[NON-CONSTITUTIONAL] Arbitrum Onboarding V2: A Governance Bootcamp

Proposals
,
1

Abstract

This proposal requests $178,138 USD paid in ARB for the Onboarding Working Group to run V2 of Arbitrum DAO’s Onboarding Program for 6 months.

Earlier this year, the Onboarding Working Group ran a three-month Pilot Program (V1) to bring new participants into the DAO. Based on feedback from delegates and ecosystem participants, we’ve applied key lessons learned to create V2—a more robust and refined iteration of the program.

V2 will function like a Governance Bootcamp and the Onboarding Working Group will act akin to a recruitment agency, sourcing and training a select group of new DAO contributors.

The Onboarding Working Group is comprised of the following individuals: @Manugotsuka from @SEEDGov, @ocandocrypto from @web3citizenxyz, @sandra from Reserve Protocol, and @RikaGoldberg from @404DAO. Our advisors are @krst and @Sinkas from L2Beat.

Motivation and Rationale

Arbitrum DAO needs to onboard high-quality and diverse (see note 1) governance participants to thrive in the future. Currently, fragmented information, siloed resources, and private communication channels create a culture of exclusivity, making it challenging for newcomers to navigate the governance process and contribute meaningfully.

In V1, we pioneered a solution by running a Pilot Program where we hosted weekly onboarding calls and grouped participants into one of five Fellowship tracks based on their interests and skills. Ultimately, each Fellowship was expected to collaborate and work on a Proposal to publish on the forum.

Based on the lessons learned in V1 (details are here), we have developed V2, a more robust and meritocratic Onboarding Program. V2 focuses on selecting high-quality participants, training them, and assessing their skills— ultimately matching top performers with Arbitrum Protocols that need a Governance Fellow. (see note 2)

Note 1: In an effort to increase diversity within Arbitrum, we are committed to ensuring that at least 25% of program participants are female/non-binary. This ratio is aligned with the representation in the Pilot Program (V1). We will also focus on inclusivity, creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ and applicants from underrepresented regions, including developing countries, throughout the application and interview process.

Note 2: V2 does not guarantee program participants with long-term placement in the DAO.

Key Terms

Governance Analyst — An individual who is selected into V2 based on their application and interview.

Governance Fellow — A Governance Analyst who successfully graduates from the program and is subsequently matched with a Protocol to assist with Governance work.

Specifications

The Onboarding Program consists of the following components:

  1. An Application and Interview Process.
  2. A Curated Curriculum and Workshops.
  3. Exercises to assess comprehension of workshop materials.
  4. A Rubric to evaluate and grade exercises.
  5. Completion NFTs/Forum Badge for Governance Analysts and Fellows
  6. An updated DAO Contributors List

These components are described in detail below.

Applications and Interview Process

To assess candidates for experience and cultural fit, V2 will include a one-month rolling application period followed by a month of interviews, after which twenty applicants will be selected to join the program.

We will be seeking applicants with specific characteristics, including a positive mindset, an ability to work well with others, an aptitude to engage in healthy debate, and an eagerness to learn. Furthermore, applicants should have a high-level of familiarity with Ethereum and L2s.

Workshops

Over the course of 6 weeks, the selected cohort of 20 Governance Analysts will participate in weekly workshops that cover critical concepts (see Curriculum section) of Arbitrum DAO’s governance process.

The workshops will be primarily facilitated by Manugotsuka (Manu), a Governance Contributor at @SeedGov, who is most notably involved in managing Arbitrum’s Delegate Incentive Program. Members of the SEEDGov team will also support Manu as needed.

Curriculum

The following governance content will be covered in the workshops:

Arbitrum Protocol Basics

Arbitrum DAO Governance Basics

An Introduction to the Arbitrum Foundation

Arbitrum DAO: Important Proposals

Arbitrum DAO: Important Initiatives

Arbitrum Tech Deep Dive

Arbitrum DAO Tools and Resources

Note: Recordings will be shared on X to maximize the educational content’s distribution and reach.

A week-over-week schedule is presented in the below table:

Week Workshop Title In-Scope Content
1 Welcome to Arbitrum DAO Arbitrum Protocol Basics &
Arbitrum Governance Basics
2 The Arbitrum Foundation Foundation vs. DAO
3 Arbitrum DAO: Deep Dive Part I Important Proposals
4 Arbitrum DAO: Deep Dive Part 2 Important Initiatives
5 Arbitrum Tech Deep Dive
6 Arbitrum DAO: Tools and Resources Tools and Resources
7 Work on Exercises Office Hours
8 Work on Exercises Office Hours

Exercises

At the conclusion of the 6 weeks of workshops, participants will have two weeks to work on practical exercises to apply the knowledge they gained.

These exercises, along with the grading rubric, will be designed by Sandra Carillo (a V1 Pilot Program Fellow, Project Manager at Reserve Protocol, and Developer).

The top 10 submissions will be eligible to be matched with an Arbitrum Protocol where they will acquire real-world governance experience as Governance Fellows (more details in the ‘Governance Fellows’ section).

Those not selected for matching will be invited to participate in the next cohort on a “fast-track,” bypassing the application and interview process. This creates a positive feedback loop, providing multiple opportunities for individuals to be matched with a Protocol and contribute to Arbitrum governance.

The next section provides Sample Exercises.

Sample Exercises

These exercises will give Governance Analysts visibility on Social Media and in the Governance Forum, while providing hands-on experience with fundamental governance activities such as commenting on forum posts, writing proposals, and participating in DAO-wide calls.

In order to graduate from the program and be eligible for matching with a Protocol, Governance Trainees will need to complete all five mandatory exercises. Bonus points will be awarded for completing the optional exercises.

Mandatory:

  1. Draft a mock proposal for Arbitrum DAO and submit it for feedback on the Governance Forum – This encourages participants to actively engage with the governance process, understand proposal creation, and contribute thoughtful feedback. This is an exercise that can be made in groups of 3 or 4 people.
  2. Comment on at least three different Governance Forum proposals, providing thoughtful feedback or questions – This ensures participants are involved in governance discussions and contributing to decision-making.
  3. Write a blog post explaining how to participate in governance for Arbitrum DAO and share it on X or Farcaster– This promotes deeper understanding of the DAO structure and helps educate the broader community.
  4. Attend an Open Discussion of Proposal(s) call and write a thread about your experience on X or Farcaster – Participation in live discussions helps foster community engagement and ensures participants are informed about ongoing governance. As the Open Discussion of Proposal(s) happens every 2 weeks, the participants will have the opportunity to attend to at least 1 call.
  5. Share on the governance forum how you would vote on a proposal that’s currently in active voting, explaining your rationale and feedback – This promotes critical thinking and encourages participants to articulate their rationale on voting process.

Bonus points:

  1. Write a tweet or a cast about the Arbitrum DAO Onboarding Program on X or Farcaster: Share your thoughts or highlights from the onboarding experience, spreading the word about how others can get involved.

  2. Share your insights after each workshop in an X or Farcaster thread: Reflect on key takeaways and learnings from the workshops, helping others benefit from your knowledge and fostering community discussion.

  3. Write a thread summarizing recent governance proposals and share it on X or Farcaster: Provide a clear, concise overview of the latest proposals to keep the community informed and encourage broader participation.

  4. Write a tweet thread explaining how ARB token holders can participate in governance and share it on X or Farcaster: Educate the broader community by breaking down how ARB holders can engage in governance, making the process more accessible and encouraging more involvement.

Note: These exercises will be refined before V2 starts.

Rubric

The rubric that we will use to grade Exercise submissions is provided in the below table. We drew inspiration from the Rubric created by SeedGov for the Delegate Incentive Program.

Rubric
Rubric1028×1298 221 KB

Maximum points per exercise: 25 points
Maximum points for completing 5 mandatory exercises: 125 points
Maximum points for completing 5 mandatory exercises and 2 bonus exercises: 175 points

Governance Analysts and Fellows

The highest-scoring Governance Analysts (up to 10 individuals), based on rubric evaluations, will graduate to become Governance Fellows and will be matched with a protocol to assist with governance work.

Each Fellow will be paid a monthly stipend of $1,500 USD in ARB. The Onboarding Working Groups will support Fellows during these two-months to ensure maximum alignment and success.

Ocandocrypto (Angela), a Contributor at Web3Citizen and an Arbitrum DAO Delegate, will manage the relationships between Protocols, Governance Fellows, and the Onboarding Program.

If your protocol is interested in working with a Governance Fellow, please indicate that in your comment on this forum post or reach out directly to Angela @ocandocrypto on Telegram.

KYC

Governance Fellows will need to KYC with the Foundation in order to receive the stipend. We will work with the Foundation on this process.

MSS

We plan to use the MSS services for payment.

Timeline

We have intentionally allocated ample time, 2 weeks, for delegates to respond and provide feedback on the forum. We will incorporate the feedback and make necessary revisions before posting to Snapshot.

Expected Timeline:

  • RFC Discussion: November 18 - Dec 2
  • Snapshot: Dec 5 - Dec 12
  • Tally: January 6 - January 27

We are planning to start the Program on January 6, 2025 and end on August 25, 2025.

Budget

We are proposing a budget of $178,138 USD paid in ARB over 6 months. Any unused ARB will be returned to the DAO.

A detailed budget breakdown can be found here: Arbitrum Onboarding WG Budget V1

Budget
Budget932×326 34.1 KB

Appendix

Acknowledgements

Big thank you to the following individuals who helped shape this proposal over many months of brainstorming, feedback, and iteration:

Alice Corsini from Karpatkey, Ana-Maria Yanakieva from Arbitrum Ventures Initiative, Bhaumik Patel from Atrium Academy, Cole Schendl from 404 DAO, Cliff and Raam from Arbitrum Foundation, David Paperno from The Mount Vernon School, Erin Koen from Uniswap Foundation, Eugene Leventhal from Scroll Foundation, Frisson from Tally, Joe McKenzie from R3gen Finance, Katerina Bohle-Carbonell from Together-Crew, Krzys and Sinkas from L2Beat, Liz Yang from Azuki, Nestor Bonilla, Sov from Gitcoin, and Tnorm from Gauntlet.

9 Likes
2

Onboarding for DAOs is often difficult to execute and can be controversial in its ability to attract talented contributors vs. creating additional noise in an already noisy environment. After discussing Arbitrum Onboarding V2 with @RikaGoldberg, we believe this program balances bringing new contributors into the ecosystem and providing rails for continued involvement while solving existing needs.

A few of the additions to the program we like are:

  1. Comp based on industry standards and a detailed budget.
  2. The matching of top performers from the Governance Bootcamp with Protocols - serving an immediate and well-documented DAO need.
  3. The inclusion of social media posts to help highlight DAO activity on Farcaster/X.

Many of the DAO’s current contributors and delegates began interfacing with DAOs through similar programs. We look forward to hearing the rest of the community’s thoughts and feedback on the proposal, but we largely favor the Arbitrum Onboarding V2 proposal in its current state.

3 Likes
3

Hi,

and thanks for this proposal.
Can you please tell me what the outcome for v1 was?
How many of those that participated in v1 are still active delegates?
Where do you “recruit” those potential delegates? Do they sign up somewhere or how does this work?

1 Like
4

Thanks @RikaGoldberg for putting together the proposal on the continuation of the Arbitrum contributor onboarding program. We have been interested in how we can increase the number of DAO contributors from the bottom-up and the V1 and this proposal can be an interesting experiment for Arbitrum and the DAO ecosystem as a whole.

We also appreciate the retrospective from V1 and the detailed specification of the new program and the budget breakdown in the separate spreadsheet. We want to ask a couple of things though:

  1. what is the ultimate outcome of making this program successful? It would be great to identify what state this program is going to achieve in a quantified measurement. The reason we asked this is that we are not certain what actual value the V1 provided.
  2. if possible, partial compensations need to be paid out based on the defined outcome above. We are concerned that the program would become just an educational content for the sake of the education.
2 Likes
5

This is a great proposal that will significantly contribute to onboarding new members into the Arbitrum DAO, a crucial step for ensuring its long-term success. I really like that this program builds on the foundation laid by the previous version, using feedback and data to create a stronger and more refined approach. By learning from past experiences, this initiative has great potential to deliver impactful results.

The meritocratic structure of the program is a highlight for me. The inclusion of practical exercises and a well-designed grading rubric ensures that only qualified participants graduate to become Governance Fellows. This focus on competence and merit is essential for maintaining the quality and integrity of the DAO’s governance.

Additionally, I have a lot of confidence in the team behind this proposal. Having met some of them personally, I can vouch for their strong work ethic and dedication to the space, which makes me even more optimistic about the success of this initiative.

That said, I would like to share a perspective on the focus on specific identity-based groups. While I am a huge supporter of bringing new people into the space, I believe crypto’s core ethos is openness, permissionlessness, and borderlessness. Proposals that prioritize certain identity groups—however well-intentioned—risk unintentionally excluding others, which feels counterintuitive to these principles.

I fully support and value the contributions of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others from underrepresented backgrounds. However, my broader view is that anyone willing to contribute positively to the ecosystem should be equally welcomed and encouraged. Focusing solely on specific groups may create an unnecessary layer of exclusion in a space that should remain open to all.

Overall, this is a well-thought-out proposal with strong potential, and I am excited to see it move forward while maintaining the inclusivity that defines crypto.

4 Likes
6

I fully support this proposal. As someone who understands the hurdles of initially collaborating with the DAO, this program is a breath of fresh air for newcomers and a critical step toward enhancing accessibility and engagement. Thank you, @RikaGoldberg, for this structured and thoughtful proposal, I’ve been looking forward to it.

In addition to the points outlined, I’d love to see more details regarding the criteria for candidate selection. Transparency on this front would help ensure alignment with the goals of inclusivity and meritocracy while clarifying what qualities the DAO values in its future contributors. Assessing participants’ skills is a fantastic approach, not only to bring more meaningful engagement but also to equip participants with the tools they need to carve out their own paths within the ecosystem.

Regarding inclusivity of diversity, I stand firmly by the DAO’s constitutional principle: “The community should be open and welcoming to all people who wish to participate constructively.” This is to be embraced in every proposal, grant, activity, or discussion within the DAO and it should go without saying.

Cheers!

2 Likes
7

Replying here to voice my support for this proposal.

The approach to matching qualified contributors with protocols fills a clear need. From my experience, this kind of targeted program can deliver value.

Particularly appreciate the points @gauntlet raises about the industry-standard comp, protocol matching, and social engagement elements.

1 Like
8

A very thoughtful proposal, it is immediately obvious that you have been preparing it for a long time.

I have several questions:

  1. Why is the starting set only 20 people? Why not take more students, they do not require more funds, because only the top 10 will receive them.
    I suggest increasing the number of students.
  2. Tell me, how will you retain these delegates when the scholarship funds run out?
    For many, $3,000 is a significant amount for which people will work, but when it runs out, it is unclear why they will remain in management, especially since Tally will need to pay for gas from their own money for voting.
  3. It seems to me that it is necessary to outline the rules for who cannot participate in this program - these are delegates who are already receiving funds for management (DIP 1, 1.5)
  4. It is also interesting to understand why the Management Specialist can only be one of those who have completed this seminar?
    At the moment, we have a large number of delegates who are ready to teach and I know my business, I think, quite well.
    I think we should give them the opportunity to apply for this position
1 Like
9

It’s great to see proposals like this, and as a delegated representative from the Mandarin-speaking region, I’ve been involved in Arbitrum’s governance since its early days. However, I have not seen similar training and guidelines during this time. This proposal will help many potentially high quality participants who are interested in governance to get on board, and is really in line with the development needs of the DAO.

In my opinion, the governance bootcamp in V1 was not as effective as it could have been, or even perceived to be. This proposal is more detailed and better than V1, the budget of $178,138 seems reasonable, and I see a specific breakdown of the budget allocation in the proposal:Arbitrum Onboarding WG Budget V1. I do have some questions and suggestions though:

Questions / suggestions:

1、 regarding the transparency of the budget and the high costs:
The proposal mentions very high compensation and course development costs for WG members, e.g. $49,000 for Rika and $30,000 for all other members. Does it take into account the long-term reuse value of these courses and content? Also, what are the changes and improvements in this cost compared to V1? Can you provide a clearer comparison?
2. Fairness of the participant screening and evaluation mechanism:
How can the screening and post-scoring of the 20 participants avoid subjectivity or internal preferences? Is there a more objective scoring mechanism, or is there a third-party review to ensure fairness? Also, I noticed that each Governance Fellow is awarded $3,000, but what is the specific value to the DAO of the final 10 selected? Is it an increase in the quality of proposals or more active participants? Is there a clear quantitative measure, rather than just some simple data as mentioned in V1?
3. Suggestions for incentives:
Could the $3,000 incentive be more diversified? Governance is long-term and requires a certain amount of delegation and responsibility. In order to avoid the incentive to become a formalized exercise, I would suggest a stepped reward model, for example:
- 1st place: $5,000
- Second through fifth place: $3,500
- Sixth through tenth place: $2,000.
- Eleventh through fifteenth place: $1,500.
- Sixteenth through twentieth place: $1,000.

This incentivizes top participants and allows more participants to feel rewarded while increasing their actual contributions to the DAO.

This proposal is overall a step in the right direction and has a better structure, but there are still some questions that need to be answered about budget transparency, fairness of selection, and measurement of program benefits. In addition, incentives could be further optimized and openness to community feedback and resources could be increased. If these issues can be addressed, I will fully support the proposal.

截屏2024-11-19 下午1.16.10
截屏2024-11-19 下午1.16.102792×1704 458 KB

10

Referring to the previous v1 report and comments, RIKA emphasized: help newbies navigate DAO and make meaningful contributions. It is not our intention to design a program to educate people on how DAO works. We are considering creating workshops and tutorials so that newcomers understand the specific needs of DAO.

The new V2 proposal does not clearly explain how the contributions and value of the 10 selected Fellows to the DAO will be measured, such as the number of proposals they contribute to or their governance activity level. Clear key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential.

Firstly, we should agree on implementing retrospective compensation policies for onboarding participants who invest significant time and effort to become active DAO members. However, I still have concerns: if, after extensive training, we are unable to retain these representatives, what would be the point of this initiative? I would like to hear your personal thoughts on this, Rika.

11

Thanks for this proposal. This proposal is very professional. My only question is whether the recruitment for this proposal is limited to Delegates, non-Delegates, or if both are eligible?

12

Thank you for the proposal. I believe that we should all have the same opportunities to participate in these programs. It would be a good idea to open the workshops to the public so that anyone who wants to learn about the ecosystem can have access. This project could be linked to the delegate program. Having completed the 6 weeks of the workshop could grant the user an emblem and this could represent a significant score when counting participation.
I believe that the team behind this proposal is very active in the forum and that generates confidence in me.

1 Like
13

Excited to see the proposal and the onboarding group maturing drawing from previous learnings. Rika, Angela and the L2 beat team have been amazingly helpful to us in the Social Media Fellowship, the only group from V1 that survived and still exists in the DAO.

Arbitrum needs an a dedicated onboarding group and this team has proved consistency in action.

I am supportive of this proposal and only have one question: What is the selection criteria of the Governance Fellows? :smiley:

2 Likes
14

Great proposal. Looking forward for it to be accepted.

15

Hello @RikaGoldberg! This initiative sounds amazing. Could you please share how one can apply for the program? Also, where will announcements about the application process be published? Thanks!

16

We strongly support the Governance Bootcamp initiative. Its well-structured approach and tailored curriculum for the Arbitrum DAO effectively lower entry barriers while equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to contribute meaningfully.

The program not only attracts high-quality contributors but also creates a valuable resource pool for professional delegates. This initiative is a promising step toward fostering a more capable and engaged governance community, contributing to the DAO’s long-term success.

1 Like
17

Hello! Thanks for the proposal! It seems a step in the right direction!

I have a few questions, as I was not able to find the reasoning for it in the text:

There is a budget request for 6 months of pay to the WG but, if I got it right, we will have:

  1. 8 weeks - applications and interviews
  2. 8 weeks - workshop with 20 candidates
  3. 8 weeks - Governance Fellows - 10 individuals (1,500/month)

We are asking for possible candidates to go through a 4-months selection process for 2 months of subsidies. Is it possible to grant something to the 20 selected members? (like 500/month)

And I believe that there is a typo in the spreadsheet, as the stipend is meant for the “Governance Fellows”, correct?

18

Hello! Thank you very much for the proposal. I am very supportive of the idea in general, although I have several questions about its execution.

First of all, congratulations on the results of the first onboarding program. I appreciate that you are iterating and applying the lessons outlined there.

Regarding the workshops:

I think it’s great to have multiple workshops focusing on Arbitrum governance and the various DAO initiatives.

Now, my first question is: who is the program aimed at, and what would be the “job description” these workshops are targeting? What is the demand for these skills?

From the content, it seems the program provides a general overview of the DAO and its current initiatives, which would make the participant someone knowledgeable about the Arbitrum DAO context.

However, if that person later wants to join as a governance analyst in a protocol or a professional delegate team, would these isolated pieces of knowledge be sufficient for that role? Maybe that’s not the goal, and I’m overthinking it. But in that case, what is the objective?

Perhaps some more general topics could be included, such as the main challenges in a DAO and how Arbitrum addresses them compared to XYZ. Additionally, a few other useful elements related to general theory could be added.

Has this already been discussed and guaranteed? What happens if you can’t find 10 protocols that are interested?

Regarding the sample exercise:

Governance analysts and DAO leads are key roles in protocols today, although many protocols don’t have one yet. For this reason, I suggest including the following mandatory essay: Why is the role of a DAO lead/governance analyst important in a protocol? How can they operate, and what benefits do they bring? Additionally, ask the participants to provide a concrete case they are personally interested in.

On Governance Analysts and Fellows:

I see a potential flaw in having the DAO fully finance the fellow. The protocol might lack the necessary skin in the game to ensure the fellow learns and receives adequate attention. It might be more interesting to move toward a shared system where protocols cover part of the cost or even commit to reimbursing the DAO if they later hire the fellow.

Regarding the budget:

I would like to see a clear disclosure of what percentage of the budget each participant will receive.

Additional considerations:

KPIs:

The first onboarding program had well-defined quantitative and qualitative KPIs, which allowed for conclusions that shaped this proposal—a very positive aspect. I believe KPIs for this initiative should also be determined before moving forward.

Retention:

How do you envision retention within the DAO or Arbitrum for these fellows? How did retention work in v1, and what mechanisms do you think could be implemented to ensure the effort and resources invested in teaching are not quickly diluted?

Lastly, I would like to suggest that the proposal opens up opportunities for other DAO participants interested in taking on the proposed roles. While I understand the reasons why continuity between v1 and v2 makes sense, this proposal aims to include new participants in the DAO, yet we don’t practice that inclusion when it comes to execution. We have many valuable DAO members who might be interested in taking on some of these roles—of course, only if suitable candidates express interest.

I know I’ve raised many points, but I am very aligned with the idea. I look forward to seeing it grow and succeed!

19

Thanks for publishing this proposal.
Highly interested in knowing how to attend this program.

20

The general idea of the proposal is very supportive, especially for delegates like myself who are new to the program and would like to be active under the Governance Skills and DAO framework by participating in the course.

Personal perspective, I hope to participate in governance work can be efficient, and easy to land, after all, the professional proposal behind the fact that a lot of content is very difficult to understand.

  1. The budget mentioned 17.8w USD, which is mainly spent on labor cost and course design. It is suggested to add a “Success Case Tracking” section, for example, to list out what the governance participants developed in V1 have actually contributed to DAO. Let everyone know where the money was spent and whether it was worth it.
  2. In the course content, I can see, for example, “how to create a proposal”, “the foundation of the governance forum”, I think it is not suitable for everyone, I personally suggest that the course be divided into levels, such as beginner and advanced classes, designed for participants with different backgrounds, such as my kind of Newcomers do not have so much money I have the number of ARBs required by the proposal, that is not very meaningful to me, I need more is how to look at the real purpose behind the proposal, can be targeted to the actual operation of the simulation, such as allowing participants to directly analyze the proposal currently under discussion, or even participate in the discussion, rather than just learning the theory.