AIP-12:Updated with feedback for comment - 10 Days

Governance
1

Hello All - Here is an updated AIP-12 reflecting comments on this prop. in other threads. 10 Days to comment on this and then will go to snapshot.

AIP-12: AssangeDAO Governance Transition Process (Revised)

  1. Summary
    AssangeDAO has fulfilled its original purpose to help free Julian Assange. The DAO must now clarify its path forward. AIP-12 lays out a temporary transition process to evaluate and adopt new or updated governance frameworks in a way that remains aligned with Julian’s wishes, while mitigating potential attacks on the DAO or its mission.

In this revised version, the Consensus Unit (representing Julian) retains a proposal review role, ensuring any governance changes remain aligned with Assange’s interests. A temporary Governance Transition Unit (GTU) will work alongside (not replace) the Consensus Unit and the DAO community to gather, refine, and validate potential governance proposals. Once the DAO chooses a final framework, the GTU dissolves.

  1. Background
    Current AssangeDAO Governance

The DAO uses a Snapshot page, a forum (recently relaunched), and a multisig that manually implements approved proposals.
The Consensus Unit (Julian’s family or representatives) oversees alignment with Julian’s interests, providing final review before major proposals advance.
This structure can be improved by reducing reliance on a single multisig and expanding community-driven, on-chain mechanisms.
Need for a Governance Upgrade

Different proposals have circulated (e.g., moving to OpenZeppelin Governor).
Before deciding on any single model, the DAO must define a transparent process for evaluating and ultimately selecting a governance framework.
Community Input & Concerns

The Consensus Unit must be preserved to retain legitimacy as “AssangeDAO.”
Any transitional group (GTU) must be temporary with clear membership criteria.
Revisions must clarify that the Consensus Unit’s role is collaborative and review-focused (rather than a simple “veto”).
3. Revised AIP-12 Proposal Details
3.1 Governance Transition Process
Ratify AIP-12 (Meta-Proposal)

Post this revised AIP-12 on the forum for a 10-day discussion period.
Then proceed to Snapshot for a 2-day vote (5% quorum, simple majority).
If ratified, the following steps apply.
Post Governance Proposals

Once AIP-12 is in effect, any DAO participant can draft an AssangeDAO Governance Proposal on the forum using the provided template (Section 3.3).
Each proposal is discussed for 4 weeks, during which the GTU and Consensus Unit both provide guidance and feedback.
Governance Transition Unit (GTU)

A temporary GTU of 5–7 members (excluding Stella Magnet, who has stepped back) forms, working alongside the Consensus Unit.
Proposed Membership:
Silke Noa
Gabriel Shipton (Consensus Unit representative)
BZ
One or two community members with strong technical knowledge (to be nominated)
One or two community members with a history of involvement in the DAO (to be nominated)
Role:
Analyze proposals for feasibility and security.
Collaborate with the Consensus Unit to ensure proposals align with Julian’s values.
Compile valid proposals for final voting on Snapshot.
The GTU dissolves automatically once the DAO adopts a final governance framework (see Step 6).
Consensus Unit Proposal Review

The Consensus Unit (including Julian’s family or delegates) performs review of governance proposals for alignment with Julian’s best interests.
If a proposal appears to harm Julian’s legal/advocacy status or misalign the DAO with its founding mission, the Consensus Unit can request modifications or direct that it not proceed to the final vote.
In practice, the GTU and proposal authors should collaborate with the Consensus Unit throughout the discussion, ensuring proposals reflect Julian’s ideals and do not require a late-stage “block.”
Validation of Proposals

After the 4-week forum period, the GTU completes a 2-week validation of each proposal’s:
Technical viability (code/tests or thorough plan)
Mitigation of likely attack vectors
Alignment with the DAO’s ethos and Julian’s values
Consensus Unit collaborates in these discussions, providing final guidance or concerns.
Proposals deemed valid and aligned progress to the multi-option Snapshot vote.
Multi-Option Snapshot Vote (AIP-13)

All validated proposals move to a single multi-option Snapshot (AIP-13), which runs 14 days with 10% quorum and utilizes private voting (e.g., Shutter).
The proposal with the most votes (and meeting quorum) passes.
The multisig then implements the winning proposal.
Once implementation is complete, the GTU dissolves.
3.2 Additional Notes
Temporary GTU

GTU membership is strictly time-limited to the duration of this transition.
Each GTU member must submit a public nomination on the forum, including:
Their identity or relevant background
History of contributions to AssangeDAO or related activism
Two vouches from recognized community figures or the Consensus Unit
Consensus Unit Retention

The DAO remains “AssangeDAO” only if Julian’s family or delegates have a central review role. This proposal formally reinforces that role.
Communication & Moderation

The forum remains the primary governance discussion venue.
The final governance frameworks chosen under AIP-13 must address how official community channels (Telegram/Discord, etc.) are moderated or established.
Technical & Legal Considerations

While some devs advocate an on-chain solution, AIP-12 is agnostic about the ultimate form. It only ensures that whichever approach is chosen is properly vetted by the GTU, the community, and the Consensus Unit.
3.3 Templates
GTU Nomination Template

Nominee: (Name/Pseudonym)
Public Profiles: (e.g., Twitter/X, GitHub)
Contribution History: Past involvement in AssangeDAO or activism
Vouches: At least two from recognized community figures (Consensus Unit, existing GTU, or respected participants)
Alignment Statement: How you uphold Julian’s values
AssangeDAO Governance Proposal Template

Summary (≤300 words): Plain-language explanation of the proposal
Proposal Details:
Technical & Implementation Plan
Governance Design (how proposals pass, how on/off-chain is structured, how the treasury is managed)
Attack Mitigation
Alignment with Julian (role of the Consensus Unit, etc.)
Communication & Moderation (forums, chat, moderator responsibilities/policies)
4. Voting Options
When this revised AIP-12 is placed on Snapshot:

Yes — Approve this transition process (with Consensus Unit review)
No — Reject AIP-12, leaving the current system unchanged
Abstain — No preference
If “Yes” passes with at least 5% quorum and a majority vote, we initiate the 4-week governance-proposal phase and convene the GTU.

  1. Conclusion
    This updated AIP-12 respects the crucial role of the Consensus Unit in representing Julian’s interests, clarifies the temporary nature of the GTU, and establishes a community-driven path for finalizing a new governance model.

By ratifying this proposal, AssangeDAO can proceed confidently into the next phase, ensuring every voice is heard and that Julian’s values remain at the heart of AssangeDAO.

7 Likes
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I probably missed it in the text, but who selects and approves the GTU nominees?

3

Can we clarify who the multisig currently are and that enough multisig members are available to implement the proposal?

4

A temporary GTU of 5–7 members seems too difficult to achieve
I suggest proceeding with Silke Noa,Gabriel Shipton,BZ these three members for now and submitting the proposal to Snapshot for a vote to get the community governance running first.
(If anyone is able to invite crypto tech experts or other multisig members to return and actively take responsibility for executing the community’s will, just disregard this message from me)

1 Like
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I agree with this, especially since needing two vouches to be nominated complicates things. It’s a reasonable requirement but who decides who “respected participants” are? Is it worth debating if @Logan or I could be nominated? Or @sudongpo?

This has waited long enough. It should be put to vote in ten days, not delayed more before the governance transition can start to begin.

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Great work!

I am available to sign and also be more involved as needed moving forward.
It will be amazing to get the DAO back on track and clarify how we proceed now that Assange is free.

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That looks fine, Gabriel.

The numbers are improved with Zylo being here.

Might be a good idea to post this update on X - so everyone past, present and future - notices this.

Touching that Julian seems to want this to move forward. I do hope it all works out. Regards

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Thank you Gabriel. I think this is a well thought out proposal, especially the clarification of the conditions for GTU withdrawal, which makes GTU more transparent. But I think there is a need to confirm that nominated and soon-to-be-nominated GTU members are still willing to take on this obligation.
Strengthening and clarifying the responsibilities of the Consensus Unit makes it less ambiguous and is key to minimizing disagreements in the future.

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9

I see no point in getting into a semantic argument. A country belongs to the people of that country and a DAO belongs to the masses who embrace its core mission. We can observe through the nominee’s social networks whether his/her actions are in line with the core interests of the DAO as well as Mr. Assange. Instead of who decides who is eligible, it would be better to look at whether the nominee meets a benchmark - i.e. AIP1.

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10

Agreed. We have seen many promises from people who have then disappeared, or have said they can do things “soon” or committed to work on things and then not been able to, or refused to work with the community.

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11

There are enough multisig members to implement the governance proposal.

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I see now we need to clarify how nominated members get elected. It is not clear from our update.

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Perhaps the following: We create a new forum thread for nominations, where persons can ask self-nominate and community members can ask questions to the nominees for 5 days and then whoever gets two votes from the already named GTU members is added? This is less democratic then putting the members to vote by snapshot but it would be a quick option.

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I created a forum thread for nominations

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Logan Ive said no to this before. Please ask people in private if they are really up for this before nominating. But thank you.

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Thanks Gabriel for sharing this updated AIP-12.

I’m “versky” from Australia—I’ve done projects in crypto and fintech (partnered with ConsenSys, LayerZero, etc.), joined several hackathons (and won awards), and have been in touch with BZ and other community members to share ideas in the past.

I currently hold around 5% of the total supply (from both donation process and secondary market), and have always been a strong supporter of the DAO’s mission to free Julian and keep his values at the core. I’d love to join the GTU as a major $JUSTICE holder, help build partnerships with tier-1 crypto projects and exchanges, and contribute more with my tech and marketing background to the DAO in the near future.

3 Likes
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ok,sorry,i forget it ，just thought you fit

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Welcome,versky.please use

GTU Nomination Template
Nominee: (Name/Pseudonym)
Public Profiles: (e.g., Twitter/X, GitHub)
Contribution History: Past involvement in AssangeDAO or activism
Vouches: At least two from recognized community figures (Consensus Unit, existing GTU, or respected participants)
Alignment Statement: How you uphold Julian’s values
and write it here

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Where have you been in touch with community members? Can people see what kind of contributions you have made? I do not see your handle in the discord or on telegram.

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I also vouch for @zylo_eth, very safe hands for the role of GTU.

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