historyofmms
History of Milwaukee Makerspace
2009
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Royce's
first tweet about forming a hackerspace in Milwaukee.
The first meeting was held at Tom Gralewicz's house in August 2009. The initial group of people interested in starting a hacker/maker space in Milwaukee started meeting at the
Culver's in West Allis shortly after the first meeting at Tom's house. The space started working in Tom's garage before we had an actual space. We built 4 power wheels cars for the first public race at Detroit.
Before we rented a building, we built some drivable Pots O Gold and entered in the St. Patricks Day parade. The Pots were built at Tom's warehouse in Oak Creek. We had 3 drivable pots and a number of people walking carrying a Makerspace banner.
Here are some pictures of the partly completed cars in front of Tom's garage.
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They created bylaws, a member agreement, a member release form, a guest release form, etc.
2010
November 2010
December 2010
The makerspace started accepting members in December 2010.
Tom Gondek (member 14) and
Adam Cohen (member 15) were the first two members to join after the rental space was opened.
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Moving electronic components and Wright-Line cabinets out of Tom's house, December 4, 2010. Pictured: Sean Malloy, Tom Gralewicz, Ron Bean.
2011
January 2nd, 2011
April 9th, 2011
July 2011
Fall 2011
October 2011
October 29, 2011
Brant makes the first ever member photo wall, a total of 31 members
December 2011
Jason G. reports on our growth and finances over the past year.
The addition of part-time and student membership levels stimulated growth more than anticipated and the group ends the year at 38 makers.
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2012
January 17, 2012
The membership votes on whether or not to explore moving to a new building near the Milwaukee Airport.
The “Mallory Vote” won with 13 yes, 11 no, and 4 abstaining, but due to the divisions the vote created between members, the prospect is dropped and the location was not pursued.
April 29, 2012
Brant updates the member photo wall for a total of 58 members
May 2012
The idea of a
Makership is proposed, approved, and the group soon begins accepting applications.
May 29, 2012
Brant updates the member photo wall for a total of 63 members
June 5, 2012
July 17, 2012
Fall 2012
August 23, 2012
August 25, 2012
Pete, Tom, Brant, Matt, Brent, and other members visit and tour the Lenox building.
September 11, 2012
By the summer of 2012 membership had grown to 60+ people, and it was decided that a Board of Directors would be put in place to run the group. The board is responsible for conducting day-to-day organization business and making decisions on policies, events, and other topics, while also taking into account the thoughts of the members.
October 2, 2012
October 9, 2012
October 16, 2012
Director at Large: Kevin Bastyr
Director at Large: Adam Cohen
Director at Large: Jason Hilleshiem
October 23, 2012
Milwaukee Makerspace, LLC officially closes on the Lenox Building.
The Milwaukee Makerspace Investor's Group is formed to manage the property.
November 2012
Shortly after Thanksgiving, Rich Neubauer stepped down as President. A meeting was held to discuss a succession plan and Brant Holeman was voted the Acting President until the membership could meet and vote on the position. After two special elections, the following Board Members assumed these titles:
December 21, 2012
December 29, 2012
2013
January
Milwaukee Makerspace completes its move into the Lenox Building.
Major renovations continue for four more weeks.
Milwaukee Makerspace is granted an occupancy permit on January 25th and meetings resume.
February
March
May
Milwaukee Makerspace hosts the Bay View Gallery at Lenox and hosts the Bay View Arts Guild, showing off their work, as well as the work of members, and the space.
July
The group achieves 100 members.
Milwaukee Makerspace took part in the South Shore Frolics Parade and showed Bay View our modified Power Wheels Cars.
For the first time since its creation, the Board of Directors recommends that a membership be terminated. A hearing is held on Tuesday, July 30th to address the group. The resolution receives 37 votes to terminate and 15 to remain a member; just below the 75% majority required. The individual remains a member.
October
December
2014
January 21, 2014
February 20, 2014
May 2014
Tiffany M. elected Facilities Director, replacing Matt W. who stepped down shortly before. Title of Facilities Director changed to Operations Director.
September 9, 2014
The membership votes to approve By-Laws Revisions proposed by the Board
43 votes to approve, 0 no votes, and 3 abstained out of 178 members
September 27-28, 2014
The first ever
Maker Faire Milwaukee draws 26,000+ people to the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds over two days.
September 30, 2014
2015
January 11, 2015
January 12, 2015
January 14, 2015
January 18, 2015
Brant updates the member photo wall on the letter board outside the Laser Lab with 93 members
February 3, 2015
February 13, 2015
The membership votes to amend the By-Laws so that Annual Board Elections take place in March rather than October. The change allows the Vote of No Confidence to be nullified if a new Operations Director is elected. The vote is 72 for, 5 against, and 5 abstain out of 207 members for a 39% turnout.
March 17, 2015
September 26, 2015
November 18, 2015
December 30, 2015
2016
January 1st, 2016
May 14th, 2016
June 25th-26th, 2016
July 30th-31st, 2016
September 24th-25th, 2016
2017
April 11, 2017
June, 2017
July, 2017
2018
April, 2018
2019
January, 2019
Brant updates the letter board outside the Laser Lab
April, 2019
June 2019
2020
March 16, 2020
April 2020
May 26, 2020
December 9, 2020
2021
January 2021
November 2021
First ever “Zelda Day.” Many old/ugly pots made at the space were smashed and turned into mosaics.
First “Open Forge Friday” night. Dan Jonke hosts a training for members to learn how to use the forge and make their first project.
2022
July 16, 2022
MMS participates in the Redbull Flugtag. Faith Flintock piloted the aircraft, named “Leap of Faith.” Does not place, but everybody had a blast making together and watching Faith fly. None of the crew jumped off the pier.
August 9, 2022
August 13, 2022
November 22, 2022
December 3, 2022
2023
April 2023
September 2nd and 3rd, 2023
September 9, 2023
October 28 2023
November 4-5, 2023
MMS participates in Maker Faire Milwaukee. Stained glass, forge, and daleks had their own booths, making a huge showing.
Nov 22, 2023
Dec 2, 2023
The board votes to remove of what remains of the Lenox forge and move the equipment to Norwich.
The board votes to reduce the amount of public meetings to twice per month, add a mini-SID to the second Tuesday of the month, and move the monthly BOD meeting to the end of the month.
Dec 18, 2023
historyofmms.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/08 22:38 by wildapricot-gondek_traci