Start a Group

Start a Junto Group

Starting a Junto group doesn’t require permission, funding, or a platform. It requires a purpose, a few committed people, and a willingness to show up consistently.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

Every Junto needs a reason to exist beyond “networking.” Ask yourself:

• What problem does this group address? (professional isolation, skill gaps, civic disengagement)
• Who is this for? Be specific — “community leaders in my city” is better than “anyone interested”
• What will members gain? Frame it as mutual improvement, not consumption

Write a one-paragraph mission statement. You’ll refine it later — the goal now is clarity of intent. See our Charter Template for guidance.

Step 2: Find Your Founding Members

You need 3-5 people to start. Look for:

• Diversity of perspective — different professions, backgrounds, experiences
• Commitment to showing up — reliability matters more than expertise
• Generosity — people who share knowledge freely, not just consume it

Start with people you know. Personal invitations work better than broadcasts.

Step 3: Choose Your Format

Decide on the basics:

Decision	Options
Frequency	Weekly (high engagement), biweekly (sustainable), monthly (lower commitment)
Duration	60-90 minutes is the sweet spot
Location	In-person, virtual, or hybrid
Platform	See Choosing a Platform for detailed comparison

Franklin’s original Junto met weekly at a tavern. Modern Juntos meet on video calls, in coffee shops, at co-working spaces, or in rotation at members’ homes.

Step 4: Set Your Structure

Use a consistent meeting format. Here’s a starter:

1. Check-in (10 min) — Each member shares one thing they’re working on
2. Standing questions (20 min) — Draw from our adapted meeting agenda
3. Featured topic (30 min) — One member presents; group discusses
4. Action items (10 min) — What will each member do before next meeting?

Structure prevents drift. Adjust over time, but start with more structure rather than less.

Step 5: Establish Norms

Write down your agreements early. At minimum:

• Confidentiality — What’s shared stays in the group (see Chatham House Rules)
• Respect — Disagree with ideas, not people
• Participation — Everyone contributes; no permanent spectators
• Punctuality — Start and end on time

See our Code of Conduct template for a fuller framework.

Step 6: Meet and Iterate

Your first meeting will be imperfect. That’s fine. After 3-4 sessions:

• Ask members what’s working and what isn’t
• Adjust format, frequency, or norms as needed
• Formalize roles if the group is ready (facilitator, note-taker, etc.)

Step 7: Document and Share

As your Junto matures, capture what you learn:

• Meeting notes and key insights
• Resources and reading recommendations
• Lessons about what works for your specific community

This knowledge becomes the seed for new groups. When members are ready to start their own Juntos, your documentation gives them a head start.

Common Pitfalls

• Starting too big — 15+ people kills discussion depth. Start small, grow slowly.
• No structure — “Let’s just talk” becomes “let’s just complain.” Use an agenda.
• One dominant voice — Facilitation matters. Rotate the facilitator role.
• No follow-through — If meetings don’t lead to action, members will drift away.
• Growing instead of multiplying — When your group is thriving, help members start new ones.

Next Steps

• Charter Template — Formalize your group’s purpose and norms
• Meeting Agenda — Franklin’s questions adapted for modern groups
• Facilitation — How to lead effective discussions