Milwaukee Makerspace Wiki

Milwaukee Makerspace Board of Directors Meeting - 6 p.m. Sept. 21, 2023

Introduction

Tim calls this meeting to order at 6:04 pm

Attendance Callie by video conference, Tim, Jon, Hapto, Geoff, Anna, Hanna.

BOD

Guests Tony W.,; Preston;

Review and approval of Previous Minutes Jon and Hannah abstain, everyone else approves. Minutes approved.

Current Financial Projections Geoff: Looking good. See financial report. Dan: membership flatlining, Fewer new people but retention is improved, some of the best ever.

Agenda items

• Disciplining AC for laser lab abuse. Tim: Facts outlined per video tape, personal accounts. Anna: There was damage to machine. Member lied about what happened. Tim moves: 30 day suspension. Geoff seconds. (Tim sidebar, permanent ban by area champions requires board approval.) Hapto notes this is effectively a one-year suspension, member would have to re-apply. Motion carries 7-0. Tim will take communication with AC. Member will be allowed to recover personal property.
• Anna: Moves for permanent ban of AC from, Geoff seconds. Geoff friendly amendment: No one can use laser on AC's behalf. Motion fails, Hapto votes no, others vote yes.
• Anna, moves for permanent ban of AC from laser lab, Jon seconds. Unanimously approved.
• Updating the sleeping at space rules for specificity. New rule: “No member may ever sleep here. Board can give permission if contacted prior to sleeping here in the case of an emergency , e.g., a massive snowstorm. Otherwise you will be suspended for one week if you sleep here.” Tim moves, Jon seconds. Unanimously passses.
• Callie: Propose Ad Hoc Committee through Jan. 2024, seven members, chaired by Gary Hollander, Callie would be liaison. Tim appoints committee chaired by Gary Hollander, as named position. Purpose: Find policy for procedural approach to address complaints. Goal: Assess situations and make recommendation to Board for defined process. Group's meetings to be announced and open. Jon Seconds, unanimous approved.
• All Rules and Regs - send out an update and bring to a vote. Tim will codify and roll out ratification piece by piece. New rules needs one week heads up to membership. Tim will manage
• Tim moves to cut holes through walls in Lenox and Norwich. Jon Seconds. Increase lease $40 a month. Approved unanimous.

General discussion

• Pay-back contributions for commercial users of Makerspace. Geoff, pay-back is a suggestion. No one does it. Geoff, proposes 10 percent mandatory. Change culture, area champs shouldn't be unpaid employees. Tim: Looks hard on average member vs. fixing a few problem people. Dan j.: unenforceable. Subjective by board. Rick M., We are feeling like unpaid labor. We suggest and they don't give. If rule says “you must” it helps. Tony: Should have teeth, but not be punative; Gaylen: 10% is too high. Jeff M.: Cost is eye of beholder. Should be based on wear and tear on equipment. Tim: Should be codified to empower area champ. Many members offered perspective and suggestions. Tim: Is culture issue and is abuse prevention issue. May be issue for Gary's committee. Discussion to be continued.
• How are Tuesday Public Meetings going? General consensus is they're more engaging. Thanks to Maya for proposing and spearheading. Add space improvement day requirement to join? Hapto: New member handout in progress.

Future items: Expansion of casting area.

Meeting adjourds 7:57