Getting Started With Your Membership

You’ve purchased a membership- now what? It’s time to begin the orientation process! Follow the steps below to get started with using your membership. 

Welcome to Tech Valley Center of Gravity. We’re happy to have you as a member and want to help you get the most out of your membership. Before getting a fob and using the equipment, you will need to complete these tasks.

  1. View the New Member Orientation video.
    • ALL members MUST watch the video, for liability reasons. It covers general info about the CoG and safety rules everyone must be aware of (even if you’re not using tools, you’ll want to know what to do in case someone else gets hurt). 
  2. Complete the Orientation Quiz  
    • A score of 100% is required.
  3. Update Member Profile to Receive an Access Key Fob
    • Double check all your personal information is correct. Update your member profile with a headshot photo. This helps staff identify members easier (think passport photo).
    • You must be logged into the website to access the Member Profile page. If you didn’t create a website account during the signup process, create one here.
  4. Look out for an email with the subject “Your TVCOG Access Fob is Now Available”
    • Fobs are assigned by our part-time staff, so it may take up to two business days for your fob to be ready. Access fobs are not assigned on the weekend.
  5. Attend Zone Safety Orientations
    • Review the schedule and sign up on our website. You’ll need to sign up for and attend a safety orientation for each Work Zone you intend to use. The Kitchen and any green tool can be used without attending a safety orientation. Regardless of your experience level, these sessions are required for us to ensure you are aware of procedures important for your safety and to avoid damage to the equipment. These classes are scheduled on a regular, rotating basis. Pre-registration required.
    • If you are not able to attend the scheduled orientation, or you need to expedite getting access to a work zone for a time sensitive project, you may be able arrange a one-on-one expedited training session for a fee of $20. Please email info@tvcog.net to schedule these sessions.

Additional Membership Information:

Review the Membership Handbook
The Membership Handbook covers all of our day-to-day policies.

Join Our Facebook Group
If you are a Facebook user, we highly recommend joining the TVCOG Facebook group. We frequently post last minute news and equipment updates there, as well as event reminders and class announcements. It’s also an idea repository and a place where you can reach out to fellow creative minds for ideas and input, as well as to share your own.

Purchase Storage
If you would like to store items at the CoG while you work on projects, we have some storage options available. 

Join Us at Social Night
We hope you’ll join us whenever possible for Social Night on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:30 pm. These Social Nights are great opportunities to meet other members and speed the process of becoming part of the creative community at Tech Valley Center of Gravity. Social Night is also open to the public, so feel free to bring a friend, and snacks to share! 

Events, Classes & Zone Help
We offer a number of events, classes, community meetups, workshops and more. You can find them on the events calendar here.

TVCOG also offers additional educational opportunities exclusively for TVCOG members, which includes the volunteer-led Zone Office Hours (see calendar) and the Maker Consultants Program.

Bring a Guest
Guests must sign in at the front desk and are not permitted to use any TVCOG equipment. TVCOG members take responsibility for their guests.

Reserve a Room/Equipment

Room reservations are first-come, first-served. Visit this page here for more information or to submit a request. 

Equipment reservations are not required for any equipment in the general Makerspace, but are recommended for popular equipment during very busy times. Makers and Super Makers looking to use  Prototyping Center Equipment should make reservations. 

Other Questions

Have other questions regarding parking, storage, supplies & consumables, volunteering etc? Please review the orientation video above. If your question is not answered, contact us via email at info@tvcog.net