Post Pandemic & Our New Normal

For the most part, as John Dubelko says in his letter to members (you can find it below), we are mostly going back to the way things were.

During the pandemic, we as an organization learned new and effective ways of keeping in touch, teaching classes, having meetings and more. Moving forward we would like to continue using some of these technologies to make learning and getting involved even easier here at the Makersmiths.

This doesn't mean there will be less in person classes than before, it just means more options all around! 

We still plan on having bi-weekly laser cutter classes, weekly Tech Nights, Cosplay meet ups, Open Houses & Tours at both of our locations, Craft Nights, Game Nights, Blacksmithing Classes, Woodshop Hours and so much more. Yet, we may also have all of our committee meetings virtually, or maybe a workshop here and there. The sky is the limit.

We have all spent the last year thinking up new and interesting classes/workshop/events/etc. and are antsy to get them all planned. It will take a little time for us to get used to our "new normal", leave our comfy couches and retire our favorite pair of sweatpants. So please be patient with us, we promise it will be worth it.


What We Were Up To During the Pandemic

  • We as an organization took part in helping make 3D Printed, Laser Cut and Sewn PPE for the first half of the pandemic. It was an all hands on deck situation and we were able to get 1000's of pieces out there for those that needed it. You can read more about it on our Covid Updates page.
  • We officially hit 200 members during quarantine! How amazing is that? We have grown even more since then and hope to see that number grow faster and faster each month.
  • The Purcellville location added a Power Hammer to our already popular Blacksmithing area, as well as a new 3D printer in their main room and a Clay Pugger in the Ceramics area. 
  • The Leesburg location added a new UV Resin 3D Printer, a Flat Bed UV printer and finished putting together their Wood Turning and Electronics Rooms.
  • We held TWO Board of Directors Elections, all virtually. As well as monthly member meetings through Google Meets.
  • One of our younger members made a bunch of desks for those in need and was talked about on Ellen!
  • Our Kid Wind Teams won numerous national recognitions for their wind turbines again this year! You can read more about it here.
  • We featured numerous female members during Woman's Month in March. You can read all of their fun stories here.
  • A new sign was constructed and installed at our Purcellville Location. Now we are even easier to find!
  • We started a YouTube Channel and made Virtual Tours so members could safely see our spaces from the comfort of their homes (or wherever they were), as well as a handful of tutorials and "watch me make this" videos.
  • We started hosting our New Member Orientations virtually, and love the format so much that we may just continue.





A Letter From Our Organization's President

This went out at the end of May after the Governor lifted the mask mandate

Good Afternoon,

Based on the new CDC guidance and Governor's updated executive order 79, we are making the following changes to our COVID policies that will be effective May 28, 2021:

  1. Masks will not be required for those fully vaccinated inside the facilities. Fully vaccinated means that an individual has received their required number of inoculations, and two weeks has past since the last one. Makersmiths will not be collecting any vaccine information or requiring anyone to show their vaccination cards.
  2. It is highly recommended that those not fully vaccinated wear a mask around others and follow the recommended CDC guidelines.
  3. There will no longer be any room capacity limits or social distancing requirements.
  4. All other restrictions will no longer be in effect, such as not using the space for telework or social gathering.

Those Associate Members that participated in the door access program will continue to have it until July 1. If you wish to continue to have 24 hr access after this date, you will need to upgrade to Full Membership. The board has passed a motion that all current Associate Members are pre-approved to upgrade to Full Membership during June if they wish. The only requirement is to have taken new member orientation, which all those with 24 hr access have had. Please contact the Membership Chair, Scott Newman (scott.newman@makersmiths.org), if you wish to upgrade. We plan to return to a schedule of open houses and other events that will allow Associate Members greater access to the space.

I know all of these changes seem to be happening at a fast pace. I would encourage each member to be mindful of everyone's comfort level as we come into this new normal. If you see someone with a mask on, you might offer to wear yours also. In places like the woodshops, masks are a great idea because of all the dust. One thing we seem to make in abundance is dust. Remember, we are a community of makers and should be helping everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Just like when we all started to wear masks seemed very strange, not wearing them will also. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to reach out to me on Slack or john.dubelko@makersmiths.org.

John Dubelko

President

Makersmiths Inc





Come see us


Makersmiths Leesburg: 106 Royal St SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
Makersmiths Purcellville: 785 S. 20th St, Purcellville, VA 20132
 


You can also watch Virtual Tours on our YouTube Channel!                                 

Join us


Normally the best way to get to know us better is to just come on by during one of our Open Houses:

  • Leesburg Open House: Thursdays 6-8pm
  • Purcellville Open House: Tuesdays 6-8pm

You can email info@makersmiths.org to request a tour if those days don't work for you. We're here to help get you making the best way we can!  

                                               

Makersmiths is a 501(c) non-profit organization.  106 Royal St SW, Leesburg, VA 20175

Makersmiths Anti-Discrimination Policy: Makersmiths does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

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