2018 Annual Meeting Results
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual meeting, we had a great turnout.
Minutes for the annual meeting are here on our wiki.
The election results were announced in our forum:
Q1: Vote to change the board of directors term duration as set by the bylaws.
- Result: Bylaws will not be changed
Q2: Vote to remove Members Rights section of the Standing Rules
- Result: Vote passes to remove Members Rights section
Q3: Vote to amend the guest policy to clarify the use of the space for tutoring.
- Result: Vote passes to add ‘only exception to this is tutoring’ to guest rules.
Board Members:
- President: Kim Burton
- Vice President: LaDeana Dockery
- Treasurer: David Springs
- Secretary: Kez Cook
- Members At large:
- Jeremiah Burian
- Paul Masseberg
- Malissa Long
- James Lancaster
Notes for next year
Our election process hasn’t changed much since we were an organization of 20 members, and this year was a good opportunity to reflect on ways we can improve.
First, the election ballot has always been assembled by current secretary with assistance when needed from other board of directors members. We’d like to ensure next year that the ballot can be assembled by people who are not running for board of directors positions, to ensure impartiality.
Second, we used ranked preference voting for the second year in a row. Last year we announced and discussed which voting system to use, but this year raised new questions about exactly how to score the ranked preference votes and why we don’t use a one person one vote system similar to our US election system. To address these questions we’ll be holding an election town hall meeting on Monday, July 16 at 7pm in the showroom area. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
With respect to the annual meeting itself, we have a thread about logistics where we’d love to hear suggestions for how to improve this important event.
Featured Maker: Dominic Canare
Dominic originates from Derby, Kansas. He is a collector of degrees and is currently working on finishing a PhD in Human Factors Psychology and Human Computer Interaction from Wichita State University. Except for planning his upcoming nuptials, obtaining his PhD is his most current passion.
Some of Dominic’s current projects include research in brain plasticity, perceptual and motor learning, and helping develop a high-fidelity driving simulator to investigate trust in automation and aging effects on driving. Driving most of his projects is the motivation to improve the human experience.
Dominic wants to specifically encourage people to volunteer for MakeICT Outreach events. He proclaims that it is actually easier and way more fun that it seems like it could be. But above all of the good stuff that happens at Makerspace i.e. collaborating and socializing, the best times for him involve working on his projects in his “zen-place” which consists of just being surrounded by equally productive individuals.
Outside of school, work, and volunteerism, Dominic has also dabbled in some professional modeling, he claims to have been a model for a balloon company, and has submitted a photo as proof. He is also a protector and provider of two domesticated cats, and promised to be wed to one domesticated woman.
Thank you Jenni Alonso for contributing this post.
June MakeICT News
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May Newsletter
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Featured Maker: Allan Bacon
Featured maker Allan Bacon in our woodshop at MakeICT
One of the most wonderful things about MakeICT is the wide array of experience levels in our makerspace. We have brand new makers who’ve gone from knowing nothing to making art with a plasma cutter in six months. We have highly experienced makers who’ve been creating great things since before MakeICT was around. Allan Bacon is an experienced woodworker whose tables caught our eye, so I sat down to talk with him about how he got started and where he finds inspiration.
Coco Bolo Wood Tonfa
Allan has been woodworking for 22 years. He originally started in to make martial arts weapons when he wasn’t satisfied with what was commercially available, and diversified over time into different wooden styles. A few years ago he saw a live edge table and admired the juxtaposition with the natural edge and the glossy, smooth top. He had just retired from the aircraft industry and had time for bigger projects.
Ladybug Table
Inspired by pacific northwest artists like Greg Klassen and George Nakashima, live edge tables retain the outer bark of a slab of wood. Some have natural holes to fill in, other tables are made by splitting the slab in half lengthwise so the bark edges are turned to face each other. Allan has used different techniques to fill in the center: resin fill, acrylic or glass tops, LED lights, even phosphorous powder mixed in to casting to glow in the dark.
Ladybug Cabinet
1890s Cast Iron Sewing Table Base
Allan gets his supplies from Richard’s Wood Shop in Kechi, Cook’s Woods online, Intermountain wood, and friends around the Wichita area. For one table he used an antique singer sewing base. There was a lot to learn in taking the treadle table apart, cleaning it, and re-assembling the cast iron parts to work together just as they had since the 1890s.
Like many of our members, Allan has his own shop at home but he joined MakeICT in its first few years because we had some tools he did not have, like a 15″ planer and CNC shopbot router.
He says he recommends it to people all the time and has talked with plenty of woodworkers in other cities who are jealous of what we offer for $25 a month. “For someone who would like to get started in wood, the MakeICT project classes are a great intro to the world of woodworking. The projects use several of the machines in the shop and the instructor is right there to help along the way,” he says, “Plus you will meet other people with similar interests, so it’s a good networking opportunity. The people there are usually more than willing to answer questions and are glad to show you their projects.”
Illuminated Inlay Table
“For me, MakeICT offers access to machinery that I couldn’t begin to afford. And with a fob/card you have 24/7 access. You don’t have to schedule around “Open” hours. Plus there are machines that I’ve thought would be interesting to learn, but had nowhere to do so. How does the average person get access to a laser cutter, much less learn how to use it? Or a CNC plasma table? Or a 4’ by 8’ ShopBot? Only at MakeICT.”
Makerspace Safety Month
I’d like to thank everyone who participated in our safety month activities, either in the forums or at our quarterly member meeting on March 24. The rule to “Make Safely” is a huge one at MakeICT and we had a lot of great discussion about what we can do to keep improving.
With our Safety Month drawing to a close, here is this list of 10 things I’d like all of you members to know about.
Extension cords – We’re going to be installing more outlets to reduce our dependance on extension cords. Extension cords are for temporary use only, not a permanent way to power frequently used equipment. If you’d like to help out or learn to install outlets, contact info@makeict.org
Fire extinguishers – We’ve had all our fire extinguishers inspected and serviced as required. This is an annual task that we’d let go a bit but now we are all up to date. Make sure you know the location of all fire extinguishers. Walk around the space and look for them near light switches.
Signage – We’re going to be adding more signs all around the space for emergency exits and escape routes.
Hazardous fumes – Many area access policies are in review right now, so we’re going to add policies that forbids the use of spray paints and finishes. If you’re using a chemical with noticeable fumes please move outside.
Children – Kids have always been welcome at our makerspace as long as they’re directly supervised by an adult member. The ages for areas have all been different so we are going to level-set our age limits in the policies to help members keep track. Here’s what we’re working towards: kids under 12 can only enter an area with tools if the area lead has granted special permission. Kids 12-16 can use equipment they’re authorized for if supervised by a parent who is an authorized member. Any member over 16 can apply for their own key.
Trip hazards – need to be removed from hallways and aisles. If you’re not sure where to move something, ask a lead.
First aid kits – Make sure you know the location of first aid kits, and notify safety@makeict.org if you use anything out of a kit.
Pest control – Don’t throw away food trash in a trash can without a lid. We’ve had issues with mice in the past and they can lead to serious health issues. Throw away food trash in the outside dumpster or black lidded trash can in the break area.
Muscle Strains – Don’t try to lift heavy objects by yourself. Get a dolly or ask another member to help lift things that are too heavy.
Education – Don’t use tools you’re not comfortable with. If you’re new or it’s been a while since you used a tool or area, feel free to check the calendar and re-take the safety class. Many instructors will let former students sit in for free if they’ve already taken the class and just need a refresher.
Safety is every member’s responsibility. When I tell people about MakeICT, I always try to make sure they know that we’re a collaborative shared makerspace, so anyone can come up to anyone if they see a better, safer way to work. Don’t be afraid to bring someone a pair of safety glasses if you’re worried they might forget. Don’t be afraid to ask an unattended guest of any age who’s supposed to be supervising them. You don’t have to be the president to make our space safer. If you feel like a fellow member is ignoring you, that’s when you can pull in a leader.
If you have concerns or want to bring up another issue, please contact our safety lead Mike Barushok either at the space or via email to safety@makeict.org.
March Maker News
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February 2018 Newsletter
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Featured Maker: Malissa Long
Our February featured maker is Malissa Long: Fiber artist, fashion designer, sewn product developer, pattern maker, technical designer, and finally MakeICT board member and textiles area lead. She has taught classes in sewing, dying, printing and lots of other forms of art. Malissa moved to Wichita from Austin in July 2015.
“I moved to Austin shortly after the new airport opened and the Greater Austin Area had 500,000 people. I moved to Wichita shortly after the new airport opened and the Wichita Metropolitan Area had 500,000. Wichita reminds me a lot of those early days in Austin. If great things could happen there I can’t wait for what’s in store here.”
Malissa is seen at MakeICT a lot but one great time to catch her is at Textile Tribe on the second Sunday of each month in the afternoon. Textile Tribe is a casual come-and-go event where anyone can bring in Unfinished Fiber Objects (UFOs) to work and collaborate on.
Malissa in our Textiles Studio
Boro – Malissa Long
“I love MakeICT for the community it creates, the knowledge that is shared, the creativity it invites. The fact I know nothing about electronics, yet my son is obsessed at the moment and we can take classes and learn together. That he can come in and ask what a flame diode is and some one will take the time to explain it to him in terms that a 9-year-old can understand.”
Malissa brings a great depth of knowledge in the world of fiber arts and is always trying something new. “I discovered Boro recently, it basically simple running stitches used to mend or repair thin spots in fabric by adding a patch. I’m actually using the stitches to surface embellish a dress I’m making out of old jeans.” She’s being sewing since childhood, with two sewing machines by the age of nine and a family of makers who sewed her clothes.
Her class called “Know Your Sewing Machine” invites curious beginners to bring in their own machines to gain the technical background to run their machines properly. “Driving a sewing machine is like being in stop and go traffic,” she says, “it’s not an open highway where you maintain speed. You Pump the foot pedal, let the machine pull the fabric, and use your hands to lightly guide the fabric.” I know it a lot to remember even I forget sometimes.
Keep up with Malissa and view more of her creations at mlwear.com or on instagram @mlssfshn.
MakeICT Classes in 2017
One of the best things about MakeICT is our classes, and in 2017 we taught a LOT of them! Here are some numbers that we are truly proud of…
We taught 93 different types of classes last year! Some of our classes were basic tool instruction and some were project based. We made stepstools, aprons, wood lathe bowls, wichita flag shirts, drawer organizers, scarves, and whatever else came to our minds.
Our total enrollment for all classes: 1,682
We taught most of our classes several times, for a total of 261 sessions. That’s about five classes a week.
We learned from 32 different instructors during 2017. The most active instructor was our metalshop lead Jeremiah Burian who taught 64 times. Not all of our instructors are that active of course – most taught less than once a week and 15 people taught only 1-3 times. Instructing at MakeICT is a great activity to try out, whether you want to teach once a week or once a quarter we’d love to host your class! Instructors set their own fees and take home 75% of the revenue. To contact us about teaching, fill out our teach a class form. You don’t have to be a world-renowned expert, you just have to have some knowledge you’re willing to share with the world.
633 different people took our classes. 57% were members of MakeICT – so we taught a lot of classes to non-members and guests just visiting. Nearly all of our classes are open to the public with discounts for members. We welcome anyone. About half of the people who enrolled took just one class with us. 22 people took ten or more classes.
Our most popular classes:
– Woodshop safety: 222 students
– Metalshop safety: 193
– Laser cutting basics: 116
– CNC plasma cutter: 67
– CNC/Shopbot Using Easel: 66
– MIG Welding: 66
– Tig Welding: 52
– Screen printing: 51
– Build a Step Stool: 37
– Introduction to 3D printing: 33
Our most expensive class was $60. Free enrollment available to members was used 546 times. Considering both members and non-members, the average person attending a MakeICT class paid $12.34. As a non-profit community organization here for Wichita, we are incredibly proud of our low cost class structure that increases access to the world of making.
Thank you Wichita for taking MakeICT classes to improve your skills and explore new ways to make! If there’s a class you’d like to take, visit our calendar to enroll. If you don’t see the class you want or it doesn’t fit your schedule, fill out our request a class form and we’ll send it on to instructors planning future sessions.