WHAT: Signal App: Tips and Tricks for Top Security
WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 2026 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Southwest Branch, Monroe County Public Library, 809 W. Gordon Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404
COST: FREE
The Signal app is the go-to resource for most of us for secure communications, but are you using it to its full potential? We will have our Signal expert, as well as several "rounders" to help you tweak your settings and find the controls to get the best performance out of this powerful communications app.
WHAT: Build a Mesh Network Node Workshop
WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2026 5:30-6:45pm
WHERE: The Overlook, 611 W 12th St, Bloomington, IN 47404
COST: Free, but you'll want to buy a kit to assemble ***SEE KITS LISTED BELOW***
Mesh Networking Workshop: Build you own mesh node and create an off-grid emergency communication system for your community.
A mesh network is democratized communication technology that passes messages and information node-to-node, free of any centrally controlled or grid based infrastructure. For a small investment of time and money, you can get started with your own node and link into one of the least expensive and most resilient communication networks currently available. Led by Bryce Bookwalter, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for Monroe County.
Kits we will be using, please buy yours soon so it arrives before the event:
"I really like this kit:
Meshnology N39, Meshtastic Heltec V4 LoRa Radio Devices for Sale It’s about $45 if multiple kits are purchased and it creates a nice device. Plus, there is no soldering required and it is expandable (you can upgrade it later with more stuff). This is the one that will feel most “off-grid-comms”.
This one is the cheapest option, but it works surprisingly well. XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit for Meshtastic & LoRa There is no screen with this one, so everything is done through your phone. This may feel less “alternative” to cell phones since you’re controlling it with your phone but that’s how most of them are now. The build here is super quick too. There is no case provided with this one either."
10/8/20
WHAT: Community Preparedness
WHEN: Thursday, October 8, 2026 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Location TBD
COST: FREE
Community Preparedness: Learn how to identify hazards and vulnerabilities within your community and steps you can take to mitigate the risk and build a more resilient community.
11/12/2026 – Vehicle Preparedness
WHAT: Vehicle Preparedness
WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2026 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Location TBD
COST: FREE
WHAT: Preparedness Review Activity/Exercise
WHEN: Thursday, December 10, 2026 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Location TBD
COST: FREE
Preparedness Review Activity/Exercise. This is a review of the year’s classes, both a reminder for those who attended and an introduction for those who did not. We will do some reviews and activities to cover knowledge gained over the year.
WHAT: Basic Preparedness
WHEN: Thursday, January 14, 2026 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Location TBD
COST: FREE
WHAT: Emergency Shelter Essentials + Workshop
WHEN: Thursday, February 11, 2027 5:15-6:45
WHERE: Location TBD
COST: FREE
Emergency Shelter Essentials + Workshop: Learn what items are essential for your emergency shelter, how best to store those items, how to identify the best location for your shelter, and when to seek shelter. There will be a workshop after the class to assemble a few essential items.
Thanks for being a part of this. Invite your friends and get out and join us!