Passed · 2026-06-03
EcoHubs Invariants Register
Adopts six invariants (INV-001 to INV-006) that may not be overridden by any decision, role, process, or emergency measure while they are in force.
- Decision type
- constitutional
- Layers affected
- L0
- Vote
- Supermajority (≥⅔ of votes cast) met
- Status: Passed
- Submitted: 2026-05-05
- Submitted by: Stefan (founding member)
- Decision type: Constitutional
- Authorized decision path: Decision Matrix (Layer 2) — “Primary purpose, scope, invariant, or identity constraint changes” → Constitutional; all Full Members; ecohubsOS vote + 30-day ratification; supermajority (≥⅔)
Summary
Adopts six invariants as the hard floor of the EcoHubs governance system. While in force, no decision, role, process, or emergency measure may override them; where an invariant conflicts with any other rule, the invariant prevails.
Affected Layers and Artifacts
- Layer 0 —
layers/0-identity/03-invariants-register.md
Change Type
- Permanent rule change
- Time-bounded experiment
Adopted Content
Active Invariants
| ID | Invariant |
|---|---|
| INV-001 | The primary purpose may never be overridden by any operational or strategic decision, role, or emergency measure. |
| INV-002 | Authority must always be explicit and traceable to the governance system — no person or role may hold or exercise undeclared authority. |
| INV-003 | Exit from the community must always be possible and must never be blocked, penalised, or made conditional beyond what is defined in Layer 1. |
| INV-004 | The structural layer must remain non-ideological — no belief system, culture, or ideology may be embedded as a requirement in RCOS Core or EcoHubs governance. |
| INV-005 | EcoHubs may never be used as a vehicle for speculative financial gain or extraction from its members. |
| INV-006 | Physical, psychological, and child safety always override participation rights, role continuity, and reputational concerns. |
Rationale
RCOS-Core §2.3 requires invariants that cannot be overridden while in force. Rules that can be suspended under pressure are preferences, not constraints — and a governance system is only trustworthy if some things hold on its worst day, not just its calm ones. These six bind the purpose (INV-001), authority (INV-002), exit (INV-003), non-ideology (INV-004), non-extraction (INV-005), and safety (INV-006) across every layer.
Risks and Mitigations
- Risk: An invariant proves unworkable and cannot be quickly relaxed. Mitigation: Invariants can be changed by Constitutional decision; the difficulty is intentional and bounded, not absolute.
- Risk: INV-006 (safety overrides) could be invoked to bypass due process. Mitigation: The Accountability Protocol and Conflict Resolution Ladder (Layer 4) define the process by which safety concerns are raised and handled, including anti-retaliation provisions.
Transition and Migration Plan
No migration required. Status changes from Stub — not yet adopted to Active — adopted 2026-07-03. All six invariants take effect on the effective date and are recorded in the register with that date.
Rollback Plan
Rollback requires a further Constitutional decision removing or amending specific invariants. Rollback trigger: a ratified finding that an invariant is unenforceable or in irreconcilable conflict with the primary purpose.
Effective Date
2026-07-03 (end of the 30-day ratification period following the vote close)
Review Date (if experiment or time-bounded)
N/A
Decision Record
- Vote outcome: Passed
- Proposal created: 2026-05-05 10:16
- Vote closed: 2026-06-03 10:16
- Ratification period: 30 days from vote close, per Decision Matrix (Layer 2)
- Effective / adopted: 2026-07-03
- Decision type: Constitutional
- Mechanism: ecohubsOS vote
- Decision record: /proposals/passed/2026-05-05_invariants-register
- Signatories / vote count: Supermajority (≥⅔ of votes cast) met; per-member tally recorded on the ecohubsOS proposal page