Greetings, Scouts! Are you on the lookout for a fresh approach to communities? Something that combines collaboration, personal growth, shared values, and cutting-edge tools? Well, look no further! Introducing Cloud Scouts, the community rewriting the rules. 🎉

🌟 The Origin of Cloud Scouts

Our journey started with the Genesis badge (https://opensea.io/collection/together-rileybeans), a symbol of our commitment to creating educational experiences for community professionals in the web3 space. The Genesis badge was the seed that sprouted our vision for a community that thrives on collaboration, learning, and growth.

As our mission evolved, we realized a new brand identity was needed to reflect the changes we are embracing. While the name "Together" encapsulated our initial vision of togetherness in building community, our aspirations grew beyond that. We wanted to create a unique space for exploration, experimentation, discovery, and innovation.

Thus, Cloud Scouts was born. 🌟

So Why The Change?

With Cloud Scouts, we're taking everything we loved about the Genesis badge and adding new layers of governance and organizational structure that will empower our community. Our rebranding reflects a deeper understanding of what it means to work together and signifies our dedication to a more inclusive, dynamic, and engaging community experience.

I (@rileybeans_eth) knew I wanted to bring something new to the space. For me, that meant introducing aspects of my lived experiences and things that I knew community builders like myself needed.

On a personal level, my story with organized community started with scouting as a child, like many others in the US and worldwide. A community-forward scouting troop isn’t something we have experienced on a large scale yet.

But we didn’t want to stop there as the organizational structures of web3 need additional innovation. I love DAOs, NFT communities, utility-based organizations, and SaaS companies, but we’re not here to create community based on speculation or . We now have tools to create new community structures that scale with intention.

In web3, I have created and cultivated micro-communities designed with the team at BFF, which is pivotal in designing other beloved sub-community structures.

💪🏻 The Services We Provide at Cloud Scouts

We're passionate about producing high-quality work that drives our mission forward. Here's a glimpse into some of the work we produce:

• 🎓 Foundations Program: Our foundational program is a comprehensive learning experience covering web3, community building, social marketing, diversity and inclusion, and dynamic governance basics. Through hands-on virtual experiences and various educational materials, scouts gain a deep understanding of the web3 ecosystem and the principles of our governance structure.

• 🏅 Merit Badges: Our merit badge system will be designed to recognize and showcase our members' unique skills and accomplishments. Members can earn badges by completing various tasks and projects within our community. Our badge system is currently under construction but will be an engaging way to encourage skill development, collaboration, and personal growth.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Patrol Projects: Our Patrols, organized in circles, work together to complete projects that align with our mission and values. Patrol projects are diverse and cover various topics, from community outreach to design and development. Through these projects, members can collaborate and make a tangible impact, moving the needle together, as one.

• 📝 Educational Materials: We produce educational materials, including blog posts, frameworks, and workshops, that cover various topics related to web3, community, and governance. These materials are designed to help our members deepen their knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry.

• 👥 Community Events: We organize community events, including virtual meetups, workshops, and networking events, that unite our members and foster a sense of community. These events allow members to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.

Embracing AI Tools for Community Building and Education

Cloud Scouts is an innovative web3 community that unites the power of human-driven governance with cutting-edge web3 technology and AI tools. We're dedicated to leveraging AI to enhance collaboration, communication, and the creation of educational materials, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for our members.

Incorporating AI into our spaces allows us to streamline processes, automate tasks, and generate personalized learning experiences. This saves time and allows our members to focus on what truly matters—connecting, learning, and making a difference.

Education and Hands-On Virtual Experiences

Cloud Scouts is all about learning and growth. We create educational content through hands-on virtual experiences and a foundations program, with the help of Contributors, to optimize the learning process. We aim to help members develop essential skills, gain practical experience, and excel in their careers. Providing a supportive learning environment empowers people to shape their futures and contribute to the web3 ecosystem.

🏰 Community Design and Contributor Structure

We know that governance and organization are prominent topics in web3, and it’s far past time for innovation and genuinely inclusive communities and sub-communities.

Organizations like RnDAO and SeedClub are making a mark in these innovations, and today, we are solidly planting our flag in that space too.

Merit Badges, Circles, and the Cloud Scouts Experience

At the heart of Cloud Scouts, we embrace learning, skill development, and achievement. That's why we've designed an engaging merit badge system where members can earn badges for their accomplishments and showcase their unique skills.

Our community is organized into Patrols, shaped into circles, where members collaborate on projects, share ideas, and contribute their talents. As a member, you can join Patrols that resonate with your interests and goals, working with others to make a tangible impact with and for the benefit of all members

These Patrols are like micro-communities, sub-communities, or departments within a functioning and healthy organization. They will each have their own identity, roles, and aims and share values and aims with parent circles, as shown below. Making decisions that affect them and the work they produce for the Cloud Scout Troop.

This organizational structure is inspired by Sociocracy, also known as Dynamic Governance in the US. You can find more information here.

As Scouts earn merit badges, they also graduate to new community ranks that provide additional access and mechanisms for success. Each transition will be celebrated because we believe that celebrations, rituals, and traditions contribute to a sense of belonging among all members.

Your badges earned and events you attend are connected directly to your membership so each time you reach a new milestone your membership will change. Dynamic governance 🤝 dynamic NFTs!

On Becoming a Scout

Interested individuals must complete our Foundations program and meet specific requirements to become a Scout. Once they are deemed qualified and a good fit by the Patrol they wish to join, they will be invited to join the sub-circle of their choosing, participate as a Contributor or Scout, and mint their membership token. Events will be held to accept them formally as part of this process.

ContributorID credentials can be minted at no cost (+gas fee) to owners of Together NFT badge holders - however, if a Together badge is no longer in the same wallet or a wallet owned by the Contributor (not the same as a DAO delegate, must be the same owner) the ContributorID will reflect this status.

ScoutID claims will be managed through a monthly/yearly membership fee and will also be dynamic, representing a scout’s journey through the clouds! ☁️

Life as An Experienced Community Professional

So, what do Cloud Scouts offer to those already working, operating, and building? You already have some skills and gained experience as a community manager, marketer, or brand designer. Do you really need Cloud Scouts?

We think so!

💖 Get PAID to help others learn emerging community skills

As an experienced industry professional, there are multiple roles you can plug into. We offer ways that you can earn for your education sessions, new ways to be a leader in several exciting roles, and opportunities that allow entire Patrols to stand up projects through collective decision-making that help us all gain that extra edge in the market.

Job Placement and Career Guidance

All members, regardless of experience, will be offered multiple ways to connect with and learn from established community teams, legacy web2 brands, and emerging web3 and AI experiences. This allows recruiters and teams to quite literally “scout” members of our community by noticing the success we create for ourselves by contributing.

Our end goal is to provide all members with opportunities to earn within our community and through partner communities and events. For this, we will leverage our ongoing partnership with xCollective and many others championing recruiting in web3 and web2.

Exploring recruiting and freelancing space needs some work, so we’ll often experiment with ideas here.

⚖️ Governance and Organizing as Contributors

For example, a group of 6-9 people who hold the Genesis badge will be individually invited to a Founding circle to begin building and defining the processes and aims of Cloud Scouts through dynamic governance. From there, as a growing community, we will coordinate additional Patrols that are needed, filling roles and committing to our collective success. For us, scaling at any level and for any membership tier will be intentional, inclusive, and facilitated very carefully.

You can think of these Patrols, organized in circles within circles, as micro-communities or departments of a functioning community.

🌈 Next Steps for Cloud Scouts

A Hub for Community Builders

Cloud Scouts aspires to be a central hub in the ever-growing web3 landscape. We connect communities, encourage collaboration, and nurture an ecosystem where everyone can flourish. Our primary membership will be targeted toward community builders. Still, all who resonate with our aims and mission are welcome to join, so long as their chosen Patrol invites and welcomes them. More on this process in the coming weeks.

But it's more than just what we do—it's about who we are. Cloud Scouts is a community that values diversity, creativity, and a commitment to positive change. We welcome people from all backgrounds and believe we can build a brighter, more human-connected world.

Embark on the Cloud Scouts Journey

So, are you ready to be part of the Cloud Scouts story? Eager to explore new opportunities, learn new skills, and contribute to a trailblazing community that embraces the power of AI and web3 technology? If that's a yes, join us on this incredible journey by visiting our new website here.

We may not have all the answers yet, but we're paving the way toward a revolutionary community experience. With your passion, skills, and curiosity, we're confident we can make Cloud Scouts a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the web3 space.