This article is part of the Pioneer Resource Center, which provides information, guidance, and resources to help Pioneers activate and grow their local Stitch community.
This article answers the most common questions about the Stitch Pioneer Program – from what's expected of you to how Stitch supports you along the way. It's written for Pioneers in the Stitch Pioneer Program. If your question isn't covered here, email the team at volunteers@stitch.net or contact the Stitch Pioneer Coordinator Lead.
What is expected of me as a Stitch Pioneer?
The Pioneer Program is an initial 6-month commitment. As a Pioneer, your core expectations are:
Host a minimum of 4 in-person events within your first 6 months.
Join the monthly Pioneer calls when you can (recordings are available if you can't make it).
Be an active, engaged member of your local Stitch community.
Another important expectation – fun! Being part of Stitch is being part of a group of people who want to connect, get out and about, and be involved in their community. Did you know that trying new activities that bring enjoyment matters more to your well-being and is a significant predictor of successful aging? Researchers call this innovation in leisure. So while Pioneers have some expectations of them, these will be for the immediate and long-term benefit of themselves and others in the community. What a gift you are giving to the local Stitch community!
What can you expect from Stitch as a Pioneer?
This Pioneer Program isn’t all one way – Stitch is here to support you through it! Here's what you can expect:
Access to the global Pioneer community, where experienced Pioneers share advice and answer questions.
Resources, including toolkits and advice articles, to help you run events.
Membership of private regional Pioneer groups to connect with neighbouring Pioneers.
Monthly Pioneer calls to discuss Stitch, Pioneering, and community questions.
Welcomer settings are activated on your account, so you can automatically connect with new Stitch members joining your area.
Digital advertising is activated locally when you have 3 or more upcoming events (see below for more details).
Tell me more about activating digital advertising in my area!
Happy to! When you have 3 (or more!) upcoming activities scheduled in Stitch, the Stitch team will begin digital advertising locally to encourage new memberships. We’ve found this is hugely impactful in establishing the community, as new members are more likely to attend events when they first join, particularly if welcomed by the event host.
Having 3 or more upcoming events on ensures the advertising stays active and continues to bring new people to your local community and your events!
What is a Stitch Welcomer?
A Stitch Welcomer is a community member who has received enough positive ratings to send automated welcome messages to new Stitch members joining the community. As a Pioneer, Stitch activates your Welcomer settings for you -- it's one of the ways the program helps you make a great first impression on new members. You can make a big difference to how welcome new Stitch members feel when they join the community, simply by clicking a single button!
For a full guide to how the Welcomer feature works, see the Welcomer help article.
Can I be a Pioneer for more than 6 months?
Yes, you can continue as a Stitch Pioneer beyond the initial 6 months, as long as you want to continue, and have met these program requirements: hosted four in-person events, and been an engaged and active member of your local Stitch community.
What are the monthly Pioneer calls, and do I have to attend them?
Each month, the Stitch Pioneer Coordinator Lead hosts a call for Pioneers around the world to share updates, ideas, and feedback, and to answer any questions. Time zones can make it tricky, but the alternating times of the call mean that it will be held at a suitable hour for your area every two months.
Attendance isn't mandatory. Because the calls rotate between time zones, there will be a call at a suitable time for your region every 2 months. All calls are recorded, so if you can't attend, you can catch up on the recording afterwards.
Why is being a Pioneer important?
Your participation in the Pioneer Program will be enormously valuable in building the community and increasing activities in your region. It often takes just one person to step up for others to feel comfortable coming along. Thank you for being that person!
How do I manage attendee behaviours at in-person events?
Managing group dynamics at events can be genuinely tricky, and it's okay to find it challenging. Here's how to handle the most common situations.
If a member's behaviour is unacceptable or you're not sure: report them to Stitch Support immediately using the reporting feature on their profile. Reporting doesn't automatically get them in trouble – it alerts the Stitch Support team to monitor their interactions more closely. If the team identifies any red flags, they'll work with that member directly. There is no need to take further actions once reporting the member; the Stitch Support team will manage the situation after receiving your report.
If the behaviour is awkward or antisocial but not a policy violation:
You have two options:
Allow the person space and time to find their footing socially – sometimes that's all that's needed.
Take the person aside for a friendly, private conversation about the expectations you have for your event.
Diverse communities always come with social challenges. Try to approach these moments with kindness and a spirit of inclusion – your instinct to handle things well is already half the battle.
For a full guide to Stitch's community guidelines, see the Community Standards article.
What do I do about people who treat Stitch like a dating site?
Stitch is about helping people find connection. It's not primarily a dating site, but people have found romantic connections through Stitch, as it's a great way to meet people. As a result, some people will inevitably come to Stitch events primarily for this purpose. It’s best to remind them that Stitch is a social community for all. If any inappropriate behaviour is observed, report it to Stitch Support immediately using the reporting feature on their profile.
Can I share my personal contact details with other members (e.g. phone number or email address) via direct message?
Yes. When you attempt to do this, you will be alerted to only share your information with other members that you know and trust. The alert will not block you from sharing.