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Neighborly Circle

How Neighborly Circle Works

A Circle is a community of people who stay connected and show up for one another. Here's how it works.

Someone Creates a Circle

Any person can create a Circle. It takes two minutes. You pick a name, describe your group, and you are ready to go. Your Circle can care for one neighbor or many — there is no limit.

When you create a Circle, you automatically become the first Circle Admin and the first Volunteer. You are the person in charge.

Think of it like this: You started a neighborhood potluck group. You set the rules, you pick who can join, and you are also the first person to bring a dish.

Someone Helps Keep Things Organized

Circle Admins keep things organized. They manage who can join, handle settings, and make sure the group runs smoothly — while also pitching in as volunteers themselves.

  • Create a custom application process for screening circle members with your own questions, PDF forms for signatures, and more
  • Approve or deny people who want to join
  • Change the circle's name, description, and settings
  • See all member applications and requests
  • Promote any Volunteer to also be a Circle Admin
  • Do everything a Volunteer can do (see Step 3)
Think of it like this: A Circle Admin is the team captain. They organize the schedule and decide who plays, but they also get out on the field.

People Step In When Needed

Volunteers are the heart of a Circle — the people who show up, participate, and lend a hand when it matters.

  • Claim help requests from neighbors — visits, meals, rides, errands
  • Create and join community events
  • Share updates and photos with the group
  • Invite friends, family, and other helpers to join
Think of it like this: A Volunteer is a good neighbor who shows up when you need them. They don't run the group — they just help.

Neighbors Receive Support

Neighbors are the people the Circle exists to help — and a Circle can care for as many Neighbors as it needs. Some Circles are built around a single Neighbor; others support five, ten, or more. Each Neighbor signs up with their own account and uses the site themselves.

  • Ask for help — "I need a ride to the doctor on Thursday"
  • Receive visits, meals, rides, and errands from volunteers
  • Attend community events
  • See who is in their Circle and connect with volunteers
Think of it like this: A Neighbor is someone the Circle shows up for. Maybe your Circle cares for one elderly resident who lives alone. Maybe it supports several — a widow down the street, a family going through a hard time, and a parishioner recovering from surgery. There is no limit.

What If a Neighbor Cannot Use a Computer?

Some neighbors are not comfortable with technology. Maybe they don't own a computer. Maybe they don't use email. That is completely okay.

A Volunteer can become a Neighbor Advocate. A Neighbor Advocate is a Volunteer who manages everything for one or more Neighbors who cannot (or prefer not to) use the site themselves.

  • A Neighbor Advocate is always a Volunteer first
  • Creates each Neighbor's account and profile
  • Makes help requests on their behalf
  • Coordinates visits, meals, and rides for them
  • Can advocate for multiple Neighbors at once
  • The Neighbor never has to touch a computer
Think of it like this: Grandma doesn't need to log in. Her daughter does it for her — making sure Grandma still gets visits, meals, and rides to her appointments. And if Grandma's neighbor across the hall needs help too, the same Advocate can manage both.
Wait — isn't that what a Circle Admin does? No. A Circle Admin manages the whole Circle — who can join, group settings, oversight. A Neighbor Advocate manages specific Neighbors — their profiles, their help requests, their care. A Circle Admin might never be a Neighbor Advocate, and a Neighbor Advocate doesn't need to be a Circle Admin. They are completely separate roles.

Volunteer vs. Neighbor Advocate

They sound similar, but they do different things.

Volunteer

A person who helps the whole Circle
  • Claims help requests
  • Delivers meals
  • Gives rides
  • Visits neighbors
  • Joins community events
Uses their own account to sign up for things

Neighbor Advocate

A Volunteer who also manages one or more Neighbors' accounts
  • Everything a Volunteer does
  • Plus: Creates Neighbor profiles
  • Plus: Makes requests on their behalf
  • Plus: Coordinates care for each Neighbor
A Neighbor Advocate IS a Volunteer — with an extra responsibility

Every Neighbor Advocate is a Volunteer. Not every Volunteer is a Neighbor Advocate.

How It All Fits Together

Here is the flow from start to finish.

You Create a Circle Takes two minutes
You Are Circle Admin + Volunteer You manage the group and you help out
You Invite Volunteers Share a link — no app needed
Volunteers Help Directly Meals, rides, visits, errands, events
Some Become Neighbor Advocates Managing accounts for tech-hesitant neighbors
All Neighbors Get the Help They Need One neighbor or many — whether they use the site themselves or a Neighbor Advocate does it for them

Ready to Start Your Circle?

Create a free Circle in two minutes. No app to download, no training required.

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