# About Upstream
Upstream is the place to start and run your DAO. We provide a full set of tools to manage your DAOs, including features to setup your governance, treasury, tokenomics, communication, events and more. Upstream allows anyone to: * [Join a DAO](/dao-members/joining-a-dao) using a governance token and vote on proposals about the DAOs operation. * [Become a signator](/signators/understanding-signators) responsible for committing and executing approved proposals from the DAO. # Understanding DAOs If you have made it to Upstream, you probably have heard about or are interested in DAOs. In this guide, we will explore what are DAOs, the benefits of DAOs, and things you should know before starting a DAO. ## What is a DAO? A DAO, or "Decentralized Autonomous Organization", is an organization represented by rules encoded as a smart contract that is written on a blockchain network. This allows the creation of organizations where decision-making, financial, and governance rules are written in code. Upstream combines this technology with a simple user interface to provide an inituitive and full toolkit to manage your DAO. Using the acronym, you can remember that DAOs are: * **Decentralized:** DAOs are not controlled by a single entity or a centralized institution but are governed by a network of individuals. * **Autonomous:** DAOs operate automatically and independently. Once the rules are established in the blockchain, they can operate without human intervention unless the rules are changed. * **An Organization:** DAOs, like traditional organizations, are collective entities that serve a specific purpose. They can range from investment groups to charity organizations, or any other type of collective endeavor. Below are some DAOs examples and their missions: * [UkraineDAO ](https://blog.upstreamapp.com/ukraine-dao-fundraising/)- Fundraising for the Ukrainian government and NGOs. * [LinksDAO](https://blog.upstreamapp.com/how-a-dao-raised-12-5-million-in-17-days-to-buy-a-golf-course/) - Raised money to buy a golf course. * [KlimaDAO](https://blog.upstreamapp.com/using-crypto-to-save-the-environment-klima-dao/) - Using crypto to combat climate change. ## What are the benefits of a DAO? There are some unique benefits that DAOs bring versus traditional communities**:** ### **Shared Community Ownership** A great way to align incentives is to turn community members into owners of the community. This way, when members contribute to the community, they participate in the upside of their efforts. Aligning community members around the group’s mission creates a sense of shared skin in the game. In a DAO, tokens represent ownership in the community and are often proportional to a community member's voting power. ### **Higher Community Engagement** In a world of nearly unlimited choice when it comes to how we spend our time, a community leader might be worried about engaging and retaining their communities. \ \ By aligning incentives through shared ownership, you increase community member accountability and engagement. ### **Continuous Community Feedback** One of the great things about DAOs, is that all decisions are made by the community, for the community. Because decisions are made by majority vote on proposals, and any community member can make a proposal, you can be certain that you’re getting accurate feedback on what community members actually want to do.\ \ Community-made proposals ensure that all voices are given the opportunity to be heard. This also produces better outcomes for the community, as it provides the opportunity for a greater variety of ideas than one person could come up with alone. ### **Increased Community Funding** In addition to time, community leaders can end up investing a lot of their own ($$$) resources to sustain their community or have to raise outside funds to do so. There are several ways to structure membership to a DAO, with one way involving members contributing funds into the shared community wallet once they are accepted to the community.\ \ By having community members contribute into the shared wallet, you’ll have a central source of funds to be working from. No more scraping together sponsorship dollars, or trying to get people to Venmo you after an event.\ \ When your community votes on what activities they want to do, you’ll be able to immediately take action because you have the funding to do so. ### **Greater Opportunities to Reward Contributors** If you want to provide an opportunity for community members to get involved and be rewarded for their contributions, a great way to make community members feel seen is by rewarding them with DAO tokens. You can recognize and reward top community contributors who are attending events, inviting new members, helping plan events, and any way that adds positive value to the community. ## Things to consider before starting a DAO DAOs are an exciting way to organize members and take community action. Several key considerations should be taken into account before starting a DAO: * **Identify Mission**: Defining the mission or goal of the DAO is crucial. It gives direction to the entire organization and helps align the members' efforts. * **Form a Founding Team**: Assembling a team of passionate and knowledgeable individuals is important for the successful launch and operation of a DAO. * **Understand Legal Requirements**: Depending on your DAO, additional legal structures may require to be put in place before launching. It's good practice to get legal advice when setting up your DAO. * **Define Roles and Responsibilities**: The roles and responsibilities of members should be defined clearly to ensure smooth functioning. # Creating an Account Upstream provides a user-friendly experience for you to sign up and get started in exploring DAO's. This guide will walk you through creating an account, linking additional wallet addresses, and editing your profile information. ### Signing Up with a Wallet or Email 1. When you receive a direct link to a DAO or an Event on Upstream, click on the link. This will navigate you to the landing page, where you'll be prompted to create an account before proceeding. 2. On the account creation screen, you can choose to sign up in one of two ways: * **Web3 Wallet:** Choose this option if you'd like to create an account using your crypto wallet address. Simply connect your wallet, and you're all set! No email address is required at this point. * **Email and Password:** If you prefer to use an email address, username, and password, fill in the respective fields and proceed.
Please note, if you sign up with a crypto wallet, you can still add a username and password later in your profile settings. ### Adding an Email Address Post Signing Up Perhaps you initially signed up using only your crypto wallet, but now wish to receive DAO activity notifications and product updates from Upstream. Using your email address to login is also an easier alternative if you wish to view your DAO on a mobile device. Adding your email address is a straightforward process. 1. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. 2. In the drop-down menu, select "Account Settings". 3. You will see an option to add your email address. Enter your preferred email + password and click "Save Settings". Upstream respects your privacy and will never share your email with third parties. Please note, while you can change your email address or delete your entire account, you cannot remove an email address from your account without replacing it with another. By following these instructions, you should be able to create your Upstream account and configure it to best meet your needs. Welcome to the world of DAOs with Upstream!\
# Linking Wallet Addresses ### Linking Additional Wallet Addresses Linking multiple wallet addresses to your account provides flexibility and allows you to log in with any linked address. Here's how to link an additional wallet address: 1. Switch over to a different wallet address in your web3 wallet. 2. Upon connecting a different wallet address, you'll see a pop-up asking if you want to link the new wallet address to the existing account, or switch over to a new account that will be created for that wallet address.
If you wish to unlink wallet addresses from your account, navigate to the "Linked Wallet Accounts" section, located adjacent to the profile icon on the top right of your screen.
# Overview ## What is an Upstream DAO? An Upstream DAO is a virtual community that holds shared funds in an Ethereum wallet. Members contribute cryptocurrency to the DAO to join and then create and vote on proposals to decide how to use the funds. If a proposal is passed and executed, the commands in the proposal are carried out and the decision is recorded on the blockchain. To become a part of an Upstream DAO, you will need to receive an invitation from the community. # DAO Roles In a DAO, each individual plays a unique and crucial role in its operation and governance. The following will help you understand the three primary roles within a DAO on Upstream: the Creator, Signators, and Members. These roles each carry different responsibilities and privileges, which are critical to the effective functioning of a DAO. ### 1. The Creator The Creator is the individual who initiated the DAO on the Upstream platform. They are the keyholder to the DAO contract, and often the visionary behind the DAO's concept and goals. The Creator has several responsibilities: * **Originating the DAO:** The Creator is responsible for setting up the DAO, defining its purpose, and setting its initial goals. * **DAO Settings:** They control the initial DAO settings that are set when launching the DAO. * **Leadership:** The Creator often leads the DAO, guiding its strategic direction and fostering growth and participation. In the members tab, the Creator is also identified as a Signator due to their essential role in the DAO's decision-making process. ### 2. Signators Signators are trusted members of the DAO who are entrusted with significant responsibilities: * **Executing Proposals:** Signators are responsible for signing and executing proposals passed by the DAO. This role is essential in ensuring the DAO's decisions are implemented effectively. * **Administrative Controls:** Signators have administrative access in the DAO's events and forum, enabling them to manage these spaces as needed. * **Data Access:** Signators also have the ability to export member data for analysis or record-keeping. ### 3. DAO Members DAO Members are individuals who hold DAO tokens and actively participate in the DAO's activities: * **Voting Rights:** Members have the right to vote on proposals, shaping the direction and decisions of the DAO. * **Participation:** Members are encouraged to actively contribute to the DAO, sharing ideas, voting on proposals, and participating in the DAO's events and forum. ### Understanding Membership and Ownership On the Members tab of your DAO, you'll find a list of all the DAO's members, including their roles and wallet ownership:
* **Signator Badge:** Members who are also Signators will have a badge indicating this status. * **Wallet Ownership:** The wallet ownership figure represents the total number of votable tokens a member owns. This number signifies the member's voting power within the DAO. * **Percentage Ownership:** Each member's percentage ownership of the DAO is also displayed. This figure represents the proportion of total DAO tokens that a member holds. Understanding these roles is fundamental to effective participation in a DAO. Each role carries different responsibilities and influences, shaping the DAO's decisions and direction. Whether you are a Creator, a Signator, or a Member, your contributions are valuable in the collective decision-making process that powers the DAO. # DAO Wallets Every DAO on Upstream comes equipped with a DAO wallet, which serves as the shared treasury of the organization. By default, the DAO wallet is displayed as "Treasury Wallet." This section provides essential information about the wallet's balance, tokens held, and NFTs owned, allowing DAO members to keep track of the DAO's financial status and assets. Additionally, the DAO wallet offers the ability to link and unlink additional wallets, providing further insights into the organization's financial activities.
### Viewing DAO Wallet Details 1. The DAO wallet section provides the following details: 1. Balance: The amount of ETH in the DAO wallet is displayed under the "Balance" section. 2. Tokens: The value of tokens held in ETH is shown under the "Tokens" section. This includes the DAO's native tokens or any other tokens held by the organization. 3. NFTs: The value of NFTs owned by the DAO, expressed in ETH, is listed under the "NFTs" section. 2. Opensea and Etherscan: You can easily view the DAO wallet in both Opensea and Etherscan, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the DAO's financial activities and assets. 3. Balance Over Time: A graph allows you to track the balance of the DAO wallet over time. This graph is valuable for monitoring financial trends and fluctuations in the organization's resources. ### Linking & Unlinking Additional Wallets One of the features of the DAO wallet is the ability to link and unlink additional wallets to the DAO. This feature allows DAO members to keep track of other wallets associated with the organization, such as hot wallets used for specific interactions. **Understanding Hot Wallets** A hot wallet refers to a crypto wallet that is connected to the internet and used for frequent and active transactions. Hot wallets are convenient for day-to-day operations and enable quick access to funds, making them suitable for interactions within the DAO. **Linking a Wallet**
To link an additional wallet to the DAO, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to the DAO and click the "Create a Proposal" button. 1. Select Wallet -> Link Wallet. 2. Provide the wallet address and a nickname for the wallet you would like to link. 2. Voting and Approval: The proposal needs to go through the voting process, during which DAO members will cast their votes. Once the proposal receives sufficient votes to pass the quorum requirement, it will be approved. 3. Execution: After the proposal is approved, a signator will execute the proposal, completing the process of linking the wallet to the DAO wallet section. 4. View the additional wallet in the DAO Wallet section. **Unlinking a Wallet**
To unlink a wallet from the DAO, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to the DAO and click the "Create a Proposal" button. 1. Select Wallet -> Unlink Wallet. 2. Select the additional wallet that you would like to unlink from the DAO. 2. Voting and Approval: The proposal needs to go through the voting process, during which DAO members will cast their votes. Once the proposal receives sufficient votes to pass the quorum requirement, it will be approved. 3. Execution: After the proposal is approved, a signator will execute the proposal, completing the process of linking the wallet to the DAO wallet section. 4. View the additional wallet in the DAO Wallet section. By utilizing the DAO wallet and its associated features, Upstream DAO members can gain valuable insights into the organization's financial health, assets, and connected wallets. This transparency and visibility contribute to effective decision-making and governance within the DAO. # DAO Vault The DAO Vault is a comprehensive overview of your DAO's digital assets, featuring virtual tokens, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and other assets owned by the DAO. The vault is your one-stop destination to access, review, and manage your DAO's collective wealth and resources. ### **What You Can Find in the DAO Vault** When you access the DAO Vault, you can see a broad array of assets belonging to your DAO: 1. **Virtual Tokens**: This refers to the cryptocurrency assets that your DAO owns, such as Bitcoin, Ether, or any other tokens. 2. **Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)**: The DAO Vault includes a display of all NFTs owned by the DAO. These are unique digital assets that represent ownership of specific items or pieces of content. NFTs can include everything from digital artwork to virtual real estate in digital worlds. 3. **Other Blockchain Assets**: Any other assets owned by your DAO that reside on the blockchain can also be found within the DAO Vault. This could include, for example, virtual land in a digital metaverse, digital collectibles, or various DeFi tokens. To estimate the value of each NFT, we rely on data from wgmi.io. This tool offers value estimations based on the specific traits and characteristics of each NFT. ### **Managing Your DAO Vault** The DAO Vault isn't just for display—it's also an operational tool that helps you manage your DAO's assets: 1. **Transfer Assets**: If you wish to transfer assets out of the DAO Vault, you'll need to create a proposal using the 'transfer assets' command. In this proposal, specify the asset you wish to transfer and the wallet address you want to send the asset to. Remember, any asset transfer must be democratically approved by your DAO members—this means the proposal must be voted on, passed, and executed before the transfer can occur. 2. **Add Assets**: Adding assets to your DAO Vault is as simple as sending them to the DAO's contract address. You can find your DAO's contract address in the collective settings. Once transferred, these assets will appear in your DAO Vault, bolstering your DAO's collective wealth. The DAO Vault is your treasury, your museum, and your war chest. By understanding its contents and how to manage it, you're taking a significant step towards leveraging the power of your DAO effectively. # DAO Forum Bridging Decisions and Discussions DAOs, by their nature, require fluid communication channels for effective decision-making. With a multitude of platforms available such as Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Slack, striking the balance between passive discussion and real-time chats can be challenging. Upstream's Forum is designed to streamline this process, bridging the gap between momentary chats and lasting decisions. ### **Why use the Forum?** Chat platforms like Discord, Telegram, or Slack are excellent for real-time communication but come with their challenges for DAOs: * Difficulty looking back on decisions * Disorganization and scattered conversations * Overwhelming notifications * Predominance of casual and sometimes off-topic conversation In contrast, the DAO Forum on Upstream offers a dedicated space for organized, focused, and traceable conversations, with features tailored to DAOs' unique needs. The organized layout makes it simple for members to track topics and engage in in-depth conversations. It serves as the DAO's knowledge base, archive, and decision record. ### **How do I access the Forum?** You can access the forum by accessing the DAO's dashboard and clicking on the Forum tab.
### **What are the core features of the Forum?** #### **1. Organized Discussions** * **Categories & Threads**: Group topics into Categories for easy reference. Threads are posts that live within a category. By default, you will see the following categories: * General * Governance & Proposals * Tokenomics * Events * Support * **Pinning Threads**: Admins can highlight important discussions by pinning threads, and directing members to key conversations.
#### **2. Governance & Proposals Integration** * Auto-generation of threads for new proposals in the 'Governance & Proposal' category. * Integrated voting mechanism, allowing members to vote on proposals or polls directly from threads. * The thread for the proposal can also be viewed from the Proposal page. #### **3. Personalized Notifications** * Opt to follow specific categories or threads, controlling the influx of notifications. * Manage notifications in one place with the 'All Notifications' option.
#### **4. Token-Gated Access** * The forum's accessibility is limited to DAO members, ensuring security and relevancy in discussions. #### **5. Admin Capabilities** * Manage categories: Create, edit, or remove (except for the mandatory 'Governance & Proposal' category). * Archive discussions for future reference or delete when no longer necessary. * Highlight important threads by pinning them at the top of categories.
The DAO Forum is more than just a discussion board; it's a convergence point for DAO members, providing a unified user experience that's organized, accountable, and responsive. With integrated features to improve passive collaboration, information dissemination, and decision-making, it's a leap toward more efficient DAO communication. # Connecting ENS Domain ENS names allow an easy way to have a short/user-friendly wallet address for your DAO; instead of the typical random string of numbers and letters used for ETH wallet addresses. This article covers the process of connecting your ENS domain to your Collective on Upstream.\ \ To get started you'll need to have your Collective's contract address and sufficient gas in your personal wallet to complete all the necessary steps in this process. Once you've confirmed your contract address then navigate to [ens.domains](http://ens.domains/). Here's a quick primer on some terms that we'll use throughout this article. * The registrant is the owner of the ENS domain. This address can make any changes to the ENS name's settings. * The controller is an admin of the ENS name. They do not own the name but are able to make changes to the record. ### For an existing ENS Domain:
Steps to transfer: 1. First you'll need to update the ETH address under record to your Collective's contract address. 2. Then you'll need to change the Controller to the Collective's address. 3. If you'd like to still be able to manage the domain from your wallet address then stop at Step 2. If you'd like the Collective to have full ownership of the ENS name then update the Registrant address to the Collective's contract address.\ \ \*\*You can use our Call Remote Contract feature to log into [ens.domains](http://ens.domains/) to make any changes to an ENS name owned by the Collective\*\* # Collective Settings Every DAO on the Upstream platform has specific settings that dictate how the DAO operates. These settings, accessible from the main dashboard of the DAO, are integral to its functioning and governance. Note that any changes to these settings need to be proposed and passed by a majority vote within the DAO.
Here's an overview of the available settings and what they mean: 1. **Contract Address**: The contract address is the unique identifier of the DAO's associated smart contract. This contract orchestrates on-chain operations like token deposits. Assets sent directly to this address are displayed in the DAO's vault. Tools like Etherscan can monitor the contract's transactions for transparency and traceability. 2. **Minimum Signators**: This specifies the minimum number of signators needed to approve and execute a proposal. 3. **Require Signatures to Vote**: If this is enabled, members must sign their votes with their wallet. 4. **Voting Privacy**: This determines whether proposal votes are transparent (listing who voted and their choice) or anonymous. 5. **Proposal Threshold**: This setting defines the minimum number of DAO tokens a member must hold before they can create new proposals. This rule can help ensure that only active contributors can influence the DAO's agenda. 6. **Allow Anyone to Join?**: If enabled, any token holder of the DAO's token can join the DAO on Upstream without needing pre-approval from existing members. 7. **Allow New Membership Requests?**: This setting governs whether the DAO is currently accepting new membership requests. 8. **Exchange Rate**: This rate sets the value equivalence between ETH and the DAO’s tokens. Adjusting the exchange rate will also change members' ownership percentages, as it alters the value of their tokens. 9. **Enable Withdrawals?**: This setting controls whether members can convert their DAO tokens back into ETH. Disabling this locks in members' token contributions. 10. **Enable Contributions?**: If enabled, any Ether sent to the DAO will automatically mint new DAO tokens for the contributor. 11. **Token Transferability**: This governs whether DAO tokens can be transferred between wallets. By disabling transferability, DAOs can restrict token ownership to specific wallets. 12. **Quorum Percentage**: This is the minimum proportion of members who must vote in favor of a proposal for it to pass. It's adjustable based on the DAO's member engagement level. 13. **Minimum ETH Contribution**: This is the least ETH a member can contribute at a time to receive your DAO's governance token. 14. **Upstream Fees**: This represents fees paid to Upstream on contributions. It is currently set to zero, but future changes will be communicated to existing users. 15. **Sync DAO to Blockchain**: This command manually synchronizes the DAO's settings and transactions with its smart contract on the Ethereum network. It's useful for rectifying any discrepancies. Each of these settings plays a vital role in the operation, governance, and transparency of your DAO. As part of the DAO, it's crucial to understand these settings, as any changes will directly influence your DAO's operations and dynamics. # Inviting Members Inviting members to your DAO on Upstream is a crucial and exciting step after the DAO is created. We have simplified the process to make it easy for you. ### How do I invite members? 1. Access the DAO Dashboard: Log in to your Upstream account and navigate to the DAO dashboard. 2. Copy the Invitation Link: On the top left corner, you'll see an "Invite" button. Upon clicking the "Invite" button, you will be provided with a unique invitation link for your DAO. The link is in the form of "**dao-name**.upstreamapp.com". Copy this link to your clipboard.
3. Share the Invitation Link: Share the invitation link with prospective members whom you want to invite to your DAO.
4. Prospective Member's Action: When a prospective member receives the invitation link, they can click on it to access the DAO's landing page on Upstream. 5. Joining the DAO: On the landing page, the prospective member will have the option to join the DAO or request membership to the DAO if certain DAO settings are enabled (as explained in the [next section](/dao-members/joining-a-dao)). 6. Approval Process: Depending on the DAO settings, the membership request may trigger a new proposal within the DAO. Existing DAO members will be required to vote on the proposal, and the DAO signator(s) will need to sign and execute the proposal to add the new member to the DAO. # Joining a DAO To join a DAO, you need to follow certain steps and understand the DAO settings that determine whether new members can be added. The following explains the process of joining a DAO and explores the settings that affect membership. ### What are the settings that affect whether a new member can join the DAO? Several DAO settings determine whether a new member can join the DAO. These settings provide flexibility in managing membership requests and maintaining control over who can participate. Here are the key settings that affect the ability of a new member to join the DAO: 1. Allow New Membership Requests: This setting determines whether the DAO accepts new members. When "Allow New Membership Requests" is turned off, users attempting to join the DAO will see a message stating, "This DAO is not accepting new members." Ensure this setting is turned on to enable new members to join the DAO.
2. Allow Anyone to Join: When "Allow Anyone to Join" is turned on, new members can join contribute ETH directly to join the DAO without any approval process. When "Allow Anyone to Join" is turned off, potential members will need to request membership to join the DAO. This initiates a new proposal that existing DAO members must vote on. The DAO signator(s) will need to sign and execute the proposal to add the new member to the DAO.\
3. Enable Contributions: If "Enable Contributions" is turned on, new members will be able to contribute ETH for DAO tokens and become members of the DAO with voting power. If "Enable Contributions" is turned off, new users will not be able to contribute ETH for tokens and will not be able to join the DAO.\
By understanding and configuring these collective settings, DAO admins can control the membership process and ensure that only desired individuals join your Upstream DAO. # "Request to Join" a DAO When the "Allow anyone to Join" DAO setting is turned off, new members have to request to join the DAO. This initiates a process that involves voting by existing members and the execution of a proposal by signators. ### How do I request to join a DAO? 1. Requesting Membership: If the "Allow anyone to Join" setting is disabled, users who want to join the DAO need to follow a request process. Head over to the DAO landing page and click "Request to Join"\
2. Submitting the Request: Users can include a message about themselves and why they would like to join the DAO. This message will be visible to all DAO members that have to vote on the membership request.\
3. Proposal Creation: This request triggers the creation of an "Add New Member" proposal within the DAO. The "Add New Member" proposal includes the wallet address of the user who requested to join the DAO. Existing members of the DAO will be notified of the proposal and have the opportunity to vote on it. 4. Voting Process: DAO members review the proposal and cast their votes, indicating whether they approve or reject the request to add the new member. 5. Signator Execution: If the proposal is approved, Signators need to sign and execute the proposal to finalize the new member's inclusion in the DAO. 6. Access to the DAO: Once the new user is added to the DAO, it doesn't automatically grant them voting power. Instead, they gain access to the DAO. However, to become a full member with voting power, the new user needs to contribute ETH to receive DAO tokens. 7. Contributing ETH: To acquire voting power and become a full member, the new user can click on the "Contribute ETH" option within the DAO. This allows them to deposit ETH in exchange for DAO tokens, granting them the ability to participate in voting and decision-making processes. # Contributing Funds Contributing ETH is a critical act of participation in a DAO. It provides the DAO with the necessary funds for its operations and initiatives, and rewards contributors with DAO tokens, granting them voting rights and access to exclusive DAO features. This guide details the process of contributing ETH to a DAO's treasury and the various aspects to consider based on the DAO settings. ### Joining a DAO and Contributing ETH Before you can contribute ETH, you must first join the DAO. The process of joining a DAO can vary depending on the specific settings of the DAO. 1. **Contribute to Join:** If the DAO setting "allow anyone to join" is enabled, you can join the DAO and contribute ETH simultaneously in exchange for DAO tokens.
2. **Membership Request:** If the "allow anyone to join" setting is disabled, you must request membership first. Once your membership request is approved via a DAO vote, you can then contribute ETH to receive DAO tokens.
3. **Disabled Contributions:** In some instances, contributions might be completely disabled based on the DAO's settings. In these cases, you may not be able to join the DAO or contribute to it. For a more detailed walkthrough on how to join a DAO, please refer to our dedicated guide: [How to Join a DAO on Upstream](/dao-members/joining-a-dao). ### Contributing ETH for DAO Tokens
1. **Initial Contribution:** Once you're a member, you'll find a 'Contribute ETH' button. Click this button to contribute ETH to the DAO's treasury in exchange for DAO tokens. You'll be asked to acknowledge our Terms of Services before you can make a contribution.\
2. **Additional Contributions:** Even after your initial membership is approved, you can continue to contribute more ETH at any time. 3. **DAO Tokens:** DAO tokens, which are issued based on the DAO's Exchange Rate, grant you voting rights and access to DAO-only features, like exclusive events or forums. * **DAO Exchange Rate:** The DAO exchange rate determines the number of DAO tokens you will receive for your ETH contribution. Members can create a proposal to make changes to the exchange rate. * **Full Membership:** You become a full member of the DAO only when you possess DAO tokens. Just being part of the DAO doesn't make you a full member until you've contributed ETH and received tokens in return. ### Understanding Your Ownership Your ownership in the DAO is represented by the DAO tokens you hold. These tokens symbolize your share in the DAO and the voting power you have in decision-making processes. * **Voting Power:** The amount of DAO tokens you hold directly influences your voting power for making decisions within the DAO. More tokens mean greater influence over the DAO's direction and decision-making process. * **Ownership Transparency:** On the Upstream platform, you can always check your ownership details in the DAO, such as the amount of DAO tokens you hold and your voting power. * **Cashing Out:** Depending on the DAO's settings, you may be able to sell or transfer your DAO tokens to others, effectively transferring your ownership and voting rights. ### DAO Treasury The DAO's treasury is a shared wallet where contributed funds are collected. Members can propose to utilize these funds for specific projects or initiatives based on the DAO's governance rules. ### Direct Contributions Apart from the 'Contribute ETH' button, members can also contribute by sending ETH directly to the DAO's contract address. Double-check the address before sending to prevent any loss of funds. ### Potential Bugs when Contributing ETH Despite the robust design of the Upstream platform, you may occasionally encounter issues when attempting to contribute ETH: 1. **Transaction Failures:** Sometimes transactions can fail due to reasons such as insufficient gas fees or network congestion. Ensure you have sufficient ETH to cover gas fees and try again during less busy times. 2. **Incorrect DAO Tokens Received:** If you receive fewer DAO tokens than expected, the DAO's exchange rate might have changed between your viewing and the transaction's processing. 3. **Disabled Contributions:** You may see a message that contributions are disabled for this DAO. Members can create a proposal to change this setting. 4. **Contribution Not Reflecting in Treasury:** If your contribution doesn't appear in the DAO's treasury, it could be due to network delays or a syncing issue with the Upstream platform. Wait for a few minutes, then refresh your page. For any bugs or issues, please reach out to for assistance. # Withdrawing Funds On Upstream, you have the flexibility to withdraw your ETH contributions from a DAO at any time, provided the DAO's setting for "Enable Withdraws" is turned on. This feature allows DAO members to exchange their DAO tokens for ETH based on the current exchange rate of the DAO. However, it's essential to consider a few factors before making a withdrawal.
### Confirm Withdraws are Enabled To withdraw your funds, ensure that the DAO's "Enable Withdraws" setting is enabled. If this setting is disabled, you will need to create a proposal to allow withdrawals.
### How do I withdraw my ETH? When initiating a withdrawal, members will be required to pay a gas fee to process the transaction on the blockchain. The gas fee covers the computational costs of the transaction. Keep in mind that gas fees can vary based on network congestion and transaction complexity. The withdrawal process is simple and straightforward: 1. Navigate to the DAO and click the "Withdraw ETH" button. 2. Input the number of DAO tokens you want to exchange for ETH. The exchange rate will be determined based on the current valuation of the DAO. You can find the current exchange rate in DAO settings.
3. Confirm the transaction by paying the required gas fee using your wallet. 4. After the transaction is processed and confirmed, you will see the withdrawn ETH in your wallet. ### Partial Withdrawals and Ownership Adjustment If you decide to make a partial withdrawal of your funds, keep in mind that your ownership in the DAO and voting power will be adjusted accordingly. The number of DAO tokens you hold determines your influence and decision-making ability within the DAO. Thus, a partial withdrawal will proportionately impact your involvement in the DAO's governance. ### Considerations Before Withdrawing Before proceeding with a withdrawal, consider the following factors: 1. Impact on Ownership and Influence: Assess how the withdrawal will affect your ownership stake and voting power within the DAO. Consider whether the reduction in tokens aligns with your desired level of influence. 2. Token Value: Take into account the potential value of the DAO tokens you will receive in exchange for your ETH. Evaluate the long-term prospects and potential growth of the tokens. 3. DAO Objectives: Reflect on the long-term goals and objectives of the DAO. Ensure that your withdrawal aligns with the collective vision and mission of the organization. With these considerations in mind, you can make informed decisions regarding withdrawals that align with your individual goals and the best interests of the DAO. # Creating Proposals Proposals are one of the core governance tools on Upstream. Using this tool, your DAO can execute 20+ different commands, from adding new members to sending ETH to a wallet. Creating proposals is an easy, step-by-step process that will be used to take action on anything needed on your DAO. ## Create a Proposal The easiest way to create a proposal, is using the "Create Proposal" button in the home page of your DAO:
### Categories Once you select the "Create Proposal" button, you will be asked to choose a category to help find the commands required for your proposal: **Assets:** Commands to manage the ETH, tokens, and assets in the treasury of the collective. **Members:** Commands to add, remove and manage membership settings in the collective. **Settings:** Commands to update settings of the collective. **Signators:** Commands to assign or remove signators. **Wallets:** Commands to link and unlink wallets
After selecting the appropriate category, you will find a set of commands to choose from to draft your proposal. You may select as many commands as you'd like. For more details on each command, you can go here. For a short list, please see below: * **Assets:** * Send Ether * Disburse Ether * Send Tokens * Transfer Assets * **Members:** * Add Member * Remove Member * Disable or Enable Membership Approval Requirement * Disable or Enable Membership Requests * Remove All Zero Balance Members * **Settings:** * Change Exchange Rate * Enable or Disable Withdrawals * Change Quorum * Remove Signature Requirement to Vote * Change Voting Privacy * Disable or Enable Contributions (ETH) * Change Minimum Signators * Change Minimum ETH Contribution * Call Remote Contract * Change Token Transferability * **Signators** * Designate Signator * Remove Signator * Change Minimum Signators * **Wallets** * Link Wallet * Unlink Wallet ### Command Data Each command requires a different set of inputs. Depending on the command type, this may be a wallet address (if you are sending ETH) or a quorum percentage (if you are updating quorum requirements). For more details on the input required on each command, please refer to this page.
### Proposal Details The last step of your proposal will require written details about your proposal. You will need to select a **title,** a short but descriptive title of your proposal. Write a detailed **proposal description** (make sure to be very clear on what you are proposing that needs to be changed and why you think it is a good idea.) And lastly you will need to set a **voting duration.** We recommend setting the voting duration to a timeframe to ensure your members will have enough time to vote! If there are times that your DAO needs to pass a proposal promptly, ensure that you communicate and remind your DAO members to vote using your preferred communication methods
### Creating Proposals from Setting Screen If you are looking to update settings, you can also create proposals to do so in the "Setting" section of your DAO. Next to all modifiable settings, you will have a "Change" button. Clicking this button will start a proposal for you! All you'll need is the title, description and duration as for any proposal on the Upstream platform. # Proposal Commands Proposal commands are on-chain actions that are associated with proposals. These commands allow you to manage and modify your DAO in various ways, such as managing the wallet, handling members, and tweaking DAO settings.
Below, you'll find the commands categorized under Wallet, Members, and Settings. Each command is accompanied by a brief description of its function. ### Wallet Commands
CommandDescription
Send ETHSend ETH from the DAO's wallet to a specified wallet address.
Disburse ETHDistribute ETH from the DAO's wallet to all token holders proportional to their ownership.
Mint TokensMint new DAO tokens, and send them to a given recipient (in or outside the DAO)
Transfer AssetsSend an Asset (Tokens, NFTs) from the DAO’s wallet to a given recipient
Link WalletLink and track an external wallet.
Unlink WalletUnlink and stop tracking an external wallet.
### Members Commands | Command | Description | | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Add Member | Add a new member to the DAO (specified by their wallet address). | | Remove Member | Remove an existing DAO member (specified by their wallet address). | | Remove All Zero-Balance Members | Remove all existing DAO members that have zero DAO token balance (specified by their wallet address) | | Allow/Disable Membership Requests | This setting determines whether new members can join the DAO. | | Designate Signature | Designate an existing DAO member as a signature, granting them permission to execute proposals. | | Revoke Signature | Revoke an existing DAO signatories permission to execute proposals. | ### Settings Commands | Command | Description | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Change Exchange Rate | Set the exchange value between ETH and your DAO's tokens. | | Change Token Transferability | This setting determines whether members can transfer DAO tokens between wallets. | | Change Quorum | Percentage of total members who must vote for a Proposal to meet quorum | | Allow Anyone to Join | This setting determines wether users must submit a membership request to join the DAO. To learn more, [click here](/dao-members/joining-a-dao/request-to-join-a-dao)[.](/dao-members/joining-a-dao/request-to-join-a-dao) | | Remove Signature Request to Vote | This will determine if you sign votes with your wallet. | | Change Voting Privacy | Proposal votes will be completely anonymous. No one will be able to tell who voted, or how they voted. | | Enable/Disable ETH Contributions | ETH sent to the Collective will result in new DAO token minted & sent back to the depositor. | | Change Minimum Signators | Change the amount of signators needed to execute a proposal. | | Call Remote Contract | Sync with an external contract. To learn more, [click here](/dao-members/creating-proposals/call-remote-contract)[.](/dao-members/creating-proposals/call-remote-contract) | | Change Minimum ETH Contributions | Adjust the minimum required amount of ETH to join the DAO. | | Enable/Disable Withdrawals | Disable DAO members to remove ETH from the DAO wallet. | Understanding these commands will help you navigate your DAO management tasks efficiently. Remember, changes to your DAO are significant decisions often requiring a consensus from the DAO members. Be sure to use these commands judiciously and with the agreement of your DAO's community. \
# Call Remote Contract The "Call Remote Contract" command enables you to sync and connect your DAO contract to an external contract. This integration empowers your DAO to interact with other applications directly, such as purchasing NFTs on platforms like OpenSea or claiming airdrops directly to your DAO's vault. By leveraging this feature, you can preserve the voting requirements and multi-sig security features of your DAO while engaging with external contracts. ### Tutorial Video To get started with the "Call Remote Contract" command, we recommend watching our tutorial video that demonstrates the process. You can find the tutorial video [here](https://youtu.be/6G1kBw29wGU). ### How to Use Call Remote Contract In this example, we'll illustrate how to use the "Call Remote Contract" command to purchase an NFT on OpenSea and connect it to your DAO. Follow these steps: 1. Navigate to your DAO's Dashboard on Upstream. 2. Click on "Create Proposal" to initiate a new proposal. 3. Select "Settings" and then choose "Call Remote Contract" from the options. 4. Open a new tab and navigate to OpenSea. Connect your wallet to OpenSea using the Wallet Connect option. 5. Copy the address provided by OpenSea and paste it into the Wallet Connect pairing code field on Upstream. 6. Once the pairing is established, you'll see a message stating "Establishing WalletConnect session." 7. Return to OpenSea and click "Accept and Sign" to connect your DAO wallet with OpenSea. The connection between your DAO wallet and OpenSea is now established.\
8. In OpenSea, select the desired NFT that you want to purchase. 9. Go back to Upstream and enter the ETH amount you wish to use for buying the NFT. 10. Click "Next" and fill out the proposal details. 11. DAO members need to vote on the proposal to pass it. 12. Signators must sign and execute the proposal to initiate the purchase. 13. Once the proposal is executed, the NFT will be purchased and available in your DAO's vault. ### When to Use the Call Remote Contract Command You can leverage the "Call Remote Contract" command in the following scenarios: 1. Syncing DAO with Wallet Connect: Connect your DAO wallet to external platforms like OpenSea to buy and sell NFTs directly using your DAO's funds. 2. Verifying assets using Wallet Connect: Utilize Wallet Connect integration to verify and perform actions such as minting, redeeming, claiming, withdrawing, and staking tokens within your DAO's vault. By utilizing the "Call Remote Contract" command, you can seamlessly integrate your DAO with external contracts and expand the capabilities and functionality of your organization. \
# Unable to Create a Proposal Here are some troubleshooting tips if you've seen the "You do not have enough tokens to create a proposal" error message on Upstream.
1. **Confirm your current wallet has governance tokens.** To take any action in a DAO you must hold some governance tokens issued by the DAO. Ensure the wallet you connect with holds your token or try switching to the correct wallet.
If you don't hold tokens then [follow the steps outlined in this article.](/dao-members/contributing-funds) 2. **Review your DAOs proposal threshold.** The proposal threshold is the number of tokens a DAO member must hold in order to create a proposal in the DAO. This number can be changed by creating a proposal on Upstream.
3. **Still, having trouble? Shoot us a message.** Send us an email at and we're happy to help you troubleshoot. # Voting on a Proposal Members can participate in a DAO in many different ways but one of the most important is through voting on proposals. Here's a guide on how to cast your vote and stay involved in the decision-making process: ## Finding Proposals Proposals and polls created by DAO members can be found in the 'Proposals' section of the DAO dashboard.
Each proposal has a status, such as: * Active: An active proposal open for voting. * Passed: A proposal that successfully reached the required votes for quorum. * Executed: A proposal that was executed by a Signator. * Defeated: A proposal that failed to reach the quorum of votes. * Canceled: A proposal that was canceled without any votes counted. For active, passed, executed or defeated proposals, you can view the vote count, providing valuable insights into voting history for making informed decisions when creating new proposals.
## Voting on Proposals You can vote on active proposals by clicking on the 'Vote' button.
From there you will see the voting window open:
In the voting window, choose to "Vote For," "Vote Against," or "Abstain." Abstaining still counts toward the quorum required for the proposal to pass. The window also displays your total voting power, which is determined by the tokens you hold in the DAO. Additionally, the voting power of DAO members who delegated their vote to you will be included in your total. Once you have made your decision, click 'Submit Vote' and your vote will now be counted in the proposal. If the DAO requires signature to vote, your connected wallet will open in order for you to sign your vote. If your vote has been successfully completed, you will see a window like the below which includes your profile, your vote, and the weight of your voting power.
## Changing Your Vote We realize that sometimes you can change your mind after voting. For this reason, we have added the ability to change your vote. To change your vote, you can use the 'Change Vote' button which has now replaced the 'Vote' button earlier.
By providing the flexibility to change your vote, we ensure that you can actively participate in the voting process with confidence. Keep in mind that your involvement in voting is essential for shaping the direction of the DAO and collectively making decisions that align with the community's vision. # Vote Delegation Voting Delegation allows you to delegate your voting rights to other members of the DAO, empowering them to vote on your behalf. This feature is designed to streamline voting processes, ensuring you never miss important proposals, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the DAO's decision-making. You have the flexibility to delegate your votes for all proposals or only for specific types of proposals. Furthermore, you can retain your vote even after delegating it, as long as you vote before the person you delegated to casts their vote.
### How to Delegate Your Votes 1. Navigate to the DAO and click the "Delegate Votes" button. 2. Delegate Your Entire Vote: By default, you can choose to delegate your entire voting power to another member. This means the person you delegate to will utilize your voting power when they vote on proposals. 3. Delegate Specific Commands: Alternatively, you have the option to click "Delegate a Specific Command." This option allows you to specify certain types of proposals that you wish to delegate your vote on. For example, you can delegate your vote on financial matters while retaining your voting power on governance-related proposals. 4. Select Your Delegate: When delegating your vote, you'll be prompted to select the member whom you want to delegate to. Choose the member whom you trust and believe will make decisions in alignment with your preferences and the DAO's best interests. 5. Confirm Your Delegation: Once you've made your selection, confirm the delegation to finalize the process. You will be asked to pay a gas fee as this change is saved on-chain. 6. Your voting power is now delegated to the chosen member. ### Revoking Voting Delegation At any point, you can revoke the voting delegation and regain full control of your voting power. To do so, follow these steps: 1. Navigate to the DAO and click the "Delegate Votes" button. 2. On the bottom left, click the "Revoke All" button. 3. You will be asked to pay a gas fee as this change is saved on-chain. 4. Once the transaction is approved, you have regained control of your voting power. Voting delegation is a valuable tool for optimizing the DAO's decision-making process. By delegating your votes, you can ensure that your voice is heard even if you cannot personally vote on every proposal. Additionally, delegation allows the DAO to act more efficiently and reach consensus on proposals promptly. Remember, voting delegation is entirely optional, and you can adjust your delegation preferences as needed to suit your level of involvement in the DAO.\ \ \
# Common Voting Issues Having trouble voting on a proposal in your DAO? See tips on troubleshooting here. Here's how to address the issue if you come across the "You do not have enough DAO tokens to vote on this proposal" error message on Upstream like the one below.
1. **Ensure your wallet contains governance tokens.** To be eligible to vote in a DAO, your wallet should hold governance tokens issued by the DAO. Verify that the wallet you are using contains these tokens, or switch to another wallet that does. Depending on the wallet provider you are using, you'll find them in different places. Below is an example for where you can find your tokens OR NFTs in the Metamask wallet extension.
2. **Make a contribution to the Collective to earn tokens.** In DAOs that aren't controlled by an NFT token, you'll need to make a contribution to the Collective to earn governance tokens. The amount of tokens you receive is directly proportional to your contributions.\ \ The standard conversion rate on Upstream is 1 ETH = 1,000 tokens. It's advisable to confirm the current conversion rate within your DAO with the admin or other members. **If the ability to contribute is deactivated, a proposal to reactivate it must be created by the members.** Remember to have sufficient ETH in your wallet to cover the gas fees necessary for the transaction.
3. **NFT-governed Collectives:** If your Collective is controlled by an NFT, you need to own or purchase one of the NFTs to be able to participate in the Collective on Upstream. We recommend asking your DAO to understand where you should purchase the required NFT. Encountering more issues? Reach out to us. If you still have troubles, feel free to send us an email at . We're ready to assist you with your problem.\
# Creating a Poll This article outlines the steps to create a poll on Upstream. Polls are a powerful tool in the realm of DAOs, enabling quick sentiment checks and fostering increased engagement within the community. Upstream allows you to create polls with immediate results and a specified duration. Whether for casual inquiries or to measure the appetite for a future proposal, polls offer valuable insights for both DAO admins and members. ### How do I create a Poll? 1. **Access Your DAO Dashboard:** Click the home button located in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to navigate to your DAO dashboard. 2. **Select the Relevant DAO:** Choose the DAO in which you want to create the poll. 3. **Initiate the Poll Creation:** Click the "Create Poll" button to start crafting your poll.
4. **Craft Your Poll:** Add your question and the possible choices for answers. Be concise and clear in your phrasing to ensure all members understand the question and can contribute effectively.
5. **Set the Poll's Duration:** Specify how long you want the poll to last. This can range from a few hours for immediate feedback, up to several days or weeks for more significant matters. 6. **Confirm and Launch:** Click "Confirm" to set your poll live. It's now ready for your DAO members to participate in!
Once the poll is live, it will be automatically shared in your DAO's chat and added to the proposal screen on the DAO's home page. This provides high visibility and encourages active participation from the members. ### Viewing and Interacting with Polls Polls and their results can be viewed alongside other active polls and proposals within the DAO. Results are updated in real-time and visible to members, fostering transparency and immediate feedback. Keep in mind that unlike proposals, polls do not need to reach a quorum for you to see the results. ### How do I change my Vote? We have made it easy to change your vote before the voting period ends. Simply click the "Change Vote" button.
### Editing and Cancelling Polls As of now, editing a live poll is not an option on Upstream. However, if you need to make changes, you can cancel the ongoing poll and repost it with the necessary adjustments. Utilize this feature to keep a finger on the pulse of your community's sentiments and foster a more dynamic and responsive DAO environment. # Creating an Event This guide will outline how you can successfully create an event on Upstream. Hosting events is a fantastic way to engage your community, meet new people, and build strong relationships. Upstream makes event creation seamless and efficient, allowing you to create Private Events for your profile or exclusive DAO Only Events for your DAO community. Whether you're organizing in-person gatherings or virtual experiences, Upstream provides a platform to bring your events to life. This guide outlines the steps to successfully create an event on Upstream. ### How do I Create an Event on Upstream? 1. Navigate to Upstreamapp.com/events and click the "Create Event" button. 2. Select event visibility: 1. Private Event: A Private Event is visible to you only, and you can invite guests to RSVP via direct links. 2. DAO Only Event: A DAO Only Event is exclusive to members of a specific DAO. It will be visible in the Event tab on the DAO dashboard and the main Events page on Upstream for those DAO members. When creating a DAO Only Event, you'll need to select the DAO you want to create the event in and indicate if it is shareable (this adds a share button on the event page).
3. Fill Out event info: 1. Event Format: Select whether the event will be an In-Person Event or a Virtual Event. Upstream's Virtual Events offer a unique experience that combines the best aspects of in-real-life (IRL) networking. 2. Title: Choose a catchy and descriptive title for your event to attract attendees. 3. Description: Write a compelling description of your event, outlining what attendees can expect and the value they will gain from attending.
4. Fill out event details: 1. Indicate the start time and end time of the event. 2. Automatically Record Event: Select whether to record the event automatically. This will start a recording when you start the event. Attendees will have to accept the disclaimer to continue in the event. 3. Limit Attendees: If selected, choose how many attendees can attend the event. You can limit up to 200 attendees.
5. Click Save and share the event!
### What are Upstream Virtual Events? For Virtual Events on Upstream, the event takes place in two parts: 1. Pre-Event Audio Lobby: Attendees gather in a virtual, audio-only lobby before the event starts. As the host, you have certain features to manage the lobby, such as muting everyone or muting specific individuals. 2. Host Intro & Speaker Interview: The main part of the event is when the host clicks "Starts Event" to start presentation mode. Hosts can present or bring up guest speakers. As the host, you have the option to bring up anyone from the audience to speak. Guest speakers and hosts can choose to be on video or audio-only during the event. #### Additional Features for Virtual Events: As the event host, you also have access to additional features during the Virtual Event: 1. Screen Sharing: Hosts can share their screen during the event for presentations or demonstrations. 2. Screen Recording: You can record the event for future sharing or archiving purposes. 3. Event Duration: The length of the event is flexible and entirely up to you as the host. Creating events on Upstream is an exciting opportunity to connect with your community and foster meaningful interactions. Whether it's a Private Events an exclusive DAO Only Event, Upstream's user-friendly platform empowers you to design memorable experiences. # Understanding Signators ### What is a Signator? A Signatoris an administrator or authorized member of a DAO. They are granted special privileges to sign and execute proposals that enact changes within the DAO. Signators play a crucial role in the decision-making process and act as the final gatekeepers for implementing approved proposals on the blockchain. An example of an executed proposal can be [found here](https://goerli.etherscan.io/tx/0x5a3b37a4c44a2ec88da2d485b23271722a1b8dde374a56faed8f58e1896aa617).

Example of a proposal that needs to be signed and executed by a Signator.

### Why is a Signator needed? Signators are crucial for the secure and reliable operation of a DAO. They are administrators who play a vital role in executing approved proposals that have passed the voting stage. Acting as gatekeepers, Signators bridge the gap between off-chain voting and on-chain execution, ensuring that proposals are implemented correctly on the blockchain. Additionally, Signators bear the responsibility of paying the gas fees required for executing proposals, adding a layer of accountability. ### How do I change the "Minimum Signators" setting? The "Minimum Signators" setting on allows the DAO to determine the minimum number of Signators required to sign a proposal before it can be executed. This setting helps maintain the desired level of consensus and governance within the organization.
To change the "Minimum Signators" setting, follow these steps: 1. Access DAO Settings: Log in to Upstream and navigate to your DAO and click to expand "DAO Settings." 2. Locate "Minimum Signators": Within the DAO settings, locate the "Minimum Signators" option. 3. Click "Change": Clicking "Change" will open the "Craete a New Proposal Modal." Enter the new minimum amount of Signators that you would like to designate. 4. Add Proposal Details: Enter the title and description of the new proposal. Click Create to publish the proposal. Once the proposal passes and is executed, proposals will now require the new minimum number of signators to sign a proposal before it can be executed. # Executing a Proposal Signators must sign and execute proposals that have passed. By executing the proposal, Signators initiate the on-chain execution of the proposal command, bringing the proposal change into effect. ### How do I sign and execute a proposal? Once a proposal has been voted on and receives the required number of votes to pass, it moves onto the "execution" phase. The proposal and the associated commands, along with the votes themselves are all stored off-chain. Signators are required to sign the passed proposal to indicate their agreement with its execution. The minimum number of Signators required to sign is set by the DAO and can be configured using the "Change Minimum Signators" setting (explained in more detail later). Each Signator must sign the proposal individually, and the signatures are stored off-chain.
To execute a proposal, once the "Minimum Signator" threshold is met, a Signator must click on the "Sign and Execute" button. They will be prompted to pay a gas fee and confirm the transaction. Upon confirmation, the proposal is executed, and the command is enacted on the blockchain. ### What are batch proposals? Signators have the option to batch-execute multiple proposals that have passed the voting stage. Instead of paying individual gas fees for each proposal, signators pay a single gas fee for executing the entire batch. To perform a batch execution, signators follow these steps: 1. Navigate to a passed proposal. 2. Click on the Batch Proposal button.
3. Select the proposals you would like to batch and click 'Confirm.'
4. This will create a new proposal called "Batch Proposal." Click on "Sign and Execute Proposal" to execute the proposal.
5. Pay the gas fee and confirm the transaction on your wallet. 6. The Proposal status will change to "Executed."
### How do I change the Minimum Signators required? The "Minimum Signators" setting allows the DAO to define the number of Signators required to sign a proposal before it can be executed. Changing this setting requires the creation of a new proposal, as it is a change that happens on-chain. To change the minimum Signators required, follows these steps: 1. Navigate to the Settings from the main page of the DAO.
2. Locate the " Minimum Signators" setting and click "change." 3. This will bring up the proposal builder. Update the minimum number of Signators required and complete the steps to create the proposal.
4. The proposal will go through the voting process and once approved, the new minimum Signator requirement will be in effect. It is important to note that changing the "Minimum Signators" setting affects all future proposals and does not impact proposals that have already been created. # Posting Announcements DAO Signators can post important announcements that are prominently displayed on the DAOs main page on Upstream. This feature allows DAO admins to quickly and efficiently share critical information with all members of the DAO. In addition to being pinned to the top of the DAOs homepage, announcements are also sent as an email notification to members who have provided an email address in their profile. ### How do I post an Announcement? Announcements can be created by clicking the "Make Announcement" button from the main page of the DAO.
Compose your announcement and click on "Post Announcement." You also have the option to select "Send Notification." Selecting this option will send an email notification to members who have provided their email address in their profile.
The announcement will now be pinned to the top of the main page, visible to all members accessing the DAO.
### What are the benefits of posting announcements? **Sharing critical information**: Announcements provide a direct and efficient way for Signators to communicate vital updates, news, and announcements to all members of the DAO. By pinning the announcements to the top of the main page, they ensure that the information is immediately visible to anyone accessing the DAO. This increases member engagement, encourages active participation, and fosters a sense of community. **Increased transparency and accountability**: Announcements help promote transparency within the DAO by ensuring that critical information is accessible to all members. By making important updates readily available, the DAO demonstrates accountability to its members, building trust and confidence. **Efficient communication of urgent matters**: In situations that require immediate attention or urgent action, such as security alerts or time-sensitive decisions, announcements provide a reliable method to notify members promptly. Combining email notifications with pinned announcements ensures that members receive important updates, even if they are not currently active on Upstream. # Exporting Members Data We have made it easy for Signators to export valuable information about members in their DAO. This information can be used for various purposes such as distributing airdrops, awarding POAPs (Proof of Attendance Protocol), and analyzing member engagement. ### To export members data, follow the steps below: 1. Navigate to the Members tab of the DAO. 2. Click on the "Export Members" button. 3. Select the fields you want to export. 4. Click "Export." Depending on the size of your DAO and the number of members, the export process may take a few moments. Once the export is ready, you will have the ability to save the CSV file and you'll receive an email (if an email is set on your profile) with a direct link to the export that you can access at a later time.
### Available Fields: * Name: The name or username of the DAO member. * Wallet Address: The Ethereum wallet address associated with the member's account. * Token Balance: The amount of DAO tokens held by the member. * Events Attended: A list of events that the member has attended. ### What can I do with this information? * Airdrops: The wallet addresses exported can be used for conducting airdrops, allowing you to distribute tokens or rewards to your members directly. * POAP Distribution: If you utilize the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) to reward event participation, the wallet addresses can be used to distribute POAPs to the members who attended specific events. * Assessing Token Holdings: Viewing token holdings can be helpful when making decisions related to governance or reward allocation. * Analyzing Member Engagement: The "events attended" field in the exported data provides valuable information about member engagement. You can identify highly active members, reward them for their participation, or encourage more engagement within the DAO. # Glossary Navigating the realm of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and web3 can seem daunting due to the specialized language that is often used. This glossary aims to shed light on some of the commonly used terms in the DAO and web3 space. ### **Voting Mechanics** * **Voting Power:** In a DAO, a member’s voting power is determined by the number of tokens they have. More tokens mean more voting power, thus more “Votes.” Quorum, the minimum amount of votes required, checks this power dynamic. Members are also able to change their vote once the proposal is live. * **Quorum:** For a proposal to pass, it needs to meet quorum. This means that a minimum number of voters need to vote on the proposal for it to be able to be executed by signators onto the blockchain. * **Off-Chain Voting:** Voting in an Upstream DAO is first conducted off-chain, meaning the votes are recorded on the Upstream platform. ### **Roles within a DAO** * **Signator:** A signator is a designated person in the DAO who executes the proposals onto the blockchain. * **Members:** Members in a DAO are token holders with voting rights. They can vote on proposals and influence the DAO's actions proportionally to their token ownership. Their membership and participatory actions are recorded transparently on the blockchain. ### **Wallet Types** * **DAO Wallet:** This is the digital wallet that the DAO collectively owns and manages. It holds the DAO's funds and assets and is used for transactions like fund transfers and proposal executions. Managed by collective rules and smart contracts, it ensures no single member has sole control. * **Hot Wallet:** A hot wallet, linked to the internet, is tracked by Upstream for visibility into wallet activities. Transactions related to it can be monitored but not managed or executed by Upstream. * **Multi-Sig Wallet:** A multi-sig wallet is a type of wallet that requires multiple signatures for a transaction to be executed. When you execute a transaction to a DAO contract, you’re actually sending that transaction through a multi-sig wallet first. ### **Tokens** * **DAO Tokens:** These are tokens issued by a DAO to its members. They represent a member's voting power in the DAO. * **Tokens:** Digital assets that can represent a wide variety of things, from physical assets to a user's vote within a DAO. * **Fungible Tokens:** Tokens that are identical to each other, like ETH or DAO tokens. * **Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs):** Tokens that are unique. ### **Blockchain and Web3** * **Blockchain:** A decentralized and distributed digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers. * **Ethereum:** An open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and serves as the basis for a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps). * **Smart Contract:** A self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. * **Gas Fees:** These are transaction fees that must be paid whenever a function is executed on the Ethereum network. Gas fees are usually priced in Gwei, which is a small denomination of Ether. * **Web3:** Also known as Web 3.0, this term refers to a future iteration of the internet that will be built on blockchain technology. ### **Decentralized Finance** * **Decentralized Finance (DeFi):** A broad term encompassing financial applications built on blockchain technology. * **Decentralized Application (dApp):** An application that runs on a decentralized network, avoiding a single point of failure. For more in-depth information regarding the commands associated with proposals, please visit the [Proposal Commands](/dao-members/creating-proposals/proposal-commands) section of our website. # Security Maintaining the security of your DAO's treasury and operations is a primary concern for Upstream. We understand the critical nature of these assets, and we have implemented multiple measures to ensure their safety. This article will delve into the various security features that are built into the Upstream platform. ### Your DAO's Smart Contracts Upon creating a DAO on Upstream, three smart contracts are also established: a Gnosis multi-signature wallet, a DAO contract, and a vote delegation contract. These contracts play a crucial role in your DAO's operations. Immediately following the creation of a DAO, ownership of these smart contracts is transferred to a Gnosis multi-signature wallet. This wallet is owned by the initial signators of the DAO. As a result, your DAO is not "owned" by Upstream but is instead governed by the community's chosen signators. ### Smart Contract Security Audits To provide additional assurance of the safety of these smart contracts, we have had them audited by a trusted third-party firm, Upshield. This comprehensive audit concluded that the Upstream smart contracts have "No Critical Issues", certifying their secure design and implementation. ### Wallet Connection and Verification When a user connects a wallet to an Upstream DAO, we perform a verification process to confirm ownership and permissions associated with that wallet. This process, however, does not grant Upstream any access or permissions over the wallet. In technical terms, users sign a payload (a string), and we verify that the signature matches the public view of the wallet. This ensures a secure connection while maintaining your wallet's privacy. ### Use of OpenZeppelin and Security Audits To further bolster our security, Upstream contracts utilize OpenZeppelin, a well-established and audited library known for its robust security features. The source code of our contracts, which have undergone a thorough security audit, is available on Etherscan for verification. This transparency allows for further scrutiny by the community and security experts alike. In conclusion, Upstream prioritizes the security of your DAO's operations and treasury. Through secure smart contract creation, independent audits, secure wallet verification, and utilization of secure libraries, we aim to provide a reliable platform for the operation of your DAO. Rest assured that with Upstream, the security of your DAO is our top priority. # Technical Architecture This article aims to provide a high-level overview of the technical architecture behind Upstream. Upstream utilizes an intricate blend of on-chain and off-chain technologies to build a platform that promotes the efficient operation of DAOs, with a specific focus on reducing the necessity for gas fees.
### Server Structure The Upstream infrastructure revolves around four primary servers: 1. **Website Server:** Hosted on AWS, this server is responsible for delivering the frontend of the Upstream platform. 2. **API Servers:** Also hosted on AWS, these servers manage the back-and-forth communication with the client, serving data requested by the website. 3. **Blockchain Listener:** This server's primary function is to monitor events on the blockchain. ### Event Listening and Fortuna With our DAO contract's evolution, we're currently listening to over 15 event types, including `EnableDepositsChanged`, `EnableWithdrawsChanged`, `GateDepositsChanged`, and `ExchangeRateChanged`. To handle this complexity, we built an in-house service, "Fortuna," which captures and maps these events to our database. ### Proxy Contracts and Upgrades Another critical aspect of our architecture is the use of proxy contracts. Once a contract is launched, it cannot be updated. However, upgradable contracts, or "proxies," provide a workaround. ### Contract Types Upstream launches three primary contracts to the blockchain: 1. **DAO Contract:** A large contract, which is responsible for maintaining feature flags, managing deposits and withdrawals, and more. 2. **Vote Delegation Contract:** This contract, maps who has delegated voting rights to whom. This contract remains on the blockchain for transparency. 3. **Gnosis Wallet Contract:** This contract grants the ability to execute actions and is part of every DAO to support multi-signatures. ### Supported DAOs Upstream currently supports two types of DAOs: 1. **New Contract:** DAOs that wish to launch their own token. 2. **Existing Contract:** DAOs with tokens already available on the market. We facilitate the launch of an "External Token Contract" that doesn't issue a token but still offers DAO functionalities. We also support the creation of ERC20 tokens. In summary, the architecture of Upstream is an intricate balance of on-chain and off-chain technologies, aiming to reduce gas fees and create a seamless, efficient platform for DAOs. It's important to remember that this design is not static - we're constantly seeking ways to improve our system for better performance and user experience. \
# Deleting Your Account To delete your Upstream account send an email to with the following: * Full Name * Email Address (used on Upstream) * Wallet Address Your account will be removed within 48 hours of receiving your request. ### What happens to my data after I delete my account? Please see our [Privacy policy](https://upstreamapp.com/privacy) for more information. For questions regarding our privacy policy, please reach out to .
# Offboarding DAO To ensure a smooth transition of your DAO, Upstream team members will be on call to help you access your multi-sig wallet and offboard your DAO from Upstream. We've compiled a checklist of essential steps you must complete to prevent any loss of access. Please read carefully and take immediate action. 1. [Access the Multi-Sig Wallet on Safe](#access-the-multi-sig-wallet-on-safe) 2. [Create Communication Channels](#create-communication-channels) 3. [Notify DAO members on Upstream with an Announcement](#notify-dao-members-on-upstream-with-an-announcement) 4. [Transfer Assets out of your DAO](#transfer-assets-out-of-your-dao) 5. [Export Member Data](#export-member-data) ### Access the Multi-Sig Wallet on Safe The first step in ensuring a smooth transition is to verify that you and other Signators can access your multi-sig wallet on Safe. Below are the detailed steps to accomplish this: 1. Navigate to your DAO on Upstream and select DAO settings.
2. Copy the Safe Address. (This is visible to Signators only).
3. Proceed to the "[Load Safe](https://app.safe.global/new-safe/load?chain=gor\&address=0x0c53ab923a582732c76442cbc7d35dceb93978ee)" page on [safe.global](https://safe.global/). 4. Connect with the wallet address you use for this DAO (ensure it’s on the Ethereum network) 5. Input the Safe Address and follow the on-screen instructions.
For any questions or further assistance, refer to the [Safe Help documentation](https://help.safe.global/en/). ### Create Communication Channels We strongly recommend setting up an alternative communication channel such as WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord to maintain interaction and share important updates with your DAO community. ### Notify DAO members on Upstream with an Announcement Next, use the Announcement feature on Upstream to notify your DAO members about your new communication platform and the sunsetting of the DAO on Upstream. \ \ **Example Announcement:** "Important: Join our new \[Discord/Slack/WhatsApp] channel for all future updates. Upstream DAO support ends on \[XX/XX/XX], so make sure you're connected with us before then." 1. Navigate to your DAO and click on “Make Announcement.”
2. Select “Send Notification” to ensure members receive email notifications of the announcement. 3. Click Post Announcement.
The announcement will now be pinned to the top of the main page, and visible to all members accessing the DAO. Since only users with registered email addresses will be notified, it's important to **leverage your other communication channels** to ensure all members are informed. 8. Once all desired assets are listed in the proposal, enter a title and description for your proposal. 9. Click "Create Proposal" to publish the proposal, making it ready for voting.
### Export Member Data As your final step, we made it easy for you to export DAO member data so you have the most up-to-date usage data at your fingertips. This will be invaluable as you transition away from Upstream and continue to manage your DAO.
1. Navigate to your DAO on Upstream. 2. Click on the Members tab. 3. Click on “Export Members” and choose the desired data fields. 4. Click Export and save the file locally. ## Additional FAQ 1. **What happens to the DAO tokens issued by the DAO?**\ DAO tokens are stored on-chain in your member's wallets. You can access the token data by searching for the contract address on Etherscan. 2. **How do I look up my DAO token on Etherscan?**\ On Upstream, click on the supply amount listed under the token name on your DAO page. You can also click on the DAO token in your wallet to view it in Etherscan. 3. **Where do I view the ownership % of my DAO token?**\ After opening the DAO token on Etherscan, click on the Holders tab to examine the ownership data. We are here to help you with any questions or concerns. You can reach our team by emailing for immediate answers to your questions. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your valuable contributions to Upstream.