatory burden.
The presentation will emphasize minimizing friction for legitimate members while still addressing security. The possibility of offering an identity verification option for late joiners will be considered.
Bylaws and Legal Standing
Phil stated that existing bylaws and Wyoming law might already be sufficient to address malicious actors. Lorenzo argued that clarifying the bylaws for "one person, one individual membership" would make enforcement more straightforward, even if the legal process for removal or vote nullification remains arduous. Discussion around enterprise vs. individual memberships and their voting power also came up.
The group will re-examine the bylaws to determine if clarifications are needed regarding individual vs. enterprise memberships and their voting rights, ensuring clear guidelines for the audit process.
Risk Assessment and Impact