Welcome to September! This email has more volunteer sign up forms than any email ever, so if you’re a new member wondering how you can get to know people at MakeICT, pick a thing! Maybe you joined MakeICT to make your own stuff – I know I did. But I quickly learned that I am smarter and a better maker if I’m friends with makers. You know what I mean – those people who just SENSE when you’re confused about a tool in the woodshop or your Inkscape design isn’t matching your vision at all? I got to know those people through attending events and volunteering. Well now that I’ve started off about my personal abstract about journeys, let me get to our highlights. – Kim
Remember the annual meeting was so fun, we voted something along the lines of “we should do this more often!” Well that quarterly time has occurred. Join us for our first member meeting. We’re making it a potluck chili cookoff! Bring a crock pot of chili, a topping or side that goes along with chili, or a prize for the winners. Apparently some people have asked to be total anarchists and bring soup. Fine with us!
One very important thing we’ll be doing at this meeting is talking about Spaces. What if you could create your dream makerspace? Would it be in a different building, or can we keep making this building into our dream? It’s a topic that comes up and we’re forming a building committee to focus our 5 and 10 year plans. Your input will put them off to a great start.
Sign up to bring a food here: http://bit.ly/makeict128
Join the building & facility committee here: http://bit.ly/makeict11
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/160439797841335/
We’re planning something big for October’s Final Friday: A MakeICT art auction. Join the artists, craftsmen and builders of MakeICT at the Gallery for a night to remember on Final Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6-10 p.m. On display will be a collection of art that combines the skill and creativity of the vibrant local maker community. The pieces in this collection are an intersection of art, technology, science, and culture that the members of MakeICT have donated to a silent action. Funds raised will be used to purchase equipment to enhance & modernize our local community makerspace.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/148841592371360/
Sign up to help: https://goo.gl/forms/fthbeaORM23nbu2K2
Sign up to donate your art: https://goo.gl/forms/9rpLrMXrbvxDVlor1
There’s a lot going on in Wichita and MakeICT wants to be present for all of it! Can you help by representing us at a table? Events coming up are:
Open Streets – Spend time at the makerspace giving tours while the entire city walks down Douglas. Sunday September 24th 12-4PM.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/159392824626093/
Sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/yMQrU5bfNWBUXSD53
North End Urban Arts Festival – Help kids make rockets at our table on Saturday September 30th 3-10PM.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1902071053410033/
Sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/6lvEPsbzHo3tFRt62
Delano Fall Fair – Demonstrate woodwoorking or 3D printing at our booth on October 6-8
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/123200994992896/
Sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/qRAg1ZekftXEmrxk2
Bartlet Ecofest – Help out at our booth or with our bike generators that power this concert. Sunday October 29 12pm-5pm
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1880533508856971/
Sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/6VaBJ9i10LNc7Orz2
Alternative Gifts Market – We’re showing off our holiday ornament-making skills and raising money for Egyptian recyclers on Saturday November 11 10AM-4PM. Help make ornaments to get ready.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1368549073179019/
Information about our cause, and sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/44t0khke4h78lEbs2
There are lots of events going on at MakeICT. Are you certified on our plasma cutter yet? Read about it on our blog: http://makeict.org/2017/08/24/new-cnc-plasma-cutter/
Our summer eclipse road trip was a huge success! Check out James’ photos and lessons we learned.
We decided not to have scheduled open hours on every Monday and Thursday anymore. The biggest reason for this was that there is so much going on, members without keys have plenty of opportunities to get involved. Classes, workshops, game night, Toastmakers, committee meetings, ceramics night, textile tribe, and as always Maker Monday – my number one piece of advice for new members is to stalk the calendar and dive in.
October will be huge – we love Halloween! As always our annual Halloween maker challenge will be judged on the last Monday in October. If you make something spooky, take photos along the way so you have a log of your process to submit. You have plenty of time so get your ideas going now.
Do you have questions, comments, or feedback? As always send us an email (info at makeict dot org) or fill out our ongoing survey (bit.ly/makeict55) – we’re all in this together, so you hold the key to improving MakeICT. Thank you!