Milwaukee Makerspace Wiki

Milwaukee Makerspace Board of Directors Meeting - 6 p.m. September 9, 2024 at Lenox

Introduction

Dan J calls this meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Attendance

• Dan J
• Stefan B
• Tim E
• Juliet J
• Sarah D
• Geoff L
• Jon D (acting Secretary)

Guests:

• Brant H., Linda S., Jerry K., Kathy A., Matt D., Raymond C., David A., Chris S., Kristie K., Matt M., Tony, Miranda, Dylan S., Devin S.

Review and approval of Previous Minutes

• Approved

Current Financial Projections

• Available on the WIKI
• Net reduction in membership of 6 members. We are OK with this.

BOD votes completed between Board meetings:

• As follow up to July 23rd BOD meeting, and after notifying members and waiting 7 days: Sarah D called for an email BOD vote to approve $4,000 from General Funds for the purchase of a SawStop for the Norwich Woodshop.
  • Seconded by Tim E
  • Vote passes: 6 yes votes; 1 no vote (Geoff L)
  • Order has been placed through Rockler.

• Add Melissa O'Niel as Wild Apricot admin so she can assign key fobs during orientation class.
  • Motion by Dan J, seconded by Geoff L; passed 7-0.
• Tracy Gondek, added as admin.

• Kristie Kirch as Area Champion of the Community Outreach area. Anna will not run all the events, but will:
  • be responsible for area finances, manage budget
  • communicating opportunities to the membership
  • finding volunteers to lead events, booths, etc
  • Motion by Geoff L, seconded by Bill R; passed 7-0

• Request for $100 from Community Fund by Anna Kirch to make Nerdy Derby blanks. Funds will be used for snacks for volunteers
  • Motion by Sarah D, seconded by Juliet J; passed 7-0

Agenda items:

• Chris Saunders requests to expand the hot glass area at Norwich.
  • Proposed floor plan here:
  • https://wiki.milwaukeemakerspace.org/_media/boardmeetingagenda/glass_area_proposal.jpeg. Would double space, move Corvette over time.
  • If we expand to the area as indicated the cost to MMS will be: 330 sq. ft. = $128.70 / month

Stephan moves giving glass area requested space as requested, seconded by Tim.

• All vote yes except Dan, who abstains.
• Dan will facilitate with Bob T. re. Corvette.
• Need to communicate with membership and vote again because of cost.

• David Arnold requests being the Primary Area Champion for the Casting Area. Brett Daniels resigned earlier this year.
  • Hapto: Brett resigned due to conflict with David over changing iron kiln. David: There was difference in opinion regarding depth of well. Things were not handled professionally. David says he was lashed out at. David said he reached out to Brett to apologize; Brett has not responded.
  • Hapto: Space doesn't always seem organized and ready to use. David: Need more help. Assistant could be appointed. Consider later.
  • Dan moves to appoint Dave, Juliet seconds, unanimously approved.

• Request vote to appoint Chris K. as assistant President. - Dan J
  • Dan asks Board to approve.
  • Stephan moves to elevate permissions for Chris, and add him to “info at.” Seconded by Tim.
  • Passes unanimously.
  • Board will inform membership.

• Vote to appoint Gary H head of the member survey committee. -Dan J
  • Dan moves to do so, Geoff seconds. Passes unanimously.

• Discuss Community Outreach fund - Geoff L.
  • Geoff: Loose spending for Maker Faire. Should be someone in change of spending. Spend $1,800, brought in $400. Tim: Kristy was appointed to solve this. Also, people selling things should kick back 10%. Kristy will work within a budget and try to hold others to it. Kristy will suggest dollar amount for Maker Faire and other community outreach events and come back to Board. No vote required.

• Set the timeline for the fall BOD elections -Dan J
  • Dan: 2 Potentials:
    • Start September 17th, this lets us have back to back elections for named and at-large in 4 weeks, but is not a lot of notice to the members. Elections would finish October 15th.
    • Start October 1st, this gives us more advance notice, but if we want to have elections end at a public meeting, we need to take a extra week before starting at-large. Elections would finish November 5th.
    • Tony: Need 30 days notice for Annual Meeting in October. Pres., Sec., voting concludes Oct. 15. At large noms open Oct. 15, close 29th.
    • Dan moves for latter option. Pres., Sec., voting concludes Oct. 15. At large noms open Oct. 15, close 29th. Stephan seconds. Unanimously passes.

• Added things:
• Chris. S. Motion for Devin for second glass area champ.
• Brant: Solar panels for Lenox. Could be group buy with neighborhood. Grow Solar has discounts for non-profits, plus rebates. Dan: Tax breaks don't help because we don't pay taxes. Member Ben Nelson does this for a living. Dan: We should do it because it makes financial sense, not to be good people. Is right time in terms of roof lifespan. Geoff: Not a fan. One more thing to maintain. Dan: Would want <10 yr pay-back. Board would like a specific recommendation before discussing further. Brant will get info directly from group that does this. Dan: We have an on-peak/off-peak plan, so WE Energies might be more interested in us especially during summer days.
• Jerry: Grizzly dust collector drums removed from woodshop. We own. Can me used elsewhere. Is hereby clean handoff. No longer woodshop's problem. Tim will look into disposition opportunities. Is on wheels.
• Jerry: Nerdy derby wood: Check in, may be avenue for free wood.
• Hapto moves make Jon Drayna acting sec. for next meeting, give access to “info at.” Juliet seconds. Passes unanimously.

Meeting adjourns at ? pm.