Start a Cell
Ready to bring the Soteria Model to your community? This guide walks you through the process.
Before You Begin
Section titled “Before You Begin”Is a Cell Right for Your Community?
Section titled “Is a Cell Right for Your Community?”A cell makes sense when:
- There is a vulnerable population facing real threats
- There are trusted people willing to commit long-term
- You have at least 3-5 founding members who deeply trust each other
- You’re prepared for the security responsibilities
Alternatives to Consider
Section titled “Alternatives to Consider”Not every community needs a full cell structure:
- Informal mutual aid: Neighbors helping neighbors without formal structure
- Existing organizations: Partner with immigrant rights groups, churches, unions
- Know Your Rights only: Start with education before building infrastructure
The Founding Team
Section titled “The Founding Team”A cell begins with a founding team of 3-5 people who:
- Know each other deeply — years of relationship, not months
- Share values — committed to the Core Principles
- Have capacity — time and energy for ongoing commitment
- Bring diverse skills — organizing, logistics, legal knowledge, community connections
- Can keep information secure — understand OpSec and practice it
Startup Phases
Section titled “Startup Phases”Phase 1: Foundation
Section titled “Phase 1: Foundation”- Founding team agrees on commitment and principles
- All members complete security training
- Set up initial Signal infrastructure (guide)
- Define initial segments based on community needs
- Establish onboarding process
Phase 2: First Members
Section titled “Phase 2: First Members”- Each founder vouches for 1-2 trusted people
- New members go through onboarding process
- Assign members to segments
- Begin low-risk activities (Know Your Rights training, business support)
- Test communication and coordination
Phase 3: Operations
Section titled “Phase 3: Operations”- Activate segments based on community needs
- Continue careful vouching and growth
- Regular security practice review
- Adapt structure as you learn
What Segments to Start
Section titled “What Segments to Start”You don’t need every segment immediately. Start with what your community needs most:
| Community Need | Suggested First Segment |
|---|---|
| Fear of going to work, errands | Transporters |
| ICE activity observed | Sentinels |
| People don’t know their rights | Legal Observers |
| Businesses being targeted | Business Allies |
| General material needs | Resource Network |
Add segments as capacity and need grows.
Your First Activities
Section titled “Your First Activities”Start with lower-risk activities to build trust and practice:
- Know Your Rights trainings (community education)
- Business support days (organized patronage)
- Supply drives (material mutual aid)
- Check-in systems (simple accountability)
As trust and coordination strengthen, take on more sensitive activities.
Common Mistakes
Section titled “Common Mistakes”Growing Too Fast
Section titled “Growing Too Fast”Pressure to help everyone can lead to vouching people you don’t truly trust. Resist this.
Too Much Structure
Section titled “Too Much Structure”Don’t create infrastructure you don’t need yet. Structure should follow need.
Poor Communication Security
Section titled “Poor Communication Security”Assuming everyone knows OpSec. Train everyone, repeatedly.
Single Points of Failure
Section titled “Single Points of Failure”If one person knows everything, the cell is vulnerable. Distribute knowledge.
Burnout
Section titled “Burnout”This is a marathon. Pace yourselves. Build in rest.