ByLaws — selfdriven Foundation Co-operative

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

1. Interpretation & Scope

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

2. Membership — Practical Rules

2.1 Joining

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

2.2 Member Participation Expectations

Members are expected to:

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

2.3 Lapsed / Dormant Membership

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

2.4 Resignation & Transfer of Work

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

3. Governance — Operational Rules

3.1 Committees and Committees

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

3.2 Committee Leads

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

3.3 Transparency

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

4. General Assembly — Meeting Rules

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

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

Minimum supporting information for proposals:

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

5. Digital Governance

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

6. Financial Participation — Operational Rules

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

7. Conflict Resolution

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

8. Conduct & Accountability

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

9. Record-Keeping & Documentation

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

10. Amendments to these ByLaws

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

Appendix — Relationship to Constitution

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