Admissions Portal

Building Trust Through Progressive Vetting

In a voluntary network operating outside state control, trust is paramount. But trust can't be given freely to strangers—it must be earned through demonstrated commitment to shared principles and proven track record of cooperation. The Admissions Portal provides a structured pathway for building trust within the Network, from initial contact to deep integration.

This isn't gatekeeping for its own sake. It's a practical recognition that not everyone shares our values, and those who do must demonstrate their commitment through action, not just words. Progressive vetting protects the Network while providing clear pathways for newcomers to prove themselves.

Why Have an Admissions Portal?

Freedom doesn't mean naivety. A network built on trust requires mechanisms to establish that trust. The Admissions Portal serves several crucial functions:

Purposes of Vetting:

Protect the Network: Filter out bad actors, infiltrators, and those who don't respect the NAP
Build confidence: Members can share sensitive information knowing others have been vetted
Demonstrate commitment: Actions speak louder than words—vetting requires investment of time and effort
Create appropriate access: Not everyone needs (or should have) access to everything
Establish reputation: Progressive levels create visible track record of trustworthiness
Enable coordination: Knowing who's vetted to what level helps organize activities

The goal isn't exclusion—it's appropriate inclusion. Everyone starts somewhere, and clear vetting paths show exactly how to progress.

What's Inside the Network?

The Network operates on tiered access. Some information and spaces are public, available to anyone curious about voluntaryism. Other areas require demonstrated commitment and trust.

Public Access (No Vetting Required)

The Library: Philosophy, examples, educational content—freely available to all
Workshop basics: Getting Started guides, foundational tactics
General events: Public meetups, open festivals, educational gatherings
Introduction materials: What the Network is, how it works, why it matters
Public Agora: General marketplace listings visible to all

Member Access (Basic Vetting)

Full Marketplace: Complete access to goods, services, bounties
Network Directory: Contact information for vetted members
Guild information: Details on joining and participating in Guilds
Host networks: Access to Network Host properties and locations
Communication channels: Encrypted group chats, coordination tools
Member meetups: Private gatherings for vetted individuals

Advanced Access (Higher Vetting Levels)

Sensitive locations: Addresses of private properties, hidden havens
Advanced Workshop content: Detailed tactical guides for counter-economics
Inner circles: Private discussion groups for strategy and planning
Security-critical information: Coordination for collective defense
Financial networks: Private lending circles, investment opportunities
Deep integration: Living on Network properties, core team participation

How to Pass Through: The Vetting Process

There are multiple layers of vetting, and there may be more layers added as people create new requirements. The basic progression moves from philosophical alignment, to demonstrated action, to deep trust built over time.

Step 1: Show Comprehension and Agreement

The foundation is understanding and accepting the Non-Aggression Principle. You can't participate in a voluntary network if you believe some people have rights others don't.

Initial Requirements:

Demonstrate understanding of the NAP and voluntaryist philosophy
Explicitly agree to the NAP in all your interactions within the Network
Show you've engaged with Library content (philosophy pages, examples)
Complete basic orientation—understand what the Network is and isn't

Step 2: Create an Account

Initial registration establishes your identity within the Network. This can be as anonymous or transparent as you choose, but you need some consistent identity for building reputation.

Account Creation:

Choose your level of anonymity (pseudonymous or real name)
Establish secure communication methods (encrypted email, Signal, etc.)
Indicate your interests, skills, and what you're looking for in the Network
Accept community guidelines and commitment to peaceful interaction

Step 3: Initial Participation

Actions matter more than words. Initial vetting involves low-risk participation that demonstrates your values align with the Network's.

Ways to Demonstrate Commitment:

Attend public meetups and engage constructively
Complete trades on the Marketplace (start small, build reputation)
Contribute to public discussions with helpful, NAP-consistent input
Share your skills or resources through bounty completion
Show up when you say you will—reliability matters

Step 4: Sponsorship and Vouching

Higher levels of access require existing members to vouch for you. This creates accountability—they're putting their reputation on the line for yours.

Sponsorship Process:

Build relationships with existing members through participation
Ask trusted members to sponsor your progression to higher levels
Sponsors verify your character and commitment through direct interaction
Multiple sponsors may be required for sensitive access levels
Sponsors share responsibility for your behavior—strong incentive to choose wisely

Vetting Levels

Here outlined are the steps that can be taken in order to join the inner realm of the network. These levels aren't rigid bureaucracy—they're organic trust building formalized into visible progression.

Examples of Vetting Levels

Level 1: Observer - Public access, reading materials, attending open events
Level 2: Participant - Basic member access, Marketplace use, general communication channels
Level 3: Contributor - Active participation, Guild membership, some location access
Level 4: Trusted Member - Deep integration, sensitive information, core activities

Note: Specific vetting levels and requirements may vary by region, Guild, or community within the larger Network. The above are general guidelines.

Multiple Pathways to Trust

There are several different paths that can be taken to achieve a new level of vetting. Not everyone enters the Network the same way, and different paths demonstrate different types of trustworthiness.

Network Hosts

Visiting and staying at Network Host properties is one of the fastest ways to build trust. Hosts directly vet guests through extended interaction.

Host Vetting Path:

Initial contact through Network directory or referral
Short visit to meet host and learn about property
Longer stays demonstrate compatibility and reliability
Work-trade opportunities prove commitment and work ethic
Hosts can vouch for guests to other parts of the Network

Learn more about becoming a host or finding hosts: Network Hosts

Agorist Hosts

Agorist Hosts specifically focus on counter-economic activity. Staying with them and participating in their businesses demonstrates practical commitment to agorism, not just philosophical agreement.

Agorist Host Vetting:

Participation in counter-economic activities
Learning agorist business practices
Contributing to host's operations
Developing your own agorist income streams
Building reputation through trade within host's network

CaravAnarchy

Joining the traveling caravan provides intensive vetting through close-quarters living and collaborative work. You can't fake commitment when you're living and working together daily.

Caravan Vetting Path:

Initial meeting at caravan location or event
Short-term travel to assess compatibility
Longer-term membership proves reliability and cooperation
Contributing to caravan operations and businesses
Building relationships with multiple caravan members

Learn more about the caravan: CaravAnarchy

Guild Membership

Joining a Guild provides vetting through skill development and professional reputation. Guilds establish their own internal vetting processes.

Guild Vetting Path:

Attend Guild events and workshops
Complete apprenticeship or training programs
Demonstrate skill competency
Build reputation through quality work
Guild masters vouch for proven members

Marketplace Reputation

Building reputation through successful trades and completed bounties demonstrates trustworthiness through economic interaction.

Marketplace Vetting Path:

Start with small, low-risk transactions
Complete bounties and fulfill commitments
Accumulate positive reviews and ratings
Develop track record of fair dealing
Economic reputation translates to social trust

Maintaining and Losing Trust

Vetting isn't a one-time achievement—it's ongoing. Trust must be maintained through consistent NAP-compliant behavior. And it can be lost through violations.

Maintaining Your Level

Continue active participation—dormant accounts may require re-vetting
Honor all agreements and commitments
Respect others' property and boundaries
Contribute positively to Network activities
Maintain good standing with sponsors and vouchers

Losing Access

Violations That Can Result in De-vetting:

NAP violations: Initiating force, fraud, theft against other members
Betrayal of trust: Sharing sensitive information inappropriately
Infiltration/bad faith: Evidence you joined to harm the Network
Persistent unreliability: Pattern of broken commitments
Sponsor withdrawal: If sponsors retract their vouching due to your behavior

The good news: even if you lose trust, you can rebuild it. The path back may be longer and require more proof, but redemption is possible through demonstrated changed behavior.

For New Members: Getting Started

Ready to begin your vetting journey? Here's your roadmap:

Read The Library: Understand voluntaryist philosophy. Start with Intro to Voluntaryism.
Explore The Workshop: Learn practical strategies. Begin with Sauron and The Shire.
Attend a public event: Meet members face-to-face. Check the Events page.
Make your first trade: Complete a small transaction on the Marketplace to build initial reputation.
Find your pathway: Choose Host visits, Caravan participation, Guild membership, or multiple paths.
Build relationships: Trust comes from repeated positive interactions over time.
Be patient: Rushing trust is suspicious. Let it develop naturally through consistent behavior.

Your Next Steps

Understanding the vetting process is just the beginning. Now explore the specific structures within the Network:

Guilds - Skill-based communities with their own vetting
Freedom Guard - Security training and preparedness
Network Hosts - Properties welcoming Network members

Or jump to Connect to start connecting with current members.