Every community governance system must address five core functions:

Decision-making: How does the community make collective decisions? Who has standing to participate? What threshold of agreement is required for different types of decisions?

Conflict resolution: How does the community address disagreements between members? What processes prevent interpersonal conflicts from becoming community crises?

Resource management: How does the community manage shared infrastructure, finances, and land? Who is responsible for maintenance and repair?

Membership: How does the community bring in new members? What are the processes for a member leaving the community?

Adaptation: How does the community change its own rules when they are no longer serving well? What is the amendment process for governing documents?