Held at the Milwaukee Makerspace Craft Lab

• Markus
• Faith
• Kathy H
• Billy
• Pete

• Colleen

• Steff M
• Dan J
• Carl
• Billx2
• Karen P
• Marcin P
• Loki
• Steve P
• Tony

• Meeting called to order by Markus Schneider at 7:02PM

• Previous meeting minutes were approved by 5 in attendance.

• Find the current treasurer report here.
• IRS fine was revised.
• We may want to discuss the wisdom of paying a CPA to file on our behalf. We did this several years ago and it cost us $300 per year.
• If we do not, we should make a greater effort to review our filing with multiple people before sending to avoid a recurrence.

• Waiting on a letter from the city regarding a light near the graffiti spot

• Outreach committee - Planning stages for fundraisers for the spring.
• Issues with archived members being able to pay online
• Old/problem members signing up again and that process
• How do we deal with members who autopay late or on an irregular basis
• Keep training up to date on irregular members
• Marcin offered to investigate second date trigger in wild apricot

• Previous Status
  • Empowering members. Gift cards or other recognition for going above and beyond.
  • Another newsletter will be sent

• Updates
  • TBD

• Last Status
  • Propose to clarify language on wiki, vote if this is acceptable - Dan
  • Members can teach a class to non-members, but must get BOD sign-off first.
  • We need to be sure that safety protocols are in place that will not risk a claim against our liability insurance.
  • All guests MUST sign the liability waiver before class.
  • Make it clear that if a member accepts payment for the class, they are no longer covered by the space's liability insurance and should buy their own.
  • Does not apply to guests working on personal projects.

• Flooring
  • all 6 vote approval for flooring
  • 700 dollars for flooring est.
  • Waiting on cabinet handles so Kyle can come in, take the carpet out and put in the flooring

• New building
  • Tom G was issued a Letter of intent
  • Rezoning and drawings in progress
  • hit a snag with the land, the barrel company technically owns about 2 feet of the lot, Tom G figuring it out

• Lighting /Graffiti
  • Exterior Building lighting - Tom G
  • Lighting the side of building attempt to reduce graffiti also talk to neighborhood
  • Big LED light was acquired that can be aimed.
  • The wall was cleaned and we will get the bill soon
  • Markus spoke to Rik Stardy about planting vegetation
  • Need to call and ask about installing a fence for vines to grow in front of the wall

• Maker Faire Milwaukee
  • Update from Pete P.
  • Makerfaire is in downtown Milwaukee at the Wisconsin Center District
  • Postcards are ready and available to hand out

• Last Status
  • Kathy H will not be there
  • Steff M is making smoked pork and chicken

• Spring Elections
  • Discuss the plan…
  • postions up for election : member at large
  • Nominations open up April 2nd
  • adrian and markus will coordinate the elections
  • Faith elected as Secretary, Billy promoted to Treasurer, Kathy H and Pete have been reelected

• Maker Faire funding requests
  • Forms will be made for requests for funds - https://goo.gl/forms/FTlhPLpWlrLUWRwI3
  • how do we handle the budget with the outreach committee
  • discussion of funding flat amount or a match rate from fundraising
  • 6-1 vote to notify membership of a proposal requesting putting 5k toward outreach programs
  • Need to call about Uhaul or Enterprise truck discounts
  • Waiting on the plan for the 5K toward the Outreach Program until there is a budget outline
  • Need to notify memebers about the funding request form

• Large projects in the east room
  • …
  • What is “large”?
  • East room has useable space

• Reinstatement of lapsed members ^BKD
  • Set rules for members to rejoin?
  • Turn off payment portal for people who are archived?
  • Set time limits to self reinstate by just paying online?

• System generated text messages ^BKD
  • Is this a thing?
  • Is it doable?
  • Do we want to utilize this feature?
  • Other options for notifying members: text messages or Slack
  • Dan will look into if Apricot can send text messages
  • Members will need to opt in for the texting option
  • More research needed before we proceed

* Storage optins ^M.S.

• Move Makerfaire,Makathon,power wheels supplies to self storage unit?
• Potential to open up 12-30 storage spaces.
• cost, convenience, abuse issues?
• There is a storage unit within walking distance that has a key code entry, 10×20 space for $120/month, Markus or Billy will ask about a discount
• We can also ask if members have any extra personal storage for Makerfair/Powerwheels supplies

* New Member orientation ^M.S.

• Worth reintroducing?
• With more new members it could be more effective than individually answering the same questions over and over
• Do we have/want a script?
• Should space improvement day be a sign-up requirement?

* Bullet points/script for giving tours ^M.S.

• similar to wood shop
• encourage and boost confidence for more members to give tours
• more consistency of topics covered
• cover more of our culture and what to expect (training, storage, behaviour)
• Do we want a bulleted script for tour guides
• Steff and Kathy C will survey new members
• Do we want a quiz after becoming a new member for the simple/everyday things?

* Update member handbook and provide printed copy ^M.S.

• Many people more likely to read and remember printed things
• Gives new members something to do while waiting to sign up
• Include something like a quick start guide of how to get trained?
• Markus will look at handbook and edit it
• Give each new member a copy
• Give handbook at first tour, then have the new member verify that they read it: quiz potential
• Face to face instruction instead of the video
• Tony is willing to create a quiz, this is something new that we can try
• If the member doesn’t do well on the quiz, suggest they come to member orientation
• Carl will come in 30 minutes before Monday class for new member orientation
• Slide deck in WIKI for new members
• Solves: FAQ, Training questions, Cleaning, Lights, First aid

* Metalshop area champions ^M.S.

• Bill squared to be main champion (he broke the formatting!!!)
• Larry continues as champion add Markus
• Larry and Bill both agreed to the idea
• Tom K stepped down, the metal shop will continue as is
• Billx2 Primary, Markus Co-Champ Vote: 5 Yes
• Jake trainer as well for basic operations

* signage for 5 minute ToDos ^M.S.

• What can someone do to help an area/the space if they have 5 minutes?
• What are tasks that can be done without much guidance/knowledge?
• Enable and encourage members to spend a few minutes cleaning while waiting for a training, someone to show up, glue or paint to dry….
• Encourage area champions to contribute to a list/ sign
• Weld area will have posters from MATC
• Give a list when new members sign up
• Mark tasks in space improvement day list as repeatable for new members or volunteers
• Suggestions from area champions

* Change our reflection section on Tuesdays ^M.S.

• Instead of arbituary quotes have makerspace culture topics.
• Example: How to ask for training. (The trainer is a volunteer. Dont pressure, guilt trip, feel entitled, offer help as a thank you…)
• Goal: help maintain and improve our culture
• Need to change heading in WIKI

• Reminder that any member can run the Tuesday night meeting (member engagement)
• Kathy wants damaged ceiling tiles replaced/painted
• Look at home depot for new ceiling tiles for space improvement day
• Carl looking into new banners for space (People, Places, Projects)
• More rollup stands for banners

• Meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm