Thank you, Permanence DAO, for continuing to engage constructively on this proposal.

I want to directly acknowledge and respect your feedback - both on Referenda 1678 and now 1683. I understand the concern around “spamming OpenGov” and appreciate the responsibility we all share in safeguarding its integrity. That said, I’d like to offer some context and clarification that I hope might lead you to revisit your NAY.

1. Intent vs. Spam

This is not an attempt to game OpenGov or push a proposal without iteration. My initial renewal attempt (1678) was timed around the expiry of Referendum 1224. It failed, I believe, largely due to timing and the short 7-day Small Tipper track review window - as acknowledged by multiple voters. I took that feedback seriously, was encouraged to resubmit, and made myself fully available for discussion. This isn’t about persistence for its own sake - it’s about ensuring continuity for a low-risk, low-cost BD initiative that is demonstrably working.

2. Local Impact & Metrics

This proposal builds on a proven, previously funded initiative. As outlined in Referendum 1224, our partnership with the Levan Center of Innovation has already opened doors for Polkadot across South Florida’s tech, academic, and investor ecosystem. This includes:

• Direct engagement with early-stage founders and enterprise partners
• University and STEM outreach tied to real-world blockchain use cases
• Hosting and participating in strategic events where Polkadot is the only blockchain present
• Positioning Polkadot within one of the top innovation centers in the southeastern U.S., with demonstrated traction

While this proposal is modest in budget (2,400 USDT over 6 months), its strategic value is meaningful: consistent presence, grassroots education, and relationship-building - especially in a U.S. market where adoption remains a long game.

The Levan Center itself serves as a tri-county tech hub (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties), attracting regular participation from local business, academic, and government leaders - making it an ideal venue for high-quality networking and visibility. I work out of the space 2–3 days per week, with an updated plan to host (at no cost) biweekly meetups that raise awareness of Polkadot, foster community growth, and support business development - which naturally comes with a longer sales cycle. Levan is just one small, but important, component of our broader regional playbook.

I appreciate your attention to detail and your role in protecting treasury funds. I only ask that you reconsider this proposal based not just on budget or repetition, but on intent, integrity, and results. This is not spam - it’s the continued effort of a long-time contributor working to deliver value with transparency and community support.

For what it’s worth, Polkaworld flipped to an AYE after further discussion on the resubmission. I’m hoping the same might be possible here.

Thank you again for your time and stewardship.

James Slusser
Senior Ambassador, Polkadot

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. 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 and active in several working groups (AAG, Dot Play, Kusama Vision Art + Culture 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:

🏟️ 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
• 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 and the recent Mathematical Congress of the Americas 2025

🏛️ 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, 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:
  • Blockchain Futurist (Miami upcoming in November)
  • ETH Denver, Decentralized Lugano, Panama Blockchain Week, eMerge Americas, WAGMI Miami, Permissionless NYC and more
• Interviewed by podcasts and publications (see latest Blockhash interview)
• Curator for Kusama Vision’s upcoming Art + Culture track
• Host monthly casual meetups in Miami 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