Q&A:Find Out More About AIP-256 and Its Goal to Create the Framework to Make a DAO Mission Statement

The ApeCoin DAO is voting on an Ape Improvement Proposal that aims establish the framework and process for the $Ape community to create and vote for an official mission statement, which may provide more direction to the DAO.

AIP-256 titled “ApeCoin DAO Mission Statement” is an AIP written by Bored Ape Yacht Club Member and former Working Group Zero Steward BadTeeth.

“This AIP empowers the DAO to vote on a final mission statement from 8 different community submitted and selected options,” BadTeeth wrote in his proposal.

In AIP-256, BadTeeth pitched a five-step plan that the DAO could follow to get community feedback and come up with eight possible mission statements.

This plan includes two Twitter Spaces sessions, a Working Group Zero Discord discussion, and the translation of the proposed statements into various languages. These measures aim to ensure that every $Ape can share their thoughts before a community-wide vote.

To find out more about mission statements and how AIP-256 will help to DAO create one, the Bored Ape Gazette reached out to BadTeeth for an interview. Check it out below:

1.In a sentence or two can you sum up what this AIP is all about?

“It is incredibly important to establish a clear mission statement in order to align the will of the DAO and provide concrete direction on how to achieve our founders’ vision. AIP-256 will empower the ApeCoin DAO to vote on a final mission statement from 8 different community submitted and selected options.”

2.How did you come up with this AIP? What brought you to proposing the need for a DAO mission statement?

“As I went through the Special Council nominee process last year and dug in deep on the DAO it became painfully obvious that there was a significant disconnect between the people engaged and doing the work in the DAO on a daily basis and large $APE delegates and holders that wind up being deciders on many of the AIPs that go to vote. At the time there was also a complete absence of organizational structure and literally no one hired to carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of the DAO. The first AIP idea I submitted at the end of 2022 was focused around stakeholder alignment, creation of a mission statement, and development of working groups and administrative structure to help further decentralize and operationalize the DAO. As lead author on AIP-196, and co-author on AIP-239 and AIP-240, we’ve been able to get through the Cartan (former Cayman Islands Administrator) transition, establish Working Group Guidelines, create a Governance Working Group, and decentralize AIP facilitation out to the community – paving the way for much of the structure the we need to be able to execute tasks efficiently within the DAO. But we’re still missing a clear mission statement to align our community around the vision of our founders. The best indication of this misalignment is the wide range of AIPs passed so far that do nothing to support the vision that $APE, “will serve as a decentralized protocol layer for community-led initiatives that drive culture forward into the metaverse.”

3.What is a mission statement and why does the DAO need one?

“A good mission statement should clearly define the purpose and goals of an organization, providing a sense of direction and helping to unify the members of the organization around a common set of objectives. Mission statements are rooted in the moment while vision statements look to the future. With the talent, brainpower, and treasury available to our ecosystem, there is literally no limit to what ApeCoin DAO can accomplish if we can align around a common purpose. This common purpose, with execution defined by our mission statement will:1. Streamline the AIP process by creating clarity for contributors around what the DAO is looking to accomplish. 2.Attract creators and developers in the space aligned with our mission. 3. Actively reinforce our founder’s vision to position $APE as a token that, “will serve as a decentralized protocol layer for community-led initiatives that drive culture forward into the metaverse.”4. Clarify what exactly it is ApeCoin DAO exists to do and how we’re going to do it.”

4.In the AIP you wrote about 8 different mission statements. Can you share those eight mission statements here?

“Actually no, because they don’t exist yet. Once this AIP passes we’ll be sourcing mission statement submissions from anyone who wants to submit one and then the community will be narrowing them down to the top 8 choices in the Discord https://discord.gg/ApeCoinDAO. After the top 8 are selected there will be a DAO-wide vote to choose a mission statement. There will also be a, “none of the above” choice for voters who don’t feel like any of the statements represent their view of the DAO’s mission.”

5. following up on. question 4, what should the community know about the eight mission statements it has to choose from?

“I’d like the community to know that they’ll all have a chance to submit their own mission statement for the ApeCoin DAO as long as those submissions represent the existing vision and guiding values of the DAO.”

6. If passed how soon do you think the DAO will be able to vote on a mission statement?

“Once this AIP passes it should take around 4-5 weeks to vote on the top 8 mission statement submissions.”

7. Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

“I recognize that the nuances around mission and vision statements, and guiding values, might not feel like they’re the most important thing to tackle, but in my experience running organizations they are one of the most powerful tools you can have to advance your cause. A community crafted and selected mission statement will supercharge what we are able to accomplish together in the ApeCoin DAO.”

The window to vote on AIP-256 is currently open and ApeCoin DAO Contributors have until Wednesday, June 7th, at 9 P.M. EST to cast their coins.

$Apes who would like to read BadTeeth’s full proposal can check it out here: https://forum.apecoin.com/t/aip-256-apecoin-dao-mission-statement/12540

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow AIP-256 and will let you know how the DAO votes on this proposal later this week. Stay tuned for updates!