James slusser does a great job and got my full support! Aye
~
flipchan

PolkaWorld votes AYE

After initially voting NAY, the proposer shared more information in PolkaWorld’s Telegram group, leading us to change our vote to AYE. The amount requested is small, but it could serve as a valuable leverage point. https://t.me/DVpolkaworld/500

Read more feedback [here](https://southern-manicure-6ee.notion.site/1683-Re-submission-of-1678-6-month-renewal-Alan-B-Levan-NSU-Broward-Center-of-Innovation-Memb-23aa3c644fba80bfaa2be01740fac77b?source=copy_link).

Dear Proposer,

Thank you for your proposal. Our **second** vote on this proposal is **NAY**.

The **Small Tipper** track requires **30% participation and simple majority of non-abstain votes** according to our [voting policy v0.2](https://docs.permanence.io/voting_policy/voting_policy_v0.2.html), and any referendum in which the **majority of members vote abstain receives an abstain vote**. This proposal has received **zero aye and two nay** votes from **ten available members**, with **two members abstaining**. Below is a summary of our members' comments:

> The re-submission was evaluated without any changes from its earlier version, prompting concerns about repeating previous issues. One vote opposed the proposal with the same arguments as before, while two abstentions acknowledged the proposer’s dedication but raised doubts about how the initiative fit within broader strategic objectives. These voters questioned whether the space was meant for community events or actual business outcomes, and they sought a clearer plan and regular engagement schedule. Another vote reiterated earlier reservations, emphasizing annoyance over what was seen as repetitive submission practices on the OpenGov platform.

The full discussion can be found in our [internal voting](https://voting.opensquare.io/space/permanence/proposal/QmXFgq8kwMsfY3MJjXaUM8PXK5GVPpS3nXqJoRVNjZBpxb).

Please feel free to contact us through the links below for further discussion.

Kind regards, Permanence DAO Decentralized Voices Cohort IV Delegate 📅 [Book Office Hours](https://cal.com/permanencedao/office-hours) 💬 [Public Telegram](https://t.me/permanencedao) 🌐️ [Web](https://permanence.io) 🐦 [Twitter](https://twitter.com/permanencedao) 🗳️ [Delegate](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/user/15ubZj6T7NUYyQw6j4XBkEMJ2vew5w9kqKEcN1QG7Z1weKDV/votes)

With <8 hours remaining, and for anyone still on the Nay or Abstain side of the vote, here is additional information that I have previously provided directly to DVs and others in an attempt to gain your support;

Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional context around the broader strategy referenced in my proposal. **The Levan Center is one small, but important, component of a much larger, integrated effort to grow Polkadot’s presence across Florida and the wider North American market**.

🧭 Who I Am & What I Do

My name is [James Slusser](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jslusser/). I’ve been a Senior Ambassador with Polkadot since June 2022, focused on:

- Business Development
- Investor Relations
- Community Building
- University Outreach
- Policy/Regulatory Engagement

In 2024, I was admitted as a Candidate to the Polkadot Technical Fellowship. I’m an alumnus of the Polkadot Blockchain Academy (Berkeley cohort) and active in several working groups (AAG, [Pop Dot Play](https://x.com/popdotplay/status/1948367856833634590), Kusama Vision Art bounty, and Thought Leadership via Distractive). I routinely represent Polkadot at domestic and international conferences, media engagements, and business development meetings.

🗺️ Regional Strategy Overview

My approach is focused on high-leverage, low-cost efforts that help lay long-term foundations for Polkadot adoption. [Here’s what that looks like](https://x.com/LearnPolkadot/status/1938403198068277375):

🏟️ Polkadot x Inter Miami CF

Though not managing the relationship day-to-day, I’m deeply involved in:

- Curating and hosting IR/BD guests in Polkadot suites [at each home match](https://x.com/jslusser/status/1949304646763237378) 
- Representing Polkadot at IMCF community workshops
- Coordinating with Sal Esposito and Chris Wade on BD + Government engagement
- Using the platform to drive regional interest in Polkadot among enterprise, civic, and academic leaders

🧑‍💼 Levan Center of Innovation (Referendum 1683 Focus)

The Levan Center serves as a tri-county tech hub (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach), drawing business, academic, and government leaders to regular events. My engagement includes:

- Working from the space 2–3 days/week
- Hosting Polkadot-branded meetups (moving from cost-prohibitive to no-cost formats)
- Leveraging coworking and meeting space for enterprise BD
- Networking with incubator/accelerator participants and public/private sector leaders
- Planning future hackathons, education series, and partnership activation
- _This is a strategic venue to reach the right people with consistent presence._

🎓 University & STEM Outreach

- Actively engaging high schools and universities with blockchain programs
- Introducing Polkadot Blockchain Academy content to the University of Miami, University of Florida, Nova Southern University, Miami-Dade College and more.
- Exploring research collaboration with academics with the Web3 Foundation
- Helping students become local community builders
- Represented Polkadot at the University of Miami Business of Blockchain event

🏛️ Policy & Legislative Engagement

- Member of the Florida Blockchain Business Association
- Regularly travels to Tallahassee to meet with legislators, testify, and advocate
- Supports similar efforts in Texas via the Texas Blockchain Council
- Collaborates with the Blockchain Association (DC-based) on federal policy

💼 Investor Relations & Enterprise Outreach

- Work with Polkadot Capital Group, Signum, Scytale, and Harbour Industrial Capital
- Host IR dinners and meet-and-greets
- Pursue long-cycle BD with enterprise partners from conferences and local hubs
- Leverage access to high-net-worth individuals and decision-makers at Polkadot-sponsored events

📣 Media, Speaking, and Thought Leadership

- Regular appearances on AAG (Polkadot & Kusama editions)
- Speaker at blockchain conferences including: Permissionless NYC, Blockchain Futurist ([Miami upcoming](https://x.com/jslusser/status/1948375376754851938) in November), ETH Denver, Decentralized Lugano, Panama Blockchain Week, eMerge Americas, WAGMI Miami, and more
- Interviewed by podcasts and publications (see latest [Blockhash interview](https://x.com/jslusser/status/1948124782190346311))
- Curator for Kusama Vision’s upcoming Art + Social Experiments track
- Host monthly casual [meetups in Miami](https://x.com/jslusser/status/1950359298489328016) w/ ca. 50 attendees

💬 Conclusion

Referendum 1683 is not a stand-alone initiative - it’s a **modest funding request** for a key piece of a larger, boots-on-the-ground strategy already in motion. The $2,400 budget is proportionate to its scope and impact. I show up, consistently, across multiple verticals - and welcome ongoing community input, oversight, and collaboration.

I would be happy to speak with any DV or community member directly and invite you to visit us in Miami to see firsthand what we’re building.

With respect, 
James Slusser Senior Ambassador, Polkadot

beneficiary

I am re-submitting [Referendum #1678](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/referenda/1678), which was rejected yesterday. No changes have been made to the proposal content, and I encourage anyone reviewing this new submission to reference the detailed comments and responses already provided on 1678.

Given the high volume of OpenGov proposals - many requesting significantly larger amounts - and the limited 7-day window of the Small Tipper track, I believe some Decentralized Voices (DVs) did not have sufficient time to fully review the proposal. Additionally, due to the timing of 1678’s submission, I was unable to appear on Attempts At Governance (AAG) prior to the close of the decision period.

Following [my appearance on AAG today](https://www.youtube.com/live/7scRQGCNE8k?si=MAoOfA1lrMl1SYLd&t=363) (July 24, 2025), I hope that:

- **KusDAO** and **Hungarian DAO** will continue their support, as on 1678  
- **Trustless Core** and **JAM Implementers DAO** will have time to review and vote  
- **PermanenceDAO** and **PolkaWorld** will reconsider their original *NAY* votes  
  - *PolkaWorld*: I’ve responded to your latest questions in the _DV Delegates – PolkaWorld Open Group_ Telegram group 
  - *PermanenceDAO*: I attempted to book an Office Hours slot, but none were available before August 6. I'm happy to address any questions here or in your _Permanence DAO - Public_ Telegram group

For **non-DV communities**, including **ChaosDAO**, I remain fully available to answer any questions or concerns.  

Thank you all for your time, attention, and continued engagement.


- A proposal was resubmitted after being rejected  
- No changes were made to the original idea  
- The creator wants more time for review  
- Some groups supported it before  
- Others are asked to review or change their votes  
- The creator is answering questions in chat groups  
- Available to talk with more communities  
- Thanks everyone for their time

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Re-submission of 1678: 6-month renewal | Alan B. Levan - NSU Broward Center of Innovation Membership

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