Structure Tenets

The 10 structure tenets are beliefs about community building held to be true by ENTS after implementing the P=ENTS methodology with their communities and learning from the experience.

1. Establish clear and well-defined structures that prize stability and facilitate collective action.

Example: In some gaming communities on Discord, a clear hierarchy with roles such as Guild Leader, Raid Captain and Members is established. This structure helps with organising in-game events and ensures everyone knows their responsibilities.

2. Balance individual rights and autonomy with the common good, ensuring the preservation of shared values.

Example: Some crypto enthusiast groups on Telegram ensure that while everyone can share and discuss their views, a set of guidelines prevents the promotion of harmful strategies, maintaining the group's integrity.

3. Foster institutions and frameworks that promote fairness, justice and equal opportunity for all.

Example: Book clubs on Discord often use a voting system where members can suggest and vote on the next book to read, ensuring everyone has an equal say in the reading list.

4. Recognise the elusive nature of ideal solutions, navigating trade-offs and prioritising outcomes based on realism and pragmatism. 

Example: Indie game developer communities on Discord understand that not every game suggestion can be implemented, but they prioritise ideas based on feasibility and alignment with the game's vision.

5. Encourage participatory governance, involving the most active and engaged community members in decision-making processes.

Example: Freelancer groups on Telegram often have a governing council made up of top contributors and active members who decide on community events and workshops.

6. Encourage gradual decentralisation of ownership and responsibility to community members for the maintenance of their structures.

Example: Some music fan communities on Discord allow members to create and manage their own sub-channels dedicated to different music genres. This encourages balanced decentralisation of operational power.

7. Empower community members to identify areas for improvement, maximising productivity through their firsthand knowledge and promoting self-driven engagement.

Example: Digital artist communities on Discord might allow members to propose and host their own mini-events or challenges, leveraging their unique expertise.

8. Develop systems of checks and balances, including decentralisation and self-replication, to prevent the concentration of power and the abuse of authority.

Example: In some online discussion forums, a rotating group of moderators from the community is established. This system ensures that no single moderator has undue influence and that various perspectives are considered when overseeing conversations and enforcing rules. The rotation and decentralised moderation prevent any concentration of power and ensure fairness in moderating content.

9. Champion T-shaped generalists who possess a broad understanding of issues impacting all community members while specialising in specific areas.

Example: In tech-focused Discord groups, while members might have specific channels for languages or platforms, moderators are encouraged to have a broad understanding of all topics while specialising in a few.

10. Implement clear and transparent mechanisms for conflict resolution and dispute management within the community structure.

Example: Travel enthusiast groups on Telegram often have a protocol for reporting and resolving disputes, with dedicated channels and designated mediators for transparent conflict resolution.