Member Meeting Minutes for May 21st, 2023

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Called to Order

  • The meeting was called to order by Becky Zajdel at: 7:38 PM

Attendees

  • Becky Zajdel, President
  • Brian "Beebo" Esch, Treasurer
  • Kirk Hendricks, Acting Secretary
  • Lucian Chapar, Director of Operations
  • Morgan Wable, Board Member at Large
  • Bryn Miller, Acting Director of Communications
  • Wilkes Vaughn
  • Tracy Donahue
  • Dean Roth
  • Chris McCann
  • Chris Napolitano
  • Geno Soroka
  • Neil Tronik
  • Zee Stager
  • Mark Gaudio
  • Doug Shipe

New Members

  • Mark Gaudio. Joined to do machining, specifically metal lathe. Does restoration and repair of audio tables.
  • Doug Shipe. Joined to use our 3d printing machines. Started fixing our IT and organizing everything! Thank you Doug.

Guest Introductions

  • Maggie (Wilkes's fiance)

Quote

"Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it." - Dr. Richard P. Feynman

Previous Events

  • May 19 - Game Night
    • Game night had its highest attendance ever!

Upcoming Events

https://hackpgh.org/calendar

  • Chess Club this Tuesday at 7PM
  • Kiefer's MIG Welding class is Saturday at 11AM
  • As always, shop tours and tool training (by appointment) takes place every Saturday and Monday evening starting at 7:30 PM.

Organization Updates

  • Election results and news from the Board!
    • The Board has been through a restructuring phase to improve Hack. As you know, we have added two spots on the Board to better support the shop and organization in general!
    • Alisa has stepped down from the board for a few weeks to a month. Whether or not she returns, we are extremely grateful for EVERYTHING she has done for the space, from her dedication to the administration to the generous donations from her family - and everything in between.
    • Bryn will be the acting seventh member of the Board.
    • The Board of Directors had their first full "seven person" meeting and have voted their officers and titles:
        • Becky Zajdel, President
        • Jeremy Sweeney, Vice-President
        • Brian "Beebo" Esch, Treasurer
        • Kirk Hendricks, Acting Secretary
        • Bryn Miller, Acting Director of Communications
        • Lucian Chapar, Director of Operations
        • Morgan Wable, Board Member at Large
  • Treasurer's Report
    • We have $5550.25 in the bank account, and exactly $1000.30 in PayPal (totaling $6,550.62). So far this calendar year (January-early May) we have made a net profit of $1,577.53.
  • Old Business
    • Tustin Tot Lot
      • German/Alabama company (SunCharge Systems) made our solar charging stations. We have reached out to them, and they have generously given us half-off on new usb ports! We have installed half of them so far.
      • The WiFi is working correctly, the issue is with our forwarding from Hack.
      • We will fix this all soon!
    • The vote for Honey Rosenbloom and her group's 3-day-Hack-a-Thon passed almost unanimously!
      • We spoke to Honey today and the date of the event is now February 23rd-25th.
      • They haven't asked for much, it will be a closed event of 25 people and has asked for a handful of volunteers in exchange for a space and a large donation.
      • Checked occupancy regulations, we are well below any fire regulations.
    • Fire safety plan
      • The electrician is coming in the next two weeks to hard install the ceiling detectors. We will be installing the wall-mounted detector/air quality monitors in the next week. You will be able to use an app (Kidde, Google, and/or Alexa) to view the data about the air quality on both sides.
      • Bryn and Morgan say it works with Home Assistant Support to display that information in an open-source way inside the space. Does anyone want to help them?? :)
    • Fire training
      • Dale has generously put up a quarter of the cost for an on-site training session here at Hack for up to 35 people.
      • We should learn how to use fire extinguishers in high-pressure situations.
      • Let us know if you are interested! The folks from upstairs will be joining us as well! Dates TBD.
  • New Business
    • CLASSES.
      • Kiefer has two MIG classes scheduled currently. Both unfortunately are fully booked.
      • Spencer (and others) have had plans to bring back their woodworking classes.
      • Geno is planning a mini-piano soldering class. Thanks to Lucian for helping with PCB fabrication!
      • Beebo would like to start a chainmail or origami class.
      • Rob is waiting for supply-side issues before scheduling his mechanical keyboard class.
      • Morgan and Lucian have both expressed interest in doing CAD classes to teach FreeCAD/Fusion360/etc.
      • Bryn is thinking about a class on virtual synthesizers. Mark G. offered some hardware! Thank you!
      • Wilkes volunteers to host a class on Unreal engine.
      • Any others? Contact the Board! We can help you plan it, describe it, price it, and push it on social media!
    • CLUBS
      • Chess Club (meets once a week Tuesdays at 7)
      • Game Night (the first and third Friday at 6PM)
      • Keep Calm and Carry Yarn (second Wednesday of every month at 6PM). Neil is our host for the foreseeable future. Thank you Neil!
      • 3D Printing Club (Dates TBD)
        • For 3D printing enthusiasts interested in learning about 3D printers!
        • We’ll teach all things 3D printing, from building, running, and maintaining them.
        • We will based out of the #3d_printing channel on our Slack for now
        • Lucian is a bamf at 3d printing.
        • Based out of the #3dprinting channel
      • Powerwheels Racing (every other Wednesday at 7pm)
        • Interested in making a power wheels car that runs off a massive lithium battery at ludicrous speeds haphazardly? We got you!
        • Hop into #powpowpowerwheels on Slack
      • Motorcycle Riders (dates TBD)
        • We have created the new slack channel #motorcycles for coordinating group rides and building community. Join this channel if you’re interested in joining us for a group
        • Let's make an electric dirt bike and drive it guys!
      • High Voltage Club (dates TBD)
        • Geno is taking lead.
        • Neon sign transforms etching wood.
        • Tesla coil!
        • Nikola Tesla birthday's is a major event!
      • Linux Club (dates TBD)
        • Will be scheduled in Linux epoch. If you don't understand, we'll explain!
        • Bryn, Morgan, Kirk, Neil taking lead.

Shop Updates

  • New garbage guidelines
    • Groundhogs have been getting into garbage bags that contain good, and pedestrians have been throwing trash into our recycling bin.
    • We have obtained a new large black garbage bin that will ONLY have bagged waste containing food/plates, etc. This new garbage bin and the blue recycling bin now have locks on them to stop unwanted additions and intruders from reaching our trash and recycling.
    • We should put a sharps container outside guys!! Let's help people stay safe.
  • Metal Shop Revamp
    • There’s a growing interest in greatly improving the facilities surrounding our machine shop tools, so we are meeting next weekend (Sat & Sun) and all are welcome to join.
    • This will be an ongoing initiative, so please join us in #metalworking_megachannel for discussing next steps!
  • Garage Bay Area Cleanout
    • Similar to above, we are cleaning out the garage bay to make room for more workspace and tools.
    • If you personally have items stored here we would like to work with you to find new homes for your stuff.
  • The website is down. We know. It's Canada's fault. We will keep you updated.

Project Updates

  • Would anyone like to share a completed project?
    • Wilkes and Geno have put together a 3d scanner for the space. Thank you both!
    • Michael Bloom has made some floating shelves! He reached out to us via the info account thanking us. Thank you to Chris McCann for re-training him and helping him with the quick build!
    • We are working with Davina and her son to develop some custom glasses! We are working with her son's optometrist on these glasses.
      • Morgan is running point with her and her optometrist.
      • Lucian knows everybody, including a gentleman who works at Mayo Clinic doing 3D printing for medical devices.

Recognition for AWESOMENESS

  • Z for fixing the sand blaster
  • Kris for starting the installation of the air conditioner
  • Matt Dube for being the permanent garbage and recycling volunteer
  • Dean for donating some delicious sodas at Game Night
  • James Keener has donated some gears for our Atlas lathe! Thank you so much!
  • Bryn Miller - She loves us all!
    • Why is Bryn still around?
    • Cause she is in a better headspace now
    • Welcome to the Board! (in a temporary capacity)

Move to Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at: 8:18 PM

Notes by Kirk Hendricks