Member Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2020

Call to order

Becky Zajdel called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM

Attendees

• Becky Zajdel, Secretary
• Adam Longwill, Board Member

COVID, mold, and accepting new members

• Allegheny County is still "green", despite a large resurgence in COVID cases. Our commitment to member safety is absolutely paramount.
  • Everyone will be required to maintain 6 ft of distance, wear masks, hand wash, etc.
• Tours have been successful! We have gained eight new members since we welcomed new members.
  • Tours are still by appointment only. Please sign up to help the Board out!
• Becky has created five "sanitation kits." They are portable and contain new cleansers, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and other items. Please place them around the shop as you see fit.

Shop news

• The election is underway for our new Board Member. Again, thank Simon Heath for his service!
  • The nominees are: Samantha Black, Nolan Cash, Cassie Griger, and Taylor Huston.
  • Please note, you will be not be voting for a new President. Board Members are elected in general and then officer positions are decided between the Board proper.
• Classes. We are considering approving small in-person classes such as jewelry-making and welding. The maximum number of students allowed will be three.
  • We are looking into offering virtual classes for topics such as arduinos and computer-building.
  • Please contact Asher if you would like to help us with this! They would like helpers for video recording classes. Another option are the folks at WorkHardPGH!
• The Board was interviewed by the Pittsburgh City Paper regarding how makerspaces are surviving and thriving during COVID. Protohaven was also interviewed. Becky tried her best, she promises.

Shop finances

• We have EXACTLY $6,609.29 (including PayPal funds and our bank account). This is AFTER Augusts's rent check. So we are in slightly better shape.
  • The only funds that have not been included in this total are checks and cash (from vending, laser payments, and mailed/drop off membership payments). We are assuming this will total $200 maximum. This will be counted soon and added to next month's financial report total.
  • That gives us only about three months of operating expenses.
• HackPGH will be operating on a shoestring budget when possible. This means rent, insurance, and utilities are our primary financial concerns.
  • The second tier of importance includes cleaning and sanitation supplies. Please let the Board know if we are short on hand sanitizer, cleansers, toilet paper, and/or paper towels.
  • Water and coffee will always be provided for free to our members. These items are donated by the amazing Tyler Mountain Spring Water Company. Please let the Becky know if bottled water is in short supply or if the fridge filter needs to be replaced.
  • Bring your own snacks and food, as vending items will not be purchased again until we secure more money.
  • If a tool breaks, please try to fix it yourself or post on Slack before asking us to replace it.
  • Thank you to our amazing member, Chris McCann, who donated $500!
• Fundraising ideas? We are all ears. Every little bit helps. The Board's efforts:
  • Meta Mesh (Adam and Becky's charity) is looking into donating what they can to HackPGH.
  • Becky is currently pursu
    • Wal-Mart NPO granting three financial avenues:
    • CostCo $5,000 grant (completed, takes 4-6 weeks for approval)
    • She spoke to an investor who originally wanted to set up a TechShop-like place in the city. She's trying to get him to donate to Hack instead. Anything is possible!
  • Asher is setting up a Facebook fundraiser for their birthday.

Gentle Rule Reminders

• Children aged seven and under are NOT allowed in the shop, even with a parent or guardian. This is for their safety and for the good of the organization, as it allows us to keep our insurance.
• Garbage
  • Garbage CANNOT be placed in the alley (Watson Street). It MUST be taken up and around in front of the building on Fifth Avenue every Monday night for Tuesday AM pickup! We were fined last week because multiple bags were left in Watson Street. We have garbage guidelines as well as the city pickup/recycling calendar posted on the white board right inside the Jumonville entrance.
  • Our recycling was not picked up because the delicate garbage princesses refuse to pick up blue bags. ONLY clear bags or... whatever they decide on that day. On Tuesday morning, they also did not pick up Dale's recycling despite it being perfectly packed up. Who knows.

Move to adjourn

• Adjourned at 8:35 PM
  • Minutes by Becky "The Icebox" Zajdel