Fellowship of the Flux Community

Welcome to our community of makers, educators, and learners! Fellowship of the Flux is more than just workshops—we’re building a network of people passionate about hands-on learning and skill sharing.

Our Community

Who We Are

• Volunteers from all backgrounds - Electronics professionals, educators, students, and hobbyists
• Event organizers who believe in the power of hands-on learning
• Learners of all ages from elementary students to retirees
• Organizations committed to STEM education and maker culture

What Brings Us Together

• Shared passion for soldering and electronics
• Commitment to education and skill sharing
• Belief in community over competition
• Dedication to safety and best practices
• Love of making and problem-solving

Events and Workshops

Upcoming Events

BSides Kansas City 2024

Date: March 15-16, 2024
Location: Kansas City, MO
What we’re doing: Learn to Solder Village with beginner and advanced workshops
Volunteer opportunities: Instructors, setup crew, materials management

MakerFaire KC 2024

Date: June 22-23, 2024
Location: Union Station, Kansas City
What we’re doing: Hands-on soldering workshops for all ages
Special focus: Family-friendly projects and safety education

Lincoln Elementary STEM Night

Date: April 10, 2024
Location: Lincoln, NE
What we’re doing: Age-appropriate soldering introduction for 4th-6th graders
Community impact: Reaching underserved students in STEM

Recent Events

BSides KC 2023 - Huge Success!

• 150+ participants learned soldering skills
• 25 volunteers provided instruction and support
• Zero safety incidents thanks to our rigorous protocols
• Overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and organizers

“This was my first time soldering, and the volunteers were so patient and encouraging. I left feeling confident to try more projects at home!” - Workshop Participant

MakerFaire KC 2023 - Record Attendance

• 200+ workshop participants over two days
• Families engaged together in hands-on learning
• New volunteer recruitment - 8 new team members joined
• Equipment performed flawlessly throughout the weekend

Event Photo Gallery

[Photo galleries would be embedded here showing workshops in action, diverse participants, volunteer teams, and completed projects]

Volunteer Spotlights

Meet Our Amazing Volunteers

Sarah Chen - Lead Instructor

Electronics Engineer, 5 years with Fellowship

“I love seeing the moment when someone makes their first successful solder joint. There’s this look of pride and accomplishment that makes all the volunteer time worthwhile. Teaching soldering isn’t just about the technical skill—it’s about building confidence and opening doors to the maker world.”

Marcus Rodriguez - Equipment Manager

Retired Technician, 3 years with Fellowship

“Maintaining our lab equipment is my way of ensuring every learner has the best possible experience. When someone struggles with a cold solder joint, I want to know it’s about technique, not faulty equipment. Quality tools make quality learning possible.”

Dr. Jennifer Walsh - Educational Coordinator

University Professor, 2 years with Fellowship

“I bring my background in education to help us teach more effectively. Every learner is different, and our volunteers do an amazing job adapting their instruction style. We’re not just teaching soldering—we’re modeling how to be patient, encouraging teachers.”

Volunteer Recognition

2023 Volunteer Awards

• Outstanding Instructor: Tom Bradley - Patient teaching and safety focus
• Community Builder: Lisa Park - Exceptional outreach and partnership development
• Innovation Award: Alex Thompson - 3D printed organizer designs
• Dedication Award: Maria Santos - Never missed an event in 2 years

Community Impact

By the Numbers (2023)

• 28 events supported across the Midwest
• 500+ people learned to solder
• 35 active volunteers in our network
• 12 organizations now running their own programs
• Zero safety incidents in over 1,000 hours of workshops

Success Stories

From Student to Volunteer

“I attended my first Fellowship workshop as a high school student at BSides KC 2021. The volunteers were so welcoming and encouraging that I kept coming back. Now I’m a college engineering student and volunteer instructor myself. This community changed my career path!”
— Alex, Student Volunteer

Building Confidence

“As a teacher, I was intimidated by electronics. The Fellowship workshop gave me the confidence to start a maker club at my school. Now my students are teaching me new techniques!”
— Jennifer, Elementary Teacher

Family Learning

“My 8-year-old daughter and I attended a workshop together. She was so proud of her LED project that she’s been asking to learn more. It’s become our special bonding activity.”
— David, Parent

Get Connected

Join Our Community

Online Presence

• Email List: Monthly updates on events and opportunities
• Social Media: Follow us for workshop photos and maker tips
• Discord Server: Real-time chat with volunteers and community members
• GitHub: Access our open-source designs and documentation

In-Person Connections

• Monthly Meetups: Kansas City area volunteer gatherings
• Workshop Debriefs: Post-event discussions and improvement planning
• Equipment Maintenance Days: Help maintain our lab gear
• Training Sessions: Skill development for volunteers

Ways to Participate

For Individuals

• Attend workshops - Learn new skills and meet the community
• Volunteer at events - Help teach and support learners
• Share your expertise - Contribute specialized knowledge
• Spread the word - Tell others about learning opportunities

For Organizations

• Host a workshop - Bring Fellowship to your event
• Partner with us - Collaborate on educational initiatives
• Sponsor our work - Support equipment and volunteer development
• Share resources - Contribute space, materials, or expertise

For Educators

• Use our curriculum - Adapt our materials for your programs
• Join our network - Connect with other maker educators
• Attend training - Develop your own workshop skills
• Share best practices - Help us improve our methods

Community Guidelines

Our Values in Action

Inclusivity and Respect

• Welcome everyone regardless of background or experience level
• Use inclusive language and avoid assumptions about knowledge
• Respect different learning styles and paces
• Create safe spaces for questions and mistakes

Safety First

• Follow all safety protocols without exception
• Speak up about unsafe practices immediately
• Prioritize learning over speed or complexity
• Model safe behavior for all participants

Collaborative Learning

• Share knowledge freely and credit sources
• Ask questions and encourage others to do the same
• Celebrate successes of learners and volunteers
• Learn from mistakes and help others do the same

Community Support

• Help newcomers feel welcome and included
• Volunteer your time when possible
• Contribute resources as you’re able
• Represent Fellowship positively in all interactions

Community Resources

For Volunteers

• Training materials - Instructor guides and safety protocols
• Equipment manuals - Proper use and maintenance procedures
• Event planning guides - Checklists and best practices
• Volunteer handbook - Policies and procedures

For Learners

• Project ideas - Inspiration for continued learning
• Resource lists - Where to buy components and tools
• Safety guides - Home workshop setup and practices
• Community forums - Get help with projects and techniques

For Organizations

• Partnership guides - How to work with Fellowship
• Event planning resources - Requirements and logistics
• Curriculum materials - Adaptable lesson plans
• Equipment specifications - Build your own lab guides

Stay Connected

Contact Information

• General inquiries: [email protected]
• Volunteer coordination: [email protected]
• Event partnerships: [email protected]

Social Media

• Twitter: @FluxFellowship
• Instagram: @FellowshipOfTheFlux
• LinkedIn: Fellowship of the Flux
• GitHub: fellowshipoftheflux

Mailing Address

Fellowship of the Flux
Kansas City, MO
[Specific address available to active volunteers and partners]

The Fellowship of the Flux community is built on the belief that learning is better when shared. Whether you’re taking your first workshop or leading your hundredth, you’re part of a network dedicated to advancing the art of learning to solder. Welcome to the fellowship!