Trust & Vouching
The Soteria Model doesn’t use applications, background checks, or open recruitment. Instead, it uses a web of trust built through personal vouching.
The Vouching Principle
Section titled “The Vouching Principle”Every new member must be vouched for by an existing trusted member.
The voucher:
- Knows the prospect personally
- Believes they share our values and can be trusted
- Takes responsibility for their referral
- Accompanies them through onboarding
No voucher = no entry. This is how we prevent infiltration.
Trust Levels
Section titled “Trust Levels”Members progress through trust levels over time:
Prospect
Section titled “Prospect”Access: Public information only (this website).
Someone who wants to join but hasn’t been vouched yet. They may:
- Attend public Know Your Rights events
- Learn about the model
- Build relationships with existing members
How to progress: Find someone in the network willing to vouch for you.
Probationary
Section titled “Probationary”Access: One segment, limited activities.
After vouching and initial vetting, new members enter a probationary period:
- Participate in lower-risk activities (supply sorting, business patronage)
- Observed by their voucher and segment lead
- Learn security practices in real situations
- Build trust through demonstrated commitment
Duration: Typically 2-3 months, but varies by cell.
How to progress: Complete probationary activities, demonstrate security awareness, confirmed by segment lead.
Trusted Member
Section titled “Trusted Member”Access: Full segment participation, can vouch for others.
Trusted members are fully integrated:
- Full participation in their segment
- Can vouch for new prospects (after 3-6 months as trusted)
- May be considered for steward roles
How to progress: Continued commitment, demonstrated over time.
Steward
Section titled “Steward”Access: Coordination role with cross-segment visibility (limited).
See Steward Roles for details.
The Vouching Process
Section titled “The Vouching Process”┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│ 1. RELATIONSHIP ││ Prospect builds genuine relationship with member ││ This happens naturally — not through recruitment │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 2. VOUCH ││ Member decides to vouch for prospect ││ Contacts Onboarding Steward │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 3. INITIAL CONVERSATION ││ Onboarding Steward meets with prospect ││ Assesses values alignment, commitment, risk │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 4. SECURITY TRAINING ││ Device security, Signal setup, what NOT to share ││ Understanding compartmentalization │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 5. PROBATIONARY PERIOD ││ Assigned to one segment, low-risk activities ││ Voucher and segment lead observe │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 6. TRUSTED STATUS ││ Confirmed by segment lead after probation ││ Full segment access, can vouch after waiting period │└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘Vouching Responsibility
Section titled “Vouching Responsibility”When you vouch for someone:
- You are putting your trust on the line
- If they cause harm, it reflects on you
- You should know them well enough to stake your reputation
- You commit to mentoring them through onboarding
Don’t vouch for:
- People you just met
- People you only know online
- People pressuring you to vouch quickly
- Anyone who makes you hesitate
When Someone Can’t Find a Voucher
Section titled “When Someone Can’t Find a Voucher”Some genuine people won’t know anyone in the network. Options:
- Public events: Attend Know Your Rights trainings, community events, build relationships over time
- Parallel networks: Other mutual aid groups, faith communities, labor organizations may have overlap
- Patience: Trust takes time. This is a feature, not a bug.