GitcoinDAO needs some cohesive logic on how compensation is decided for contributors to the DAO. Do we adopt standard rates across workstreams? Do we use the same market rate research process? Do we prioritize values of UBI, or meritocracy, or do-ocracy?

Aside from our own operations, we’re well poised to explore these questions as a leader in the DAO space, potentially determining best practices.

We'll begin this effort with a roundtable of interested parties speaking on the topic.

Date: Friday Jan 14th 6PM UTC

Host: Loie

Invitees:

Jonathan (CoachJ), DisruptionJoe, Brittney Scott, Kish, Loie, Simona, Kris, Cali, Rachael, Kyle, Scott, Shreyas, Mitzy

Guiding Questions:

• Is it completely transparent what ppl make?
  • Kris, Annika
  • [annika] - Two worlds, one where there is total transparency (or perhaps total transparency in a workstream and opaque to the rest of the DAO)
  • [kris] - personally believe there should be a goal of full transparency for the DAO
  • [Loie] - in Maker DAO, they will present a salary for a type of role (budget requests then include a team based on those posted salaries). Personally I am in the camp of full transparency. With blockchains, it is easy to find out total comp looking at wallets. Culturally, what are the implications of these decisions.... should we encourage advocation based on other contributor’s compensation.
  • [joe] - sudo anonymity to reduce doxxing.
  • [rachael]
• Is it okay if some WS’s pay better than others?
  • Joe, Kyle
  • [joe] - with decentralization, you can bring evolutionary systems (ie, increase payments as the labor available declines). Experimentation on how to ensure you hit a goal, and fund accordingly to increase that success. if each workstream is focused on “what is the best way to fund initiatives?” it may lend itself to different payments from another workstream.
  • [Kyle] interested in continuity, worry about defecting - how do we ensure we continue the thread of “this is all Gitcoin” and dont bring unnecessary competition between workstreams
  • [Loie] interested in caps for key roles
• Does DAO vs Holdings need to pay similarly?
  • Joe, Kyle
  • [loie] - when thinking of gaps between holdings and DAO should likely have a max of 25% difference. the DAO should always pay people a little bit more than holdings.
  • Kyle - consider PTO, equity, vesting, maternal/paternal leave, health benefits. Need to define what “total compensation” looks like in a DAO
  • [joe] - CSDO brings an opt in normalcy and agreed upon norms.
• What elements on resumes do we prioritize? Education, crypto experience, trad company experience?
  • Joe, scott
  • Scott: how do we avoid asking for trad cvs
  • Kris: yes, exp should be factored in
  • Kyle: trad world CVs could be a fallback. first look to portfolio/reputation stuff. it’s a disservice to contributor & project to hire someone into a role they’re not experienced for
  • [rachael] - during interviews you can sus out experience
  • [joe] - are we talking about core contributors, or bounty / project based work?
  • Brittney: past DAO exp is good, but being active in too many DAOs can be a red flag that the focus won’t be there
• Does location/cost of living factor into what we pay?
  • Joe, kyle, Kris
  • Scott disagrees on factoring this in, will create conflict esp if we have transparency
  • [kyle] - Gitlab example. Buffer has a good calculator tool
  • It has been argued that paying based on location contributes to global gentrification
  • Can incentivize ppl to move to an area for pay bracket
  • Annika: crypto creates economic opportunity no matter where you live
  • Joe: fundamentally against. ppl often deliver 5-10 returns on their work when they are paid 2x
• How do we strive towards diversity/equity with our payment practices?
  • Joe, kyle, scott
  • kyle - define what compensation is, what is total compensation will really help support diversity and bring an inclusive culture.
  • joe - how do we ensure we are inclusive of all to our DAO.
• How does the token play into compensation?
  • kyle
• What vesting & other packages make up a part of ppl’s compensation?
  • Annika, kyle
• How much do we try to dogfood our own payment tools? Radical things like tip.party?
  • Loie, scott, Kris