Whether you're just entering the world of DAOs or a seasoned veteran within our community, navigating the intricacies of crafting a successful proposal can elicit a range of emotions, from excitement and fulfillment to confusion and frustration. This guide was crafted to empower future AIP authors with some of the knowledge and skills needed to effectively draft, present, and campaign their proposals to the ApeCoin DAO community.

The entire DAO ecosystem relies on individuals like you, our dedicated core contributors and prospective new members, to develop high-quality proposals which bring value to this ecosystem. Without your commitment, ideas, and initiative, there would be no proposals, no projects, and no forward progress.

Hats off to you, this one's for you.

1. ApeCoin DAO - High Level Overview

   1. DAO History

   2. $APE coin

   3. Delegates

2. Communication Platforms

   1. Discourse

   2. Discord

   3. ApeComms

   4. Snapshot

3. Proposals - AIP: Ape Improvement Proposals

   1. The 9 Proposal Phases

   2. Meet the Facilitators

4. Author Mentorship Program

   1. How it works

   2. The Governance Working Group

5. Writing your first Draft

   1. AIP Template

6. Promoting your AIP

   1. Gathering feedback

   2. Do’s and Don'ts

   3. The Nature of a DAO

   4. Campaigning

7. What to do if your proposal gets approved

   1. Legal finalization

   2. Do us proud

8. What to do if your proposal gets rejected

   1. Resubmitting

   2. Stay involved

   3. Find alternative ways to contribute

   4. Personal example

In 2021, Yuga Labs unveiled two notable NFT collections. The first was the Bored Ape Yacht Club, BAYC, while the second was the Mutant Ape Yacht Club, affectionately known as BAYC & MAYC respectively. Following these releases, Yuga Labs established a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) designed to be overseen by a novel cryptocurrency token, $APE, and the individuals who possess these $APE tokens. A strict cap of 1 billion $APE tokens was implemented, with 15% of this maximum supply distributed as a gift to the holders of 10,000 BAYC NFTs and 20,000 MAYC NFTs. Subsequently, 47% of the remaining $APE tokens were allocated to a treasury managed by the community.

The ApeCoin DAO community treasury current balance is visible here: https://apecointreasury.nodeblocks.io/

Anyone with at least 1 single $APE or more is able to do these 3 important things;

1. Join the ApeCoin DAO discourse and engage in official community discussions

2. Vote on proposals

3. Create new proposals

For every 1 $APE a person owns, they have 1 vote on what happens with that treasury. Owning 100 $APE equates to having 100 votes, etc.

Voting in a DAO like ApeCoin DAO can be a time-consuming endeavor, especially given its high activity level. To address this, some individuals opt to delegate their voting responsibilities to others.

Delegating your vote essentially means entrusting someone else to make decisions on your behalf when it comes to voting. These delegates are individuals or entities chosen to represent your interests in the DAO's decision-making processes.

You can find a list of the current ApeCoin DAO Delegates at this link: https://apecoindao.nodeblocks.io/delegates.

The advantage of a delegation system is that it allows voters to participate in all proposals without the need for extensive research. However, one challenge lies in ensuring that delegates do not become overly influential and steer the community in a direction that may not align with everyone's interests.

If you're considering delegating your votes, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on the delegate you have in mind. This may involve following them on social media platforms like Twitter, engaging in one-on-one conversations with them, or reading their online content. It's important to choose a delegate who reflects the values and priorities you hold as an individual, as they will be casting votes on your behalf. Your choice of delegate should be a reflection of your own stance within the community.

Discourse is a community owned platform, not representing the official ApeCoin DAO, but it’s where pretty much everyone who’s anyone hangs out. The Discourse serves as the primary communication platform for the ApeCoin DAO community, offering a comprehensive and thorough space for discussions. However, efficiently navigating it can sometimes be a challenge. I strongly encourage you to take a moment to acquaint yourself with ApeCoin Discourse.

Explore a few posts contributed by other community members, engage by adding your comments as replies, and observe the prevailing style of dialogue within the platform. This platform is where your proposal will reside, making it essential for you to understand its environment.

Think of Discourse as a public billboard or a community forum. It's open to anyone who holds 1 $APE or more, allowing them to initiate discussions or respond to existing topics, albeit not in real-time. While it may not provide the immediacy of a live conversation, it excels in organizing a wide range of topics on a global scale.

You can access Discourse at the following URL: https://forum.apecoin.com/. Familiarizing yourself with this platform will be invaluable as you engage with the ApeCoin DAO community.

Discord is also a community owned platform, not representing the official ApeCoin DAO, but highly popular within the community. It stands as another premier communication platform within the ApeCoin DAO community. One of its prominent advantages is the opportunity it offers for real-time, live discussions with engaged community members.

You can join the ApeCoin DAO Discord community using the following invite link: https://discord.gg/NqzKGB6r. This platform provides an excellent avenue for immediate and interactive conversations, fostering a dynamic and vibrant community experience.

ApeComms serves as the platform for engaging in live voice discussions within the ApeCoin DAO community. Unlike Discourse, which is used for passive forum postings, and Discord, which facilitates live text discussions, ApeComms offers the opportunity to participate in public discussions using our real voices. All ApeComms meetings take place on the X/Twitter platform as Spaces.

If you haven't already, it's highly recommended that you create an X/Twitter account. There's a popular saying in the crypto world that 'Crypto lives on Twitter,' and this sentiment holds true to a large extent. To truly immerse yourself in the Web3 ecosystem and engage with the community, having a Twitter presence is almost essential.

For updates and announcements related to ApeComms, you can follow their X/Twitter account at: https://twitter.com/ApeComms. This will keep you informed about upcoming discussions and events within the community.

ApeComms was initiated by individuals much like yourself, people who felt a strong desire to contribute to the community and took proactive steps to make it happen. The creators of ApeComms went through the same AIP (Ape Improvement Proposal) process that is being described in this guide.

To get a better sense of how ApeComms operates, you can review the ApeComms AIP, which successfully passed with a remarkable 99.99% approval rating on November 22, 2023, by visiting this link: https://snapshot.org/#/apecoin.eth/proposal/0x632d256bee1f63472611f855cacc41174fa8f463915bb638ce16af8ac9c5e2f1

Snapshot serves as the platform where all the voting takes place within the ApeCoin DAO community. It's important to note that Snapshot is not a space for forum postings, live text or voice chats; rather, it's exclusively dedicated to the voting process. This is where your new proposal will be published for the community to cast their votes, using their $APE tokens.

I encourage you to explore the ApeCoin Snapshot here. Take some time to peruse the recent list of proposals that the community has voted on; there are hundreds of them. In the ApeCoin DAO, the most critical form of communication is through votes. These votes play a pivotal role in deciding how to manage the entire ApeCoin DAO treasury, and they also determine whether your new proposal will be accepted or rejected. Understanding how Snapshot works and the history of previous proposals will be invaluable as you navigate the DAO's decision-making processes.

The 9 Proposal Phases

1. PHASE 1: AIP IDEA

   1. An AIP Idea is submitted as a post in Discourse and must receive moderator confirmation that it complies with DAO-approved guidelines before it appears to the community. The person or people submitting the AIP Idea will be referred to as the author or authors (please note that multiple members can work together on an AIP idea, but it should be submitted only once). The AIP idea informally gathers comments via Discourse for seven days. The author cannot edit the original post — if the author wants to propose changes to the original idea, they must do this via the comments.

2. PHASE 2: AIP DRAFT

   1. Once the seven-day feedback window has passed and a moderator closes the Discourse topic, a moderator will send the author the proposal template and next steps for submission and voting. They may also suggest a proposal category, if not already specified in Discourse.

   2. The author will fill out the template, incorporating any Discourse feedback that helps the idea better serve the DAO. The author can add additional fields to the template if necessary to fully communicate the intentions, specifics, and implications of the AIP Draft. The moderator may also inform the author of incorrect or missing information that needs to be changed or clarifications that need to be made. If the author does not respond to those moderator requests within 30 days, the AIP Draft will be automatically rejected.

   3. When the moderator confirms an AIP Draft complies with DAO-approved guidelines, they assign a number to the AIP for identification purposes throughout the rest of the process. From this point on, the AIP is referred to as “AIP-#: (Name) - (Category)”. For example the first AIP is “AIP-1: Proposing the DAO - Process”.

3. PHASE 3: AIP ANALYSIS REPORT

4. The AIP Draft is reviewed by a project management team engaged by APE Foundation who will provide an AIP Analysis Report to ensure costs, steps to implement, legal considerations, third-party review requirements, potential conflicts of interests, and any further implications have been identified. Given that AIP authors may be submitting drafts with little to no resources, this service for the DAO community ensures that DAO members have enough information about proposals to make informed decisions when voting.

5. PHASE 4: AIP MODERATION

   1. The AIP Draft + Analysis Report (DAR) Package is reviewed by a team of moderators and either approved or not approved based on whether it adheres to the DAO-approved guidelines. If approved, it becomes a Pending AIP and moves to Phase 5. If not approved, it is eligible for resubmission, except in cases of violation of the law or reasonable suspicion of fraud or other misleading information.

6. PHASE 5: POST-MODERATION TAGGING

   1. Pending AIPs that have passed AIP Moderation are tagged as “Straight to Vote” or “Needs Administrative Review.”

   2. The “Straight to Vote” tag is given to a pending AIP whose costs, content, and implications are considered straightforward and of no risk to the well-being of the DAO. Any Pending AIP that is tagged as “Straight to Vote” will skip to Phase 7.

   3. The “Needs Administrative Review” tag is given to a pending AIP whose costs, content, or implications are considered complicated or a potential risk to the well-being of the DAO. Any Pending AIP that is tagged as “Needs Administrative Review” must go through Phase 6.

7. PHASE 6: ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

   1. For Pending AIPs that have been tagged with “Needs Administrative Review,” the Board, serving in an administrative capacity, will determine whether clarification or action is required before moving a Pending AIP to Phase 7. If clarification or action is not needed, the Pending AIP is tagged as “Approved for Voting” and proceeds to Phase 7. If the Board decides to return a Pending AIP for further clarification or action, they must provide a clear explanation of why and tag it as either “Return for Clarification” or “Return for Reconstruction.”

8. PHASE 7: LIVE AIP

   1. Drafts that have passed their respective approval processes will become Live AIPs on Snapshot during the next Weekly AIP Release, which is when new AIPs are released in batches Thursdays at 9PM ET. Once live on Snapshot, Live AIPs are open to voting until Weekly Voting Close, which is at 9PM ET on the Wednesday following their release. Moderators are the only ones that can post AIPs to Snapshot because they must confirm that each one has gone through the correct approvals process.

9. PHASE 8: FINAL AIP

   1. If a Live AIP has not gotten any votes or is tied by the Vote Close Time, it will be tagged as “Stalled” and be eligible for Resubmission. In all other cases, Live AIPs are moved to one of two Final AIP categories. Rejected Final AIPs can be resubmitted via the appropriate Resubmission Template if the author contacts a moderator. Accepted Final AIPs move into Implementation.

10. PHASE 9: IMPLEMENTATION

    1. For Accepted Final AIPs, implementation will begin based on the steps outlined in the AIP template. The project management team engaged by the APE Foundation is responsible for making sure this happens, but is not responsible for doing it themselves.

Administering a global communication platform like ApeCoin Discourse, which boasts thousands of contributors spanning diverse time zones and languages, is undeniably a formidable undertaking. This responsibility is entrusted to a dedicated team of three individuals who work tirelessly to facilitate, moderate, and provide support for all discussions. To gain further insight into their roles, you can explore their X/Twitter profiles below. However, please approach them with respect and consideration, keeping in mind that their main priority is managing Discourse, which may occasionally limit their availability to respond to every Twitter direct message or post.

These individuals serve as the backbone of a thriving and harmonious community, and demonstrating understanding of their roles and responsibilities can contribute to a more positive experience for all participants.

Here are the X/Twitter profiles of the team members:

Lost: https://twitter.com/HodlrCollective

Chris: https://twitter.com/LogicallyCrypto

12GAUGE: https://twitter.com/12GLepage

The Author Mentorship Program is an empowering initiative that allows previous AIP (Ape Improvement Proposal) authors to volunteer their time and expertise to assist new authors in achieving greater success.

A prime example of how the Author Mentorship Program operates is the guide you are currently reading. I am MemeBrains, and my Twitter profile is @MemeBrains. I am a contributor to ApeCoin DAO, and I volunteered my time to create this guide for you. I was not employed or compensated by the DAO for this effort, and I did not request any financial rewards. While it's possible that in the future, the ThankApe program, other programs run by the community, or friendly people like you may send me some $APE tokens in appreciation of this effort, my primary motivation for creating this guide is to assist you, an enthusiastic and proactive community member, in becoming more engaged with the DAO ecosystem.

Perhaps one day, you will also extend your help to others, fostering a cycle of mutual support and growth within the community.

It's important to emphasize that the mentorship program operates on a volunteer basis. To get involved, you will need to reach out to the GWG stewards, who can guide you through the process of becoming more involved in the ecosystem.

By the way, both the Governance Working Group and the Author Mentorship Program were initiated by individuals much like yourself—people who conceived valuable ideas, presented them to the community, and dedicated themselves to bringing those ideas to fruition.

Here is the Snapshot vote that successfully passed, providing more details about the Author Mentorship Program: Snapshot Vote on Author Mentorship Program

Below, you will find the contact information for the Governance Working Group, along with the two individuals who manage it. I encourage you to reach out to them for further support and information.

Primary Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/ApeCoinGWG

AllCity: https://twitter.com/AllCityBAYC

BigBull: https://twitter.com/KapitalCrypto

It’s time to write up a first draft of your proposal. I suggest you follow the general guidelines listed on the ApeCoin website here, copy/pasted below for convenience: https://forum.apecoin.com/t/aip-draft-template/6331

PROPOSAL NAME:

Choose a title that best represents your AIP proposal.

PROPOSAL CATEGORY:

There are four different categories to choose from:

1. Choose Brand Decision for proposals that the DAO attaches its name to, including projects and collaborations.

2. Choose Ecosystem Fund Allocation for proposals about how the Ecosystem Fund [ApeCoin for the Web3 Economy] should be spent.

3. Choose Informationalfor proposals that suggest changes to the guidelines or that provide information to the ApeCoin community.

4. Choose Process for proposals about making changes to any of the ApeCoin DAO decision-making processes. This covers everything from submitting an AIP to the voting process, to the tools and platforms used.

TEAM DESCRIPTION:

Provide a brief introduction of yourself and your team if you’re requesting funding. If you’re seeking funding, each team member set to receive funds must separately sign a grant agreement and undergo KYC verification before funds are released.

ABSTRACT:

A brief summary outlining your proposal. This section will be showcased on Snapshot for the community’s consideration and should effectively communicate key details about your proposal.

BENEFIT TO APECOIN ECOSYSTEM:

Explain how your proposal will benefit the ApeCoin ecosystem, and how it aligns with the APE Community’s core mission and values. This section will be visible to voters on Snapshot.

KEY TERMS:

Definitions of any terms within the proposal that are unique to the proposal, new to the APE Community, and/or industry-specific (optional).

PLATFORMS & TECHNOLOGIES:

A detailed breakdown of the platforms and technologies that will be used, if any.

STEPS TO IMPLEMENT & TIMELINE:

Outline the steps to implement your proposal, including the associated costs, key performance indicators, personnel requirements, any expectations of the Ape Foundation, and other resources needed for each step where applicable. This section also provides relevant timing details, including the project’s start date and key milestones.

OVERALL COST:

Summarize the total budget associated with implementing the proposal. This section will be visible to voters on Snapshot.

Just because you write a good proposal, doesn’t mean everyone will vote in favor. People will have questions, confusions are likely to arise, and confused people don’t vote yes. Promoting your proposal internally within the community is vital for gaining community understanding and support.

Promoting your AIP and gathering feedback is a crucial step in the process of proposing changes or initiatives within the ApeCoin DAO community. Here are some key guidelines and considerations:

Personally, I like to share my proposals in a rough draft format, such as a Google document, with individuals who are willing to provide initial feedback, before I post my Proposal on Discourse. This step allows me to refine and improve my proposal before formally submitting it to the broader community.

• Do maintain a respectful and courteous demeanor when interacting with individuals providing feedback. Remember that they are volunteering their time to assist you.

• Be open to feedback and suggestions from others. Listen attentively to their input and thank them for their time and insights.

• Don't be rude, demanding, or dismissive of feedback. Respect the volunteers' time and effort in offering their insights.

• Avoid interrupting or dismissing feedback, even if it seems unconventional or contradictory. Each perspective can provide valuable insights.

• Keep in mind that if you disregard someone's feedback and your proposal is ultimately rejected, the responsibility falls on you, not the volunteers who offered their assistance.

DAOs are diverse communities with members from various backgrounds and expertise levels. Emotions can sometimes run high, especially when proposals involve financial aspects, so be prepared for varying reactions.

Campaigning involves more than just being present; it's about actively engaging with your audience to convey your proposal effectively. This means participating in discussions on platforms like ApeComms, fostering conversations on Discourse and Discord, sharing your ideas through tweets, and taking proactive steps. Effective campaigning plays a crucial role in ensuring that the community comprehends your proposal, and adopting excellent communication practices can greatly aid your efforts.

Reminder! Reach out to the Delegates within the ApeCoin ecosystem. Scroll up to the ‘Delegates’ section in this guide for resources and some contact information.

Two lessons I have found valuable on this topic…

1. When emotions go up, logic goes down. it's wise to take a step back, disengage, and regain composure before re-engaging in discussions. Decisions made from a calm and rational state tend to be more effective.

2. Practice the art of letting go. If you encounter frustration or upset during this process, remember that life is full of opportunities for positive experiences. Focus on finding peace in the present moment and maintain a forward-looking perspective.

By adhering to these guidelines and understanding the dynamics of a DAO, you can navigate the proposal process more effectively and foster a constructive and supportive environment within the ApeCoin DAO community.

Be prepared for legal finalization, which may be necessary for approved proposals. You may need to engage in discussions with the ApeCoin legal team and handle paperwork. The complexity of these discussions will depend on the nature of your proposal, so ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements in the crypto ecosystem.

The ApeCoin community has shown confidence in your proposal by approving it. The best way to proceed is to honor your word and fulfill every aspect of your proposal to the best of your ability. Your commitment to delivering on the proposal is crucial.

Not all proposals are approved on the first attempt. Sometimes, the community rejects a proposal with feedback and suggests revisions. If your proposal is rejected but you're encouraged to resubmit, view it as a positive sign. It means people appreciate your idea and want to see it refined. The facilitator assigned to your proposal will guide you through the resubmission process, which is usually straightforward.One of the great things about resubmitting, is that you get to skip the 7-day community feedback period. Resubmitting is aimed at being quick and easy.

If you choose not to resubmit your proposal, don't worry. There are numerous ways to remain engaged with the ApeCoin DAO community. The ecosystem is known for its inclusivity, supportiveness, friendliness, and straightforward communication style. Many members have faced rejection in some form but have continued to contribute in other ways.

Consider exploring other avenues to contribute to the community. Many individuals who faced setbacks in one area have found fulfilling roles in different aspects of the ecosystem. The key is to stay involved and remain dedicated to the community.

I once aimed to become a Special Council member within the DAO through the nomination process. While I believed I was well-suited for the role, the community decided otherwise, and I wasn't elected from a pool of 27 candidates. However, instead of being disheartened, I channeled that energy into creating the article you're currently reading. The point is, if your proposal faces rejection, understand that many authors have experienced similar setbacks but have found alternative ways to contribute.

Remember, every failure can serve as a stepping stone toward future success. The ApeCoin DAO ecosystem values dedication, resilience, and the willingness to keep striving. So, if your proposal doesn't make it this time, explore new opportunities and continue to be part of this dynamic community.

I hope you found this article helpful. Now, go ahead and start working on your first proposal!

Sincerely,

MemeBrains

Don’t let your memes be dreams.