July 15th Summer newsletter

It's been a wild few months. From racial inequities and sexual assault claims to COVID, it's clear that our industry has a lot it needs to address. We stand with the survivors of sexual abuse and condemn the perpetrators of violence against others. It's our job to ensure that our clients are safe and protected while in our presence and we hope that all of you join us in continuing to learn and evolve in the ways that ensure safety for everyone. 

Expanding our Organization

Reform Oregon Tattooing is interested in expanding our team and diversifying the voices within it. We are trying to do our best to be inclusive and represent everyone in tattooing, and currently with three white women at the helm we know we can do better and welcome our BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ tattooers to join us in leadership roles and expand our capabilities as a group. There are a lot of other folks who have reached out to offer their support in the past as well, and we would love to have everyone interested join us. Truthfully we did not know how to divide jobs or provide volunteer tasks before this, as none of us had ever organized a group of this nature before. Please reach out to us here if you'd like to get involved.

One on One Mentoring and Continuing Ed

We would like to begin a new method of continued education during this time. We are looking for volunteers to do 1:1 or small group mentoring for other artists or tattoo school students via zoom meetings. You can name your price and cover any topic that is relevant to tattooing in some way including painting, drawing, client interactions, shop dynamics, machine building/tuning, booking clients, basically anything that you feel could be helpful to someone else.

We will be offering these courses on our website for people to choose from and will oversee the filing for continued ed on your behalf with the state for a small percentage of the class fee. Our goal is to make learning more accessible and cater to everyones growth in the industry. If you have a topic that you think could be interesting or want to get on the mentoring list please contact us directly here.

Tamara Santibañez

Because everything has gone digital, continued education has shifted slightly to mostly online forums and zoom meetings. One of our favorite hosts for weekly discussions is Tamara Santibañez from Brooklyn, NY. They also provide classes on topics ranging from Trauma Informed Consent to Compassion Fatigue, Boundaries and Burnout.  

Their weekly Tattooer Discussion Group: Antiracist Action for White and nonBlack POC takes place on Wednesdays from 2-4pm PST.
Monday's they host a "Tattoo Futures" discussion group for QTPOC.

We highly recommend checking these out. Subscribe to the mailing list for updates on days/times on the bottom of the page. 


Unemployment

  • Here is the link to the new Unemployment Website 

  • Most folks are just getting the $205 minimum but if your 2019 taxes are filed make sure they have them so you can see about getting the maximum you are owed.

  • The $600 is FEDERAL money you are owed so don't forget to keep filing your weekly claim because there's still time to get that CARES act money even if you are back at work.

  • If you have not received any correspondence about your claim, keep emailing or calling because once it goes in a 'pending' pile they do not touch it until they hear from you.

  • Some problems can be fixed in a couple of minutes, because something was manually keyed in wrong or a field was accidentally left blank, but it ended up in the 'pending' pile.

  • If you speak to a worker make sure and get their NAME, and ask if they can follow up on your case until you have been paid out.

  • Email David the head of Unemployment about your case and request a phone call: david.k.gerstenfeld@oregon.gov

  • Call this number (833) 410-1004 or the PUA specific line (503) 370-5400, and we have also heard that calling a DHS/Worksource number in a smaller town like Salem or Grant's Pass will yield results as well. Any time you get a human on the phone don't hang up until they give you someone else to follow up, offer to contact you themselves or can give you a referral to another phone number that works.

  • Do not give up. This is unfortunately the reality of the situation but we need to be our own best advocates. This is your money you are entitled to!

  • Follow @shiftaccountingllc for real time updates and useful info. Jenna has been our lifeline to this information.

  • Follow and join @uwcpdx (Unemployed Workers Council) to fight for working class solidarity!!

PPE Document & Supply Vendors

Need PPE alternatives? Follow this link.

Hang in there everyone! We got this! 

Love, 
R.O.T.

Reform Oregon Tattooing