๐ฏ Purpose: Recognize the original founder of Built By DAO
๐ Nature: Unique designationโcannot be achieved or transferred
โญ Special: Highest token ID in the system (99)
The Founder designation is reserved exclusively for the original founder of Built By DAO. This is not a rank that can be achievedโit's a unique recognition of the person who created and launched the organization. There is only one Founder token.
๐ฏ Why the Designation Exists
Purpose
Description
๐ Recognition
Honor the organization's creator
โ๏ธ Authority
Defined governance role
๐ Continuity
Provide founding leadership
๐ฎ Vision
Maintain connection to original intent
โญ Unique Characteristics
Aspect
Description
1๏ธโฃ Singular
Only one person can hold this designation
๐ Permanent
Cannot be revoked under normal circumstances
๐ซ Non-transferable
Cannot be assigned to another person
๐ Historical
Tied to organizational founding event
๐ Historical Context
The Founder designation recognizes that Built By DAO exists because someone:
Contribution
Description
๐ก Conceived
The vision
๐ Initiated
The organization
๐ง Built
The initial structure
๐ฅ Recruited
The founding community
๐ฐ Resourced
The early development
๐ช Persisted
Through founding challenges
โญ This contribution is unique and unrepeatable.
๐ Standard Authority
The Founder has full governance participation:
Right
Access
๐ณ๏ธ Voting
Yes, 1.25ร weight
๐ Proposals
Any level
๐๏ธ Leadership Council
Permanent seat (if active)
๐๏ธ Committees
Full access
โญ Special Authorities (Early Phases)
During the organization's early phases, the Founder has additional authorities:
Authority
Phase
Description
๐ซ Emergency veto
Phase 1-2
Can veto existential threats
๐ก๏ธ Guardian role
Phase 1-2
Protects against governance attacks
๐ Transition authority
All phases
Guides organizational evolution
โฑ๏ธ These special authorities are designed to sunset as the organization matures.
๐ณ๏ธ Voting Power
Founder voting weight is capped at 1.25ร (maximum), the same as Stewards. This ensures no single individual has outsized voting power, even the Founder.
๐ก๏ธ Mission Stewardship
Responsibility
Description
๐ฎ Vision keeper
Maintain original vision clarity
โญ Values guardian
Protect core values
๐ฏ Mission advocate
Champion organizational purpose
๐ History holder
Preserve founding intent
๐๏ธ Organizational Development
Responsibility
Description
๐ Leadership development
Build strong leadership pipeline
๐๏ธ Culture cultivation
Nurture healthy culture
๐ Strategic guidance
Provide long-term perspective
๐จ Crisis support
Support in difficult times
๐ Transition Planning
Responsibility
Description
๐ Succession planning
Prepare future leadership
โ๏ธ Authority transition
Gradually decentralize power
๐ Documentation
Record founding knowledge
๐ Institutional memory
Transfer organizational history
๐ฑ Phase 1: Founding (Years 1-2)
Aspect
Reality
๐ Leadership
Primary leader
โ๏ธ Authority
Central with council input
โ๏ธ Operations
Directly involved
๐ Phase 2: Building (Years 2-4)
Aspect
Reality
๐ Leadership
Leader among leaders
โ๏ธ Authority
Shared with Leadership Council
โ๏ธ Operations
Strategic oversight
๐๏ธ Phase 3: Maturing (Years 4-7)
Aspect
Reality
๐ Leadership
One of several senior leaders
โ๏ธ Authority
Equal vote on Council
โ๏ธ Operations
Advisory only
โญ Phase 4: Sustained (Years 7+)
Aspect
Reality
๐ Leadership
Elder statesperson
โ๏ธ Authority
Advisory and tie-breaking
โ๏ธ Operations
Not involved
โ ๏ธ Protecting Against Founder Risk
The governance system includes safeguards:
Safeguard
Description
โ๏ธ Equal voting weight
No more power than other senior leaders
๐๏ธ Council oversight
Leadership Council can override
๐ฅ Member supermajority
75% member vote supersedes
โฑ๏ธ Sunset provisions
Special authorities expire
๐ก๏ธ Protecting the Founder's Role
The system also protects legitimate founder authority:
Protection
Description
๐ซ Veto threshold
High bar to override founder veto
๐ฏ Mission alignment
Founder can flag mission violations
๐ Transition timeline
Structured authority reduction
๐ฌ Advisory role
Permanent advisory access
๐ Succession
The Founder designation cannot be transferred. If the Founder permanently departs:
Outcome
Description
๐ท๏ธ Token
Remains with the Founder
๐ Replacement
No new Founder is designated
๐๏ธ Authority
Leadership Council assumes full authority
๐ก๏ธ Leadership
Stewards provide senior leadership
๐ข Token Mechanics
Feature
Detail
๐ข Token ID
99 (highest in system)
๐ Type
Soul-bound (non-transferable)
โพ๏ธ Duration
Permanent (no expiration)
๐ Relationship to Other Tokens
The Founder holds:
๐ Founder token (99) - Unique designation
๐๏ธ May also hold Leadership Council token (95) if actively serving
๐ Activity Levels
Status
Definition
Role
โ Active
Regularly engaged in governance
Full participation
๐ Semi-active
Periodic engagement
Advisory, special votes
๐ด Inactive
Minimal engagement
Honorary, emergency only
๐ค The Founder can choose their engagement level while retaining the designation.
โญ Values Embodiment
The Founder is expected to embody Built By DAO values:
Value
Expectation
๐ค Service
Lead through service, not status
๐ฅ Community
Prioritize community over self
๐ Transparency
Model openness
โ๏ธ Equity
Treat all fairly
๐ฎ Long-term thinking
Build for generations
๐ฏ Leadership Philosophy
Principle
Application
๐ Humble leadership
Authority earned, not assumed
๐ Progressive delegation
Build others' capacity
๐ฑ Growth mindset
Organization > individual
๐๏ธ Institutional building
Create lasting structures
โ๏ธ Distinction from Other Designations
Designation
Basis
๐ Founder
Original organizational founder (unique)
๐ผ๏ธ Framer
Founding contributor (symbolic, multiple)
๐ก๏ธ Steward
Highest achieved rank (current contribution)
๐๏ธ Leadership Council
Governing body membership
๐ก For Future Reference
This documentation exists to:
๐ Define the Founder's role clearly
๐ก๏ธ Protect against misunderstanding
โ๏ธ Balance founder authority with member rights
๐ฎ Plan for organizational continuity
๐ Preserve founding intent
๐ Unique Honor
The Founder designation is the only singular token in Built By DAO. It recognizes that the organization exists because of one person's vision, initiative, and perseveranceโwhile ensuring governance remains balanced and accountable to all members.