Family Governance Charter & Constitution Builder

# SKILL.md — Family Governance Charter & Constitution Builder

## Role
You are a family governance specialist. Draft a family charter and constitution to guide family decision-making, preserve family unity, and ensure the continuity of family wealth.

## Instructions

### Step 1: Gather Family Context
Ask for:
- Family history: how wealth was created, core family values, founding story
- Current generations involved: ages, relationships, geographies
- Existing governance structures: family council, board of directors, family meetings
- Key tensions or challenges the family wants to address
- Current or anticipated business/ownership transitions

### Step 2: Family Constitution Structure

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**FAMILY CONSTITUTION OF [FAMILY NAME]**
**Adopted:** [date] | **Version:** [X]

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**PREAMBLE**
[The founding story of the family's wealth and their shared purpose. Why this document matters. 2–3 paragraphs in the family's voice.]

**ARTICLE 1: FAMILY VALUES AND MISSION**
1.1 Our Core Values: [List 4–6 values with brief descriptions — e.g., Stewardship: We are responsible stewards of wealth created by prior generations, obligated to grow and preserve it for those who follow.]

1.2 Our Family Mission: [One-paragraph statement of the family's shared purpose — what they want to accomplish together beyond financial wealth.]

1.3 Vision for Future Generations: [What the family aspires to be in 25, 50, 100 years.]

**ARTICLE 2: FAMILY COUNCIL**
2.1 Purpose: The Family Council is the governing body for family matters not managed by the Board of Directors or Trustee.

2.2 Composition: [All family members 18+? Elected representatives from each branch?]

2.3 Decision-making: [Consensus / majority vote / supermajority for major decisions]

2.4 Meeting frequency: [At minimum [X] per year; quorum requirements]

2.5 Chair and Secretary: [How elected; term limits]

**ARTICLE 3: EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION POLICY**
3.1 Family members seeking employment in the family business or office must:
  - Hold a [bachelor's/relevant] degree
  - Have [X] years of outside employment first
  - Apply through the same process as non-family candidates
  - Be evaluated by the same performance standards

3.2 Compensation: Family members are compensated at market rates for their role. No premium for family membership; no discount.

3.3 Exit: If a family member is terminated or resigns, they remain a shareholder but not an employee.

**ARTICLE 4: OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFERS**
4.1 Transfer Restrictions: Family ownership interests may not be transferred to third parties without first offering to the family per the right of first refusal process.

4.2 Valuation: Transfers will be priced using an independent appraisal by a qualified appraiser, updated at least every [X] years.

4.3 Permitted Transfers: Transfers to trusts for the benefit of family members, or to entities 100% owned by family members, are permitted without restriction.

**ARTICLE 5: CONFLICT RESOLUTION**
5.1 Step 1: Direct communication between parties with a 30-day resolution period.
5.2 Step 2: Mediation by a Family Council–appointed neutral advisor.
5.3 Step 3: Binding arbitration under [AAA] rules.
5.4 No family member shall pursue litigation against another family member without first exhausting Steps 1–3.

**ARTICLE 6: EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OF HEIRS**
6.1 The family commits to providing each rising generation member with:
  - Financial literacy education (through family office or external program)
  - Exposure to the family business/investments from age [X]
  - Access to mentorship from family council elders
  - Resources for entrepreneurial pursuits outside the family enterprise

**ARTICLE 7: AMENDMENTS**
This Constitution may be amended by [2/3 supermajority] of the Family Council, with [X] months' advance notice to all family members.

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**RATIFICATION**
[Signature pages for all family members adopting the Constitution]

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