Funding

Pledges

Members may start a pledge and gather supporters before presenting their project, to demonstrate interest and commitment. They make sure that a sufficient number of people commit to the selected device (and keep it from collecting dust).

Levels of financing

There are 3 levels of asking for finances:

• If the cost is below 50€ just buy the stuff and hand in the bill. Don't abuse that rule by making small purchases, you risk not being refunded.
• If the cost is below 500€ (that value is experimental and could change), you should submit your project to the office first. The office can take the decision for syn2cat to finance the project, or consult the bootstrap assembly as if the project's costs were above 500€.
• Projects above 500 € are funded based on the bootstrap assembly's decision.

Funding decision by the community for large projects

During the meeting, projects that cost above 500€ or smaller projects that haven't been accepted by the office are presented and debated, and the current pledging is discussed.

The final decision is taken 3 days after the publication of the minutes via an online poll using our votex tool. Members are presented with a short description of the project and its cost, a link to the pledge system, short information on what free funds the association has, and three choices:

• [ ] No, Do not fund at all
• [ ] Yes, Fund any amount remaining after the pledge
• [ ] Yes, Require at least 42% to be pledged; fund at most 58%

The poll remains open for three days. The majority of all submitted valid votes counts; there is no minimum number of voters.

Resubmission of a project that's been rejected or withdrawn is allowed if it has changed significantly (less expensive, more appealing, more pledges, etc.). This is to prevent zombie projects from returning every month.

The office may veto a project, and must explain its decision, e.g. the association cannot afford the project.

The office may exceptionally ignore the pledge and fully fund the project if it is thought of as useful, important or strategic for syn2cat as a whole. In general, projects that are more related to infrastructure and guaranteed to be made good use of should need less pledging.