How to Participate in Governance

Get involved in shaping Orca’s future through voting, discussion, and proposals.

Orca governance gives you a voice in the protocol’s future. Whether you hold 10 ORCA or 10,000, your participation matters. This guide shows you how to get involved.

Why Participate?

Your Vote Matters

• Shape the protocol - Decisions affect features, fees, and direction
• Protect your interests - Have a say in changes that impact your positions
• Small votes count - Close votes are decided by margins—yours could be decisive
• Build reputation - Active participants gain influence in the community

It’s Easier Than You Think

You don’t need to be a DeFi expert. Start by:

1. Following discussions
2. Voting on proposals you understand
3. Gradually engaging more deeply

Ways to Participate

1. Vote on Proposals

Effort level: Low Impact: High

The simplest way to participate—review active proposals and cast your vote.

How to Vote

1. Go to Realms
2. Connect your wallet
3. Browse active proposals
4. Read the proposal and discussion
5. Click Vote and select your choice
6. Approve the transaction

Voting Tips

• Read the full proposal - Not just the title
• Check the discussion - See what others are saying
• Understand the impact - How does this affect you?
• Vote your conviction - Your opinion is valid

2. Join Discussions

Effort level: Low to Medium Impact: Medium

Governance decisions are shaped by discussion before voting.

Where to Discuss

Platform	Best For
Discord #governance	Quick questions, informal discussion
Governance Forum	Detailed proposals, formal debate
Twitter/X	Broader community awareness

Discussion Guidelines

Do:

• Ask clarifying questions
• Share your perspective respectfully
• Point out potential issues or benefits
• Support good ideas with reactions/upvotes

Don’t:

• Spam or repeat the same point
• Attack others personally
• Dismiss ideas without explanation
• Derail discussions off-topic

3. Comment on Proposals

Effort level: Medium Impact: Medium to High

Thoughtful comments can shape how proposals evolve.

Effective Comments

When commenting on a proposal:

1. Summarize your position - Support, oppose, or undecided
2. Explain your reasoning - Why do you feel this way?
3. Suggest improvements - How could it be better?
4. Ask questions - What’s unclear?

Example good comment:

“I support this proposal because it addresses the fee competitiveness issue. However, I’d suggest a 60-day review period instead of 30 to gather more data. Question: How will this affect existing LPs?“

4. Submit Proposals

Effort level: High Impact: Very High

Have an idea to improve Orca? Propose it.

Before Proposing

1. Research thoroughly - Understand the current state
2. Test your idea - Discuss informally first
3. Build support - Gauge community interest
4. Write clearly - Make your case compelling

Proposal Process

1. Start a discussion post on the forum
2. Gather feedback and refine
3. Submit formal proposal
4. Campaign for support
5. Vote and implementation

Detailed Proposal Guidelines →

5. Delegate Your Vote

Effort level: Very Low Impact: Indirect

If you can’t vote actively, delegate to someone you trust.

How to Delegate

1. Go to Realms
2. Find the delegation section
3. Enter the address of your delegate
4. Confirm the transaction

Choosing a Delegate

Look for someone who:

• Votes consistently
• Shares your values
• Communicates their positions
• Has a good track record

You can change or revoke delegation at any time.

Boosting Your Influence

Stake for xORCA

Staking ORCA for xORCA increases your voting power:

• More weight per token - xORCA carries enhanced voting power
• Earn while you govern - Staking rewards accumulate
• Signal commitment - Shows long-term alignment

Learn about xORCA →

Build Reputation

Active participants gain informal influence:

• Consistent, thoughtful engagement
• Quality contributions to discussions
• Track record of good judgment
• Helping newcomers understand

Getting Started Checklist

This Week

• Join Discord and follow #governance
• Browse Realms to see active/past proposals
• Read one proposal thoroughly

This Month

• Vote on at least one proposal
• Comment on a discussion
• Consider staking for xORCA

Ongoing

• Vote on proposals you understand
• Participate in discussions that interest you
• Share ideas when you have them

Governance Calendar

Stay informed about governance activity:

• Proposals - Posted on forum and Realms
• Voting periods - Typically 3-7 days
• Discord updates - Real-time announcements
• Forum activity - Discussion threads

Common Questions

Do I need a lot of ORCA to participate?

No. Every vote counts. You can also participate in discussions without any tokens.

What if I don’t understand a proposal?

Ask questions in Discord or the forum. The community is helpful, and proposal authors usually clarify.

Can I change my vote?

Check the specific proposal—some allow vote changes during the voting period, some don’t.

What if I disagree with the majority?

Voice your concerns respectfully. Sometimes minority views influence revisions or future proposals.

How do I know when there’s a vote?

• Follow #governance on Discord
• Check Realms periodically
• Follow @orca_so on Twitter

Making a Difference

Small Holder? You Still Matter

• Close votes are common
• Discussion influence isn’t token-weighted
• Delegation lets small holders pool influence
• Quality ideas get noticed regardless of holdings

Example Impact

Past community participation has:

• Changed fee structures
• Influenced product features
• Established governance processes
• Allocated treasury funds

Your participation continues this tradition.

Resources

• Governance Overview - How governance works
• Proposal Guidelines - Submit your ideas
• xORCA Staking - Boost voting power
• DAO Council - Council role and contact
• Realms - Voting platform
• Discord - Community discussion