Why would you bring a sewing machine to a co-working place? That’s a fair question. Why I brought mine in is because a surprising number of people expressed interest in sewing/learning how to sew, and my machine was more or less collecting dust at home. I also believe in the value of skill sharing and I love the idea that someone could (if they wanted to) be sewing while on a conference call, or might stay after work to work on a personal project/learn a new skill. I taught a mini workshop a few weeks ago for members who were curious about and wanted to learn how to use the new sewing machine. My hope is that people will use it and have fun in the process.
Co-working for me has always meant working alongside people. It’s the opposite of networking. I get to know how people are, and they get to know me, by working alongside. And then we go to lunch. Or happy hour. Or somehow a conversation starts. And people, by socializing here, often feel inspired, and often become friends.
Recently a member, Ben, who’s visiting from Dropbox to study how we work here, was asking me about collaboration. I’ve always said I value cooperation more than collaboration, and what is the definition of collaboration, anyway? But it got me thinking. And these are some great photos of collaboration, which most often happen here consistently when people are working at the same company or on the same paid project. I love when there are different conversations happening in various groups here at the same time. Pictured: people working here via the American Marketing Association, Portland chapter (AMAPDX).
I will start off with the disclaimer that I am not a coffee person, I have always preferred tea, but I was curious about the new espresso maker, so I attended the workshop with the hopes of demystifying the machine and learning some of its secrets. Kenneth was a great teacher, his enthusiasm and showmanship made the class a lot of fun. Afterwords some of us were still playing around with the machine and Tom made two shots that he said were his best yet. He offered me one, how could I say no? This was an epiphany moment for me, I liked it, a lot. Tea is still my drink of choice, but my horizons have now been expanded to appreciate espresso as well, thank you Kenneth and Tom!
Events upcoming in the rest of this month: Yoga, Works-In-Progress, and Professional Massages for Members!
Collective Agency is now one of the top 2 cafes or coworking places for the fastest internet in Portland. We have 100MB down 50MB up per computer, and 750MB down 175MB up total. Ethernet is always more reliable than wifi, and we have many new Ethernet switches, cables, and USB to Ethernet adapters for Macs.
The espresso-making workshop that Kenneth led yesterday was very popular, we had a full house (full kitchen).
If you would write a review of us on Yelp or Google or Facebook or Twitter (or whereever you post reviews), that’d be awesome, to refer more people to become members. The top right of the website has the social media links.
Every Tuesday, 10am-10:10am. 10 Minute Yoga Sessions.
Tuesday Sept 22, 2-2:40pm. Work-in-Progress Sharing.
In the NW Conference Room. Share what you’re working on (and/or caring about) this week, and get input on the current version or a new part of something you’re passionate about. Share the same thing you shared last time, but updated. Or share something new that you’re thinking about and caring about and want input on. Or just come and hear what other members are working on and share how you relate to it.
Tuesday Sept 29, 11am-2pm. Massages for Members by a Professional Massage Therapist.
This calendar is printed at Collective Agency for members, and is shared here so you can see some of the community activities.
As always, bringing family and friends is great.
Starting in September, Kenneth will be staffing here — (and continuing to lead the works-in-progress and being here generally as a member at other times), and Heather will be staffing –. I’m very happy with how everything’s going here. And I’m eager for these upcoming events!
On the first Wednesday of every month for half an hour, we talk about what we like here and what we’d like to be even better.
2) What are some things you’d like to do or see at Collective Agency? What’s something you’re passionate about that you’d like to share with other members?
Optional member meetings have led to many happy hours and other events as well as improvements here.
Last month we had Collective Agency’s first game night happy hour. We had Pictionary, Chess, Charades, along with some great food and drinks and guessing and laughter. There will be beer and wine (we have extras from the last happy hour). Games might include: Team Chess with 2 boards, Quoridor, Catchphrase, Scotlandyard… and what else?
Bring in any games you’d like to share and play. Cooperative, cozy and inspiring might be some of the values for the games. Bringing people you like is great.
Federal holiday and a staff holiday; we’ll be closed to the public but as always, members have 24/7 access.
Meryl, Ankur, and Heather have RSVP’d to present. We could have room for 1 more person this week. And we have room for more people next time.
We’ll meet in the SW Conference Room. Share what you’re working on (and/or caring about) this week, and get input on the current version or a new part of something you’re passionate about. Share the same thing you shared last time, but updated. Or share something new that you’re thinking about and caring about and want input on. Or just come and hear what other members are working on and share how you relate to it.
Taught by Douglas Tsoi, Founder of PUGS, J.D. NYU School of Law. Why do seemingly rational people make irrational financial decisions? What triggers the impulse to ignore common sense and act against our self-interest? The emerging field of behavioral economics studies the predictably irrational financial behavior. We’ll examine how people fall into common patterns of thinking in how we spend, save, borrow, invest, and waste money. We’ll also talk about how our family histories play into how we understand and value money. This fun and interactive course will open your eyes to how you can better make better financial decisions.
We’ll have a picnic on the grassy hillside, and watch thousands of birds make dot patterns in the sky, usually with a hawk in the sky too. 20 of us had a picnic there last year. It’s one of the most fascinating beautiful things. There will be many people there, so you can call Alex’s cellphone: (503) 369-9174 to find us.
P.S. Around 5:30pm some of us will bicycle over from Collective Agency so you could meet here and go over with us; it’s a 15 minute bike ride. And if you’re there on the hillside with other groups with friends, come and say hi! It lasts until 8pm, and then maybe we’ll get drinks at Lucky Lab nearby on 1945 NW Quimby. Hundreds of people watch, picnic-style (picnic blankets and food). Bring friends and family, and friends-of-friends are invited too.
RSVP on the FB page – the link is on this event’s https://collectiveagency.co/events page.
Closing the Customer Gap. A SilverPop event. Big Loft Room rental.
We’ll have a large user group in the big loft room as a paid rental; at 5pm staff will start moving chairs and wiping down tables in the big loft room. As always, members have unlimited conference room access during event rentals. (And if it’s ever desired to have fewer event rentals, we can do that too, just let Alex know what you prefer.) Members are welcome to come to the event.
RSVP to let us know if you want to present something you’re working on.