The club-builder’s bootcamp

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Over the next 4 months (Jul-Oct 2026), I’ll be releasing new chapters every week. Each with: a Hot Take (the principle), Real Stories (case studies), Tactics & templates (how to do it), Task (an action to try), Reflection and Nerd Corner (supporting research).

Your gift back: share your stories, lessons, experiments, reactions and disagreements. This playbook was built by hundreds of club builders, and it will only get better if we keep learning together.

Start here!

Introduction to the bootcamp

Illustration of a group of children and adults building with large, colorful, geometric blocks, with a warning text at the bottom that says, 'WARNING: May cause spontaneous friendship and late-night dumpling runs.'

Intro

A club, what dis?

Chapter releasing in June 2026.

Intro

Who this is for?

Chapter releasing in June 2026.

Intro

How to use this playbook?

Chapter releasing in June 2026.

Illustration of three people walking outdoors in a park, with trees, clouds, and a residential building in the background. They are wearing casual clothing, with backpacks, and talking to each other.

Part 1: Who you are

A line drawing of diverse people sitting and standing, holding signs, knitting, and using yarn and knitting needles, with a purple sign reading "How to build a club. 12 Hot takes." in a casual, comic style.

Hot take 1

Who > What

Chapter releasing in Jul 2026.

Hot take 2

Be specific. Borderline wierd.

Chapter releasing in Jul 2026.

Illustration of a person standing at a door step, reaching for the door handle, with some steps leading up to the door. The image has text that says 'Build a gate. Have a boundary. And a small act of commitment to cross it.' and is part of a guide on building a club with 12 hot takes.

Hot take 3

Build a gate.

Chapter releasing in Jul 2026.

Part 2: What you do

Illustration of people building a club with musical instruments and various objects in a playful scene, promoting building clubs.

Hot take 4

Club is a habit.
Rhythm builds it.

Chapter releasing in Aug 2026.

Illustration of a club scene with people sitting and chatting, with curtains on either side, and string lights hanging above. The image includes text: 'www.buildaclub.org', 'HOT TAKE 5', and 'How to build a club. 12 Hot takes.'

Hot take 5

Kill the
audience.

Chapter releasing in Aug 2026.

Illustration of people gathering and socializing outdoors, with some sitting on chairs and others standing, in a casual setting.

Hot take 6

Before / After > During.

Chapter releasing in Aug 2026

A cartoon illustration of a group of children sitting on a blanket in a park, reading and talking, with trees and clouds in the background, and a yellow sign that says 'Monthly Book Club'.

Hot take 7

Success ≠ more people.

Chapter releasing in Aug 2026.

Part 3: How you co-create

Illustration of children gardening among large leaves and flowers, with text promoting building a gardening club.

Hot take 8

Be a gardener.
Not a CEO.

Chapter releasing in Sep 2026.

Colorful illustration of people holding paintbrushes and paint cans, symbols of creativity, with playful doodles and stars, promoting building a club with 12 hot takes.

Hot take 9

Let it get messy.

Chapter releasing in Sep 2026.

Illustration with text that says 'How to build a club: 12 Hot takes' and features cartoon characters with superhero capes, running with dollar sign bags, surrounded by clouds and stars.

Hot take 10

Dues are a superpower.

Chapter releasing in Sep 2026.

Illustration of people creating a club with a banner, books, plants, and framed pictures on the wall, with the text 'How to build a club. 12 Hot takes' at the bottom.

Hot take 11

Make yourself obsolete. Slowly.

Chapter releasing in Sep 2026.

Illustration of people sitting at a table, sharing a meal, with tomatoes, bowls, and plates, and someone standing preparing food, with doodles of clouds and flowers around.

Hot take 12

Build a club.
Not a cult.

Chapter releasing in Oct 2026.