**Role**: Members of the [[Steward Council]] who hold core governance and coordination responsibilities for the Alliance. **Purpose**: - Steward the [[Network Nation Definition]] - Guide Alliance messaging and narrative - Moderate the [[Network Nations Index]] - Facilitate governance processes - Coordinate operational activities - Ensure alignment with [[Purpose]], [[Mission]], and [[Values]] - Provide continuity and coherence **Selection Process**: ### Foundation Period (Months 0-6) 1. **Nomination**: [[Trusted Seed]]s nominate candidates (including self-nomination) 2. **Community Advice**: Broader community provides input on nominees 3. **Election**: Trusted Seeds vote to select initial Steward Council (3-7 members) 4. **Term**: 12-month terms with possibility of re-election ### Post-Foundation Period (Month 6+) 1. **Nomination**: Open nomination process (including self-nomination) 2. **Community Advice**: Community provides input; can disqualify for cause 3. **Sortition**: Random selection from qualified nominee pool 4. **Term**: 12-month terms with possibility of re-entering pool See [[Steward Selection Protocol]] for detailed process. **Scope of Authority**: Stewards have authority over: 1. **Definition Stewardship**: - Facilitate evolution of [[Network Nation Definition]] - Balance stability with refinement - Ensure community participation in changes 2. **Index Moderation**: - Set and apply standards for [[Network Nations Index]] submissions - Review submissions for alignment - Handle appeals and edge cases 3. **Messaging & Narrative**: - Guide Alliance public communications - Steward how network nations are discussed - Practice mimetic stewardship - Coordinate media engagement 4. **Operational Coordination**: - Oversee [[Operations Team]] - Make operational decisions - Coordinate Alliance activities - Maintain infrastructure 5. **Governance Facilitation**: - Convene decision-making processes - Facilitate community discussions - Implement [[Decision-Making Protocol]] - Document decisions and rationales 6. **Constitutional Interpretation**: - Interpret [[2. Structure/Assets/Constitution]] in unclear cases - Ensure consistent application - Propose amendments when needed Stewards do NOT have authority over: - Individual network nation initiatives' internal governance - [[Reading Circles]]' autonomous operations - Members' independent work and research - Constitutional amendments without community consent - Major Alliance direction without community input **Responsibilities**: ### Definition Stewardship - Facilitate transparent process for definition evolution - Seek community input on changes - Document rationale for decisions - Maintain conceptual coherence ### Index Moderation - Review submissions in timely manner - Apply standards consistently and fairly - Provide clear feedback on decisions - Handle appeals thoughtfully ### Messaging - Guide Alliance communications per [[Messaging Protocol]] - Coordinate public-facing content - Engage with media and discourse thoughtfully - Support narrative coherence ### Coordination - Meet regularly (at least monthly) - Maintain clear communication channels - Support [[Operations Team]] - Facilitate community processes ### Documentation - Record all decisions in [[Governance Forum]] - Maintain transparent rationales - Publish regular reports to community - Keep protocols updated ### Community Engagement - Available to community for questions - Responsive to concerns and proposals - Facilitate inclusive participation - Model Alliance [[Values]] **Rights**: - Authority to make decisions within defined scope - Access to all Alliance resources and information - Ability to convene governance processes - Platform for Alliance representation (with protocols) - Support from [[Operations Team]] - Recognition as Alliance steward **Time Commitment**: Stewardship typically requires: - ~5-10 hours per month - Regular Council meetings - Asynchronous coordination - Decision-making and review - Community engagement - Documentation **Compensation**: Given minimal Alliance financial resources: - Stewardship is primarily volunteer-based - Recognition and reputation as primary benefits - If resources become available, modest stipends may be considered - Community gratitude and acknowledgment **Accountability**: Stewards are accountable through: - Transparent documentation of all decisions - Regular reports to [[Alliance Assembly]] - Community feedback and concerns process - Recall mechanism for violations or misalignment - Term limits preventing entrenchment - Multiple stewards preventing single points of control **Recall Process**: Stewards may be recalled for: - Acting outside scope of authority - Violating Alliance [[Values]] - Failing to fulfill responsibilities - Loss of community trust Process per [[Steward Selection Protocol]]. **Working Approach**: Effective stewards: - **Lead Lightly**: Enable rather than control - **Seek Input**: Solicit advice before major decisions - **Communicate Clearly**: Document decisions and rationales - **Act Deliberately**: Take time for good decisions - **Stay Aligned**: Maintain faithfulness to [[Purpose]] and [[Values]] - **Serve Community**: Stewardship as service, not power - **Collaborate**: Work effectively with other stewards - **Remain Accessible**: Available to community **Benefits**: - Deep engagement with Alliance and network nations concepts - Influence on important movement direction - Recognition as Alliance steward - Strong relationships with other stewards and community - Reputation and credibility - Opportunity to practice governance - Contribution to pioneering experiment **Qualities of Good Stewards**: - Alignment with Alliance [[Purpose]], [[Mission]], and [[Values]] - Good judgment and discernment - Communication and facilitation skills - Collaborative and service-oriented - Thoughtful and deliberate - Accessible and responsive - Able to hold complexity and nuance - Committed to transparency and accountability - Capacity for ~5-10 hours/month commitment **Transition**: At end of term: - Clear handoff process to new/continuing stewards - Documentation of ongoing matters - Transfer of access and authorities - Option to renew or return to regular member status - Recognition of service to community