Governance Charter

Preamble#

The AI Fellowship operates on the principle of centralised identity, decentralised execution. The Foundation owns the brand, the mission, the Code of Conduct, and the AI World Cup. How each chapter runs its local events, builds its local community, and pursues its local partnerships is entirely up to that chapter. “The brand and the mission are fixed; the playbook is yours.”

This Charter exists to make that model work. It defines who is responsible for what, how people are selected and removed, and what the centre promises chapters in return for operating under the Fellowship name. The final section - “What the Centre Promises Chapters” - is particularly important. Governance documents often define what chapters owe the centre while leaving what the centre owes chapters unspoken. That silence breeds resentment. We name it explicitly here.

1. The Global Council#

1.1 Purpose#

The Global Council is the governing body of the Foundation. It is responsible for strategic direction, identity stewardship, brand integrity, the Code of Conduct, the AI World Cup, and relations with global partners. It is not responsible for the day-to-day operations of individual chapters.

1.2 Composition#

The Global Council comprises:

• The Founder (Zohaib Khan) - permanent seat, non-voting except to break ties
• Three to five Elected Member Representatives, drawn from the active chapter director community
• One independent external member, selected by the Council, with expertise in nonprofit governance, AI policy, or community building (optional but recommended for legal and reputational credibility)

Total voting members: 4-6. An odd number is strongly preferred to avoid tie deadlocks (though tie-breaking procedures exist - see Document 7).

1.3 Term Lengths#

• Elected Member Representatives: 2-year terms, staggered so that no more than half the Council turns over in a single cycle.
• External independent member: 2-year term, renewable once.
• No person may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same seat.

1.4 Selection Method#

• Elected Member Representatives are nominated by currently active Chapter Directors and elected by a vote of all Chapter Directors in good standing.
• The nomination period is open for 14 days. The voting period is open for 7 days.
• Candidates must have served as a Chapter Director in good standing for at least 6 months.
• The external independent member is identified and approved by the existing Council by simple majority vote.

1.5 Responsibilities#

• Setting and reviewing the Fellowship’s global strategy and mission
• Stewarding and protecting the brand, in accordance with the Brand & IP Policy
• Approving and revising the Code of Conduct, Member Pledge, and this Charter
• Overseeing the AI World Cup programme globally
• Approving global partnerships and MOUs
• Approving the annual global budget
• Appointing, supporting, and (where necessary) removing Chapter Directors
• Maintaining the Decision Log and communicating decisions transparently to the chapter community

1.6 Meetings#

The Global Council meets at minimum quarterly, with one in-person or synchronous video meeting annually. Decisions between meetings may be made via asynchronous vote as defined in the Voting & Proposals Process (Document 7).

1.7 Removal#

A Council member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the remaining Council members. Grounds for removal include: sustained failure to participate in Council duties; violation of the Code of Conduct; conflict of interest not properly disclosed; conduct that materially harms the Fellowship.

2. Chapter Directors#

2.1 Purpose#

Chapter Directors are the local stewards of the Fellowship’s mission. They are responsible for building a thriving, inclusive, active chapter community in their city or region. They operate within the brand and values framework set by the Foundation, with full autonomy over local programming, local partnerships (within the Brand & IP Policy), and local culture.

2.2 Selection#

• Chapter Directors self-nominate via a standard application form published by the Foundation.
• Applications are reviewed by the Global Council (or a delegated review panel).
• Selection criteria include: demonstrated commitment to the Fellowship’s values; existing presence in the local AI community or credible plan to build one; capacity and availability; no outstanding Code of Conduct violations.
• The Foundation aims to respond to complete applications within 21 days.
• No chapter may have more than two co-Directors without Foundation approval.

2.3 Term#

• Chapter Directors serve an initial term of one year.
• At the end of the first year, the Council conducts a brief review. If both parties are satisfied, the Director continues on a rolling annual basis.
• There is no formal term limit for Chapter Directors in good standing, recognising that community continuity has significant value. The Council may, however, recommend transition planning for chapters where leadership has been in place for more than three years.

2.4 Responsibilities#

• Organising and hosting at least four chapter events per year (meetups, workshops, hackathons, or equivalent)
• Recruiting and welcoming new members to the chapter
• Enforcing the Code of Conduct at chapter events and escalating reports appropriately
• Maintaining the chapter’s compliance with the Brand & IP Policy
• Responding to Foundation communications within 5 business days
• Submitting a brief quarterly update to the Foundation (template provided)
• Representing the chapter’s interests to the Global Council via the appropriate channels

2.5 What Chapter Directors May Do Independently#

• Set their own event formats, frequencies, topics, and programming
• Recruit local speakers, mentors, and volunteers
• Seek and accept local sponsorship within the limits of the Brand & IP Policy
• Create local chapter social media accounts and communications channels following brand guidelines
• Build local partnerships that do not require the Foundation’s signature
• Charge a nominal event fee to cover venue/catering costs (surplus must be reported)

2.6 Removal#

A Chapter Director may be removed by the Global Council for:

• Violation of the Code of Conduct
• Violation of the Brand & IP Policy
• Failure to organise any events for more than 6 consecutive months without approved leave of absence
• Failure to maintain communication with the Foundation
• Conduct that materially harms the Fellowship’s reputation or a community member

Before removal, the Foundation will issue a written notice and allow 14 days for response, except in cases of serious Code of Conduct violations, where immediate suspension is permitted pending investigation.

3. Members#

3.1 Who Is a Member#

Any person who has completed the Fellowship’s onboarding process (signed the Member Pledge, joined at least one Fellowship platform) is a member. Membership is open to any person regardless of experience, credentials, geography, or background.

3.2 Member Rights#

• Access to all Fellowship platforms and public community resources
• Participation in chapter events (subject to capacity)
• The right to submit proposals under the Voting & Proposals Process
• The right to be treated with respect and dignity, as defined in the Code of Conduct
• The right to report conduct concerns without fear of retaliation
• The right to appeal enforcement decisions against them

3.3 Member Responsibilities#

• Adhering to the Code of Conduct at all times in Fellowship contexts
• Using the Fellowship’s brand and name only in ways consistent with the Brand & IP Policy
• Contributing constructively to the community they are part of
• Keeping their Fellowship profile reasonably current

3.4 Founding Members#

Persons who joined the Fellowship during its initial WhatsApp community phase (prior to the public launch of theaifellowship.com) are designated Founding Members. This designation is permanent and carries a visible recognition badge. It does not confer governance rights beyond those of general members but is a mark of honour within the community.

4. The Advisory Board#

4.1 Purpose#

The Advisory Board is an optional but strongly recommended layer of leadership. It comprises distinguished AI practitioners, researchers, ethicists, policy experts, and community leaders who lend credibility, expertise, and network to the Fellowship without carrying operational responsibilities. Advisory Board members are not elected; they are invited.

4.2 Composition and Selection#

The Advisory Board may have up to 12 members. Advisors are identified and invited by the Global Council based on:

• Recognised expertise in AI, technology policy, education, or community building
• Alignment with the Fellowship’s values
• Willingness to actively engage (attend one meeting per year, respond to occasional requests for input)

Advisory Board members should reflect the Fellowship’s diversity - geographic, disciplinary, and demographic.

4.3 Responsibilities (Non-Binding)#

• Attending the annual Fellowship gathering or equivalent
• Providing input on major strategic decisions when invited to do so
• Lending their name and credibility to Fellowship communications, proposals, and applications (with their consent)
• Making introductions to potential partners, funders, or collaborators
• Mentoring Chapter Directors who seek guidance

4.4 Term#

Advisors serve a 2-year term, renewable by mutual agreement. There is no limit on renewals.

4.5 What Advisors Are Not#

Advisors do not have voting rights in the Global Council. They do not set policy. They do not have authority over Chapter Directors. They are not legally responsible for the Foundation’s operations. Their involvement is a gift of expertise and credibility, not an employment or fiduciary relationship.

5. What the Centre Promises Chapters#

This section is as important as any other in this Charter. The Fellowship’s chapter model only works if chapters trust that operating under the Fellowship banner benefits them. The following is our commitment to every Chapter Director.

5.1 Brand and Credibility#

We will maintain a global brand that is recognisable, respected, and consistently associated with human-centred AI. When you say “I run the AI Fellowship chapter in [your city],” that name should open doors. We take responsibility for protecting and growing that brand value.

5.2 Resources and Templates#

We will provide Chapter Directors with: onboarding materials and event templates; the Member Pledge and Code of Conduct in usable formats; brand assets and design guidelines; a Chapter Director Handbook updated annually; access to the Foundation’s Notion workspace or equivalent knowledge base.

5.3 Network and Connections#

We will actively connect Chapter Directors to each other. You are not running a chapter alone - you are part of a global network of people doing the same thing. We will facilitate regular Chapter Director calls, a Chapter Directors channel on Discord, and introductions between chapters working on similar initiatives.

5.4 Visibility#

We will amplify what chapters build. Chapter events, initiatives, and achievements will be featured on the global Fellowship website, in global communications, and on social channels. We will not take credit for what chapters do - we will share it.

5.5 The AI World Cup#

Chapters in good standing will have access to the AI World Cup programme - including branding, competition framework, judging resources, and eligibility for the global final. This is the Fellowship’s flagship programme and is a significant benefit to chapters who want to run high-profile events.

5.6 Responsiveness#

We commit to responding to Chapter Director communications within 5 business days. We will not leave chapter questions or approval requests unanswered for weeks. If we are slow, call us on it.

5.7 Autonomy#

We will not micromanage chapters. The brand and the mission are fixed; the playbook is yours. We will not override local decisions that fall within your autonomy, and we will be transparent when a decision does require our involvement.

5.8 Honest Feedback#

We will tell chapters when something isn’t working - in their events, their community health, or their compliance - before it becomes a serious problem. We will do this privately, respectfully, and constructively. We will not blindside chapter directors with enforcement actions without prior communication wherever possible.