Materializing

The formation of Erefugia is envisioned as a deliberative, multi-stage process to ensure that the cooperative’s structure, governance, and operational strategy are thoughtfully developed before formal incorporation. This ensures that the development of cooperative is inclusive, reflective, and well-informed, with multiple layers of consultation and review before any binding decisions or legal commitments are made. Each group builds upon the work of the previous one, progressively clarifying feasibility, refining ideas, and preparing the cooperative for formal governance and operational launch. While we want the process to be deliberative, we also want to get started quickly and begin building a momentum of little successes. Below, learn more about the three stages, and the groups which will hold the baton during each, as we materialize out of the realm of ideas.

The initial stage begins with the Exploration & Feasibility Group, composed of individuals interested in the creation of the cooperative, including prospective members, DAO representatives, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders. Their purpose is to investigate the feasibility of forming the cooperative by analyzing legal, financial, and operational considerations, exploring potential governance models, and assessing integration with broader federations. This group is tasked with gathering information, identifying risks and opportunities, generating preliminary recommendations, and assessing interest. Members of this group serve in an advisory capacity only: they do not have binding decision-making authority or legal responsibility. We hope that many of the people who join this Exploration & Feasibility group join the cooperative and the social network!

Meetings | 🗓️ Asynchronous In BlueSky

🗓️ Work to be complete by October 23rd, 2025

Insights and findings from the Exploration & Feasibility Group are then shared with a broader Advisory & Reflection Group. This group is larger and more inclusive, welcoming community members, potential participants in the DAOs, and other stakeholders who wish to contribute their perspectives. Their role is to reflect upon the feasibility assessments, provide constructive feedback, identify gaps or considerations the Exploration & Feasibility Group may have overlooked, and refine recommendations. Like the Exploration & Feasibility Group, the Advisory & Reflection Group functions solely as an informational and consultative body, ensuring that multiple perspectives are integrated before final decisions are made. We hope that at least some people comprising the cooperative's initial Worker-Membership come from this Advisory & Reflection Group!

Meetings | 🗓️ October 24th, 2025 via Zoom | 🗓️ Asynchronous In BlueSky | 🗓️ November 6th, 2025 via Zoom

🗓️ Work to be complete by November 6th, 2025

Based on the input from the Exploratory and Advisory phases, a Steering & Charter Group is elected from among participants to synthesize recommendations, resolve outstanding questions, and finalize structural and operational details in preparation for incorporation. The Steering & Charter Group carries the responsibility of finalizing the articles of incorporating, drafting proposed bylaws and policies, defining membership and governance frameworks, identifying signatories, and coordinating any necessary legal and financial preparations such as acquiring a PO Box, phone number, and bank accounts. Unlike the previous advisory bodies, the Steering & Charter Group has a directive role, guiding the cooperative from conceptual planning to actionable incorporation steps, though formal authority and legal responsibility only begin upon official filing and adoption of bylaws. We hope that at least some members of the Board of Directors and Worker-Member Executive Team at the time of incorporation will be elected from this Steering & Charter Group.

Meetings | 🗓️ November 7th, 2025 via Zoom | 🗓️ November 12th, 2025 via Zoom | 🗓️ November 19th, 2025 via Zoom | 🗓️ November 20th, 2025 via Zoom 

🗓️ Work to be complete by November 20th, 2025

The Steering & Charter Group shall make the final determination regarding the state of incorporation, select the registered agent and principal office, and designate the official incorporators. The names and contact information of these individuals shall be included in the Articles of Incorporation, which will be submitted to the State of Vermont along with all required supporting documentation and filing fees. Upon submission and acceptance of these materials, the materialization process is complete, Erefugia becomes an officially incorporated cooperative, fully ready to begin our work and start doing cool things together.