Member Termination Policy: Inactivity or Misconduct

This policy outlines the general criteria under which a DAO member may be considered for removal from the DAO due to sustained inactivity or misconduct.

DEP’s decentralized structure requires both:

• Flexibility for each DAO to define detailed conditions, and

• Transparency through XDAO-based voting for all membership changes.

To balance these needs, DEP 2 applies general rules below, while allowing each DAO to define specific thresholds and procedures in their Master Plan.

1. Grounds for Removal

A DAO member may be considered for removal based on Inactivity or Misconduct.

Specific definitions and thresholds are set by each DAO.

A. Inactivity

A member may be considered inactive if they:

• Consistently miss DAO meetings without notice

• Do not contribute to Working Group tasks

• Do not respond in DAO communication channels

• Fail to complete responsibilities they agreed to

• Provide no participation for an extended period

DAOs should define:

• How many absences are acceptable

• What constitutes contribution

• What exceptions apply (health, exams, work shifts, etc.)

B. Misconduct

Misconduct refers to actions that negatively impact the DAO or violate DEP ethical expectations.

Examples include:

• Disrespectful or harmful behavior

• Cheating or misreporting contributions

• Plagiarism or misuse of creative works

• Misleading or false claims

• Sabotaging DAO work

• Misuse of partner relationships

• Breaking confidentiality

• Manipulating governance outcomes

DAOs may define additional cases, including what evidence is required.

2. Removal Procedure (General Structure)

This structure ensures fairness, transparency, and decentralized decision-making, while giving DAOs flexibility in detailed execution.

Step 1 - Issue Raised in DAO Public Channel

Any concern (inactivity or misconduct) must be shared in the DAO’s public communication channel, with:

• Clear explanation

• Supporting evidence (if applicable)

This allows transparency and gives the member a chance to respond.

DAOs decide what qualifies as sufficient evidence.

Step 2 - Discussion Period

A minimum 3-day discussion period is required.

During this time:

• The member may clarify or present context

• Other members may ask questions

• DAO Facilitators, WG Leads and DAO Lead may evaluate the situation

DAOs define:

• Whether extensions are allowed

• How they consider mitigating circumstances

Step 3 - XDAO Voting

After discussion, the DAO holds a membership removal vote on XDAO.

This ensures:

• Transparency

• Immutable record of decisions

• Fairness and community-based governance

The vote result is final.

3. Post-Removal Actions

If the XDAO vote passes:

• Member is officially removed from the DAO

• WG roles are redistributed as needed

• Member is removed from DAO communication channels

• Member does not receive certificate or KAT recognition for incomplete contributions

• Member may still receive KAT for contributions fully completed before removal, if properly evidenced

Members removed for serious misconduct may be prohibited from future cohorts.

4. DAO Autonomy in Defining Detailed Rules

Each DAO may specify in its Master Plan Governance section:

• Definitions of inactivity

• How many absences = inactivity

• What counts as contribution

• Evidence standards

• Exception policies

• Internal escalation steps before voting

• Voting thresholds on XDAO

• How WG Leads and DAO Lead perform evaluations

This allows each DAO to remain decentralized and adaptable.

The Kambria Facilitator supports clarity and fairness but does not override DAO-level decisions unless required for program integrity.

5. Principles Behind This Policy

This policy aims to protect:

✔ Decentralization

DAOs govern themselves using XDAO.

✔ Transparency

All decisions appear on-chain via XDAO voting.

✔ Fairness

Members have a chance to explain before voting.

✔ Accountability

DAOs expect active contribution and respectful behavior.

✔ Autonomy

DAOs determine specific thresholds and rules.

✔ Program Integrity

Ensures that non-participation or misconduct does not block DAO progress.