Occupy Madison – Tiny Houses & More!

This Saturday, Jan. 25th, at 2pm there will be a General Membership meeting of Occupy Madison, Inc.at the Wil-mar Community Center, 953 Jenifer St.(enter via side entrance on Brearly St.). All members and the general public are welcome. We will discuss the progress we have made in developing an eco-village, building Tiny Houses and our plans for the future. Come learn what you can do to help with our project, or if you are without housing how you can obtain a Tiny House and be a part of our supportative community.

OM Build TIny House Weekly Update:

OM Village update: OM Build’s plan to purchase the Sanchez Motors property on E. Johnson sparked a lively discussion at James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We were cheered to see support from so many in the neighborhood (and a bit shocked at the negative police response, given the constructive relationship we’ve had with the Madison police for nearly three years.) Your donation can help make OM Village happen.

Picture worth a thousand words: This “Before and After” image, put together by OM Build volunteer Bruce, tells a dramatic story of how far we’ve come since the 2013 encampment at Token Creek:

 

This week: Work beings on House 3! We will start with the floor frame. Trim, ceiling panels and windows will be installed on House 2. We also need some volunteers to do some snow-shoveling, so we can get to materials stored in back (shovels provided!) We welcome volunteers at all skill levels, training and close supervision will be provided by OM Build shop managers. Please be sure to dress warmly, some work may be outside.

Shop Hours – Week of Jan. 20th – Jan. 26th:
MLK Day noon-4pm Shop Manager: Steve B
Tuesday 1/21  6:30-10pm Shop Manager: Robert B
Thursday 1/23  3pm-7pm Shop Manager: Allen B
Friday 1/24  4pm-6:30pm Shop Manager: Steve B
Friday 1/24  6:30pm-10pm Shop Manager: Luca C
Sunday 1/26 noon-4pm Shop Manager: Brenda K

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: Just go to the shop at one of the above posted times, and join in!
We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint.

OM Build TIny House Weekly Update:
Fundraiser Party a success! Thanks to the many volunteers who made it possible, OM Build raised more than $2000 at our fundraiser and silent auction last Saturday. Missed the party? You can still Donate here… 

 

Moving forward with OM Village: Our bid to purchase Sanchez Motors, 2050 E.  Johnson, has been accepted (so expect more fundraising appeals soon!) The property will be the new home of OM Build, our tiny house factory, as well as a tiny house community! If you live in the neighborhood, it’s especially important that you make your support for OM Build known to your neighbors. We’ve already been encouraged by some positive responses from people who live nearby!

Community meeting on OM Village proposal: There will be a community meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14th at James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation to to hear from the neighborhood and to discuss the OM Village proposal. The meeting starts at 6:30. People from outside the neighborhood are welcome to attend, but we ask that you keep comments brief, to give priority to neighborhood residents.

 

This week: Work will focus on preparing the shop for the start of work on House 3. Work continues on House 2 as well, finishing insulation, interior paneling, windows and the door. We welcome volunteers at all skill levels, training and close supervision will be provided by OM Build shop managers. Please be sure to dress warmly, some work may be outside.

Shop Hours – Week of Jan. 13th – Jan. 18th:
Tuesday 1/14  6:30-10pm Shop Manager: Robert B
Thursday 1/16  3pm-7pm Shop Manager: Allen B
Friday 1/17  4pm-6:30pm Shop Manager: Steve B
Friday 1/17  6:30pm-10pm Shop Manager: Luca C
Sunday 1/19 noon-4pm Shop Manager: Brenda K

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: Just go to the shop at one of the above posted times, and join in!
We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint.

OM Build TIny House Weekly Update:

Fundraiser Party: Saturday, Jan. 11th, 1pm-5pm at High Noon Saloon in Madison (map) Join us as we celebrate completion of our fist tiny house, and do the “offical” hand-over of the keys to long-time Occupy volunteers Chris and Betty. We’ll also be holding a silent auction of some amazing craft-y creations by OM Build volunteers, all made from re-purposed pallet wood. Can’t make it to the fundraiser? Donate here… 

This week: Work will focus on finishing up craft items for the fundraiser silent auction on Saturday, and then cleaning/organizing the shop to prepare for the start of work on House 3. Work continues on House 2 as well, finishing insulation, interior paneling, windows and the door. We welcome volunteers at all skill levels, training and close supervision will be provided by OM Build shop managers. Please be sure to dress warmly, some work may be outside.

Shop Hours – Week of Jan. 6th – Jan. 11th:
Tuesday 1/7  6:30-10pm Shop Manager: Robert B
Thursday 1/9  3pm-7pm Shop Manager: Allen B
Friday 1/10  7pm-10pm Shop Manager: Luca C

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: We will be continuing with an informal sign-up process. Just go to the shop at one of the above posted times, and join in!
We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint.

Hammer, hammer, saw, saw, hammer, hammer . . . Continue reading “Finish off the year with a bang!”

Channel 15 reports on roll-out of first Tiny House:
Tiny House #1 is now ready to head out onto the street, and Channel 15 was there to report on our progress and interview some of our volunteers. Click here to watch their report.

Roof construction begins on House 2:
We began construction of two prefab roof sections for House 2 on Friday. This coming week, we will focus on finishing the roof sections and moving House 2 outside, where we can drop the roof sections into place with our custom-built Occupy Crane. Then interior work on House 2 will continue, and the shop will be clear to begin work on House 3!

PalletPallooza planned for Saturday:
Last week’s PalletPalooza was such a success (making enough pallet-wood siding for one house, and salvaging enough 2×4’s to frame about half of House 3) that we’re planning another one for Saturday the 23rd. Chili and hot chocolate will be served!

This Week’s Shop Hours:
Tues 11/19: 6:30-9:30, Manager: Rob B

Wed 11/20: 5:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W

Thus 11/21: 7:30-9:30, Manager: Peter G


Fri 11/22: 6:00-10:00, Manager: Luca C
Sat 11/23 Noon-5pm: PalletPalooza, Manager, Steve B

Shop location:
4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure:
For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per shift. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.

Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

CLICK HERE to sign up!

Greetings from Occupy Madison’s OM Build Tiny House Project!

This is our second weekly volunteer update. We’re sending this to you because you indicated an interest in volunteering with OM Build’s Tiny House Project.

Pallet-Pallooza makes a house worth of siding and lumber:
Saturday’s Pallet-Palooza event brought together nearly a dozen volunteers to deconstruct stacks of pallets, making enough reclaimed pallet wood to side one tiny house, and nearly enough reclaimed 2×4’s to frame a house. Thanks to all the volunteers who turned out!

Video Tour – Tiny House at night:
Thanks to Bruce for a nighttime video tour of our first house, showing the ultra-efficient LED lighting and battery system, soon to be powered by a solar panel donated to us by the University of Wisconsin engineering school. Click here to take the tour!

This week’s shop hours:
Tues 11/12: 6:30-9:30, Manager: Rob B
Wed 11/13: 5:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W
Thu 11/14: 7:30-9:30, Manager: Bruce W
Fri 11/15: 1:30-6:00, Manager: Steve B
Fri 11/15: 6:00-10:00, Manager: Luca C

Shop location: 4235 Argosy Court, Suite B (Click here for map)

Sign-up procedure: For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per shift. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.
Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.

Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

CLICK HERE to sign up!

This week’s volunteer opportunities:
Tuesday, Nov. 6th 6:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Rob Bloch
Wednesday, Nov. 7th 5:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Bruce Wallbaum
Thursday, Nov. 8th 7:30pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Peter G.
Friday, Nov. 9th, 6:00pm-10:00pm Shop Manager: Luca Clemente
Saturday, Nov. 10th, noon-5:00pm Shop Manager: Steve Burns Pallet-Pallooza! Chili and hot chocolate will be served
CLICK HERE  to sign up for volunteer hours.

Other Updates:

This is our first weekly volunteer update. We’re sending this to you because you indicated an interest in volunteering with OM Build’s Tiny House Project.

OM Build is making progress!
A recent vote in the Madison Common Council changes Madison’s zoning ordinances,  allowing local churches and nonprofits to host our tiny houses.

Our first house is nearly complete, and ready to move into the neighborhood near the OM Build Shop on Argosy Court.

Our second house is still under construction, and most of our work this week will focus on getting House #2 ready to move outside the shop – making space to begin construction on House 3! Work on House 2 includes completing exterior siding of reclaimed pallet wood and work on the roof sections.

We’ve got a full schedule of evening hours below, and a special “Pallet-Palooza” event planned for Saturday.

For safety and to ensure we have work available for everyone who shows up, we need to limit the number of volunteers to 4 per night shift and 8 at the Saturday Pallet-Palooza event. We use the online VolunteerSpot service to handle scheduling.
CLICK HERE  to sign up for volunteer hours. Please remember, when you sign up, you’re taking one of the available slots from other volunteers, so don’t sign up unless you’re sure you can attend.

We can work with volunteers at all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to volunteer simply because you lack construction experience. The most important qualification we look for is a willingness to learn, to take instructions from the Shop Manager and to follow all shop safety procedures.
Please come ready to work, dressed in work clothes that can get dirty or smeared with paint, and wear close-toed shoes (boots preferred, if you have them.)

This website is being overhauled in the first half of October 2013 . . . hopefully you’ll like it. Meanwhile check us out on Facebook where many of the real updates have been happening. Also, check out the volunteer tab for current shop hours and volunteer opportunities. Also check out our donation page to see our specific needs.

June 30:  Allen busts studs with table saw

July 1:  We made the news!

July 2:  

July 3:  We made the news again!

July 5:  Take a tour of our workshop courtesy of Bruce

Watch Noah shred some pallets.  It’s satisfying work!