# Contributors

Your work earns permanent ownership in what we build together. Every [task](/contributors/tasks.md) completed mints [EQTBLT tokens](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) directly to your wallet—equity that can't be taken from you.

***

## The Deal

Traditional work trades your time for wages that disappear the moment you spend them. Here, your contribution becomes permanent stake.

**What you give:** Skills, time, effort.

**What you get:**

* [EQTBLT tokens](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) (10-100+ per hour based on role)
* [Rank progression](/membership/progression.md) through [14 membership levels](/membership/ranks.md)
* Real [governance power](/governance/voting.md)—your vote matters
* Skills [training](/contributors/training.md) and certifications
* Access to [Foundry](/the-foundry/foundry.md) workshops and [tools](/the-foundry/equipment.md)
* Connection to a community building something meaningful

***

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="What Contribution Looks Like" %}

### Types of Work

There's something for everyone:

#### 🏗️ Physical Work

[Construction](/divisions-and-roles/construction.md), deconstruction, material processing. Work at [The Foundry](/the-foundry/foundry.md) or on project sites. [Trades skills](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades.md) are valued, but we also [train](/the-foundry/programs.md) people who want to learn.

#### 💻 Technical Work

[Development](/divisions-and-roles/technology/software.md), design, [engineering](/divisions-and-roles/engineering.md). Build the [platform](/developers/platform.md), create tools, solve hard problems.

#### 📋 Operations

[Project management](/operations/pm-system.md), logistics, administration. Keep things running smoothly.

#### 👥 Community

Events, outreach, member support. Build the social fabric that holds everything together through our [Community Division](/divisions-and-roles/membership-community.md).

#### 🗳️ Governance

[Proposal](/governance/proposals.md) review, [committee work](/operations/working-groups.md), policy development. Shape how the DAO operates.

#### 📚 Education

[Training](/contributors/training.md), mentorship, documentation. Help others learn and contribute.

Every category earns [EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md). Your choice depends on your skills and interests.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="How It Works" %}

### The Process

#### 1. Complete Onboarding

Two calls, [wallet setup](/guides/wallet-setup.md), skills survey. Takes about a week. You'll get assigned your [first task](/guides/first-task.md) at the end.

👉 [Member Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md)

#### 2. Join a [Working Group](/operations/working-groups.md)

Based on your skills and interests, you'll be matched with a team:

* [Construction](/divisions-and-roles/construction.md) teams (physical work)
* [Technology](/divisions-and-roles/technology.md) team (platform development)
* [Operations](/operations/operations.md) (logistics and admin)
* [Community](/divisions-and-roles/membership-community.md) (outreach and engagement)
* [Governance](/governance/governance.md) (policy and proposals)

#### 3. Take [Tasks](/contributors/tasks.md)

Tasks come through the DAO's [project management system](/operations/pm-system.md). Each has:

* Clear deliverables
* [EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) reward
* Deadline
* Quality requirements

You pick tasks that match your skills and availability.

#### 4. Complete Work, Earn EQTBLT

When you finish a task:

1. Your work is reviewed
2. EQTBLT mints to your wallet via [smart contract](/developers/contracts/eqtblt-token.md)
3. Activity recorded for [governance weighting](/governance/voting.md)
4. Progress contributes to [rank advancement](/membership/progression.md)

No waiting for payday. No middlemen. Contribution → equity.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Earning Rates" %}

### What You Can Earn

| Type         | EQTBLT/Hour |
| ------------ | ----------- |
| Basic tasks  | 10-20       |
| Skilled work | 25-50       |
| Specialized  | 50-100      |
| Leadership   | Variable    |

Rates depend on:

* Task complexity
* Urgency
* Your [membership rank](/membership/ranks.md)
* Market conditions

As you [rank up](/membership/progression.md), you unlock higher-paying [opportunities](/contributors/opportunities.md).

***

### Example: Active Contributor

**20 hours/week at average 40 EQTBLT/hr:**

| Period  | EQTBLT    | Value      |
| ------- | --------- | ---------- |
| Month   | \~3,200   | \~$3,200   |
| Year    | \~38,400  | \~$38,400  |
| 3 Years | \~115,200 | \~$115,200 |

That's real ownership stake accumulating over time.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Ranks" %}

### The Progression

You start as a [**Seeker**](/membership/ranks/seeker.md) (Level 1A) and progress through contribution:

| Level | Rank                                                 | What It Means              |
| ----- | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| 1A    | 🌱 [Seeker](/membership/ranks/seeker.md)             | New member, learning       |
| 1B    | 🌿 [Apprentice](/membership/ranks/apprentice.md)     | Working with a mentor      |
| 2     | 🔧 [Contributor](/membership/ranks/contributor.md)   | Reliable, independent work |
| 3A    | ⚙️ [Operator](/membership/ranks/operator.md)         | Owns a workstream          |
| 3B    | 🎯 [Specialist](/membership/ranks/specialist.md)     | Handles complex work       |
| 4     | 👥 [Crew Lead](/membership/ranks/crew-lead.md)       | Leads a small team         |
| 5     | 📋 [Project Lead](/membership/ranks/project-lead.md) | Coordinates multiple teams |
| 6+    | 🧭+ [Guide+](/membership/ranks/guide.md)             | Leadership path continues  |

**Higher rank = higher rates + more responsibility + more** [**governance power**](/governance/voting.md)**.**

Monthly [reviews](/membership/progression.md) for early ranks. Progress depends on consistent contribution, quality work, and peer feedback.

👉 [All Ranks](/membership/ranks.md)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Training" %}

### Learn and Earn

[The Foundry](/the-foundry/foundry.md) offers [training programs](/the-foundry/programs.md) where you:

* Learn marketable skills
* Earn [EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) while learning
* Get recognized certifications
* Unlock higher-paying [work opportunities](/contributors/opportunities.md)

#### Available Programs

| Program                                                        | Focus                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| DAO Fundamentals                                               | [Governance](/governance/governance.md) participation                                                                                                                                                      |
| Construction Safety                                            | OSHA certification                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Deconstruction                                                 | [Material recovery](/sustainability/circular.md) skills                                                                                                                                                    |
| Blockchain Basics                                              | [Technical contribution](/divisions-and-roles/technology.md)                                                                                                                                               |
| [Trades Training](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades.md) | [Carpentry](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades/carpenter.md), [electrical](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades/electrician.md), [plumbing](/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades/plumber.md) |

Training happens at [The Loft](/the-foundry/foundry/loft.md) in each Foundry location.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Getting Started" %}

### Start Now

#### What You Need

* A way to receive calls/messages
* \~1 hour for initial onboarding call
* Willingness to set up a crypto wallet (we'll help)
* At least 3 hours/week to stay active

#### The Steps

1. **Apply** — Fill out the member application
2. **Onboarding Call #1** — Meet your onboarding specialist
3. **Wallet Setup** — We'll walk you through it
4. **Skills Survey** — Tell us what you know and want to learn
5. **Onboarding Call #2** — Get your first task assigned
6. **Start Contributing** — Complete tasks, earn EQTBLT

👉 [Member Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="FAQ" %}

### Common Questions

**Do I need construction experience?** No. We have [tasks](/contributors/tasks.md) for all skill levels and types. If you want to learn construction skills, we'll [train you](/the-foundry/programs.md).

**Can I contribute part-time?** Yes. Many members contribute 5-10 hours per week. Minimum to stay active is about 3 hours/week.

**What if I don't have a crypto wallet?** We help you [set one up](/guides/wallet-setup.md) during onboarding. It's easier than you think.

**Can I convert EQTBLT to cash?** [EQTBLT](/token-economy/eqtblt.md) is non-transferable by design. You can redeem it for DAO services (\~$1 value) or spend it at [DAO businesses](/developers/contracts/dao-business.md), but you can't sell it. This prevents speculation and keeps governance power tied to contribution.

**How fast can I rank up?** Depends on your contribution level. Monthly [reviews](/membership/progression.md) for early ranks. Most active contributors reach [Contributor](/membership/ranks/contributor.md) (Level 2) within a few months.

**What if I stop contributing for a while?** Your EQTBLT stays in your wallet—you don't lose what you've earned. But inactive members may have reduced [governance weight](/governance/voting.md). You can always come back.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

{% hint style="success" %}

### Next Steps

1. 👋 Complete [Member Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md)
2. 💳 Set up your [Wallet](/guides/wallet-setup.md)
3. ✅ Get your [First Task](/guides/first-task.md)
   {% endhint %}

***

{% content-ref url="/pages/0JPWvKB9gRgOVtbduPp0" %}
[Member Onboarding](/onboarding/onboarding.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/uYH8kzoy0iZlS3TKFs8m" %}
[First Task](/guides/first-task.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/98h5aaZL8s5XN5rKeBzZ" %}
[All Ranks](/membership/ranks.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/4dyHkNojNrIrQGavsuXD" %}
[EQTBLT Token](/token-economy/eqtblt.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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