Member Meeting Minutes for December 6th, 2023

Called to Order

• The meeting was called to order by Morgan Wable at 7:40 PM

Attendees

• Morgan Wable, Treasurer (Presiding on behalf of President)
• Lucian Chapar, Member at Large
• Wilkes Vaughn, Member at Large
• Alex Roth
• Allison Leamer
• Andrew Pinto
• Brian "Beebo" Esch
• Bryn Miller
• Chris McCann
• Dean Roth
• Doug Smith
• Fred Slabaugh
• Geno Soroka
• Greg Graham
• Maggie Miller
• Nate Phillips
• Quara'e Canady
• Valerie Walch

New Members or Guests

• N/A

Organization Updates

• We are establishing a more organized system for shop leads. Each area of the shop (and large machines) will now have at least two leads in charge of the area. They will help conduct maintenance, training, and report any problems and budgeting needs to the board. They will also meet monthly with the board to discuss any issues and needs. This will hopefully lead to a more organized shop with less machine shutdowns. Currently, the tentative shop leads are as follows:
  • Woodshop:
    • Doug Smith, Kyle Anschuetz, and Spencer Zacher.
  • CNC:
    • Spencer Zacher and Alex Reasinger** (we need a third lead as Alex lives quite far away! However, he has offered to support any CNC leads)
  • Welding
    • Kiefer Mansfield, Chris McCann, and Z.
  • Metal Shop
    • (We need volunteers!)
  • Laser Cutter
    • Lucian Chapar
  • IT
    • Rob Bedel
  • 3D Printing
    • Wilkes Vaughn and Lucian Chapar
  • Soft Arts
    • Aaron Stein and Becky Zajdel
• Please contact the board if you'd like to volunteer to be a shop lead!

Upcoming Events

https://hackpgh.org/calendar

• Geno's "Learn to Solder a Holiday Tree" class has been changed from this coming Saturday (December 9th) to next Sunday, December 17th from 2pm-6pm.
• Keep Calm and Carry Yarn Club is next Wednesday, December 13th starting at 6pm.
  • PM Becky or another Board member if you're interested in making a "cancer cap" to donate to Hillman Cancer Center!
• Kyle's Intro to Woodworking class is next Saturday, December 16th from 10am-4pm.
  • We have added two seasonal shapes to the cutting board/breadboard the students can make: a snowman, and a holiday tree. Register now, as there are three spots left!

• CLASSES
  • Kiefer is taking off teaching for the month of December. He will return with a TIG-welding class on a Saturday in January. Date TBD.
    • We already discussed Kyle's December 16th woodworking class. He will be offering a snowman/holiday tree cutting board options. Register now if you are interested!
    • Spencer's next two Intro to Woodworking classes are scheduled for Sunday, January 14th and Sunday, February 11th - both at 9am.
  • Geno's class changes will be completed by midnight tonight so everyone can register if they want to join the soldering class!
  • New classes!
• Jaimee Gaster is teaching a wood lathe class where you can make a pen or a bottle stopper.
  • The first class will be held on a Thursday evening in January (Exact date TBD).
  • The class is limited to two people. We will add dates as demand and Jaimee's schedule permits.
• Morgan will be offering regularly scheduled laser training as well as project-based classes & workshops on advanced laser cutter usage beginning January 2024.
• Bryn will be offering an introductory programming class in January 2024. This will be a crash course in basic computing principles by way of Javascript. More details forthcoming.
• Now that we have something of a computer lab, we will be launching an assortment of other computer-bound classes on design, animation, CAD modelling, programming and other topics as early as January or February 2024.

Treasurer's Report

• We have $10,337.02. We just paid rent, insurance, and we have had quite a few emergency expenditures recently.
• Our Autumn Fundraiser has exactly 14 days left!
  • Please use the Pledge link shared several times or text HACKPGHFALL to 707070!

Shop Updates

• Steve Owens and Rob Bedel have fixed the network issues and the RFID problems with BOTH doors. All members should now have access to Jumonville and Watson street doors.
  • The Watson Street door knob must be manually locked from the inside at all times, except while exiting the building. We are working with Tom, our new locksmith (and newest member!) on a more permanent solution.
• One of the shop's fuses/circuits broke and we had an arc flash that has led us to shut and lock down the breaker box. It only affected the server/router cabinet. New fuses have been purchased, we just need to switch them out safely. There is a yellow extension cord running from the 3d print farm area to the server cabinet in the storage room. DO NOT unplug the cord or enter the server room at any time without express permission from the Board.

• Garbage and Recycling
  • Both dumpsters both now have lock bars due to an influx of illegal dumping. We will post information on how to unlock and lift the bars.
  • We can no longer recycle glass. Please throw any glass in the garbage.
• Parking Permits
  • When leaving a project or large materials in appropriate areas, always use a parking permit.
  • You must completely fill out the parking permit. EVERY time. Every member. No exceptions. Your name, a contact number/email, the type of project, and the date.
  • The meeting table in the computer lab now has three (soon to be four) designated workspaces in the form of self-healing mats. Items are not to be left in these spaces while not in use so as to ensure their availability and cleanliness.
• The Woodshop Build is still in progress.
• Soft Arts is about 90% cleaned out!
  • All items are now organized and labeled either in lockers or the black bookcase.
  • The new carpet (including runner and two spill mats) is being delivered and installed this Friday, December 8th.
  • If you use any soft arts materials, PLEASE return all thread, scissors, fabric, bobbins, etc. to their labeled containers & shelves. COVER all sewing/embroidery/serger machines. All machines now have a cover.
• Storage Room
  • We are no longer using the storage room for a computer lab. The lab will be built (as you can see, with the four new computers) around the conference tables instead.
  • We will, however, still be selling some lockers to make room for more effective storage solutions.

Recognition for AWESOMENESS

• Steve Owens and Rob Bedel for fixing the doors and network.
• Everyone who helped us complete the Hazelwood ornament project! They look GREAT!

Open Floor

• Quara'e Canady posed several questions to the Board regarding the ongoing investigation into various complaints leveled against Kirk Hendricks. The Board is unable to offer any further information at this time, and the topics mentioned will be addressed whenever possible.

Move to Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.