Transparency is a core value of our Pocket DNA and a foundational part of all Open Source software systems.
Transparency is fundamental because it helps to unlock perhaps the most important element of all: Trust.
Here are two ways we think about transparency:
- Secrecy leads to distrust and suspicion. Sharing leads to reciprocity, responsibility, and learning
- We can’t predict what information and in whose hands it will create million-dollar opportunities and ideas because nobody is as smart as everybody
We believe that we can operationalise this perspective with two transparency principles:
Principle 1. We Default to Open
“Default to open” means making information, data, and processes publicly accessible and transparent by default, unless there is a compelling reason to keep things private. This promotes accountability and trust and reduces the threshold to contribution, promoting greater collaboration. Ways in which we promote this type of default to open mentality include:
- Findability/Searchability - Make our information transparent in the first place to set others up for success. All relevant information should be easy to access and available to all community members (within limits). The release of the Era Notion Page is a first step in this direction.
- Trust & Responsibility - Rather than limiting information flow, share material information even when not required to do so and promote the responsible use of that information within the community. It’s important that people who receive information use it as a starting point for further context building and don’t jump to conclusions.
- Candour - Aim for empathetic communication, but not at the expense of being candid. This is best described as Care Personally but Challenge Directly. This is not just about being open - it is about driving performance and embedding high standards. Of course, being candid with ourselves is important too.
- Pull more than Push - Transparency requires a healthy signal-to-noise ratio. We will strive to empower people to find or “pull” the information they need, rather than being reliant on us to “push” information or to broadcast everything.
How will we do this
We will run a session on upcoming community calls to discuss Transparency and the tactical ways we can embed this in Pocket DAO.
To get this conversation started, below are ways planned or already live for how we are promoting transparency within Pocket:
| Action | Status | Examples & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly PNF Transparency Reports | Done | Q1 23 PNF Transparency Report & Accounts |
| Era Budgeting & Wallets | Done | The Dawn of the new Era |
| Publicly accessible PNF/DAO Roadmap | In progress | |
| Open Workspaces where info can be “pulled” | In progress | https://www.notion.so/poktdao/The-DAO-Era-bfc625f43b6f4b77acb832bb6861dde1 |
| All public meetings recorded and use smart tools like Fireflies to allow async participation | In progress | Many community call recordings in Discord (can definitely better organise though!) |
| Monthly PNF AMA where community can ask PNF questions direct in public | To do |
For community members, this also means expectations around transparency:
| Action | Status | Examples & Links |
|---|---|---|
| Grant funding from PNF contingent on code being Open Source | In progress | |
| Socket funding contingent on being “default to open” | Done | Sockets - Pocket Network Forum |
| POPs run open submissions for priority work (note: PNF is still steward over the protocol and has some discretion) | Done | ALLOCATED PRIORITY: Mainnet Snapshots |
| Contributors expect and receive candid feedback in public | In progress | Starting here by setting this expectations |
This list will evolve and grow over time.
Principle 2. We keep sensitive information safe
In cases where transparency is illegal or can reasonably be expected to cause harm, we take the greatest care to maintain secrecy and confidentiality. What is “sensitive” is an open discussion where we must all continue to refine and challenge our assumptions.
How will we do this
We will keep sensitive or confidential information safe by taking the following actions:
- We (PNF) maintain only the relevant information required of us (i.e. some limited personal and banking details) and keep it safe, and we protect the pseudonymous or anon personalities within the DAO where possible
- We develop good practices for OpSec and asset safety
- We will keep in-confidence conversations shared privately when asked to do so (where reasonable)
- We will rigorously assess particularly sensitive information that may affect stakeholders, their involvement or their investments and take appropriate action
What will be kept private and confidential
We will mostly use common sense towards such decisions, but things that we will keep private include:
- Personal contact or “HR” related information, including anything that can dox anons or pseudonymous personalities within the community
- Operational security information or any known technical vulnerabilities
- Salary related information of individuals or contributors outside of the PNF team
- Customer, CRM or investor related information of a sensitive nature
Again, this is not exhaustive and we would welcome creating more granularity on the above if helpful. Please provide comments or suggestions below to help us iterate on this document.
Notes on Transparency in PNF and POKT DAO
Some supplemental, FAQ-type information around transparency:
How do we decide what is sensitive or should be private, and how do we make changes to this document?
We will use the principle of default to open, “unless there is a compelling reason not to do so”. We will use our best judgement and encourage others to do the same. The items above outlining what is sensitive can and will be amended as we learn and evolve together and we will ensure this is noted within this forum post or elsewhere for clarity.
What should you do if unsure?
We encourage others to start using and applying the principles above and to use their best judgement. For any grey areas, we recommend that if you’re still unsure, reach out to someone and ask for advice!
What tools do we use for what?
Transparency involves also understanding where to access what types of information. This will be further refined to help people better understand the different channel purposes across Discourse, Discord, Notion, Dework, Github and other platforms for open communication.
What “communication” style do we aspire to?
Broadly speaking, we aim to communicate with Radical Candour. We will provide a further update regarding Communications soon, but there are some things we can all aspire to:
- Open: Provide open access to information, data and records where possible
- Clear: Ensure information, expectations, decisions and policies are provided in a clear, candid and concise (simple!) manner.
- Two-way: Be open to feedback and encourage constructive feedback from employees, customers, and other stakeholders and be sure to give the same
- Responsiveness: Aim to quickly and effectively address questions and concerns from all stakeholders and make extra effort to respond in a timely manner in the Discourse Forum
- Honest and Fair: Report all information accurately, objectively and truthfully to ensure decisions are made based on merit and that all stakeholders have an equal opportunity to have access and their voices heard
- Responsibility and accountability: Hold individuals and teams accountable to their commitments, actions, decisions and results
This document will be considered an agreement and be regularly updated.