Member Meeting Minutes for December 6th, 2023

Called to Order

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

Attendees

• Morgan Wable, Treasurer
• Lucian Chapar, Member at Large
• Wilkes Vaughn, Member at Large
• Rob Bedel
• Quara'e Canady
• Brian "Beebo" Esch
• Jim Fialho
• Greg Graham
• Allison Leamer
• Bryn Miller
• Maggie Miller
• Josh Mauer
• Andrew Pinto
• Nate Phillips
• Alex Roth
• Dean Roth
• Fred Slabaugh
• Doug Smith
• Geno Soroka

New Members or Guests

• None

Quote of the Day

No quotes this time!

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 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!

Organization Updates

• IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: We understand that many of you have concerns, comments, and/or questions regarding our former board Vice President Kirk Hendricks and the allegations against him. We are NOT going to address every complaint and/or allegation at this meeting.
  • Rob Bedel, our IT lead, announced at the end of the November 19th Members' Meeting that he had found multiple security breaches to our network and RFID door system. These breaches were allegedly traced to our former board Vice President Kirk Hendricks. The remaining four board members met and voted unanimously to remove Kirk from his position on the board and suspend him from both the organization and shop premises while investigating Rob's findings.
  • This discussion and announcement on Monday November 20th brought an influx of formal complaints raised against Kirk, written and verbal, both anonymously and otherwise. The complaints in question describe a wide gamut of inappropriate behavior, most UNrelated to Rob's IT/security findings, and the board is in the process of investigating further. Our understanding of the extent and severity of this misconduct is still evolving.
  • We want to remind every member of the following:
    • The board of directors is a group of dues-paying VOLUNTEERS for HackPGH: a private, non-profit organization. Our first priority is to the organization as a whole and the safety and well-being of its members. As such, we ask for patience and understanding as we continue to collect evidence regarding this matter. As your elected officers, we are doing our due diligence (to both Kirk and the membership) by pursuing and listing only the complaints that have evidentiary support. We have invited Kirk to contact us any time to discuss the matter through the info account.
    • At this time, all we have to say is: thank you for your patience and further information is forthcoming - as soon as we can provide it. We are trying to be as democratic and transparent as possible. After we contact Kirk with our findings, we will invite him to a meeting to hear his side and make our final decision(s) and announcements shortly thereafter.
• We want to apologize: - Rob Bedel's announcement was both ill-timed and inappropriate.
  • From now on, if you have a complaint about another member or a board member - please speak to a board member that you TRUST in private so we can handle problems like this in a confidential, diplomatic manner.
  • One of our priorities for the new year is ensuring that our bylaws, constitution, and wiki are updated and posted (online and in the shop). The contents will be consistent, transparent, and fair.
• Please save all comments and complaints for the OPEN FORUM at the end of the meeting. Thank you.

• 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! https://members.hackpgh.org/event-5487469
    • 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 a laser training/class session in January 2024.
• Bryn will be offering a programming class in January 2024.
• We will talk about the "computer lab's" status later, but we will be offering computer classes on design, CAD, and programming in January 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 doorbolt must be manually locked from the inside. We are working with our new locksmith (and member!) Tom 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. It is technically Dale's private area loaned to us.
• 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
    • Allison Leamer
  • 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!
• 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 Woodshop Build is still in progress.
  • Updates from Doug Smith?
• 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.
  • 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

• Any concerns and questions?

Move to Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at X:XX PM