Build IRL SF Newsletter #8
Week 1, vibe popes, the power of asking, Join or Die screening, IRL capstone event ...
👋 Hey fam!
Saum & Colt from Build IRL 🛠️ here!
We're late this week, but for a good reason—we had the first full-day weekend workshop with our builders! 🎉
✨We made new friends, shared our triumphs and challenges, got real deep, laughed till our sides hurt, and left feeling super inspired.
One builder said it best: “This group is a love letter to San Francisco❤️”
Curious what we talked about?
First, RSVP to our June events
Jun 22 - Join or Die documentary screening, 4.30 pm, Manny’s Cafe
Jun 27 - Build IRL Capstone Showcase, 6 pm, MindsDB
In this edition:
🏗️Week 1 Summary - Build IRL Founding Cohort
Power of Asks and Gives
👑What’s a vibe pope
Our triumphs and challenges
Somatic meditation for community design, what %$!
🥂Mark your calendars - upcoming public gatherings in June
01 / Week 1 - Summary
The power of Asks 🙋♂️/ Gives 🙌
“In community we have everything we need” — our good friend Teju says it all the time, but it truly hit home during our launch party 💫
In just 15 minutes, our builders made 75 asks and gives, and even crazier - almost all asks had a matching give 😱.
Askers felt heard, and givers felt valued.
Imagine a world where this was the norm—endless possibilities for kindness and generosity!
Vibe pope - who are they? Why they matter!
Natalie introduced us to vibe popes. What’s that you ask?
Here is the the OG article on the concept -
“These folks are the guardians of the party’s communal energy. They can subtly refine and recalibrate social dynamics by introducing strangers, tweaking the lights, or suggesting the next activity—all without stealing focus from the moment itself. They understand that having a good time in a group setting is not always a mystical, spontaneous occurrence—sometimes it requires considered facilitation.”
In short - they make the vibe! We need more vibe popes in the world! Be one. It’s rad.
Our collective triumphs & challenges ✨🤝🌟🏆🌈🚀
We took time to reflect how our cohort stacks up on the 6 building blocks for resilient and thriving communities. Huge thanks to Lais De Oliveira for leading this session! 🙌
Here’s the tea —
Note: “We” here means communities in our founding cohort.
Purposeful 🌟
We excel here! We know our "who" and "why," but need to tell our stories better.
Boundaries matter—balancing inclusivity vs. right member selection is tough but essential. Partner communities are a hack—recommend people to ones that are a better fit for them!
Well-resourced💰
We don’t have this figured out. 80% lack steady funds, and 60% have no way for members to contribute.
We want ways to gather resources without compromising our purpose. But its tricky!
Active and Connected 🤝
We do amazing regular events but need to deepen member bonds.
Online tools are still a mess (WhatsApp, Slack, Discord)!
Capable 🛠️
It's a mixed bag—some are confident, others not so much. We know people are our biggest asset and need to unlock their superpowers by giving them ways to shine.
Sustainable communities aren’t dependent on individuals; they have multiple leaders, repeatable processes, and solid tools.
Evolving 🌱
We’re experimental - 94% of us try new things all the time.
Community identity is not permanent. It evolves. It takes effort to evolve it thoughtfully — listening is key.
Build With (participatory) 🏗️
Most don’t have members contributing regularly. We don’t have defined path for members to grow their involvement.
100% of us want more “build with” to happen.
In short, our communities have strong foundations and extraordinary builders. We're here to help them become even more durable and connected.
Meditation for community design? What !$^%
We think, plan and strategize our communities.
We often forget belonging is felt, not analyzed.
Big thanks to David Spinks for his somatic community meditation exercise—it was a powerful reminder! 🙏✨
We take fun really seriously!
Most of all, we had fun! 🎉
We had an EPIC rock-paper-scissors showdown, made animal sounds, shared our fave music, and shared meals. All work and no play? No thanks! 😜
02 / 📅Join us IRL
We are pumped for our public events this June where you will have the opportunity to meet our cohort and join us IRL in SF!
Upcoming public gatherings in June - Mark your calendars!
Jun 22 - Join or Die screening, 4.30 pm, Manny’s Cafe. Register here.
An exclusive screening of "Join or Die," a documentary about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America depends on it. The movie highlights decline of community in America, the loneliness epidemic, and the role of third spaces inspired by Robert Putnam’s legendary book "Bowling Alone."
Jun 27 - Build IRL Capstone Showcase, 6 pm, MindsDB. Register here.|
Celebrate Build IRL Accelerator's founding cohort — 25 IRL communities and social clubs that are rewriting the social fabric of this city we love. You will get an opportunity to meet the incredible builders, join and support their communities. Whether you're a joiner, a builder, a dreamer, or a little bit of everything, there's a seat at the table for you.
That’s it for this week.
Next newsletter drops Monday, Jun 17. Keep building 🛠️!
Until next week,
Saum & Colt
Looking good - following along with interest :)
wow i'm discovering 'join or die' documentary which looks great. any chance you might host another screening? we only arrive in SF on july 2nd.
congrats for what you're doing btw, this is inspiring. i look forward to meeting y'all ✌️