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Nice job David! Thanks!<BR>
<BR>
I feel really good about tonight's meeting. We have a really great group of people. <BR>
And we now have 29 really cool people with keys, so I expect that there will now<BR>
be lots of really cool stuff happening at Noisebridge just about any time of day or <BR>
night. :)<BR>
<BR>
Mitch.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>-------------------<BR>> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 02:22:53 -0700<BR>> From: dmolnar@eecs.berkeley.edu<BR>> To: noisebridge-discuss@lists.noisebridge.net<BR>> Subject: [Noisebridge-discuss] General Meeting Notes 7 October 2008<BR>> <BR>> Hi all,<BR>> <BR>> Here are my notes from the meeting today. Please let me know if you have<BR>> any additions, questions, or amendments, etc.. I'll wiki-fy them after a<BR>> day or two, including any fixes people send me, unless someone else<BR>> feels like doing it.<BR>> <BR>> Roughly 32-35 people in attendance.<BR>> <BR>> 1) Incorporation Status<BR>> <BR>> * Secretary of State has accepted the incorporation documents<BR>> * The first Board resolutions to activate the corporation have been<BR>> drafted, need to be slightly fixed up, redrafted, and then signed by<BR>> Board members. Then we are an active California Public Benefit<BR>> Non-Profit corporation.<BR>> ** ETA: Wednesday 8 October 2008<BR>> ** Andy and Mitch take responsibility for obtaining signatures<BR>> * David Molnar will file online for a Tax ID number<BR>> * Noisebridge will then open an account with Wells Fargo<BR>> ** There is a branch down the street<BR>> ** Question about Wells Fargo's stability - they appear to be stable<BR>> (they are eating other banks, not being eaten)<BR>> ** Question about credit unions -- they appear not to be a good fit for<BR>> small businesses<BR>> * Wells Fargo can be changed later if membership desires, but we need a<BR>> bank account now<BR>> <BR>> 2) Keys, Dues, Membership<BR>> <BR>> * Shannon Lee sent out to make many copies of the key to the space<BR>> ** People are getting keys tonight<BR>> <BR>> * Bootstrap Membership process<BR>> ** We have talked about a 3 month contribution/waiting period<BR>> ** Do not want to prevent people from being members who have contributed<BR>> so far!<BR>> ** Therefore invite people to join now<BR>> ** Initial members will help us all make a membership process<BR>> ** Goal: simple 1-page document to sign stating agreement with<BR>> Noisebridge mission, disclaim liability, and agree to pay dues on time<BR>> <BR>> * Dues: where does it go?<BR>> ** Rent - $1975/month<BR>> ** Electric bill - we're not sure exactly, but $300-$600?<BR>> *** Previous tenants paid $365 for 1.3 megawatt-hours (13,000 100-watt<BR>> lightbulbs on continuously)<BR>> *** House can use 2 megawatt-hours per month<BR>> ** Connectivity - DSL + cable bill<BR>> ** Consumables - toilet paper, resistors, etc.<BR>> <BR>> * Board exists to fill will of membership<BR>> * Want to trust the members. "We're not sacred cows. Don't be afraid to<BR>> kill us."<BR>> ** "Don't actually murder us."<BR>> <BR>> * Want to collect 2x rent every month<BR>> ** Cushion because we don't know our monthly expenses yet<BR>> ** Will be moving target until we work this out<BR>> <BR>> * Two proposals for membership fees, assuming 55 members:<BR>> 1) Baseline fee of $75, "starving hacker" fee of $50<BR>> 2) Baseline fee of $80, "starving hacker" fee of $40<BR>> <BR>> * We accept donations above membership fee<BR>> ** If you want a "Corporate Rate" of $5000/month we can do that<BR>> <BR>> * Pay 3 months or more at a time if you can<BR>> ** Helps Noisebridge figure out what to expect<BR>> * Jake promises to sink as much money as needed to keep Noisebridge<BR>> running for one year more<BR>> <BR>> * Feeling that $10 makes a difference to starving hackers, so $80/$40<BR>> * What do members get for their dues?<BR>> ** Need to work that out with members<BR>> ** Keys at a minimum<BR>> * Membership lapses? 1 month behind on dues?<BR>> ** Another thing to figure out<BR>> ** Won't take away key because you're one month behind<BR>> <BR>> * Door lock progress<BR>> ** Goal: keycard lock<BR>> ** Thomas is obtaining bill of materials for AnonAccess keycard system<BR>> ** We will be obtaining a quote for SALTO DESFire system, too<BR>> ** Contact David Molnar to be on the Lock Team<BR>> <BR>> * For now, trust the members to do the right thing with keys<BR>> * Do we redo key discussion when we have a new lock?<BR>> ** Probably not, but we will talk about it<BR>> ** Likely scenario: trade in key for keycard<BR>> * What if income is low enough that $40 is too much?<BR>> ** Gender issues, women work for 50 cents/dollar<BR>> ** Scholarship program - Noisebridge forgives some dues?<BR>> ** Sponsorship/patronage program - one member sponsors another?<BR>> ** We will try to work something out<BR>> * The $40 is not "hard wired"<BR>> * Grants?<BR>> ** Jake looking at $150K grant for "hacker in residence" program<BR>> * Want to make Noisebridge accessible as possible<BR>> * Even if not member, not paying dues, welcome to hang out at space!<BR>> * Members will also be part of consensus process<BR>> ** Welcome input from non-members too, but members decide<BR>> * Greg wanted to point out that the $80/$40 can be reviewed at a future<BR>> time, even if we agree to it now<BR>> ** Put as agenda item for meeting on wiki<BR>> * Treasurer will open source accounting<BR>> ** Subject to privacy of donors - $1k in anon donations already<BR>> <BR>> * Should ask "does anyone disagree" with consensus rather than "does<BR>> everyone agree" - easier to hear when there are dissenting voices<BR>> ** Adopted<BR>> <BR>> * After Shannon arrived with the keys (at the end of the meeting), Jake<BR>> then asked people to sit down. Then Jake asked people to stand up if<BR>> they felt they had made a contribution, that they would continue to make<BR>> a contribution, and they were OK with paying dues. Many people stood up,<BR>> they all got keys.<BR>> <BR>> * Consensus: Move forward with $80 baseline, $40 "starving hacker" dues,<BR>> with concerns noted about payment in kind, sponsorship, or scholarship<BR>> for people that can't afford $40 but still contribute. Also noted that<BR>> these numbers are open to revision.<BR>> <BR>> 3) Consensus Process and Running Meetings<BR>> <BR>> * Proposals for improving meeting and consensus process:<BR>> ** 90 minute time limit to meetings<BR>> ** Recorder reads back consensus to everyone, asks "Does anyone disagree?"<BR>> ** Do not decide big things in same meeting when introduced<BR>> ** Limit ad-hoc agenda items (see also 90 minute time limit)<BR>> * Who joins the consensus process? "Wander in off the street" issue.<BR>> ** Have to be a member<BR>> ** Person has to be a member of a group for consensus to work<BR>> ** This deals with "out of nowhere" problem<BR>> * Can we get IRC channel to discuss beforehand?<BR>> ** Yes. See #noisebridge on irc.freenode.net !<BR>> ** Sadly, this by itself does not shorten meetings<BR>> * NYC Resistor - need to do a cool project to be a member<BR>> * What about members interested but not present?<BR>> ** Some weeks people can't leave the apartment<BR>> ** People travel<BR>> * Ubuntu Boston meetings: webcam, IRC<BR>> * Space will have projector, webcam, microphones<BR>> * Work on telepresence and tele-consensus needs doing<BR>> * Process discussion will go on wiki<BR>> * Consensus: we are not done yet discussing the consensus process. More<BR>> work needed.<BR>> <BR>> 4) Safety Committee<BR>> <BR>> * Seth Schoen is starting a Safety Committee. He couldn't make it<BR>> tonight, but he has already started adding things to the space.<BR>> * Currently 2 fire extinguishers, some goggles, earplugs, etc.<BR>> * e-mail the list and start a wiki page about Safety Committee<BR>> * Action items for Safety Committee: figure out agenda items for near<BR>> future meeting<BR>> * Question - are board members on Safety Committee? Jake is.<BR>> * Consensus: we have a Safety Team.<BR>> <BR>> 5) Kitchen and Chem Lab<BR>> <BR>> * Shannon previously had suggested on list that we scrap the kitchen and<BR>> use it exclusively as a chem lab.<BR>> * Shannon stated at the meeting that he felt the consensus was to keep<BR>> the kitchen. No one disagreed with this.<BR>> * Meredith described plans for a fume hood on casters.<BR>> * Meredith and Shannon will form the Chem Lab Team. Talk to them if you<BR>> want to help out with building out the chem lab.<BR>> <BR>> * Consensus: we keep the kitchen. We have a Chem Lab Team.<BR>> <BR>> 6) Insurance Status<BR>> <BR>> * David Molnar is handling interactions with insurance agents.<BR>> ** One agent gathering a General Liability quote for us<BR>> ** Another agent has given us application forms<BR>> ** Forms sent to board@lists.noisebridge.net, archives public<BR>> ** Check wiki page, ask David if any questions<BR>> <BR>> * We are applying for the following insurance:<BR>> ** $1MM of general liability, $500K per occurrence, because the lease<BR>> says we need to have it. Covers slip and fall, accidents, etc.<BR>> ** Property theft insurance - $15K replacement cost, $1K deductible, but<BR>> this may change depending on the premium. This covers Noisebridge<BR>> property of the space only, so it covers the oscilloscope but it DOES<BR>> NOT cover your laptop! We will ask about coverage for member property<BR>> and see how much it costs.<BR>> ** $1MM of Directors & Officers insurance. Protects board and officers<BR>> in case a donor sues the corporation for mishandling a donation among<BR>> other things. At a previous meeting Alameda County Computer Resource<BR>> Center people suggested seriously having this.<BR>> <BR>> * These are starting points for insurance so we can get up and running.<BR>> We can revisit in the future. In particular we may want to increase the<BR>> coverage for member property. That depends on our finances and the cost.<BR>> Our priority now is to get the basics in place to cover operations.<BR>> ** Until then, please don't leave your laptop in the space.<BR>> <BR>> * Two people pointed out that renters' insurance may cover personal<BR>> property lost in the space. Check your coverage!<BR>> <BR>> * Consensus: David M. should continue to pursue insurance.<BR>> <BR>> 7) Safari<BR>> <BR>> * Brian/endenizen is researching Safari, online book service for<BR>> O'Reilly books<BR>> * Current status is we can get a corporate account at no cost to<BR>> Noisebridge proper, then that enables individuals to access cheaper<BR>> plans than they could obtain on their own. Need minimum 5 people.<BR>> * Plans are pre-paid, cheapest is $153/year in advance<BR>> * Cheapest plan is 10 books / 30 day period, not downloadable<BR>> * Slightly more expensive plan allows downloading<BR>> * Plans rocket up in cost from there<BR>> * Still need individual accounts under the corporate account, but these<BR>> accounts are transferable<BR>> * Brian asked if group is OK with having a group account, also asked if<BR>> there were at least 5 people interested<BR>> * More than 5 people raised their hands<BR>> * Meredith pointed out competing services may be available.<BR>> * This does not establish a precedent that all no-fee corporate accounts<BR>> are automatically OK. For example, would need to discuss a corporate<BR>> Zipcar account. Settle on case-by-case basis.<BR>> <BR>> * Consensus: Brian can move forward with a corporate account for<BR>> Noisebridge and organizing Team Safari. Several members have concerns<BR>> about being associated with a service that uses Digital Rights<BR>> Management, but these concerns are not blocking. In addition, future<BR>> corporate accounts must be discussed on a case-by-case basis.<BR>> <BR><BR></body>
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