The Bluebonnet Membership Round
By Roberto Talamas and Mason Lynaugh
Stipulations
A member onboarding process shall be developed and implemented during the months of May and June, in parallel with application marketing and review. Specific timelines for each activity are as follows:
- Application window: May 1st to June 1st
- Member onboarding process development: May 1st to June 1st
- Application marketing: May 1st to June 1st
- Application review: June 1st to June 25th
ATX DAO will grant a retroactive membership NFT to Phoebe Talamas in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the DAO, specifically for leading the organization and logistics of the Web3 pitch competition with the UT McCombs School of Business. Furthermore, ATX DAO commits to establishing alternative pathways to membership based on contributions in the future, with details to be communicated accordingly.
Following the conclusion of this membership round, ATX DAO will explore and evaluate recurring membership models, such as the NounsDAO model, with the intention of adopting a sustainable, long-term approach to membership, inclusion, decentralization, and revenue generation. Recurring membership models will be subject to a proposal before implementation.
ATX DAO will host an exclusive, members-only celebration in July to welcome and honor the new members joining the organization. This event serves to foster community building, networking, and collaboration among ATX DAO members. The event will be funded by the funds raised during the round and shall not exceed $10,000
Upon the approval of this proposal, a snapshot will be taken of all unique wallet addresses that have participated in voting on any proposal since February 2022. Each eligible wallet will be airdropped a Bluebonnet round NFT as a token of appreciation and recognition for their involvement in ATX DAO's decision-making processes.
Zilker II Round Challenges
- Members Workload: During the Zilker II round, DAO members who were involved in the selection and onboarding process found themselves dedicating a significant amount of time to reviewing applications, scoring and interviewing candidates, and managing the overall process.
- Application Rigor: The extensive application process during the Zilker II round proved to be burdensome for prospective members. The in-depth questions and requirements demanded a high level of effort and time commitment from applicants, potentially deterring some qualified candidates from completing their applications and contributing to a lower overall application pool.
- NFT Limitations: The limited quantity of 50 NFTs during the Zilker II round meant that many deserving candidates were not granted membership. This constraint led to the exclusion of potential members who could have made viable contributions to the ATX DAO community, negatively impacting the organization’s growth and diversity.
- Rejected Application Support: Applicants who were not accepted during the Zilker II membership round did not receive the necessary attention and feedback to understand the reasons behind the rejection. This lack of communication and support may have discouraged them from applying in future membership rounds, potentially leading to a loss of talent and potential contributions to the ATX DAO community.
Bluebonnet Round Adjustment
- Membership Capacity Expansion: ATX DAO will generate up to 300 Bluebonnet membership NFTs, increasing the number of potential new members. The expansion aims to be more inclusive and provide a greater opportunity for deserving candidates to join the ATX DAO community.
- Application Streamlining: Interviews will not be conducted, and the application form will be shortened to include only the most pertinent questions. This streamlined process is designed to reduce the burden on applicants and encourage a wider range of individuals to complete the application process.
- Asynchronous Review Process: To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the review process for the Bluebonnet Membership Round will be conducted asynchronously, allowing all interested ATX DAO members to participate in evaluating applications. See the “ATX DAO Membership Selection Process” for more information.
- Membership Pricing: The pricing for the Bluebonnet Membership Round will be set at 1 ETH, reflecting the current market rate for ATX DAO NFTs. This pricing structure aims to maintain consistency and transparency for both existing and prospective members.
Resourcing
ATX DAO membership rounds are significant undertakings, involving multiple work streams that require dedicated effort and coordination. To ensure the efficient allocation of DAO members' time and resources, the following individuals will be assigned as project leads for various aspects of the Bluebonnet Membership Round:
- Artwork: Kathleen Nguyendon-LeClercq will be responsible for overseeing and creating the visual elements, including NFT designs and promotional materials. Additionally, all secondary re-sales of the Bluebonnet membership NFTs will be split equally between ATX DAO and the artist.
- Development: Clifton King will lead the technical aspects of the membership round, the development, and the deployment of the new NFT contracts.
- Marketing and Events: Mason Lynaugh will manage the promotion of the membership round, including organizing events and coordinating marketing efforts across various social media channels.
- Application Process: Roberto Talamas will oversee the design, implementation, and review of the streamlined application process for prospective members.
- Onboarding Process: Jesse Paterson will be in charge of developing and executing a seamless onboarding experience for new members, ensuring their smooth integration into the ATX DAO community.
As compensation for their time and effort, the project leads will collectively receive 10% of the total funds raised in Ethereum terms during the Bluebonnet Membership Round. The distribution of this compensation among the team members will be determined by the project leads, taking into account each contributor's level of involvement and contribution to the success of the membership round. This remuneration structure ensures that the team is fairly compensated for their hard work and commitment to the project.
Why a Cohort?
For the Bluebonnet membership round, we propose to follow the cohort-based membership model for its proven success and familiarity within the Austin community. As a membership-based organization, ATX DAO relies on revenue from the sale of membership NFTs. By implementing a cohort model, we can effectively address the current growing demand for memberships and maintain a sense of continuity as we scale our operations.
There are several key reasons why the cohort model makes sense for the Bluebonnet membership round:
- Proven Success: Our organization has already seen positive results from previous cohort-based membership rounds, such as Genesis, Zilker I, and Zilker II. By leveraging this experience, we can ensure a smooth and successful process for both new and existing members.
- Familiarity: The Austin community is well-acquainted with our current cohort process, making it easier for interested individuals to join without facing any unnecessary barriers or confusion. This familiarity will also help foster trust and credibility within the community.
- Scalability: A cohort model allows us to accommodate the growing demand for memberships while maintaining control over the quality and experience of our community. This structure promotes a sense of belonging and facilitates networking among members, leading to stronger collaborations and partnerships.
- Revenue Generation: The cohort model helps fund ATX DAO's operations, events, internal grants, merchandise, advocacy efforts, and more. This ensures the continued growth and success of our organization as we work to grow and develop more sustainable revenue streams.
- Risk Mitigation: By sticking to a familiar and proven process, we minimize the risk of any setbacks or complications during this critical membership round. This allows us to focus on delivering value to our members and partners, ultimately driving the success of ATX DAO.
It is also important to note that this membership round is the primary opportunity to capitalize on the hard work ATX DAO has put in over the last year. Since the onboarding of Zilker II in June 2022, the organization has successfully brought a Texas DAO Bill to a committee, organized the first Web3 pitch competition in Austin, and put on the largest crypto event of SXSW - all while staying active within the community and organizing regular meetups. The attention resulting from that work has driven the demand we see today. People love what we’re doing and they want to be a part of ATX DAO.
** What's Next?**
This could be the final time we do cohort-based lifetime memberships. After the successful implementation of the Bluebonnet round, ATX DAO will secure a crucial infusion of capital, setting the stage for a self-sustaining business model. A vibrant and expanded member base will benefit from established systems and processes, fostering an environment for growth and innovation. As we achieve our goals, the demand for memberships will continue to rise.
To address this demand and ensure sustainable revenue streams, ATX DAO will focus on two key strategies: the Partner Program and Recurring Membership revenue models. The Partner Program will generate consistent income through yearly memberships, allowing organizations to access exclusive benefits and engage with the ATX DAO community. Recurring Membership revenue will ensure a steady flow of resources to support ATX DAO's growth and expansion.
As we explore novel membership processes, the NounsDAO model presents an intriguing opportunity for future membership rounds. This innovative model, which involves consistent NFT issuance and auctions, has proven successful for NounsDAO and could be adapted to suit ATX DAO's needs. To experiment with this approach, we propose establishing a special team to investigate its feasibility, minimize risk, and ensure smooth integration with our community. This collaboration with NounsDAO could provide valuable funding and support while elevating both organizations' brands.
By focusing on the Partner Program and Recurring Membership revenue models, ATX DAO can secure a sustainable future, while exploring the NounsDAO model as a potential avenue for continued innovation and growth. This strategic approach will ensure that ATX DAO remains at the forefront of the Web3 landscape while fostering a thriving and engaged community.
Appendix
ATX DAO Membership Selection Process
To create a fair, inclusive, and efficient selection process for the upcoming membership round, we propose an asynchronous voting system that engages the entire ATX DAO community. This system will ensure that every member who wishes to participate can do so, while also providing a simple scoring mechanism to evaluate applicants.
- Application Submissions: All prospective members will be asked to submit their applications starting May 1st and closing June 1st. These applications should include relevant information about the applicant's background, interests, and potential contributions to ATX DAO.
- Application Review: Once the submission deadline has passed, all applications will be anonymized to ensure an unbiased evaluation. The applications will then be made available to all ATX DAO NFT holders for review.
- Asynchronous Voting: To accommodate varying schedules and time zones, members will be given a predetermined window (e.g., one week) to review and score applications independently. This will allow members to participate in the selection process at their convenience, ensuring broader participation.
- Scoring System: Each member participating in the voting process will be asked to score applicants on a simple scale (e.g., 1-5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest). This scoring should be based on the applicant's potential contributions, alignment with ATX DAO's values and goals, and overall fit within the community.
- Aggregating Scores: Once the voting window closes, scores from all participating members will be collected and aggregated. The average score for each applicant will then be calculated.
- Final Decision: Applicants will be ranked according to their average scores. The top-ranked applicants (based on a predetermined acceptance rate of 3 points) will be offered membership to ATX DAO. In case of a tie, a discussion and/or additional vote may be held among participating members to reach a final decision.
- Notification: All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application, whether they have been accepted or not. Accepted applicants will receive further instructions on completing the onboarding process, while unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to pursue membership in the future.
By implementing this asynchronous voting system, ATX DAO can create a transparent, fair, and engaging selection process that involves the entire community, ultimately ensuring the best candidates are chosen to join the organization.
