A few of us had a chat at Paul's place on the 25th of Jan. Here's what we talked about.

• Articles of incorporation - decided the remaining outstanding issues. Ryan will edit the wiki.
• Board of directors - Min 3, max 7. President, VP (if >3 directors), treasurer, secretary. Others are directors at large.
• Discussed and revised mission statement. Ryan will edit the wiki.
• Discussed financial feasibility.
  • It was suggested that we raise membership rates, or have tiered membership. No decision.
  • Paul will look for cheaper locations.
• Spambots are invading forum and wiki. Paul will add additional moderators to forum, and see how to add sysops to wiki.
• Insurance - discussed appropriate amounts for liability insurance, and the possibility of D&O insurance. Brett will seek legal advice.
• Legalese - looked at Milwaukee's waiver, lease agreement, and membership agreement. They look good, but Brett will seek legal advice to make sure they are appropriate for SK.
• Future meetings were discussed:
  • 2 weeks advance notice if possible
  • Minutes to be taken and posted to the wiki and/or forums after the meeting
  • Consider using a more formal “motion/second/vote” system
  • Agenda to be posted in advance
• Software - if hosted by the space, it should be legit
• Sponsorship
  • Possible “donor wall”
  • Corporate sponsors - appoint one or more people to chase sponsorship
• Possible revenue sources
  • Classes - lab fees + donations?
  • Membership fees
  • Storage rental?
  • Rent out rack or server space?
  • Canteen. A vending machine was suggested instead of an honor system.
• Random thoughts on membership:
  • Vouching
  • Anyone who donates before space is open is grandfathered in, no vouch
  • Provision in bylaws for voting out problem members
• Member projects should be both legal and safe
• Guiding principles: be safe, be legal, don't be a dick.
• A safety committee was suggested, as well as training on tools before use
• Not actively pursuing spaces until we have seed money in the bank. Can look and see what we like/don't like, though.
• Financial stuff:
  • Signing authority - the board has signing authority, 3 signatures required.
  • No debit/credit card, all with checks where possible
  • Keep petty cash on hand, managed by treasurer. Treasurer to report on expenditures.
• Votes: online? Through the forum? (Can the admin see who voted for what?)
• Provision in the bylaws for virtual meetings (IRC or something)
• Don't worry about having a shop full of fancy stuff. Provide a space and things will come.
• Bylaws to be finished on the wiki over the next few days. Tim to finish framework, everyone else to review and edit

Action items:

• Ryan: update wiki, finalize articles of incorporation
• Brett: talk to lawyer friend
• Paul: start looking into cheaper spaces, add forum moderators and/or wiki sysops
• Tim: finish first pass of bylaws
• Everyone: review and edit bylaws
• Post completed articles/bylaws to the forum for all members to review, and have a vote (on the forum, or at the next general meeting)
• Start nomination process for board, assuming there is consensus on the board structure in the bylaws

Goals for next general meeting:

• Start incorporation process (this is ready to go, just need a vote on the articles)
• Nominate/elect board
• Ratify bylaws