Title: How It Works Author: mfucilli Published: September 16, 2024 Last modified: May 4, 2026 --- # How It Works [Become a Member!](https://www.tvcog.net/civi/new-member-signup/) A **makerspace** is a shared workshop. Some focus on a specific discipline, but we cover [just about everything](https://tvcog.net/facility/equipment/). A **maker community** is a group of people – problem solvers, creatives, dreamers– who share a passion for hands-on creation, experimentation, and innovation, often using technology to build and modify things. Beyond that, they want to lift up other makers so they too can bring their projects to life. That’s us. **Membership provides access to all of the resources TVCOG has to offer** – our building, equipment, and community. For a monthly or annual fee, you are able to join our community and start making! **Anyone can join.** Different levels are tailored to the needs of [individuals](https://www.tvcog.net/membership/for-individuals/), [startups](https://www.tvcog.net/membership/for-startups/), and [established businesses](https://www.tvcog.net/membership/for-businesses/). Most members have **voting rights,** and have a say in how we conduct business through our annual election of directors and officers, as well as on proposals to modify our bylaws. Our** events & programs **aim to empower everyone with the ability to use fabrication equipment. However, we place specific emphasis on **STEAM education **and **hardware startup incubation**. **You do not need to be a member to utilize these offerings!** ![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/question-mark-bold-1.svg) ## Is the COG right for you? * Sign up for a tour, open house, class, or Zone Orientation to get a feel for the community. * Read through all of our Membership Levels to see what best fits your needs. - Do you only want to use the space once in a while? **Associate Membership** is $10/month, which allows the purchase of $25 Day Passes as needed. - Only need limited access? **Nights & Weekends Maker **allows you to use the space on nights and weekends, and **Weekday Maker** allows access during the weekdays. - Want to be able to work at any time? **Super Maker** membership gives you 24/7 access to the building. - Are you a startup or established business? **Professional Maker** allows for custom membership terms for businesses, and **Incubated Maker **includes additional resources useful for tech startups. * Membership provides access to our equipment- see if we have what you’re looking for in our [equipment database here](https://www.tvcog.net/facility/equipment/). * Is the cost of membership prohibitive? Check out the [Community Access Fund](https://www.tvcog.net/programs-events/community-access-fund/). If you qualify, the Pay-What-You-Can Program can offset the membership cost. --- ![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/form-fill-checks.svg) ## Understand Our Policies * The Bylaws are the legal outline of how we exist and operate as an organization( on a day-to-day basis, there’s not much you need to be intimately familiar with here. But you should know they exist). * Our Membership Handbook is the go-to source for all of our rules governing how members interact with the space. - It has some of the overarching safety rules, but each zone and piece of equipment will have it’s own specialized rules. These are covered in the Zone Orientations. --- ![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/button-select.svg) ## Sign Up! We’ll ask for typical personal information, billing information and a headshot. * Select the membership level that best suits your needs and sign up for a membership right online! * The Headshot is to help staff and volunteers get to know new members. Emergency contact information is required for all members. * TVCOG reserves the right to request a background check for all new members. Having a criminal history doesn’t disqualify someone from membership. However, since we frequently host school children, we reserve the right to deny membership to anyone convicted of a violent or sexual offense. [Join Now](https://www.tvcog.net/civi/new-member-signup/) --- ![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/graduation-cap.svg) ## Complete the Online Orientation Our orientation video will cover general safety protocols, how to get your access fob, and what is required to use our Maker Zones. It is quick and easy, and ensures that you have everything you need for a basic understanding of how we work. It’s followed by a short knowledge quiz. Once your Orientation Quiz is submitted, COG Staff gets a notification. We’ll assign you an access fob within 2 business days, and notify you by email when it’s ready to be picked up. --- ![](https://www.tvcog.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/fob.svg) ## Pick Up Your Fob The fob is how you get into our building. Our doors are always locked. Members swipe their fob at the door in order to open it. Your fob will only work during the hours your membership gives you access during. * Nights & Weekends Maker: Mon-Fri 5:30-10pm, Weekends 10am-10pm * Weekday Maker: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm * Super Maker: 24/7 * Incubated Startup: 24/7 * Professional Maker: 24/7 * Associate Day Pass: The full 24-hours of the requested day --- ## What Else? ### Get to know our staff and volunteers COG employs four staff members to handle management and administration. We highly encourage new members to introduce themselves and learn each staff member’s role in maintaining the space. Outside of these four employees, our makerspace is kept running by the dedication of member volunteers. These individuals are a great resource, and getting to know them helps you start to connect with our community. If you are interested in volunteering, find an opportunity that interests you here. ### Follow us on social media We’re most active on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We highly encourage our members to follow us, and share the projects they are working on. We also share updates and announcements on our pages. If you want to keep up-to-date on all things COG, this is the best way. It also provides you with an easy way to interact with other members! ### Join us at social night We hope you’ll join us whenever possible for our Social Night on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:30 pm. These Social Nights are great opportunities to get to know your fellow makers here at COG. Feel free to bring a friend! ### Need storage? If you would like to store items at the CoG while you work on projects, we have some storage options available. Our full range of options can be found [here](https://www.tvcog.net/facility/storage/). Our [Innovation Studios](https://www.tvcog.net/facility/dedicated-workspace/) are for businesses that need a dedicated work area. Contact info@tvcog.net or 518-244-3544 for more information or to request a space. ### Bring a Guest Members are welcome to bring a guest to the space! Just sign them in at the front desk when you first arrive. Guests are not allowed to use any of the equipment, and must follow all TVCOG policies listed in the member handbook.