Start a Circle 2/Section 2: Preparing for the first Circle
This section covers how to set up your first Circle gathering. It walks through the key steps to prepare effectively, from defining the purpose and format to choosing a venue, inviting the right people, and creating a welcoming environment. The focus is on reducing friction, setting clear expectations, and ensuring the first meeting builds energy, trust, and a strong foundation for future sessions.
Principles for leading effective circles
General Principles for Leading Circles Effectively
- Make space for new voices
Ensure every new participant has an opportunity to introduce themselves. Give everyone visibility and presence so they feel comfortable contributing to the discussion.
- The Power of Unstructured Time
Allow informal time before and after the main discussion. These unstructured moments allow for real relationships to form and group cohesion to strengthen.
- Know who is in the room
Pay attention to the skills, backgrounds, and passions present. Use this knowledge to help surface issues that reflect what truly matters to the group.
Safety principles
- Respect privacy.
Never share personal details, photos, or contact information from the meetup without permission. Ask before taking pictures or recording anything. - De-escalate, not confront.
If any issue arises (conflict, inappropriate behaviour, or discomfort), calmly remove the affected individual from the group space and speak privately. Escalate to Logos Core Contributor if needed.
Additional Guidance
- Preparing for the Circle meetup: The Circle Steward is responsible for monitoring and issue identification to give suggestions and be able to lead an informed discussion. Regularly monitor various trusted information sources to identify issues aligned with core community values such as digital rights, privacy, anti-censorship, and internet freedom. Tools and platforms include Social Media (Reddit, Lemmy, X, Mastodon, etc), RSS feeds, Google Alerts, monitoring services, and advocacy groups.
- Capturing moments and sharing photos can be powerful, but ensure the Circle knows they always need to get consent from their fellow Circle members before taking and posting photos. Respect anonymity - no names or faces without permission.
- If there are no new attendees, it’s not relevant to go through the full intros and deck every time. Instead, use this as an opportunity to identify participants with strong emotional energy and commitment. Begin to delegate small responsibilities, like presenting the intro deck or guiding the group discussion, to help them grow into leadership roles over time. The goal is to nurture local ownership, so the Circle becomes community-led, not Logos CC-dependent.
- Remember what we are trying to achieve from the meetups:
Opening Ritual: Logos Communion
Description: A welcoming ritual where Circle leaders serve guests beverages and offer snacks, and the community serves each other through sharing food and drink.
Purpose: Set the tone of humility, shared responsibility, and mutual care. Allows for free time for Circle participants to casually connect.
Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
- Lead through service. Leadership begins by serving others, whether through offering a drink or sharing food, modelling humility, care, and horizontal power structures.
- Symbolism matters. Small, intentional gestures like pouring tea or sharing snacks encode our values in action, signalling shared responsibility and mutual respect.
- Local first. Whenever possible, source from local producers that reflect the culture, values, or struggles of the community. This practice grounds our gatherings in place and principle.
- Connection precedes contribution. Before strategy or action, we prioritise emotional warmth and trust-building. Casual, human interactions form the foundation of a tight community.
- Everyone belongs. No one stands alone. Hosts and community members alike are responsible for welcoming newcomers, making introductions, and cultivating an atmosphere of inclusion.
- Reciprocity builds culture. Acts of welcome are not just logistical; they spark emotional energy loops that deepen over time, creating a culture of mutual care and collective participation.
Establishing Rituals
Symbolic Encoding – Ritualising Small Wins
Purpose: To embed the emotional energy of collective action into lasting symbols, shared rituals, and community culture that reinforce participation, identity, and belonging.
Below are some ideas for ritualising small wins, use what fits, or come up with your own that work best for your Circle.
- Recognition ritual to honour local leaders
Recognising and rewarding meaningful contributions is key to sustaining long-term engagement and leadership within a Circle. Take a moment at the end of the meetup to publicly praise members for their contributions.
Recognition rewards can include:- Public Acknowledgement during Circle gatherings or community calls
- Access to Leadership Training and mentoring to deepen their skills and impact
- Opportunities to Travel and represent the Logos network at aligned global events
- Increased Responsibility such as co-hosting events, taking on key roles, or helping seed new Circle
- Celebrate small wins with symbolic rewards.
Use Discord to give badges of recognition to participants. These could be themed around the specific action taken (e.g., “Digital Rights Savior”), or playful and campaign-specific, helping form a badge culture that builds pride and participation. - Recognise standout contributors by upsignaling their contributions, shouting them out on our public channels, or giving out Operator Ordinals. Note: This should not involve monetary rewards, rather social or reputation ego boosts.
- Observe and reinforce emerging rituals.
Watch for natural patterns of recognition, humour, or storytelling within the group, highlight and amplify these. Positive reinforcement of small actions (even memes or repeated catchphrases) helps encode group identity and sustain EE. - Contribute to the Logos Zine.
Collaborate with your Circle to produce content for the next quarterly zine:- Include reflections, photos, quotes from participants, artwork, or memes.
- Feature the chosen “winnable issue,” why it matters, and what the group did or plans to do.
How to make the hard ask
Hard asks are the way we get volunteers to commit in helping. They are concrete questions with a specific ask with a time and task, needed to continue the action and signal commitment.
- Build urgency by explaining why immediate action is crucial.
- The time for this shift is now, this is the reason why crypto exists in the first place, the tides are changing rapidly, Logos technology is on the horizon and we need to be ready so the community that will govern it is strong, with ties IRL.
- Use strong, direct language, be precise and persuasive, avoiding yes/no questions.
- Yes or no questions can easily be negated or will not elicit a strong emotional response . Example of a strong ask: “Can we count on you to be a Logos Admin and organise in your community?”
- Know your audience and tailor your request based on what you know about them.
- Figure out as much as possible what moves them in particular, and tailor asks and language for that. In this case, given they are Operators, link back to the Exit.
- Make a specific ask.
- As mentioned above, be precise and persuasive. e.g. “Can we count on you to be responsible for the next Logos Amsterdam Circle in November?
- Ask and then wait for a response, even up to 20 seconds.
- Be persistent with multiple follow-up asks if necessary: a. Initial ask: Repeat with a different formulation. b. Adjust timing: Can you do it after this date? When would it work best for you? c. Offer alternatives: Could we count on you if we supported with X? Can you do the first and then hand over the second? d. Find a suitable variation: In what conditions would you be able to take on the responsibility?
- Take notes and reflect on each ask to improve future efforts.
End the event with a few specific, easy-to-act-on opportunities, with clearly defined information and targets such as:
- Can we count on you to lead the upcoming meetup on the Xth?
- Will you join us in our campaign by volunteering with us on X?
- Can you design a flyer by X date to promote our trash cleanup day?
Finding the right venue
The space you choose sets the tone for the entire gathering. Ideally, it should feel intimate, welcoming, and grounded. Look for venues that allow for eye contact, natural conversation, and a sense of shared space, not loud, overly corporate, or sterile environments. It should be a quiet place where everyone can sit down and talk without distractions.
Prioritise free or very low-cost spaces where hosting our events creates mutual benefit for both us and the venue.
This is about activism, action and making a change. Commercial exchanges and money tend to take away from that energy and are not sustainable as we scale. The goal is for Circles to eventually self-finance their own space through running network nodes. In traditional political campaigns, gatherings like this might be hosted in a volunteer’s home. While that’s not expected here, it’s a useful reference point when choosing a welcoming, informal location.
Free, good, meeting spaces include:
- Public libraries
- Parks (when the weather allows)
Setting Up the Space
Arriving early gives you time to shape the environment. Rearrange furniture to encourage circular seating or tight clusters.
Set out a few objects that symbolise the Logos mission, such as the zines.
Across the network of Circles, we collaborate with a growing set of coalition partners and independent hubs that share aligned values around decentralisation, open collaboration, and community-led organising.
Coalition Partners (Aligned Spaces)
These spaces regularly host community activity, workshops, and gatherings:
- Commons Hub Brussels
- Akasha Hub Barcelona
- Well Read Bookshop
- Haven Hacker House
These locations act as anchors for experimentation, learning, and local organising within the broader ecosystem.
If you’re looking for a venue, we recommend checking the growing Hubs Network list to see if there is an aligned space near you.
How to create a Luma event
Before you start promoting your Circle, you should have the Luma event page ready to go.
Step 1: Go to the Logos Luma calendar https://luma.com/logosevents
Step 2: Click '+Submit event', then '+ Create New Event' from the dropdown
Step 3: Add your event name using the format Logos Circle: [city]. Input the correct time and date of your Circle, and the venue address where it will take place.
Step 4: Click add description to input the event description. Use the template copy below or create your own to populate the description
Step 5: Create an image using the Figma template here (dm amelia__cares on Discord if you have any access issues). Click the image icon on the event page to upload your image.
Step 6: Verify that you are submitting to the Logos calendar, and click 'Create event'.
Step 7: Add Logos (team@acid.info) as event co-host.
Below is a template that can be used for your Luma event page. Feel free to write your own copy, but make sure to include an agenda, it’s important that people come prepared to introduce themselves and share thoughts with the circle.
Also key: make the focus on the winnable issue clear. Circles aren’t just another crypto meetup, they’re about real action. That should be evident on the Luma page.
Tailor the template to your Circle by updating all relevant sections and removing any default placeholder content.
First Circle
Welcome to the First Gathering of Logos Circle, {{City}}
Logos Circles are local, self-organising groups that take action on real issues where their members live. As the old system fails, they build what people actually need: a community that supports them, the agency to solve their own problems, and sovereign technology to act with.
This gathering marks the launch of Logos Circle {{City}}. From housing and food insecurity to surveillance capitalism, we believe real change starts locally. It's a chance to meet like-minded people and lay the groundwork for projects that matter. Everyone is welcome, whether you're ready to get involved or just curious to learn more.
Our winnable issue
Every Logos Circle is built around action, not just discussion. The point of this first gathering is to pick one winnable issue we can realistically take on together.
We'll focus on:
{{Pick one or two issue buckets relevant to your city. For each, state the bucket, a one-line framing question, and 3-4 candidate first actions.}}
Often the simplest first action is to map the problem itself: a walking audit, an asset-mapping exercise, or a short local survey that builds shared understanding before we design solutions.
This first Circle will be successful if we leave with a winnable issue chosen, a first action performed, the volunteers to carry it, and a date to meet again.
Agenda
Welcome — light refreshments while meeting fellow community members and settling in.
Introductions — meet your local Circle Steward and other participants. Everyone briefly shares background, interests, and reasons for joining.
What is Logos? — an introduction to the movement, its values, and how local communities create real-world impact through collaboration and decentralised technology.
Focus on Local Issues — discuss local opportunities and challenges, share perspectives, and explore where collective action can create meaningful impact.
Selecting Our First Community Project — select our first winnable issue, agree a practical first action, and identify volunteers to move it forward before the next gathering.
Next Steps — how members stay involved, the roadmap for the Circle, and our next gathering.
About Logos
Logos brings together a technology stack and a social movement to form a parallel society.
The stack provides the infrastructure: decentralised, private-by-default tools for communication, storage, and coordination. The movement builds local institutions on it, through community action, problem solving, skill building, mutual aid, and a culture of civic duty.
In this way, Logos produces:
- Sovereign individuals, free to speak, transact, and exit without permission.
- Sound money, free from debasement and censorship.
- Private coordination, where revealing yourself is a choice.
- Communities with the agency to solve their own problems.
Logos Circles are the local expression of this. Real change starts locally. Join us as we begin building the Logos Circle {{City}} community together.
Read more about the technology: https://logos.co Read our manifesto to dive deeper into our ideals and technology: https://logos.co/manifesto
Future Circles
Welcome to the upcoming gathering of Logos Circle, {{City}}
Logos Circles are local, self-organising groups that take action on real issues where their members live. As the old system fails, they build what people actually need: a community that supports them, the agency to solve their own problems, and sovereign technology to act with.
From housing and food insecurity to surveillance capitalism, we believe real change starts locally. This is a chance to meet like-minded people and keep building the projects that matter. Everyone is welcome, whether you've been with us from the start or are joining for the first time.
Agenda
Arrival & Beverages — settle in with a selection of drinks and take some time to reconnect, meet new people, or ask questions. Introductions — we'll welcome new participants and reintroduce ourselves. You'll be invited to share a little about your background and what brings you here. Circle Discussion
- Quick recap of last session and updates on active winnable stories
- Group discussion on emerging issues and ideas for possible new initiatives
- Open floor for skills-sharing and collaboration Wrap-up — we'll share next steps, when we'll next meet, responsibilities, and any volunteering opportunities that arise.
About Logos
Logos brings together a technology stack and a social movement to form a parallel society.
The stack provides the infrastructure: decentralised, private-by-default tools for communication, storage, and coordination. The movement builds local institutions on it, through community action, problem solving, skill building, mutual aid, and a culture of civic duty.
In this way, Logos produces:
- Sovereign individuals, free to speak, transact, and exit without permission.
- Sound money, free from debasement and censorship.
- Private coordination, where revealing yourself is a choice.
- Communities with the agency to solve their own problems.
Logos Circles are the local expression of this. Real change starts locally.
Read more about the technology: https://logos.co Read our manifesto to dive deeper into our ideals and technology: https://logos.co/manifesto
Brand and design assets
⇗Logos Circle Design Templates (Figma)
Ready-made templates for Circle communications, including Luma event images, social media posts, and printed flyers. Please post in the circle-stewards Discord channel if you need access.
⇗Logos Brand Assets
Official Logos brand materials, including different logotypes and usage variations depending on your format and context.
⇗Logos zines
Zine print guide for Acrobat:
Go to File > Print. Under Page Sizing & Handling, choose Booklet
- Open the PDF in Acrobat (not Reader, you need Standard/Pro)
- Set Booklet Subset to Both Sides (if your printer does duplex) or Front Side Only (if you’ll manually flip)
- Set the correct Binding (usually Left for Western languages)
- Print.
Note: You don't need to print all of these zines, choose one or two that you think are most fitting to your audience
⇗Stickers
Please follow the size guidelines in the stickers file names for printing.
Finding Your People
Circles are built by bringing together different types of participants who each play a distinct role in the ecosystem. Understanding these personas helps you know who you are looking for, where to find them, and how to engage them effectively.
The goal is not mass outreach, but targeted alignment: finding people who already care about similar problems and giving them a clear entry point into action.
Core Target Personas
1. Activist / Circle Participant
The broad base of the movement. They care about a local, social, political, or cultural issue and want to contribute, but are not looking to lead.
They often come from civil society, mutual aid networks, intentional communities, civic tech spaces, or adjacent crypto-native ecosystems. Their motivations vary — from decentralisation and civil liberties to housing, food security, loneliness, or rebuilding local community life.
They are typically looking for practical ways to take action locally and meet others who share their concerns.
Motivations and mindset
- Wants belonging, purpose, and shared values
- Wants to contribute to real-world change, not just discussion
- Concerned about institutional decline and loss of local agency
- Interested in mutual aid, resilience, and community self-organisation
- Seeks friendship, skills, and meaningful participation
Typical behaviours
- Attends events, discussions, and workshops
- Observes before actively participating
- Volunteers for small tasks once trust is built
- Invites others from their network over time
Challenges
- Unclear entry point into action
- Uncertainty about skills or contribution
- Social hesitation or fear of not fitting in
- Loss of interest when groups lack structure or focus
What they need
- Clear onboarding and simple first steps
- Visible impact and early wins
- Friendly, welcoming community dynamics
- A clear sense of purpose and direction
2. Activist Builder
Core profile
A technically skilled contributor who builds tools, systems, or media that help communities coordinate and act.
They are motivated by solving real problems, not abstract technology adoption.
Motivations and mindset
- Wants to solve real-world coordination problems
- Interested in decentralised systems and civic infrastructure
- Prefers building over discussion
- Values autonomy, clarity, and execution speed
- Motivated by meaningful, visible impact
Typical behaviours
- Contributes code, design, research, or tooling
- Prefers clear tasks over open-ended discussion
- Works in focused bursts rather than continuous involvement
- Builds independently or in small teams
Challenges
- Frustration with vague direction or unclear ownership
- Resistance to unnecessary meetings or bureaucracy
- Concern about sustainability and the seriousness of projects
What they need
- Clear problem definitions and scoped tasks
- Autonomy and trust
- Lightweight coordination
- Visible, real-world outcomes
Outreach Principles (How to Find Your People)
Effective Circle growth is not mass outreach — it is targeted ecosystem activation.
Focus on channels where alignment already exists:
- Email past event attendees
- Local community and neighbourhood groups (Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram)
- Personal networks (LinkedIn, Instagram, direct messages)
- Student communities (universities, departments, societies)
- Co-working spaces, cafés, and community hubs
- Local NGOs and civil society organisations
- Event listing platforms and local media
- Radio stations and community newsletters
- Physical posters in high-traffic shared spaces (libraries, cafés, community centres)
Key principle:
Don’t try to reach everyone. Focus on people who already feel the problem.
Physical Touchpoints
Places where people already gather organically:
- Community centres
- Libraries
- Co-working spaces
- Town halls
- Cafés and cultural venues
- Local clubs and associations
- Bulletin boards and shared notice spaces
- University departments and student spaces
Find more tips on growing your Circle here.
Stipend Process
Please follow the guidance below for submitting your expenses.
Regional Stipend Allocation
The monthly / quarterly Circle stipend is adjusted based on regional operating costs.
The total stipend provided to active Circles is:
- Africa, Asia, and South America: USD $200 per month
- North America and Europe: USD $300 per month
Stewards have discretion over how the stipend is used to support their Circle's mission and deliver their winnable issues, in line with the funding guidelines outlined in the Charter.
Submitting an Invoice to receive the Circle's Stipend
Please follow the steps below to submit your invoice:
- Make a copy of the invoice template linked here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NkF4uMWo3l-iDCBUcOUuVQwf8sDh_f7bfHm4xyDU7wA/edit?gid=790763898#gid=790763898 - Complete the template with your details.
- Attach the completed invoice and include payment receipts for each item being invoiced.
- Email the invoice and receipts to:
5. Please include the name of your Circle's city and which meetup it is (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 5th).- amelia@status.im
- billing@status.im
- kirsten@status.im
Reimbursement Options
Reimbursements can be made via bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
If your primary bank account is not denominated in USD, GBP, or EUR, crypto reimbursement may be the simplest option. Please note we can only facilitate crypto payments on Ethereum mainnet.
- USDC
- ETH
- SNT
- USDS
Please indicate your preferred payment method and recipient details when submitting your invoice.
Invoice Submission Deadlines
Invoices must be submitted by the 15th of each month to be reimbursed by the end of that same month.
Invoices received after the 15th will be processed in the next payment cycle and reimbursed at the end of the following month.
Please ensure all required documentation (completed invoice and receipts) is included to avoid delays.
Checklist: Preparing for Your First Circle
- ☐ Read Sections 1–3 of the guidebook: familiarise yourself with Logos, Circles, and winnable issues.
- ☐ Book a venue and arrange snacks and drinks for attendees.
- ☐ Create a Luma page following the provided guidelines.
- ☐ Make a social post announcing your Circle.
- ☐ Share the Luma link with local contacts and relevant community groups.
- ☐ Print the Logos Zine and Circles brochure with the QR code to register their contact.
- ☐ Set the agenda and prepare talking points on local issues for the winnable issue discussion.
- ☐ Submit your invoice by the 15th of the month for reimbursement by the end of the month.