JOIN

 Joining is the phase where individuals and communities prepare themselves to engage. At the individual level, it means developing a grounded sense of self—knowing who you are, what matters to you, and believing your choices and voice matter. At the community level, it means building relationships, trust, and shared understanding so people see themselves as part of something larger than themselves. Joining happens before action or conflict; it creates the emotional, psychological, and social readiness that makes engagement possible. Without joining, participation is fragile and easily disrupted. With it, engagement becomes durable, democracy becomes usable, and freedom can be exercised together rather than just talked about.