Inner Circle · Guest guide

Someone opened their home for you today.

They planned, they prepared, they showed up for the group. Your job is simpler, but it’s not small. Show up too.

What to bring

An open mind

Arrive open to listen, and to speak from the heart.

Something for the host Optional

Wine, flowers, something small from a shop you like. It’s a gesture that says: I see the effort you made.

If you can’t bring something, that’s okay too. What matters most is that you show up.

01

Before the evening

Our team has briefed the host and helped them prepare. You’re on a journey to becoming close friends. Before you arrive, take care of these two things.

  1. Cancel with notice, and give context

    Showing up is one of our core values, so we assume you’re coming. If you can’t make it, cancel on the Inner Circle dashboard and tell the host why.

    Why the dashboard?

    It’s our shared calendar, so everyone can keep track. Messages get lost and people forget, especially when you give notice early. Telling the group in July that you’re away in November only works if it’s written down somewhere.

    Something came up last minute?

    Message the host directly and give context. “Something came up” isn’t context. Share the real reason. It’s a sign of respect, and it builds trust.

  2. Arrive on time

    The evening has a shape. Arriving early gives you more time with people you might only see once a month.

    You’ll find your host’s address on the Inner Circle dashboard.

02

During the evening

Here’s how the evening goes.

  1. From 4pm

    Arrive and settle in

    Your host opens their doors. Get a drink, eat something and relax.

  2. 5pm to 6:30pm

    The conversation

    We give your host a prompt. It is the starting point for the group to share, listen and talk it through together.

  3. From 6:30pm

    Wind down and hang

    Take pictures, put some music on, or just hang. The plan is no plan. The after-hang is where friendships really deepen, so stay as long as your host is happy to have you. Thank them for welcoming you, and help clean up.

03

After the evening

  1. Follow through on what you said you’d do

    Said you’d send that article? Send it. Offered to make an introduction? Make it.

    Check in on people, and care about them. The small things you follow through on are what turn a nice evening into a real community.

  2. Show up next time

    The value of the circle compounds. Put the next dinner in your calendar. You’ve made the commitment. Now all you have to do is keep showing up.

Real friendships grow slowly, when people show up for each other.