Explainer: How circles on Common Objective work

What are circles on CO?

Circles on Common Objective (CO) function as thematic discussion groups where users can engage in conversations, share resources, and collaborate on specific topics. Each Circle revolves around a particular theme, industry initiative, or partnership and serves as an interactive space for knowledge exchange. 

What are the main purpose and function of circles?

• Facilitate Community Engagement: Circles allow users to interact, ask questions, and discuss industry-relevant topics. 
• Encourage Content Sharing: Members can upload resources, links, and materials related to the Circle's theme. 
• Provide a Hub for Industry Discussions: Organizations and partners can moderate and guide conversations, making Circles valuable networking and learning spaces. 
• Connect Stakeholders: Users from different sectors (brands, suppliers, NGOs, etc.) can join Circles to exchange insights and experiences.

How can users join and engage in circles?

First-Time Users & Registration: 

• If someone is not yet a member of CO, they will need to sign up for a CO account first before they can actively participate in a circle. 
• The registration and circle joining process are integrated, meaning that when a user lands on a circle page and clicks “Join,” they will be prompted to create an account in the same step. 
• Once registered, they are automatically added to the circle and can start participating immediately. 
  
  Existing CO Users: 
• If a person already has a CO account, they can directly join any public circle by clicking the “Join” button. 
• They will start receiving updates, notifications, and have access to discussions and shared resources within the circle. 

What features are available in a circle?

• Participate in discussions by posting comments and replying to others. 
• Upload and share content, including PDFs, links, videos, and images. 
• Access and download resources and reports shared in the circle. 
• Receive notifications and updates about new discussions or activities in the circle. 
• See related articles and reports from CO connected to the circle’s theme. 

Who is in charge of moderating & managing the circles?

• Each Circle has an owner or moderator (e.g., a partner organization or community manager).
• Moderators can:  Edit and manage content in the circle, upload resources to the resource section, 
  ensure that discussions stay relevant and active, post announcements or notices for the community. 

What is the purpose of the Asia Garment Hub circle?

The Asia Garment Hub (AGH) Circle on CO is the main entry point for AGH members transitioning to the new platform. It will be used to: 

• Engage former AGH members in a familiar and relevant discussion space. 
• Continue conversations started at AGH events, such as sustainability in the garment industry. 
• Provide access to archived AGH content through related resources and links. 
• Act as a stepping stone to other related Circles and discussions on CO.