About us
Are you a working professional? Are you thinking of making friends and extending your social circle by going volunteering, learning things, or doing good together? Do you have something beautiful that you want to share with others? You are looking at the right place.
If you dig deeper, you will find us actually a social org :). For volunteers, community builders of working professionals.
The things we do are very simple, meaningful things in beautiful settings, so connections happen naturally, from shared purpose and experience.
Friendship through civic engagements and shared learnings. That is us - an aspiring volunteer & builder community that runs events.
Send us your new in towns, the young professionals, the transplants, the job seekers, the singles, all those that could use new connections.
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Under the hood, we are actually a volunteer-boned, community-builder-muscled social ecosystem.
You take actions to improve your own situation, that is a builder. You willingly impact others with your actions, that is a "social" volunteer. Simple like that.
Two things set us apart from simply another meetup group: We do more productive social, vs consuming type; we do stateful social, vs the often observed stateless ones. For builders at least.
Volunteering is where we come from, it is also a format we do team building. By all the social formats we have observed so far, group volunteering is the most effective and efficient way to build bonding, aka trust, among people.
By group volunteering, we mean those that facilitates social, like in festivals, in state or local parks etc.. Not the punishment type handed down by traffic court.
Attention is the currency of meetups. We organize community social as our service, to build up our own community, yet it isn't free. We try to match the attention economy to people's contributions or efforts, so making it more fair.
We believe in people's self determination, we also believe in community builders' group collective power, as well as volunteers' active engagement in changing the social context.
We root our activities in local community events, we cooperate with orgs, businesses and individuals that are doing good. We provide social ladder roles that people can try, stages they shine on, resolving their social needs, also bringing others along.
We participate local community events, as attendees, as volunteers, civic, outdoor, professional or more. We organize local regional social infra walks, so to receive people incoming, so they can launch their social life again.
We build up connections, and create belongings. We believe all good deeds should be rewarded, in relationship, if not in finance. We believe in stateful social, thus relationship compounds, thus community.
We started as festival volunteers wanting social, and expanded to organizing social in community events, our current mission is to be the receiving end of local community social. We believe people & social skills can be picked up, as we did. So no charisma required to participate, help yourself, then others. Warm heart, willingness to try, will do.
If you have read so far, you may seriously consider trying it out with us, and join this fellow community of builders. We are exploring, and learning, from our mistakes, which are often, and successes, which did happen at times :). A lot of people make complaints, some take actions. The result of social roulette can be changed, as we are doing. So why wouldn't you join us, to fail on the action side? Ha.
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And our goal? A gateway to local community social, a connection layer to community events, a student activity center for post-college life, a social engine for connections, a town square for working professionals, a social neighborhoods dotted by community builders. Yes, some kind of salt.
Build with us, then socials would follow.
At the end of day,
Visit us at: https://www.townflame.org
Upcoming events
13
Social Neighborhood -- Halloween's Day of the Dead Altar Walk, San Jose
Mexico Bakery, 1560 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, USA, San Jose, CA, USHalloween's Día de los Muertos Altar Walk + Aztec Dance, a Day of the Dead event.
Saturday, October 31 · Meet 5:00 PM · FreeDo you know why Halloween and the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) are always around the same dates?
The history behind that is Halloween is "All Hallow's Eve", the night beforeAll Saints Day & All Souls' Day (Catholic), for saints and the departed. While the Aztecs had their own feasts for the dead, Miccailhuitl, and after the Spanish conquest the two merged into Día de los Muertos. That's why it always arrives right on the heels of Halloween. Interesting, isn't it?
So we are celebrating this Halloween evening with a different cultural experience, by going two Dia de los Muertos events that happen next door to each other in San Jose:
- Avenida de Altares the 10th, altar walk, Mexican Heritage Plaza
- Micailhuitl Dia de Muertos the 22nd, Danza Azteca Ceremony, History San Jose Park
We meet at a Mexican bakery, stroll along San Jose's altar avenue together at sunset into Avenida de Altares celebration at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, east San Jose. Come to meet your social neighbors, celebrate some cultural moments together.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Avenida de Altares is a free community celebration with a community altar gallery, an artisan market, art activities, face painting, and a stage program, including a Catrina costume contest and a headliner. It runs 5:30 to 10:30 PM. This is its 10th year.
https://mhplaza.org/allevents/avenida26THE PLAN
5:00 PM Meet at Mexico Bakery, 1560 Alum Rock Ave. Grab some pan de muerto and a name tag.
5:15 PM Circle up outside the bakery. Quick intros, then we split into small groups of 5 to 8.
5:30 PM Each group walks Alum Rock Ave into the Plaza at golden hour. Sunset is 6:10.
6:00 PM At the Plaza entrance, each group takes a photo, then explores together.
7:15 PM Catrina costume contest on the main stage. Pick your group's favorite and vote.
7:30 PM Dinner together, at the event or at La Costa next door.
8:30 PM Winners are announced, then the headliner. Regroup at the stage.
9:00 PM Head home, or stay for the rest of the show.FOR THE ADVENTUROUS: AZTEC DANCE AT HISTORY PARK
Micailhuitl is the 22nd annual Día de Muertos ceremony by Calpulli Tonalehqueh, a San Jose Aztec dance group. Their Danza Azteca runs 5 to 9 PM with guest dancers from California and Mexico, inside a free, alcohol-free festival with community altars, an artisan market, a food court, and lowriders. It's our first time at this one, so come for the adventure.
- Decide with your group at the Plaza whether you're in.
- 6:45 PM: walk back to your car with someone from your group, then drive yourself. It's about 10 minutes. You'll head home straight from History Park, so no coming back for your car.
- Navigate to 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. Don't search "History San José"; its mailing address on Senter Rd isn't the park entrance.
- Park in the small lot at the main entrance. If it's full, use the Kelley Park lot at the end of Phelan Ave ($6).
Overflow: SJSU South Campus garage at 10th & Alma.
- 7:15 PM: regroup at the History Park main gate, then we walk in to the ceremony together.
- Hungry? The food court inside has 10+ vendors.
- After the dance, walk back to the lots together. The Kelley Park lot is a walk through the park after dark.HOW GROUPS WORK
- No one assigns groups. Mix it up and join people you didn't arrive with.
- Each group picks a Pacer, who keeps the group together, and a Photographer, who takes the group photo.
- As you walk, decide on your group's favorite altar. You'll share it at the Plaza entrance.
- Swap numbers with your group, and post your group photo in the TownFlame WhatsApp group.
- Shuffle groups in between.GOOD TO KNOW
- New here or coming alone? That's who this is for.
- Running late? Head straight to the main stage at 7:15 and find a group there.
- Photos are welcome. The altars are memorials, so please don't touch the ofrendas or the offerings on them.
- Costumes are welcome. Catrina face paint or Día de los Muertos dress fits the night best.
- Food is on your own. Bring cash for the bakery and any stalls.
- Getting there by car: parking is tight near the Plaza, so carpool and park near the bakery.
- Getting there by transit: VTA Rapid 522 runs from Palo Alto and Mountain View along El Camino to Alum Rock & King, right at the Plaza. From there it's a 10-minute walk west to the bakery, or meet us at the stage at 7:15.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer for after dark.Join TownFlame, Make Life Happen.
Liability Waiver: Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.
68 attendees
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner -- Campbell Chamber of Commerce
Nordahl Hall Sons of Norway, 580 W Parr Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA, Los Gatos, CA, USCampbell is holding its annual volunteer appreciation dinner on the Nov 4th, 5:30-8pm, in Nordahl Hall of Los Gatos. Yes, Los Gatos.
If you have volunteered for Campbell's festivals this year, be it the Boogie Music Festival or the Oktoberfest, you are invited to this dinner.
RSVP: teresa@campbellchamber.net
by Oct 30th.Date: Nov 4th 5:30-8pm
Location: Nordahl Hall
580 W. Parr Avenue, Los GatosIt is like the volunteer appreciation party of Mountain View, dinner first, then raffle. Only that Campbell tends to be more generous, and makes sure that everybody leaves with something even if not winning the raffle, last year it is a bottle of wine.
They hold this every year at the same location, arriving late is fine, as long as before 7pm.
See you then.
Join TownFlame, Make Life Happen.
Liability Waiver: Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.
10 attendees
Volunteering Mixer: Decorating World Tree of Hope, Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA, San Francisco, CA, US🕊️ Cranes, Conversations & Golden Hour Walk on Nob Hill: the World Tree of Hope, at Grace Cathedral
TownFlame November Saturday Series · Sat, Nov 7, 11:45 AM–evening
(Also Nov 14, 21 & 28)You need to register with World Tree of Hope @ Grace Cathedral to attend this event:
We have a long tradition of decorating the World Tree of Hope, with Grace Cathedral, during the pre-holiday season. One year old actually :), so we are coming back again, in the format of volunteering mixer.
By our experience, volunteering together is a great way to know others, working side by side, with a shared purpose. Grace Cathedral being an iconic place on Nob Hill adds to the context.
Every Saturday this month, TownFlame is helping build San Francisco’s World Tree of Hope inside Grace Cathedral. It’s the largest origami holiday tree in the world, decorated with thousands of hand-folded cranes and stars, each carrying a wish for the world. We’re turning the shift into a mixer, then heading out for a sunset walk and dinner.
How it works
We sit at small tables of 5–6 to fold, wire and sort cranes and stars for the tree. Every 30 minutes, half of each table moves to a new one, so by the end of the afternoon you’ll have worked alongside three or four different groups. Your hands stay busy, there’s always something to talk about, and you get new faces every half hour.
No origami experience needed. Someone at your table will show you, and soon you’ll be the one teaching.Schedule
- 11:45 AM: Meet on the Grace Cathedral front steps (1100 California St)
- 12:00–3:00 PM: Folding mixer inside the cathedral
Running late? Walk in and tell them you are there for the tree decoration volunteering, and tell the onsite director that you come from meetup, and ask to sit with the meetup people. - 3:15–4:45 PM: Golden-hour walk around Nob Hill: Huntington Park, the Fairmont, the Cable Car Museum, ending at a viewpoint for sunset
- 5:00 PM: Group coffee or dinner nearby (location shared with RSVPs; pay your own way)
Come for the folding only, or stay for the whole afternoon.
Before you come- Register with Rainbow World Fund as well as RSVPing here. The cathedral needs every volunteer on their list: https://bit.ly/WorldTreeofHopeVolunteerSignUp
- Wear layers, because the cathedral is chilly inside and it gets cold on the hill after sunset.
- Coming from the South Bay? Caltrain to SF, then Muni or a cable car up to Nob Hill.
Why we do this
Each crane carries a written wish for the world. You’ll leave having helped build something thousands of people will see this December, and knowing a few more people than you did at noon.
Can’t make the 7th? We’re back on the 14th, 21st and 28th. Each Saturday is a new group of people.***
🌇 Nob Hill → Russian Hill Golden-Hour Walk (self-guided)
About 1 mile, 1.5 hours. Steep in places. Start: Grace Cathedral steps, 3:15pm.How it works: A different person reads each stop aloud. At every stop, switch walking partners so you walk the next stretch with someone you haven’t talked to yet.
Stop 1: Huntington Park (directly across Taylor St from the cathedral)
A small, formal park at the top of Nob Hill, with the tortoise fountain in the middle.
💬 Which table were you at, and who taught you the best fold?Stop 2: California & Mason (walk east along California, 1 block)
The Fairmont Hotel is on the south side. On the north side is the brownstone Pacific-Union Club, the old Flood Mansion and one of the few buildings on the hill that survived the 1906 fire. In the 1870s and 1880s, Nob Hill was where the railroad and silver-mine millionaires built their mansions.
💬 What brought you to the Bay Area?Stop 3: Cable Car Museum, Optional (walk north, downhill on Mason, to Washington St)
Free. Go up to the viewing gallery to see the big wheels that pull every cable car in the city. Arrive by 4:15, because it closes at 5.
💬 Your best or worst cable car story?Stop 4: Ina Coolbrith Park (keep walking north on Mason to Vallejo, then climb the Vallejo St steps west)
This is the steep part, so take it slowly. At the top, face east toward Coit Tower, the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. Sunset is around 5pm, so stay to watch the light change on the bay and the city lights come on.
💬 What’s one thing you want to do before the year ends?Finish: North Beach (walk back down the Vallejo steps east to Columbus Ave). Anyone heading home can leave here.
Join TownFlame, Make Life Happen.
Liability Waiver: Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.
12 attendees
Volunteering Social -- Palo Alto Foothill Nature Preserve, Grassroots Ecology
Foothills Park Nature Interpretive Center, Interpretative Center, 3300 Page Mill Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA, Palo Alto, CA, USFoothills preserve was once open only to Palo Alto residents, it opened to the general public only after a lawsuit during the Covid years. So come to appreciate this beautiful park in the hills.
"Bound by Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, Pearson - Arastradero Preserve and Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, the 1,400-acre Foothills Nature Preserve is a nature lover's paradise. Miles of trails provide access through rugged chaparral, woodlands, fields, streams, a lake, and provides spectacular views of the Bay Area. Wildlife abounds, and it is common to see deer and coyotes; if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a bobcat."
https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Community-Services/Parks-Open-Space-Golf-Division/Neighborhood-Parks/Foothills-Nature-PreserveGrassroots Ecology is hosting a Burn Pile Build event at Foothills Nature Preserve, to minimize the fire risk at Palo Alto, basically cutting dead and live shrubby vegetation and piling plant material to form burn piles.
Registration link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burn-pile-build-at-foothills-nature-preserve-registration-2003482501093?aff=ebdsoporgprofileWe will spend our time walking, kneeling, and using hand and body tools. Prepare for variable weather, including cold and heat/sun exposure.
4:30pm happens to be the golden hours. We will decide on site what to do, walk in the park, or go attend the Day of the Dead event in Redwood City, or simply a group dinner together nearby somewhere.
Again, you need to register with Grassroots Ecology to attend this event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burn-pile-build-at-foothills-nature-preserve-registration-2003482501093?aff=ebdsoporgprofileTime: Nov 8 12:30pm
Location: Foothills Park Nature Interpretive Center
3300 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304Join TownFlame, Make Life Happen.
Liability Waiver: Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.
9 attendees
Past events
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