Local people. Shared purpose.

Start a Circle.

Create a home for action on Big Tech and democracy.

3–5 hours a week try for 3 months

Start with a conversation. Expressing interest doesn’t commit you to running a Circle.

Find your voice, find some friends, and fight like hell.

What you get

Find your people.
Make a difference.

A Circle is a small local group with a shared purpose. It’s a place to turn concern about technology into connection, learning, and action.

01

A voice in the future of tech

Bring your community’s concerns into a wider movement. Help shape campaigns and build public pressure for technology that serves people.

02

Mentorship and guidance

Get support from the Sapiens First Global team and advice from other people starting Circles. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

03

Leadership skills, built by doing

Learn to bring people together, facilitate a good conversation, and turn an idea into a plan. Help others take on responsibility as you go.

Getting started

Start small.
Build together.

  1. Join Sapiens First

    Tell us you’re interested in starting a Circle. We’ll help you take the next step toward membership and connect you with support from the Global team.

  2. Invite two friends

    Start with people who care about the issue and can share the work. Two friends is a good starting point, not a requirement. You can find your people along the way.

  3. Plan your first gathering

    Pick a time and a welcoming place: a library, park, classroom, or someone’s home. Make space to connect, then choose one thing you’d like to do together.

Room for everyone to lead

Start a Circle.
Grow more leaders.

We’re building a movement with abundant leadership. Starting a Circle means helping others find their confidence, bring their ideas, and take the lead alongside you.

  • Help someone take their first stepInvite a member to host a gathering, welcome someone new, or try an idea they care about. Give them encouragement and room to make it their own.
  • Build it togetherShare the work as people find their feet. A Circle gets stronger when more people feel able to contribute and lead.
  • Pass it onYou can get a Circle going, help someone else grow into leading it, then hand it over. The community you helped build can keep going when you step back.
FAQ

Before you begin.

01How much time am I committing?

Starting a Circle takes about 3–5 hours a week, with an initial commitment of three months. After that, you decide whether to continue every six months.

Keep the first few months manageable: bring people together, share the work, and find a rhythm that fits your life.

02Do I need experience or a group already?

No. You can learn as you go, with mentorship and guidance from Sapiens First Global and other Circle organizers. Bringing two reliable friends is recommended, but you can start without them.

03Does my Circle have to organize protests or advocacy?

No. You can host a space for thoughtful conversation about technology and democracy. Building trust and connection is a worthwhile place to begin.

Choose a format that fits your community. You can explore advocacy together when it feels right.

04What might a Circle do week to week?

For a Circle focused on advocacy, we suggest three simple habits:

  • Meet regularly. Make gatherings welcoming, meaningful, and easy to participate in.
  • Invite new people. Choose one repeatable way to reach them, such as personal invitations, local outreach, or door-knocking.
  • Work toward a shared goal. You might invite people to sign a campaign’s open letter, then join your next meeting.

Start with what your group can sustain. You can add activities as more people take on roles.

05Can we propose our own campaign?

Yes. You can join a priority campaign or propose a different campaign that falls within Sapiens First’s focus areas. Bring your idea to the Global team so you can explore how it fits and what support would help.

06Can I start a Circle and hand it over later?

Yes. You can start a Circle, help others gain confidence, and hand it over when someone is ready to take the lead. You might stay involved as a member or step back.

Share opportunities to lead from the beginning. When you’re ready to move on, talk with your Circle and the Global team about a handover. Helping someone else become a leader is a lasting contribution to the movement.

07Can a Circle grow into something bigger?

Yes. As membership grows, a Circle can develop into a Hub, Chapter, or Alliance:

  • Circle: up to 10 members
  • Hub: up to 50 members
  • Chapter: up to 150 members
  • Alliance: up to 500 members

As more people grow into leadership, your group can take on more together. Staying small is fine, too: growth should serve your community and the work you want to do together.

Start

Make room for your people.

You don’t need a full team or a perfect plan. Bring your interest, and we’ll help you take the first step.

Express interest →

Questions? Email Rohan.

Start a Circle
Small start.
Shared purpose.

Leave your email and we'll be in touch about starting a Circle in your community.