My idea is to keep the functions you have in Circles already. As a separate option, enable automatic Circles by Member Type.

For example, a Member Type(s) could relate to a common interest. Let’s say you and I are interested in Fishing, we are both Member Type “Fisherman”, so we are automatically in a Circle called “Fishermen” (well, maybe I should say “People who Fish” to include the ladies too).

I realise that this could be done by joining a Group. But a Group would not give the Member a badge. Also, a Member Type is easy for Admin to manage (and enforce). This would be good on a site where Admin wants to bring people together in an “official” manner using Member Types, but also allow them to make their own Groups.

Maybe that would require a sort of public and private member type though. I’m taking without having an overview of everything 🙂

Of course I’m fairly new to the whole WordPress and Buddypress ecosystem, so there might be other ways to do this, it’s just a suggestion and not a priority for me personally.