Community & Circles

Community Circles are local equipment-sharing cooperatives that bring farmers together to share agricultural resources. Based on the Ubuntu philosophy "Ndiri nekuti tiri" (I am because we are), circles help farmers access equipment they might not be able to afford individually.

Benefits of joining a circle: • Access to shared equipment from other members • Lower costs through cooperative ownership • Knowledge sharing with experienced farmers • Community support and networking • Priority access to equipment during peak seasons

Joining a circle is easy:

1. **Browse Circles** - Go to the Circles page and search for circles in your area 2. **Find a Match** - Look for circles that match your farming needs and location 3. **Join** - Click the "Join Circle" button on public circles 4. **Wait for Approval** - For private circles, your request will be reviewed by the admin

Tips for finding the right circle: • Filter by your province to find local circles • Read the circle description to understand their focus • Check the member count - larger circles have more equipment • Look at the admin's profile to learn about the community

If there's no circle in your area, you can create one:

**Requirements:** • You must have a Renter account or higher • Provide a clear name and description • Specify your location and province

**Steps to create a circle:** 1. Go to the Circles page 2. Click "Create Circle" 3. Fill in the circle details: - **Name** - Choose a descriptive name (e.g., "Harare North Farmers Cooperative") - **Description** - Explain the circle's purpose and what equipment you plan to share - **Location** - Specify your area within the province - **Province** - Select your Zimbabwe province - **Privacy** - Choose public (anyone can join) or private (approval required) 4. Click "Create Circle"

You'll automatically become the circle admin.

As a circle admin, you have these responsibilities:

**Circle Settings:** • Update circle name and description • Change location information • Switch between public and private • Delete the circle if needed

**Member Management:** • Review join requests (private circles) • Remove members if necessary • View all member profiles

**Best Practices:** • Keep the description updated with current equipment • Respond to join requests promptly • Foster a welcoming community • Resolve disputes fairly using Ubuntu principles • Communicate regularly with members

**Public Circles** • Anyone can join immediately • Visible to all users • Good for larger, open communities • Lower barrier to entry

**Private Circles** • Join requests require admin approval • More control over membership • Better for smaller, trusted groups • Ideal for equipment with high value

**When to choose private:** • You have expensive equipment to share • You want to know all members personally • You're building a close-knit cooperative • You need to vet members before granting access

Follow these guidelines for a positive circle experience:

**As a Member:** • Return equipment on time and in good condition • Communicate promptly about availability • Report any issues immediately • Help new members learn the ropes • Contribute to the community

**Equipment Sharing:** • Inspect equipment before and after use • Document any existing damage • Clean equipment before returning • Follow maintenance guidelines • Respect booking schedules

**Communication:** • Be respectful to all members • Give advance notice for equipment needs • Share tips and experiences • Report problems to the admin • Celebrate community successes