Hello everyone! I hope you’re all healthy and safe. Here’s an update on how things are going for Twin Cities Maker, and what the board is doing at this time to keep our organization going.
Shop remains closed past Monday 4/13…
Unfortunately, given the governor’s extension of the stay-at-home order, the shop will remain closed for the time being.
…But we’re looking at options for reopening
The board will be discussing our options for reopening at our next meeting on Tuesday 4/14. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has said that we qualify as an essential business, since many members use our facilities to maintain and improve their homes. There are conditions on that however — limited hours, number of people in the shop, etc. — so we’ll be discussing what we need to do to meet those conditions with an all-volunteer staff. This board meeting will be held online so that we don’t spread our nasty germs around. If you’d like to join the meeting, watch this space for connection info on Tuesday evening. The meeting starts at 7pm, we should have the link up by 6:30pm.
Yes, we are 3D printing PPE
Our 3D Lab staff have been coordinating the printing of PPE for area hospitals. If you have your own 3D printer, you can help out by contacting 3dlab@tcmaker.org. More information can be found in the last 3D Lab newsletter. Please contact the 3D Lab staff before you print anything, so you can be sure you’re getting the latest version of the print files.
Wednesday nights are now online
Our Wednesday night open house/social meetup has moved online! It’s a nice way to catch up with people, talk about whatever comes to mind, and socialize through a rather anti-social time. The meeting goes up around 6:30pm-ish, and runs until whenever. Stop in and say hi! The link for the meeting is on the calendar.
New promo video
In all of the disorder surrounding our new viral friend we forgot to post about this: We’ve got a new cool promo video up on YouTube! Pass it along to all those people who wonder what this weird “makerspace” thing is that you keep talking about. The video is super professional — a big big thank you to everyone who helped make it possible!
Thank you for your continued support
I want to thank everyone who’s kept their memberships running through our little COVID-cation these past couple of weeks. TCMaker is in good financial shape, and your continued memberships mean that we’ll be able to get back up and running quickly once we’re all through this.
I also know a lot of you are facing some financial stresses, and have had to let your membership go. Rest assured that TCMaker will still be around when you’re back in a better place, and we’d love to see you back in the shop again.
When we all get through this, and rest assured we will all get through this, we’ll meet up, raise a glass, and compare our battle scars. Stay safe, stay healthy, get excited, and make things!
Scott Hill
Vice President, Twin Cities Maker
