**Definition**: A role is a defined container of agency, responsibility, and authority that individuals hold within the Alliance. **Characteristics**: - Clear purpose and function - Defined responsibilities - Specific rights and authority - Entry criteria and selection method - Accountability mechanisms - Related membranes, assets, and protocols **Purpose**: - Clarify expectations and authority - Enable distributed coordination - Ensure key functions are fulfilled - Provide clear accountability - Support individuals in service **Role Components**: ### Purpose Why this role exists and what it accomplishes ### Responsibilities What the role holder is expected to do ### Rights and Authority What the role holder has permission to decide or do ### Benefits What the role holder receives (recognition, access, compensation, etc.) ### Selection/Appointment How one enters the role ### Term How long the role lasts ### Accountability How the role holder is held accountable **Types of Roles**: ### Membership Roles - [[Trusted Seed]]: Founding members during Foundation Period - [[Member]]: General Alliance participants ### Governance Roles - [[Steward]]: Council members with governance responsibilities ### Operational Roles - [[Operator]]: Operations team members ### Community Roles - [[Activity Lead]]: Leaders of network nation initiatives - [[Circle Facilitator]]: Facilitators of reading circles **Role Relationships**: - Individuals can hold multiple roles - Roles nest within membranes - Roles interact with specific assets - Roles follow specific protocols - Roles may have prerequisites or progressions **Role Evolution**: Roles can: - Be created when needed - Evolve in scope or definition - Be sunset when no longer needed - Split into specialized roles - Merge with related roles **Selection Methods**: Different roles use different selection approaches: - **Election**: Voting by specific group ([[Steward]] during Foundation) - **Sortition**: Random selection from pool ([[Steward]] Post-Foundation) - **Appointment**: Selected by another role/membrane ([[Operator]]) - **Self-Organization**: Emerge through action ([[Circle Facilitator]]) - **Criteria-Based**: Meet specific requirements ([[Member]]) **Accountability Mechanisms**: - Transparent documentation of actions - Regular reporting - Community feedback - Review processes - Recall or removal for cause - Term limits **Role Clarity**: Well-defined roles provide: - Clear expectations for role holders - Transparency for community - Basis for accountability - Support for coordination - Legitimacy for authority exercised **Documentation Requirements**: Each role should specify: - Purpose and description - Related membranes, assets, and protocols - Entry criteria and selection method - Responsibilities and authority - Benefits and compensation (if any) - Term length - Accountability approach See [[Roles Index]] for all Alliance roles.