» SW:S Alumni Community

We’ve built our community using Circle, an all-in-one community platform.

Unlike social media platforms, Circle:

• Is built for communities just like ours. Whether you’re drafting a post to share your insights, searching the member directory, or joining a live event, you can engage in whatever way suits you best.
• Has no ads or distractions. Forget Facebook ads and Slack pings. We’re building a space where we can connect away from the noise.
• Houses everything in one place. Discussions, resources, events, courses, chat, and more—all in one easy-to-navigate platform.

Please check your spam folder for an invitation from no-reply@notification.circle.so. If you still don’t see it, email Kelsey@songwritingwithsoldiers.org and she’ll send a new one.

Yes! Circle works on both desktop and mobile. Download the app here:

• Apple (iPhone)
• Android

• You can view and use Circle in your browser or in the app itself.
• Watch Lesson 1: How to Login & Create a Profile (3 min 59 sec) for a walkthrough on getting started in the app.

No, but the app makes it easier to stay connected on the go.

Join a live orientation session led by an SW:S Community Leader, where you can talk with someone in real time and get step-by-step guidance.

View and join an upcoming session →

Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Edit profile. From there you can:

• Upload a profile photo — We recommend a headshot at 300×300 pixels.
• Update your headline — A brief overview of who you are and what you do.
• Select your timezone — Events will display in your local time.
• Add a bio, location, and social media links.
• Set your privacy permissions — Control email visibility, direct messages, and your member directory listing.

Watch Lesson 1: How to Login & Create a Profile for a full walkthrough.

Watch Lesson 2: Start Here Space & Rules & Etiquette (9 min 48 sec) to learn how to participate in a way that keeps our community welcoming and full of creative expression.

Navigate to any discussion space and click the New Post button in the upper right. You can format text, add emojis, tag members, embed images, videos, PDFs, and more.

Pro tip: Type a forward slash ( / ) in the post body to pull up a full menu of options.

When ready, click Publish post. You can also save as a draft or schedule for later. To edit a published post, click the three dots (•••) in the upper right of the post.

Learn more from Circle’s help articles:

• How do I create and edit posts?
• How do I embed content within posts?

You have total control over your notification experience. To adjust your settings:

1. Click your profile picture in the upper corner.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Check the notifications you want to receive and uncheck the ones you don’t.

Yes! Click on any member’s name from anywhere in the community to visit their profile, then click the message icon below their name to send a DM.

When messaging, please keep these guidelines in mind:

• Be kind and respectful.
• Don’t promote, solicit, or spam.
• Respect the privacy of other members.

To find community events and RSVP, head over to [In Session or Events] From there, you’ll be able to see our upcoming events and RSVP by clicking on the RSVP button to the right of each event. Once you RSVP, you’ll also be able to add the event to your calendar.

If you’re interested in learning more about a specific event, you can click on the event title to read the full event description. Below the description, you can also comment with any questions you might have about the event, the format, or the content.

Pro tip: RSVPing to an event ensures that you’ll receive email and in-app notifications reminding you about the event an hour before its scheduled start time—so if you’re interested in a specific event, be sure to RSVP!

For the best experience, RSVP first. At the event’s start time, you can join through:

• The event page — Click the link under the Location heading in the right sidebar.
• Your calendar invite — If you added the event to your calendar, use the link in the invite.
• An in-app notification — Click the notification to join (applies to Connect with Kelsey sessions and Orientation).
• The live banner — A banner appears in the bottom left corner once we go live; click Join stream to enter even without an RSVP.

Yes! If you’re part of another Circle community, you can toggle between your different community spaces from within the app.

The community is organized into spaces, listed in the left navigation bar. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find:

• SW:S Toolkit (Start Here / Introductions / Photo Library / Resources) — Get up and running, introduce yourself, and explore member resources. Watch Lesson 3 (13 min 34 sec).
• In Session — Find group songwriting events, meetups, creative collaborations, and Connect with Kelsey sessions. Watch Lesson 4 (1 min 42 sec).
• In the Studio — Share your creative process, wins, works in progress, and collaborate with fellow members. Watch Lesson 5 (6 min 12 sec).

Once you log in, go to your SW:S Toolkit and click the “Tour Around” button. This course includes short videos covering how to log in, set up your profile, post content, and navigate all the spaces in the community.

Email Kelsey@songwritingwithsoldiers.org with any questions or technical issues.