Decision Matrix
Maps every decision type and domain to an authorized role or body, mechanism, threshold, and escalation path. Decisions made outside this matrix are considered invalid.
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Generated 2026-08-31 · Download all templates
Voting Principles
For each kind of decision, who gets a say, what counts as agreement, who can block it, and how long does it stay open?
RCOS clauses 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4
Why pin down mechanism, threshold, and timing?
A vote without a predefined mechanism, threshold, and deliberation window is an invitation to manufacture outcomes after the fact — whoever counts the votes or sets the clock wins. Declaring these parameters in advance makes every collective decision reproducible and contestable on the same terms, regardless of who is in the room.
How to fill this in
State the voting platform, the threshold for each decision type, the deliberation period, the tie rule, the re-vote rule, and any delegated-authority spending or scope limit.
- Voting platform: <e.g. Snapshot, Loomio, in-person consensus.>
- Operational threshold: <e.g. no vote required — delegated to the relevant operational role holder per the Role Registry.>
- Strategic threshold: <e.g. simple majority (>50%); minimum X-day deliberation.>
- Constitutional threshold: <e.g. supermajority (≥⅔); minimum Y-day deliberation; Z-day ratification period.>
- Tied vote: <e.g. proposal fails; status quo maintained.>
- Re-vote: <e.g. any Full Member may trigger a re-vote with a written reasoned objection citing a consideration not addressed during deliberation.>
- Reasoned objection: <define what qualifies as a reasoned objection — cite a specific consideration not raised during deliberation; general disagreement does not qualify.>
- Delegated authority spending limit: <e.g. €0; or define a threshold under which delegated spending is allowed.>
- <Other voting principles your community wants to declare.>
What to cover
- For each kind of decision: which mechanism do we use — consent, majority vote, supermajority, handing it to a role holder, or rotation or lottery?
- For each mechanism: who is eligible to take part, and what counts as agreement — a share of votes, a quorum, or no remaining objections?
- Can anyone block or veto a decision, and on what grounds — or is there no block at all?
- How long does each decision stay open, and what happens on a tie or when the time runs out without a result?
- Where does the deciding happen — in a meeting, on an online tool, or both?
- Up to what amount of money or scope may a role holder decide alone, without a vote?
Examples
Operational decisions are made by the relevant role holder, who may spend up to €300 per item without a vote. Strategic decisions use consent: every full member may take part, and a proposal passes when no reasoned objection remains after a 14-day round. Only an objection showing how the proposal harms our purpose can block. Constitutional decisions use the same consent process with a 30-day round. If an objection is still open when the round closes, the proposal fails and the current rule stands.
Strategic decisions are made by majority vote of full members on our voting tool, open for 7 days, with at least half of all full members voting. Constitutional decisions need two thirds of all full members, voting open for 14 days. Nobody holds a veto. A tie, or too few votes, means the proposal fails and nothing changes. Coordinators may spend up to €500 within their area without a vote.
Examples, not recommendations. Your answers will be your own.
Matrix
Which decisions belong to whom — in one table we can point at mid-argument?
RCOS clauses 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4
Why a single authoritative matrix?
If the rules for who decides what live in people's heads, authority becomes whatever the loudest or most senior person says it is. A public matrix that binds every decision to a domain, body, mechanism, and threshold makes out-of-scope action visible the moment it happens — and makes any decision made outside it invalid by construction.
How to fill this in
For each decision domain (membership, treasury, platform, partnerships, governance, etc.), set the decision type, the authorized body, who is eligible to participate, the mechanism, threshold, blocking conditions, and escalation path.
| Decision Domain | Decision Type | Authorized Body | Eligible Participants | Mechanism | Threshold | Blocking / Veto conditions | Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <e.g. Membership admission> | <Operational / Strategic / Constitutional> | <role or body> | <who participates> | <vote / delegated> | <threshold> | <blocking conditions> | <escalation path> |
| <e.g. Treasury spending — small> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> |
| <e.g. Treasury spending — large> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> |
| <e.g. Governance rule changes> | <Constitutional> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> |
| <e.g. Primary purpose / invariant changes> | <Constitutional> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> | <...> |
> Operational role holders: Each operational decision is executed by the named role holder responsible for that domain, acting within their defined scope per the Role Registry (Layer 5). Where a decision spans multiple domains, each role holder acts within their own scope.
What to cover
- For each area we decide about (membership, money, land and buildings, partnerships, our own rules): which decision type is it, and which role or body decides?
- For each row: which mechanism and approval threshold apply?
- For each row: where does it go if the deciding role or body cannot agree, has a conflict of interest, or the matter goes beyond its limit?
- Where is the matrix kept so that every member can read it at any time, and how do we tell members when it changes?
- What happens to a decision someone made outside the matrix — who can point it out, and how is it undone?
Examples
Membership admission is Strategic: the members' circle decides by consent after a 14-day round, escalating to the general meeting if it cannot agree. Spending under €500 is Operational and the treasurer decides alone; above that it is Strategic and needs a two-thirds vote, escalating to the general meeting. Changes to our purpose or governance are Constitutional and need a three-quarters vote after 30 days. The matrix is pinned in the members' handbook, and a decision made outside it has no effect until it is taken again through the right row.
Examples, not recommendations. Your answers will be your own.
Decision Type Definitions
What kinds of decision do we make, and how do we tell a big one from a small one?
RCOS clauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5
- 4.1.1 All collective decisions MUST be classified into exactly one of the following decision types:
- 4.1.2 Operational Decisions concern day-to-day functioning and execution within existing rules.
- 4.1.3 Strategic Decisions concern long-term direction, allocation of significant resources, or creation/removal of major structures.
- 4.1.4 Constitutional Decisions concern changes to Layer 0 invariants, purpose, scope, or the governance system itself.
- 4.1.5 If a decision cannot be clearly classified, it MUST default to the higher-impact decision type.
Why classify every decision?
Without a type, every decision gets handled at whatever speed and scrutiny happens to suit the moment — routine changes stall in debate, and constitutional shifts slip through unnoticed. Fixed types tie the weight of a decision to the process it must pass through, and the default-higher rule closes the gap where ambiguity would otherwise be exploited.
How to fill this in
Define each decision type by what it covers, who executes it, what process it requires, and how disputes about classification are resolved.
- Operational — <day-to-day functioning within existing rules; executed by the relevant role holder without a vote.>
- Strategic — <long-term direction, significant resource allocation, creation/removal of major structures; requires a Full Member vote with a defined deliberation period.>
- Constitutional — <changes to Layer 0 (purpose, scope, invariants) or to the governance system itself; requires a Full Member vote, supermajority, and a ratification period.>
> If a decision cannot be clearly classified, it defaults to the higher-impact type.
What to cover
- What counts as an Operational decision for us — day-to-day work within rules we already have? Name two or three real ones.
- What counts as Strategic — long-term direction, large spending, starting or closing a major group? Where exactly is the line, for example an amount of money?
- What counts as Constitutional — changes to our purpose, scope, core commitments, or how we govern ourselves?
- For each type: who carries the decision out, and does it need a proposal and vote or not? (The exact thresholds are their own question.)
- How do we make sure every collective decision lands in exactly one type — and when it could fit two, that it is treated as the bigger one?
- Who settles a dispute about which type a decision is?
Examples
Operational decisions keep things running within existing rules — buying seed, scheduling work days, repairing the pump — and the role holder in charge decides alone. Strategic decisions set direction for a year or more, spend over €1,000, or create or close a working group; they need a members' vote after deliberation. Constitutional decisions change our purpose, our core commitments or how we govern; they need a supermajority and a ratification period. If anyone doubts which type a decision is, it is treated as the higher one.
Examples, not recommendations. Your answers will be your own.
Ratification Record
- Adopted: <YYYY-MM-DD>
- Decision type: Constitutional
- Version: <version>
- Decision record: <link to decision record>