Meeting Minutes/2021-08-04 Circles Review Meeting

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Notes 4th of August 2021

Present: Ivan, Chagai, Tanja

Tanja went over it again with Shawn. Feedback of Mpic is also added.


  • LGBTQ circle should get the + after Q.
  • Cyclist circle should be renamed Touring Cyclists.


The most requested, possible new circles, at the moment are:

  • Zero Wasters: @Chagai wonders is the existing circle "Ecoliving" isn't too much over arching. We decided there's a difference and it could effect hospex experience if we had this circle, its a lifestyle choice.
  • Activists: @Tanja says this could be a way of living which means that people could have rather strong opinions about things which can influence the hospex experience and this way like minded members could easily connect and even look eachother up for events.
  • Runners: @Ivan noticed there's a big community where he lives, they have a group which based on CS, meet eachother and run marathons together. — the rise of community running means the sport is now far more collaborative and inclusive, virtual marathon is also a thing now. A circle for runners would support and nourish them in ways that extend beyond minute-mile times & personal bests
  • Filmmakers: @Ivan says there's a growing community of independent filmmakers since filming equipments are more accessible nowadays. A circle would make it easier to connect with each other and work/collaborate together cause filming is technically a Team work. They would travel even for it.
  • Ravers: @Shawn saw some requests for similar circles which could be combined in "ravers".
  • Scuba(divers): @Shawn knows people who travel also sometimes teach this among the way. Nice to connect with local people to find the good spots/buddies.
  • Zero Drugs: @Tanja noticed there were many requests for likewise circles. @Shawn says members should add this info on their profile, not nescesary a circle.
  • Pastafarians: @Tanja we can't allow one circle that is officially a religion and not add all the other religions, we already have the spiritual circle. Overall the feeling is no since its also only requested twice. @mpic would like to see all religions added if pastafarians could be added since people strongly identify with this believes which could influence hospex experience.
  • Tantra/Sexting: we feel it's not enough travel orientated or that a circle for this will improve hospex experience.


In the future it would be great if profiles have options to select interests/hobbies instead of creating new circles. We notice a lot of people request things that are not that much travel related or would influence hospex experience and this would be a good sollution.

With @mpic’s feedback we also wonder if it would be a good sollution to create a selection box, like languages, for religions/organisations, to add to profiles instead of circles. This way members can clearly state their believes but it’s less "selection at the front door" then circles. @mpic proposes to try out circles and see what happens, remove them even again when nescesary.

@Tanja will write an article for the new newsletter about the new circles and how members that requested circles can also add in their profile of course more information about themselves. Not everything has to have a circle. Some info can also be added in the "accomodation" part like for example "can accomodate pets".