Building Communities, Part 1: Onboarding New Members

Part 1 of the Building Communities series — lessons learned running IrregularChat.

Workflow for Adding Users to Signal Communities

Why This Process is Needed

This process ensures secure and verified onboarding of new members into the IrregularChat community. By isolating user data to community admins, it:

1. Protects User Information: Sensitive user data is accessible only to admins, safeguarding privacy.
2. Enables Admin Verification: Admins can validate introductions, safety number changes, and bonafides based on clear documentation.
3. Creates Transparency: All onboarding actions (introductions, verifications) are logged in the Moderating Actions chat, ensuring accountability and oversight.
4. Ensures Trusted Membership: Members can only join if vouched for by someone they personally know, reducing risks and maintaining trust.
5. Simplifies Assignments: Users are added to relevant chats based on their interests, ensuring a smooth and tailored integration.

This structured process guarantees a secure, transparent, and efficient way to manage a growing community.

Pathway 1: Joining User Added by a Member

1. A Member uses the known post containing instructions for inviting users to join the Actions group.
2. The Member adds the Joining User to the Moderating Actions chat.
3. The Member prompts the process using:

!request @username

4. The Joining User introduces themselves by providing their bonafides:

• Name
• Organization
• Who invited them (mention the inviter)
• Email or email-alias/mask (for password resets and safety number verifications)
• Interests (to direct them to the right chats)

5. An Admin verifies the details, creates the user's IDM account, and assigns them to initial chats.
6. The user leaves the chat or is removed to isolate future user data in the Actions chat.
7. The Joining User is added to relevant Community Chats and granted access to shared resources (e.g., Wiki, forums).
8. The Joining User can now access a login-only page containing links to all chats and services.

Outcome: A trusted member facilitates onboarding with clear steps, and data isolation is maintained for privacy.

Pathway 2: Joining User Requests to Join

1. A Joining User independently sends a request to join the community.
2. An Admin adds the user to the Moderating Actions chat and prompts them for their bonafides using:

• Bot Command:

!request @username

• Manual Prompt: Admin requests the user's details in the chat.

3. The Joining User provides their bonafides:

• Name
• Organization
• Who invited them (mention the inviter)
• Email or email-alias/mask (for password resets and safety number verifications)
• Interests (to direct them to the right chats)

4. The Admin prompts the inviter (a trusted Member) to vouch for the user.
5. Once the inviter vouches for the user, the Admin verifies the provided details, creates the IDM account, and assigns the user to initial chats.
6. The user leaves the chat or is removed to isolate future user data in the Actions chat.
7. The Joining User is added to relevant Community Chats and granted access to shared resources (e.g., Wiki, forums).
8. The Joining User can now access a login-only page containing links to all chats and services.

Outcome: Admins ensure that even direct requests to join are properly vetted and vouched for, maintaining community trust and privacy.