Minutes:14 FEB 2024 Members Meeting Agenda

Meeting begins: 1911

Meeting ends: 2036

Participants: David G., Andrew C., Nate Y., Brian J., James K., Joe D., Erik C., Mason O., Victor M., Sarah B.

Agenda

• Announcements/new business - 10m
• Operations
• Financial
• Membership
• Outreach
• Education

Minutes

• Announcements/new business:

• Operations:
  • PC upgrades: buy new vs. upgrade (i.e. more RAM/switch to SSD)? - James K./Nate Y./Ben N.
    • Focus on donated machines instead of buying?
      • try a returnable CPU replacement?
    • Use existing Mac Mini for the public PC
    • https://www.ebay.com/itm/285309742776 as an example of new PCs
    • Victoria to look at getting a few https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Nucbox5-Desktop-Computer-Windows/dp/B0B75PT2RY/?th=1 for $140?
    • 3dp is now in good shape!
    • laser next?
    • James phasing out Intel macs for M1s
    • IT committee ?
  • Access control (interior and exterior): pivot to off-the-shelf Unifi solution? - James K./Nate Y./Ben N.
    • front (internal) door working reliably; very manual process of adding people; exterior (Liberty stairs) door strike in place - Nate Y.
    • reach*ed* out to Lynn RE wall mount - Nate Y.
    • need camera in place to cover our liability; G5? - Nate Y.
    • We should test out some of the higher-end Unifi cameras for the main entrance, to control the number of alerts.
    • Access control -- we will order some Unifi gear at the beginning of 2024 (returning if it doesn't work out), could roll into the fundraiser.
  • Can we define a group of people "responsible" for each machine who would document/maintain/organize the main trainings? (i3-style "zone wardens")
    • somewhat happening organically?
    • or a list of subject matter experts?
  • Elections - James K.
• Financial:
  • Financial Position: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U_IURRK7QLhnVKWiRDk4u64dw7JJ2WuK/view?usp=sharing
  • Financial Activity: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8axPee9qlmCH8ajU5dZQKTJLn3bK7ZE/view?usp=sharing
  • Monthly financial report https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fCZ2j8G5ZXTxQlR_fnR_BoUldrVSsgBDnbztHpAYgGw/edit?usp=sharing
  • Accountant/tax advice/Payroll solutions - Joe D.
    • Joe's solution: try doing paperwork ourself with payroll service. Switch to CPA if its overwhelming; needs review (fwded to board)
      • Artisan market starts 4/7
    • Setup will be a big job either way. Management may not be that much work.
    • This needs at least two people.
    • https://docs.google.com/document/d/15guo7zZOTvUhtWUuEZ3JxxUewXUzQSMBxMrQysdqxFo/edit?usp=sharing
    • reach out to i3, ~~Maker Works~~ -- how do they handle this? - Nate Y.
• Membership:
  • Membership tracking
    • We have something terrible, but functional! Long term is to get this into something more suitable (CiviCRM?)
    • James K. open to creating a custom open-source solution for us over an upcoming weekend (with prodding/reminders!)
• Outreach:
  • Future grants?
    • Free-form MEDC grant - James K./Ben N.
    • SA²T (Sustaining Ann Arbor Together) - Sarah B./Nate Y.
      • Will start January 1st
    • SPARK cooperation, can we give them more bang for their buck? - David G.
  • Upcoming events:
    • End of the year fundraiser:
      • CiviCRM fundraising management - Sarah B.
      • Events:
        • Science thing at Lawton Elementary 1/24 5pm
        • Sam's bat mitzvah
  • Future goals & pitch deck - Sarah B.
    • Come up with 3-5 year goals for the pitch deck
  • schmooze cruise - everyone reach out to 3 people and ask for donations, and/or attend events to promote AHA! and our fundraiser
  • Cahoots - James K.
    • very 2-3 happy hours
    • Bob Ross-style soldering workshop (leverage PCBway sponsorship)
    • other workshops where knowledge workers can use hands instead
    • discounted memberships/annual donation
    • 2-3 access cards for staff after orientation in exchange for use of their event space(s)
  • Workantile - James K.
  • Bamboo - James K.
  • Art Fair
  • Newsletter owners needed
    • Tango tutorials - Sarah B.
• Education:
  • 2024 education goals/classes
    • How to transfer some responsibilities for classes to more people?
    • form own sub-committee?
  • Bonus: DIY fob/badge idea
• Communications improvements
  • always-on #general on TV/RPi
  • Matrix vs. Discord?
    • bridging as stopgap?