Modern Civic Engagement
Junto Revival
Benjamin Franklin's original Junto was a club for mutual improvement — a group of 12 citizens who met weekly to discuss morals, politics, and natural philosophy. The Junto Revival adapts this 300-year-old model for the regenerative age.
Historical Foundation
Franklin's Original Questions
Franklin's Junto met every Friday evening. Members were required to produce queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy. These are some of the original questions:
Have you met with any thing agreeable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto?
What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?
Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a praise-worthy action?
Have you lately heard any member's character attacked, and how have you defended it?
Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind?
Modern Adaptation
The Revival
Bioregional Focus
Modern Juntos organize around ecological boundaries — watersheds, foodsheds, and ecosystems — rather than arbitrary political districts.
Digital Integration
While maintaining the in-person circle format, modern Juntos use the Y Platform for coordination, resource sharing, and Karma Cash integration.
Regenerative Action
Each Junto circle commits to at least one regenerative project per quarter — community gardens, mutual aid networks, local currency adoption, or civic engagement campaigns.
TERRA Integration
Junto circles serve as the social infrastructure for TERRA Response — when emergencies hit, these existing relationships become response networks.
How to Start a Junto Circle
Starting a Junto circle is simple. Gather 8-12 people who care about their community. Meet regularly — weekly or biweekly. Use the structured question format to guide discussion. Commit to at least one regenerative action per quarter.
The Y Platform provides coordination tools, discussion guides, and Karma Cash integration for Junto circles. TERRA Response training modules help circles prepare for community resilience roles.