Build IRL Newsletter #19

The puzzle of vanishing member dues - Part 2, builder highlights, upcoming IRL events and more ...

👋 Hey fam!

Saum & Colt from Build IRL here! 🛠️

A couple of weeks ago, we dove into “The puzzle of vanishing member dues” in the newsletter, and wow, so many of you reached out! 🙌

“YES!” you said. “We need dues. But… it’s tricky.”

To crack the code on why builders shy away from introducing—or even talking about—dues, Colt and I met with builders in SF.

In this week’s newsletter, we share with you what we learnt.

This week’s edition:

• 🧠 The puzzle of vanishing member dues - Part 2

• 🧩 Builder highlight: Experimenting with member dues

• 😎 Upcoming IRL events from our builders

• 🚀 Next Build IRL cohort coming soon — Join the waitlist!

Lets go!

🧠 The puzzle of vanishing member dues - Part 2

“Member dues challenge the popular belief that ordinary people cant organize their own money, because they can.

In every major struggle that has won and grown – from the Civil Rights Movement to the Suffragettes, from farm workers to the trade union movement, from faith institutions to the ANC – has organised the money of its members. Not only grants and trusts; not only individual wealthy philanthropists - the dues based, regular membership of ordinary people.”

— Stephanie Wong & Charlotte Fischer, Recent report

We’ve talked about how builders struggle with the money talk.

To crack the code on why builders hesitate to introduce—or even discuss—dues, Colt and I met with SF builders.

Here’s what we learned: 💡

Builders love the idea of member dues because it aligns with their values. They understand that dues are a deep investment by members in collective well-being and self-sufficiency of the community. 💪

But many shy away from asking for dues. Here are the most common phrases we heard:

• I don't want to appear extractive or self-benefiting.

• I'm not sure that people would be willing to pay.

• I don’t know how much to charge.

IRL builders are all about relationships. They see IRL community as sacred and don’t want to be lumped in with online hustle culture where “community” feels like a sales pitch. They aim to be transparent, accountable, and deeply caring, but are unsure how to ask for dues without compromising these values.

They don’t appreciate the true value of their own work. They don’t think others see or value the work they put in. Our culture has forgotten how to celebrate them. Most hesitate to ask for support, even though members are often eager to contribute.

They lack role models and examples. Even when they see the potential of dues, they don’t know where to start or how much to charge. They don’t see examples of dues-based organizations to look up to.

But examples exist! Here are couple we love.

🧩Lessons from builders: Members who care, contribute.

When Andy Huang kicked off Urban Adventures Club (now SF Adventurers Club) in 2014, he knew member dues were key. Unsure on how much to charge — he started with a token membership amount.💸

Soon after, he noticed something powerful: members who paid the dues felt more invested, showed up more often, and genuinely cared about each other’s experience.

That steady cash flow helped him grow a super sustainable club. Fast forward a decade, it’s still a hit in SF (check out their upcoming cocktail evening!) 🌟

Rafat launched Tribe in 2023 with a vision to make cities feel like villages. 🏙️💖

In just a month, he had 100 members and a waitlist! For $99/mo, members enjoyed 20+ events and Rafat got the funds to keep things going sustainably. In fact, he invested in systems to make it easier for any members to host without any hassle🎉

Andy and Rafat prove that with transparency, genuine care, and a bit of courage, you can create thriving, self-sustaining clubs. 🌟

Not everyone will get it right away, but those who do will stick around and love you for it (remember: Sven). 🙌

03/ Upcoming builder events🥳

Want to join in on the fun? Per usual sharing a few great upcoming gatherings hosted by builders in our community:

9.27.24 | SF Adventurers Club 🎉- An Evening of Elegance & Flavor at Bar Iris

Join for an evening of exceptional craft cocktails at Bar Iris, one of San Francisco’s most stylish and innovative cocktail bars.

9.15.24 | SF Contemplarium 🌔 - Monarch Moon Reflection Event

Join for a light, contemplative evening featuring a guided reflection on the last month. Over crisp paper and cozy lofi beats, close the chapter on this past month with a mix of private journaling and a bit of light social connection. Come with something to write with/on. Leave with a hint of grounding and peace.

9.18.24 | AI Salon & SF Intellectuals 💫- AI Group Discussion

This will be a broad and accessible event where anyone who is interested in what AI means for our future is welcome! AI isn't just a technical topic! Instead, it is a technically-coded mirror to reflect how humanity is advancing. Grappling with it is grappling with our human journey and draws on philosophy, history, sociology, and yes, scientific and technological perspectives. Thinking about AI sharpens conversations around humanity's power, our progress, and our direction by giving focus to what is otherwise vague musings.

Stay tuned—we’ll drop the dates for our next cohort soon.

If you or someone you know is a match, hit up the link below to join our waitlist!

That’s all folks! Keep building 🛠️

-Saum & Colt