February 2016 - Member Meeting

State of the space

• We’ve grown and stabilized at ~35 members. We’re stable enough to pay the rent and utilities, but would like to continue growing so the space can afford more toolage, possibly a bigger space someday.

Space finances

• On the edge of profitable, just in the black. Lower utilities have helped.

• Need members who are still paying $37.50 to update their subscriptions to $40/mo

• $1,000 from the John Deere Foundation, will use for the garage buildout.

Art show recap

• Significant interest in our space, tools, and group. Would like to replicate this success with other events.

Future events

• Kids’ racing? See Dave’s previous post to the list. Would need mentors.

• Line tracking robot workshop

• Woodworking workshops?

• More interest groups and recurring meetups

  • Tim is bringing back microcontroller night

  • A 3D printing group was suggested, but no one would agree to lead it

  • Ham radio group, and offer VE testing?

Garage buildout

• Need walls, need good lighting. Suggested we use fencing, and securely wall off a smaller section for tool storage.

• Electric

• Need heavy metal work tables

• Move one of our security cameras to the garage

Marketing the space: What will help attract new members?

• Continue to push photos, project writeups, events to social media

• Send flyers to companies

  • Break room flyers to advertise individual memberships

  • Different flyers to advertise corporate memberships

• Booth at farmer’s market?

  • Can show cutting boards, other things we can make, and hand out flyers

  • Free to register as a non-for-profit, if we advertise but don’t sell.

If we were to move to another space, what part of town?

• Several votes for in / near downtown.

• Noted there are many potential members living on the west end.