[Imc-members] Update on IMC-Architecture Faculty partners

[Chris Ritzo]

Greetings IMCers.

I'm writing to give you an update on a great burgeoning partnership and also
issue a call to action to garner your help and participation.

Back in March or April of this year, the IMC was contacted by Stewart Hicks,
one of 4-5 faculty members from the UI School of Architecture, expressing
interest in working with the IMC as a community partner. Their research is
to design and complete building projects. They had visited the space for an
event, and sought us out as a potential community partner. Several of us in
the community connections group, Beth Simpson, Meme Polk, and myself, have
kept the connection going and are seeking broader input, collaboration and
support from other IMCers.

Stewart and his colleagues have designed some great ideas for the first
floor IMC space, including plans for the front hall lobby area that include
a seating and staffing area. Steering approved moving the staffing desk to
the front vestibule space a couple months ago, and their designs are part of
that project which Meme was spearheading. We have issued a letter of support
from the IMC, offering volunteer organizing and other non-monetary support,
to a grant submission they are seeking to fund the project. As materials,
funding and support converge, we hope to move forward with construction of
IMC approved designs.

Until funding is secured, I'm reaching out to the IMC community on behalf of
the Community Connections working group to see how you might be able to
contribute to the initiative. Some ways you could contribute include
donating materials, time, construction expertise, tools, matching donated
funds, or simply your ideas. Barring grant funding, materials donations
would be helpful to finalize some of their proposed designs.

Please respond if you have materials or expertise to donate, such as:
- construction materials: nails, screws, 2x4s or other lumber, paint,
paneling, plywood, etc.
- tools: table saw, miter saw, etc. that could be borrowed on construction
days
- expertise: do you have a contractor license? extensive carpentry
experience?
- time: would you be willing to come help assemble and work at a
"barnraising" style event?

I've asked Stewart and/or one of his colleagues to present some ideas at
both the Nov. 4th Steering meeting and to be present at the Nov. 13th
General Membership meeting to share ideas. Please consider attending one or
both of these meetings to check out what's being planned, to get involved
and to add your voice to the mix.

I look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to be involved or donate to
the project.

Thanks,
Chris R.
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