BoardMeeting202302

Board Meeting: February 19, 2023

Time & Location

• Meeting Located virtually on Big Blue Button
• 2:00 PM

Attendees

Board: Issac Merkle, Tracy Homer, Sean Simoneau, Sue Joslin, Billy Huddleston, Jondale Stratton, Bryan Howard, Russell Portwood

Minutes

• Pre-meeting czar meeting
  • Should we get the czars credit cards? We will look into writing a policy.
  • Are we all clear on the class submission process? We do know that people have to go through czars in order to teach a class?
  • If we get a toaster oven for hospitality, it should be under a sprinkler
  • Ray did some crazy brainstorming: more and different food items, organize community gatherings, want better tables - what can hospitality do to make the space better for everyone
  • What should the larger role of hospitality be - we should use it to build community

• Financials
  • We broke 10k in member dues in just one month and about to break $100k balance
  • We have most number of student/senior rates but also the most ever in $50 month pay
  • We are about 65% members paying the full rate

• Grant status report
  • Large format printer is not set up yet - HP is possibly sending a new set of cartridges
  • We need to collect data on cool things people do with the tools so we can report to the grantors

• Putting our money into a higher rate savings account - by Russell
  • If we do it locally, the introductory rate is good but then it drops
  • Online banks seem better - as long as we don't put in too much money that we need to get out and lose the interest
  • Also there are high rate savings accounts online that would be better than our bank
  • How much, how long, do we ladder? Discussion and then voting ensued.

• Membership update
  • So many trial members!
  • Tracy is finally caught up with axing people that haven't been paying so now will be a monthly check to see who is 3 months behind and communicating with them

• Changing website wording
  • Should we change the website wording to infer that the Student and Senior Rate is a discount, not a perk for being old (or studying)
  • We can change the language on the dues page
  • We also have to change the membership rules

• Talking about David R. as a new Peace Officer - to take Ray's spot
  • David did not give a speech
  • Andrew will miss Ray's picture in the bathroom

• Mayor's Maker Council
  • Laurie came on to update us!
    • Where is Knox Makers going on with the Maker Faire?
  • We absolutely want to be part of the decision making
  • Some of the board will be on the sub-committee - we'll see if anyone else wants to be in on it

• Transforming Western Project - looks like they are still hiring maybe? There is no other update

• Maintenance Issues
  • Lighting issues still
  • Rain sometimes leaks in under the wall - don't think there's anything to do about it
  • The koi pond is back but again, what are we going to do
  • There's a hole in the fence - by the doghouse is - also there is some hobo activity on the other side again

• Aliki came on to talk about the Make Sale
  • She has a giant spreadsheet with dates and information
  • Now what's the date going to be?
  • Issac will go to our building overlord and ask about June 11th and October 1st

• Next Board Meeting March 19, 2023 - same time, same station

Votes

• • Voted unanimously to authorize Sue to purchase up to 4 CDs up to $60,000, and put another amount in a higher yield account
  • Voted unanimously to change the membership rules to include people on disability as eligible for the discounted $20 rate
  • Voted unanimously to ratify David as the peace officer
  • Voted unanimously in favor of Laurie