Community Engagement

Michigan is a supportive, engaging environment with entrepreneurs, artists, movers, and shakers. Being part of the Lansing community is a great opportunity to be part of a growing Michigan economy.

Gravity Works stays involved in community, networking, and user group events; many events are hosted by Gravity Works at Second Gear Coworking.


Lansing Give CampLansing Give Camp

GiveCamp is an annual, weekend-long event where developers, designers, and database administrators donate their time to create custom software for non-profit organizations. Projects range from a new website to member-tracking applications; the only limitation is that the project should be scoped to be able to be completed in a weekend.

First brought to Lansing in 2009 by our own Jeff McWherter, most Gravity Workers have participated every year, and we invite you to join us! Learn more at lansinggivecamp.org.


LCC Advisory Committee

Technology changes at a rapid pace, and the administrators at Lansing Community College embrace this fact. The LCC IT curriculum could be called Agile, changing to meet industry needs in the Greater Lansing area.

Every Quarter, LCC invites industry experts to a breakfast for an in-depth discussion about what LCC should be teaching their students. Topics range from which programming languages are critical to know, to bringing techniques like version control into the classroom. For the past six years, Jeff McWherter has participated, giving valuable feedback that directly effects the LCC IT curriculum.


Lansing Day of .NetLansing Day of .Net

The Lansing Day of .Net is an annual, local event hosted by the Greater Lansing User Group for .Net (GLUGnet), with a focus on educating individuals, and networking within the .Net community. Users come together to hear from professionals and learn the newest techniques to apply to their own projects. The free event includes food, fun, and a full day of educational sessions.

Many Gravity Works employees have been involved in organizing the even in recent years, including Amelia Marschall and Jeff McWherter at the 2011 event.


Gravity Works Programming ContestGravity Works Programming Contest

Gravity Works hosted our first programming contest, with many to follow, in December 2010. Programmers of all ability levels were welcome to take part in an evening-long battle of logic and wit. Check out our blog post for all the details.

 

 

 


Second Gear CoworkingSecond Gear Coworking

Gravity Works opened Second Gear Coworking, next door to our office in Old Town, Lansing, in November 2010.

A professional, creative workspace for your goals outside a cubicle; Second Gear provides the office essentials and community support you need to work, meet, share, and grow. Ideal for entrepreneurs, freelancers, writers, designers, software developers, educators, lawyers, small business owners, and start-ups; work on your terms and do what you love.

Second Gear is a reliable environment, with an open layout to fit your individual needs. And you only pay to use Second Gear when you need it, with our punchcard system. After hours, Second Gear Coworking offers event space for professional meetings, group presentations, and user groups. Check out the Second Gear website for rates, hours, and events.

Jeff McWherter

LCC Advisory Committee
ASP Insider

Amelia Marschall

Board Member, Health & Fitness Committee Chair, Athena WIN

Dave Silva Smith

Vice President of Programs, Project Management Institute, Michigan Capital Area Chapter
Vice President of Membership, Yawn Patrol Toastmasters

Scott Gowell

President, Greater Lansing .NET User Group (GLUGnet)

Adam Ryder

Website Director, Greater Lansing .NET User Group (GLUGnet)

Lauren Colton

Steering Committee, Interaction Design Association (IxDA), Lansing Chapter

Community Groups


Other thriving groups in the Lansing area include:

  • Agile User Group
  • Athena WIN
  • BNI Capital Networkers
  • Coffeehouse Coders
  • Grand River Connection
  • Lansing Chamber or Commerce
  • Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance
  • NACW Lansing
  • Old Town Commercial Association
  • Web Design Meetup