Governance Model
Decentralized Governance Mechanism
The Cathedral Foundation DAO operates on a fully decentralized governance model designed to empower the community and distribute decision-making power across all token holders. At the core of this governance system is the CATH governance token, which gives members the right to participate in decision-making processes by voting on proposals and shaping the future of the DAO. The decentralized nature of the DAO ensures that no single entity, individual, or small group can control the organization.
Voting System
The voting system is designed to be both democratic and transparent, ensuring that every decision is made by the collective will of the community. CATH token holders have the right to vote on various proposals, including changes to governance, funding decisions, and new initiatives. Each token represents a vote, and the more tokens a member holds, the more influence they have in the decision-making process.
Voting is executed through smart contracts that automatically record, count, and publish votes on the blockchain. This guarantees that the voting process is transparent, immutable, and free from tampering. To ensure fairness and participation from a broad spectrum of token holders, the system requires a minimum quorum of votes for decisions to pass. This prevents small groups from making decisions that may not reflect the community’s broader interests.
Decision-Making Roles
While every CATH token holder can vote on important issues, certain members may also take on additional roles within the governance model to facilitate decision-making processes:
Proposers: Any member holding CATH tokens can submit a proposal. Proposals can address a wide range of topics, from changes in governance rules to specific funding requests for projects. These proposals are subject to community scrutiny and must adhere to certain guidelines, such as providing clear objectives, budget outlines, and potential impacts.
Reviewers: Some community members may act as reviewers who help evaluate proposals before they are put to a vote. These reviewers ensure that proposals are complete, meet community standards, and are in line with the DAO’s mission. Reviewers help maintain quality control over the decision-making process without imposing centralized authority.
Voters: All CATH token holders act as voters, casting their votes on whether to approve or reject proposals. Voting typically operates within a fixed timeframe to ensure timely decision-making, with the outcome determined by the majority of votes cast, provided the quorum requirement is met.
This structure promotes active participation while ensuring that all members can contribute to shaping the direction of the DAO.
Proposal Management and Decision-Making Processes
The Cathedral Foundation DAO operates with a clear and structured process for submitting, reviewing, and approving proposals, ensuring that all decisions are made collectively and transparently. The proposal lifecycle typically follows these stages:
Proposal Submission: Any member who holds CATH tokens can submit a proposal. This submission must include detailed information about the proposal’s objectives, the resources required, the expected impact, and how it aligns with the overall mission of the DAO. Submissions are made through a transparent on-chain platform accessible to all members.
Community Review and Discussion: Once submitted, proposals are open for review and discussion by the community. Members can comment, suggest revisions, or provide feedback to refine the proposal before it goes to a vote. This review process ensures that all voices are heard and that proposals are well-considered before a decision is made.
Voting Phase: After the community review, the proposal moves to the voting stage. During this phase, CATH token holders cast their votes. Each vote is weighted according to the number of tokens held by each voter, and the outcome is determined by majority rule, provided the proposal meets the quorum requirement. The voting process is automated through smart contracts, which record and validate all votes on the blockchain for full transparency.
Execution: If a proposal is approved by the community, it is automatically executed through the smart contracts governing the DAO. This ensures that the decision is implemented without delay or interference. In cases where manual execution is required, such as disbursing funds for a project, the process is overseen by trusted community members or committees to ensure alignment with the proposal.
This structured process ensures that all proposals are managed in a way that reflects the community’s collective will while maintaining efficiency and transparency in decision-making.
Preventing Centralized Control and Abuse of Power
Decentralization is a core principle of the Cathedral Foundation DAO, and the governance model includes several safeguards to prevent centralized control or abuse of power. These mechanisms are designed to distribute authority across the community and promote accountability:
Token-Based Governance: By using the CATH token as the primary governance tool, decision-making power is widely distributed among all token holders. No single entity or small group can gain disproportionate control without acquiring a significant number of tokens, which is made difficult by the distribution model of the tokens.
Quorum Requirements: To prevent a small group of members from making unilateral decisions, the DAO requires a quorum—a minimum number of votes—before a proposal can be passed. This ensures that decisions are made with sufficient community participation and prevents low-engagement decisions from moving forward.
Proposal Review and Community Vetting: Before a proposal goes to a vote, it is subject to community review and discussion. This decentralized vetting process helps identify potential issues or conflicts of interest early on, reducing the likelihood of proposals being approved that may not serve the community’s best interests.
Transparency and Public Ledger: All governance actions, votes, and proposals are recorded on the blockchain, making the entire decision-making process fully transparent and accessible to all members. This public ledger ensures that any attempts to manipulate or abuse the system can be quickly identified and addressed by the community.
No Centralized Leadership: Unlike traditional organizations where leadership roles are centralized, the Cathedral Foundation DAO has no central executive or board. Power is distributed through the token-based governance system, with decision-making authority resting in the hands of the community.
Checks and Balances: The governance model includes various checks and balances, such as the community review process and multi-stage voting, to ensure that power is not concentrated in any one individual or group. The open nature of the DAO means that governance can evolve, and if necessary, the community can propose changes to governance mechanisms to further safeguard against potential abuses.
By incorporating these safeguards, the Cathedral Foundation DAO ensures that the governance process remains decentralized, transparent, and resistant to centralization or power imbalances. This model not only prevents abuse but also encourages a more engaged, accountable, and active community that works collectively to achieve the DAO’s mission.
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