Hello Makers,
We want to address some concerns we’ve heard regarding shop conditions at Asmbly, especially as we navigate this transition with our staffing changes.
We hear you, and we’re working hard to make sure this transition is as smooth and quick as possible. I’m happy to share that after reviewing a strong pool of candidates for the Facilities Coordinator position, we’ve hired someone with deep woodshop expertise who will start on 9/25. We’ll share a formal introduction next week, so stay tuned! I’m also actively reaching out to potential candidates for the Woodshop Area Lead role, with the goal of bringing on two new leads soon, as Bill and Charlie have moved on from their positions.
During this time, we’re especially grateful to our many members who go above and beyond for Asmbly — from our Shop Area Leads and stewards to the members who give more than the extra five minutes we ask of everyone. We understand it can sometimes feel like a thankless job, but please know that the entire community appreciates your efforts. Every contribution helps make Asmbly what it is! If you see someone lending a hand around the shop, consider helping out or even just taking a moment to acknowledge their hard work with a thank you.
James Freeman, our CNC Shop Area Lead and at-large board member, will be spending the day at Asmbly tomorrow (Saturday, 9/14/24) starting around 8 AM (traffic and baby permitting!). He’ll begin with CNC maintenance and stay through the day working on various projects. You’re welcome to join him in any capacity, whether it’s pitching in or just having a conversation — and if you’ve met James, you know he never turns down a good chat!
This weekend and throughout next week, I’ll also be at the shop working on various projects. If you want to stop by to help or just talk, I’d love to see you. I’ll likely be in around 11 AM to 4 PM most days, though feel free to message me if you want to be sure to meet up.
Thank you all for your ongoing support and patience. As always, we’re excited to see Asmbly continue to grow and thrive as a resource for the community. If you have any thoughts or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly (valerie@asmbly.org) or to the board (board@asmbly.org), and we’ll do our best to respond promptly.
With gratitude,
Valerie Wilmot
Executive Director