Dear Woodworker,
Several weeks ago you responded to our survey of interest in a new community workshop. You told us that you had some interest in one or more of the membership levels that were being considered. Thank you for helping us with the survey. Now we want to bring you up-to-date on our efforts.
The organizing committee has been meeting online for over three months. In addition to collecting the thoughts of woodworkers like you there have been additional accomplishments this summer.
- Completed filing to become a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit corporation, registered under the name “Champaign Woodworkers Club”.
- Negotiated a lease for 14,000 SF at 1302 Parkland Ct. in Champaign, the former location of the School or Woodworking.
- Selected equipment, tools, and supplies from the Dreamshop and the the CU School of Woodworking to be used by the new club. Committed many hours of sweat equity to organized the space at 1302 Parkland Ct to be a really nice woodworking shop and clubhouse including special areas for finishing, turning, tool storage, milling larger lumber, a break room for members, a library and office, lumber storage, and project storage.
- Created a simple website for the new organization at https://champaignwoodworkers.club.
We intend for the website to be a source of information about the status of the organization. It is being maintained by volunteers so it will be as up-to-date as their time allows. We expect to begin to offer two levels of membership by late fall. Those would be similar to the Standard and Premium memberships described in the survey.
During the coming weeks we will be contacting persons that expressed interest in these membership levels. We will do this individually by email, with the intention of talking with you by phone, at your convenience. If you prefer not to wait for us to contact you about the club you can email all of the club organizers at champaignwoodworkersclub@gmail.com
We expect to have a “yard sale” some time this fall when we will sell excess equipment, tools, and supplies. We also expect to have an open house when woodworkers like yourself can come by and see what we are putting together. Of course the date for these events will depend on our continued progress in setting up the workshop, continued success within our community in containing COVID – 19, and the weather.
All the best,
Joe DiPietroPresident,
CU Woodworking Club
Champaign Woodworkers Club 