CMS Updates

In-Person Classes Begin in early June! We are pleased to report that in-person classes are back in a few weeks. Thank you to the instructors who have stepped forward so far to offer a class (or four!). We will continue to build out the calendar over the coming days and weeks. Check our Events page for what we have on tap so far and check back regularly for expanded offerings.

Share Your Talents and Passion: We invite you to share your passion and talents with members of CMS and the larger community by becoming an instructor. You will receive 50% of all class tuition revenues. CMS handles all of the back-office work—promotion, registration, payment processing, roster generation, etc.–and provides the space and tools. To submit a class proposal (or six!), please complete this form. One does not need to be a CMS member to serve as an instructor.

Expanded Member Benefits:

• “Makin’ Community: Open Shops”: A new Member Benefit, the Open Shops are hosted by the Shop Leads of our various departments on a monthly basis. They are generally two to three hours in length during which time members can drop in, socialize with other members, and share and learn with one another. The Open Shop times are not for instruction or certification by the Shop Lead (that is done at other times). Bring a project and come enjoy the company of people who share your passion for making! We are working on scheduling Open Shops for various departments. Dates and times for those currently scheduled can be found at our Events page (note, the first two are this week!).

• FREE Small Business Advising from SBDC at the MakerSpace: Last week, Casey Trio, the regional Business Advisor for the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC), began offering FREE and confidential consulting for CMS members right at the Claremont MakerSpace. Casey’s office hours are Thursdays from 12-3. Members who are running small businesses or those thinking about turning their hobby into a business will benefit from Casey’s services. To schedule your first visit with Casey, please go here and click on “Request Advising.”

• Greater Discounts on Classes: Members will now receive more significant discounts on classes offered at CMS compared to non-members (or, as I like to say, “not-yet-members”).

• Personal Storage Lockers: We now have 60 lockers available for members to store materials, personal tools, protective equipment and other project-related resources. You can rent your 16”x16”x24” locker for $5/month (billed with your membership fees). More information here.

The Downtown Claremont Block Party to celebrate the new Pleasant Street design has been moved back to Saturday, August 13^th. Claremont MakerSpace will host an Open House during the party. More next month.

FREE Small Business Advising from SBDC at the MakerSpace: Casey Trio, the regional Business Advisor for the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will be offering FREE and confidential consulting for CMS members right at the Claremont MakerSpace. Casey’s office hours, starting on April 28^th, will be Thursdays from 12-3. Members who are running small businesses or those thinking about turning their hobby into a business will benefit from Casey’s services. Casey will offer an introduction to himself and his services on a Zoom call on Thursday April 28^th from noon-12:30. Here is the link to the Zoom. If you already know you would like to connect with Casey, please go here and click on “Request Advising.”

Share Your Talents and Passion: We invite you to share your passion and talents with members of CMS and the larger community by becoming an instructor. You will receive 50% of all class tuition revenues. CMS handles all of the back-office work—promotion, registration, payment processing, roster generation, etc.–and provides the space, tools and insurance. To submit a class proposal (or six!), please complete this form.

Share Your Time Supporting Fellow Members: We are also looking for a couple new “Member Services Deskers.” Deskers answer the phone, provide tours of CMS as requested, greet members, and tidy up the common areas. A discount off of your membership dues is offered for each set of 3-hour blocks of service. We have the following openings:

• Fridays: 6-9pm
• Saturdays: noon-3pm
• Sundays: noon-3pm

Please email [email protected] with questions or to express interest in serving in this vital role during one or more of these times.

Happy Spring!

Steve

Staffing News: In late January, CMS’s Board of Directors hired Steve Fortier to serve as the organization’s Executive Director. Steve brings to the role over 35 years of non-profit leadership experience. The long-time resident of Alstead was Executive Director of Meeting Waters YMCA–which serves dozens of VT and NH communities just to the south of CMS–for nearly two decades. Steve has served in leadership roles at other regional, national and international non-profits as well as in higher education. From Steve: “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to play a role in broadening and deepening the impacts of this valuable regional organization. On my three visits to CMS during the interview process, I was inspired by the strong sense of community among the members and the incredible volunteer involvement.” You can contact Steve at [email protected] or 603-504-3419 x 101.

First Steps: In Steve’s first month, he held a Shop Leads meeting to learn more about the vital role volunteers play in the operation of the Claremont MakerSpace. The following week, he met with Shop Leads and instructors department-by-department to begin preparing for the future.

In-Person Classes: One purpose for the shop meetings was to develop plans for bringing back our in-person classes as soon as we are able to safely bring people together in small groups. Please “like” and visit our Facebook page for announcements leading up to the re-launch of in-person classes.

In the Meantime: Keep in mind that we continue to offer one-to-one instruction and certification on CMS machines and equipment thanks to the large pool of volunteer instructors in each shop. Email Valerie, our Member Services Coordinator, at [email protected] or call her at 603-504-3419 to set up an appointment to learn, re-learn or get certified.

Upcoming Member-Only Event: CMS volunteers and members Tiffany Vincent and Sarah Goldsmith are co-hosting a member-only Pi(e) Day celebration on… well, 3.14, of course! Make a pie of any kind to share with fellow members for TAKE-OUT (we still do not allow masks down at any time). Every pie you bring enters you in a drawing for fabulous Pi prizes. Extra points if your pie is dairy-free, keto, gluten-free and/or vegan (please label appropriately). Get an additional drawing entry if you can recite the first 10 digits of pi! Please arrive with your pie(s), something to serve it with, and a take-out container at around 6:30.

Downtown Claremont Block Party and CMS Open House: Looking a little further down the road, the City of Claremont will be hosting a Block Party on July 9^th to celebrate the re-imagining of Pleasant Street. We’ve been asked to have the MakerSpace open as part of the celebration and to have a few of our Makers on Pleasant Street leading activities for party-goers. More on that next month… but get planning!