03 April . 2025
Lead the Way, Tehaleh! (and maybe start a new club)
Leaders don’t wait around- they act! They’re not twiddling their thumbs waiting for someone to ask "hey, you're an enthusiast right? Can you lead the coolest club in Tehaleh?” They’re already out there doing it: passing out flyers, making group texts happen, wrangling neighbors into events they swore they wouldn’t attend (now they’re regulars.)
And it’s working. Tehaleh is in a bit of a club renaissance right now. This time around it's all face-to-face contact. Sorry Internet, but you had your time in the spotlight. Whether it’s because of the pandemic, too much screen time, or just because it sounds fun- people are hungry for a more personal kind of community.
Leadership Is Often Accidental
Sometimes people start clubs because no one else has. Sometimes it’s about meeting people who speak the same technical language you've become fluent in. Sometimes it’s about not feeling alone in your hobby.
You might not even be thinking about becoming a "leader" per-se, but you might be the only one reaching out to see if anybody wants to help rebuild a Peavey amplifier. Soon that becomes Wednesdays at 6:30pm. And then you have Wavy Wednesdays where you host a group that works on their own FX pedals. And of course, you all chip in for pizza.
What’s the Secret Ingredient?
Pizza. Always pizza.
No filet mignon. No sad rotisserie chicken in a plastic clamshell. The best leaders know that if you want a crowd, you bring pizza. Even better? You know your crowd’s toppings. Pepperoni for the masses. Veggie for the thoughtful. Pineapple? Bold move. Could be genius—if you’re running a debate club. And if you bring an empty pizza box? You could start a philosophy club.
What Kind of Leader Could You Be?
You don’t need to be a social butterfly or a seasoned organizer. Leadership can be low-key, playful, or a way to craft learning experiences. Being a leader in your niche needs someone who can get the show on the road and maintain its rhythm. Who would you be?
The Connector – Loves meeting new people and making sure no one feels left out.
The Hobbyist – Wants to geek out with others who share the same specific obsession.
The Coach – Organizes sports or activity groups and thrives on structure and goals.
The Host – Just wants to create space (physical or digital) for folks to gather.
The Starter – Gets things rolling, then lets the club grow its own wings.
You could be one or several of these leaders. Now let's look at some prime examples of clubs in Tehaleh.
Clubs in the Wild
Verterra™—a Trilogy® Boutique Community™ has been a prime example of how to get clubs up and running here in Tehaleh. They have all kinds of clubs:
- Amateur radio club
- Chess For All!
- Hiking Club
- Seahawks Fan Club
- Veterans Club
- Pickleball Club
- Quilters of Trilogy
- Garden Club
- And many more!
Your club doesn't need to be the most popular or most trendy thing either. Mushroom foraging? Watching and reading Best Screenplay Oscar winners? You can do anything. Yes, even Show and Tell where everybody shows up with a hidden treasure and a story.
The Enthusiast’s Dilemma
Ask yourself: What topic could you talk about endlessly without noticing people’s eyes glazing over? That’s your club. That’s your niche. That’s your doorway to real connection.
Take it from Jeff Ward, a board member of mountain bike advocacy group, PiCoe (Pierce County Evergreen) and the head coach of the Bonney Lake MTB team. PiCoe's efforts over the years have helped turn Trek MTB Park into a reality, and now the mountain bike scene has a vibrant home in Tehaleh. "One major objective was having a place where we could hold a practice and get more kids and youth on bikes and into nature," Ward writes.
When enthusiasts are at their best, they empower others. Outlandish ideas ("this place would be an amazing bike park") can turn into reality. While some ideas, like creating the bike park, have been an uphill climb, the act of supporting one another during that journey is what makes community so important. And when that challenging hill is crested, there will be an excited community who wants to get involved and take it further.
Be the First. Be the Pineapple Person.
Start the club. Found it in 2025. Put it on a T-shirt. “Established in Tehaleh, 2025.” Imagine the future kids of this community arguing over pizza toppings and tracing it all back to _your_ club meeting in the rec room.
So, if there's a topic that you love, no matter how oddball it may seem, now's your chance to get it started. Offer a slice of pizza. Invite the neighborhood, curiosity will follow, and soon your club is off to the races.
Reach out to our property management company, Cohere, to learn more about Tehaleh's current clubs, and how you can start and advertise your own on the community newsletter!