Orientation

• What to Expect at Orientation

What to Expect at Orientation

New Member Orientation is your first step into the community. It is required for all new members before you use the shop or take part in community activities. It is led by a member volunteer.

Signing up

Orientation sessions are listed as events on waukeshamakers.com. To register you need the registration code from the confirmation email you received after applying for membership. If you cannot find it, reach out to a board member or contact us through the website.

If none of the listed dates work for you, check back; new sessions are added.

How long it takes

Plan on 60 to 90 minutes.

What to bring

• A government-issued photo ID.
• Your completed liability waiver, or plan to fill it out on site. The form is the WMI Participant Release Form.
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You may walk through active shop areas.
• Any questions you have.

What is covered

1. Welcome and introductions. Who we are, our mission, and a little history.
2. Facility tour and safety essentials. The conference room, the labs and shops, restroom and storage; where the emergency exits, fire extinguishers and first aid kit are; what to do in an emergency; how tool training works; and how to report accidents or near misses.
3. Space operations and conduct. Building security, prohibited activities, cleanup, storage and labeling, guests, commercial use and donations. These are written up in Expectations and Responsibilities and the Shop Rules book.
4. Membership and access. How your access works, how to pay dues and manage your profile, and how to connect with other members.
5. Questions and wrap-up.

Before you leave

• Make sure your liability waiver is signed.
• Get your access set up: your app access activated, or your key fob tested, depending on your membership.
• Get connected on Discord, the Members Directory and this Knowledge Base.

If you are using app access, watch for your activation email after orientation. You have a limited window (currently 5 days) to activate your account, so do not miss it.

After orientation

Orientation does not check you off on any tools. Before you use a tool, you need to be trained on it. If there is time at the end, ask whether a member familiar with an area can sign you off. See How Certification Works for the full process.