On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 1:32 PM, Ben Humpherys <moogli...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The role of the Board of HeatSync Labs has three parts:

>    1. To Guide the Community in the fulfillment of our mission and goals.
>    2. To Represent the Will of the Community where an official
>    representation is necessary to interface with other organizations and to
>    fulfil the Law of the land.
>    3. To Empower the Individuals that make up the Community of HeatSync
>    Labs to take Action towards the ends of fulfilling our goals and mission.

>  --

> Brian, I just bought up wood shop as something visible whose status is in
> flux; it can sit unused for any number of reasons, just like the HAM shack
> or anything else, no fault of yours. But I'm surprised by your complaints,
> because this is the first I'm hearing about them.

> Yes, Spiritual Leader is much closer to the ideal board member than
> Project Manager or Volunteer Coordinator. In fact you've running for
> Champion, whose very definition is to motivate people with your vision.
> We've been moving to reduce the board's role in daily operations since last
> election and have talked about these grassroots values in public a lot
> (though apparently not enough.) I don't think organizing volunteers and
> clearly defining their tasks is something the board, especially champion,
> should be doing. In a corporation, the board hires the CEO and trusts them
> to run things, it doesn't run things directly. The board is definitely the
> spiritual leadership of a corporation (which, unfortunately, we have to be
> for 501c3.)

> One thing that concerns me a lot is that many of the issues you've raised
> lately, in a somewhat political setting, are totally new to me and I'm sure
> many other members. Major community issues like microphone recording, kids
> welding in flip flops, community involvement in the bylaws, and your
> workbenches, all seem to flip between "not important enough to speak up
> about" and "examples behind why I should be a board member." I feel like
> you're saving those issues up to score political points with them instead
> of addressing them fully, in good faith, at the time. I might be wrong, but
> that's my perspective.

> I haven't bugged you about the wood shop because I figured you were busy,
> not because I knew anything about some kind of bench allocation grudge.
> It's all very surreal. If moving or fixing a bench will get us closer to a
> wood shop, I'll drive over and do it right now!
> The bylaws were discussed extensively at the community meeting where Jose
> presented them. I think Nate C. and Byron did more work on them than
> anyone, which is, nothing actionable happened.
> The flip flop welding incident happened when I was in Japan in March, and
> I'm first hearing about it in October; apparently the issue was raised to
> only a couple people there at the time but apparently it ended there,
> resolved or not.
> Microphones in the space were a serious legal/moral issue you were
> concerned with a few weeks ago, (aside: why didn't it get voted on on the
> 27th? Should we vote on it tonight?) but when I got a few minutes to stick
> electrical tape over them and chatted with you about hacking on them
> together, you hadn't thought about it recently.

> Now I'm not the only community member here, but you're running against
> Tim, Ryan, and Jeremy. I'll wager they've been less involved in these
> situations you've brought up than I have, yet somehow these are examples of
> things that would presumably run better when you're a board member; better
> than the competition?

> I've got infinite respect for the time and energy you've put into the
> community. Your casting group is one of the more amazing things I share
> with people. But between the talk of undoing the "do-ocracy" philosophy,
> clearly defining tasks for volunteers, and these concerning issues that
> apparently aren't concerning enough to let more than a couple people know
> about, I'm sincerely worried about serving on a board with you.

> Believe me, the issues you've raised are important to me and I plan to
> help address them; but I thought we were on the same team until a few weeks
> ago and now during an election you've suddenly brought up what amounts to a
> list of my failings as the Operations board member. So please forgive me if
> I'd rather work through them together with you, Austin, and every other
> amazing person in this community, instead of working for you on the board,
> to fix them and improve HeatSync.
> On Oct 11, 2012 10:37 AM, "Brian Aday" <projecti...@gmail.com> wrote:

>> Well HeatSync, today we chose. We know what the incumbents believe to be
>> be true, what the new people are motivated to do, and what you can expect
>> in the next year from your candidates.

>> In light of Will's last minute response, and since it seems to be a
>> direct attack on me, I have a few parting thoughts. For those of you that
>> already know me, this reply will be nothing new. I have discussed this with
>> other members for a year.

>> Time Commitment.

>>  It's true, we are an all volunteer organization! Most of the new people
>> understand the time commitment , and what they have signed up for. I have
>> discussed this with them at length, and trust me they agonized over their
>> decision to run. They are running because they think Heatsync is worth
>> working for and they agree Heatsync is a special place. My board run is a
>> personal commitment to Heatsync and it's members to make the space a more
>> open and enjoyable space, to expand our skills, and bring in new and
>> interesting people. I have the time now to dedicate to the task. I don't
>> see it as a martyrdom, and since I have done this kind of thing before I
>> understand if you make it easy and enjoyable for people to participate it
>> can be sustained. We can look to Austin and Nate as examples.

>>  It doesn't need to be a small group of volunteers doing everything,
>> volunteering at HeatSync simply needs to be *organized*. It is a lot
>> easier to commit time to a task when it is clearly defined rather than an
>> open ended. Volunteer once, do the task once, no further obligation. I
>> believe this approach will explode the volunteerism at HeatSync if we just
>> make it easier. I am willing to facilitate.

>> *Facility*

>> No one is advocating turning HeatSync into a TechShop. They really are a
>> different thing altogether and legally we would have to dissolve HeatSync
>> to turn it into a for-profit venture. Trust me, if things start to go that
>> way I will be sitting in that garage Will described! TechShop is a tool
>> rental and prototyping shop, and HeatSync is a community.

>> *Bylaws*

>> Our Attorney worked with our current board to create new Bylaws, to
>> expand the number of board seats and bring them more in line with standard
>> 501c formation. They were done much earlier in the year, and never brought
>> to the membership for discussion. Regardless of who the board turns out to
>> be, Nate has me motivated. I am going to champion getting these in front of
>> the community.

>> Growth

>> I have stated my position on growth. Membership isn't our only growth
>> option, there are grants out there. This is a job that must be done by the
>> board, the sponsors demand it. I would consider this a priority since we
>> lost the sponsor back in the summer. $1000 (or was it $1500?) a month is a
>> real loss.

>> Hack-Your-Hackerspace

>> After a year the wood shop lays dormant, it is true. I am the third
>> person to take on the task. The reason it has lain dormant is because I am
>> completely discouraged with the project. There was a plan to build out the
>> space, and a team of us were working on it. There were three incidents that
>> were discouraging, the final came in early summer. When the workbenches
>> were installed they were *redistributed* without a word at a HYH with a
>> board members support. One was broken during the process. My thought? If
>> this is how things work here why bother. I am not alone in my expierence,
>> my story is not unique. There is a lot of frustration with the difficulty
>> of volunteering time at HeatSync. I would like to see us

> As I have said, I am not interested in being a 'Spiritual Leader' but I
> can inspire and facilitate. I can teach my skills, I can help with projects
> for the space, and I can make things easier and more fun. I am not trying
> to make a name for myself at  community, and I really don't thing the
> membership needs someone to worship. I certainly do not.

> As for scoring political points, I am only responding to what you wrote
> that I believe was pointed directly at me. I really don't like that this
> has degraded into negativity. This is being done the minute before the
> election, so people can make up their own mind.

> As for the microphone thing, you and I have been discussing this issue for
> six months. *You kept arguing it was legal for the board to listen in
> because they control the space, and that made me very uneasy*.  At the
> point I bought my own camera and found you could make out what people were
> saying I exposed it to the community. People now know you may be listening
> in, using cameras or other methods. That was the point. I gave you a chance
> to do the right thing, you could have offered to address my concerns then.
>  Now it is exposed the potential hazard. When board elections started you
> told us you weren't running. It wasn't until Austin started talking about
> running that you entered the race. As I said in my message two days ago, I
> will disable the microphones.  From Jacobs earlier post I assume they are
> yours, I assume I have permission now.

> As for my part, I am going to stop responding to this thread. I have been
> open and honest about what I intend to do as Champion, and if the HeatSync
> membership doesn't agree they won't vote for me. I will be happy with
> whomever wins, the new people are motivated and energized. And like Nate P,
> I will act as Champion for HeatSync regardless of the official title. The
> only difference is I will be setting my own priorities rather than getting
> them from the membership. So we all end up winning in the end.

> Again everyone, sorry for the negativity.

> On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 1:03 PM, Will Bradley <bradley.w...@gmail.com>wrote:

>> Brian, I just bought up wood shop as something visible whose status is in
>> flux; it can sit unused for any number of reasons, just like the HAM shack
>> or anything else, no fault of yours. But I'm surprised by your complaints,
>> because this is the first I'm hearing about them.

>> Yes, Spiritual Leader is much closer to the ideal board member than
>> Project Manager or Volunteer Coordinator. In fact you've running for
>> Champion, whose very definition is to motivate people with your vision.
>> We've been moving to reduce the board's role in daily operations since last
>> election and have talked about these grassroots values in public a lot
>> (though apparently not enough.) I don't think organizing volunteers and
>> clearly defining their tasks is something the board, especially champion,
>> should be doing. In a corporation, the board hires the CEO and trusts them
>> to run things, it doesn't run things directly. The board is definitely the
>> spiritual leadership of a corporation (which, unfortunately, we have to be
>> for 501c3.)

>> One thing that concerns me a lot is that many of the issues you've raised
>> lately, in a somewhat political setting, are totally new to me and I'm sure
>> many other members. Major community issues like microphone recording, kids
>> welding in flip flops, community involvement in the bylaws, and your
>> workbenches, all seem to flip between "not important enough to speak up
>> about" and "examples behind why I should be a board member." I feel like
>> you're saving those issues up to score political points with them instead
>> of addressing them fully, in good faith, at the time. I might be wrong, but
>> that's my perspective.

>> I haven't bugged you about the wood shop because I figured you were busy,
>> not because I knew anything about some kind of bench allocation grudge.
>> It's all very surreal. If moving or fixing a bench will get us closer to a
>> wood shop, I'll drive over and do it right now!
>> The bylaws were discussed extensively at the community meeting where Jose
>> presented them. I think Nate C. and Byron did more work on them than
>> anyone, which is, nothing actionable happened.
>> The flip flop welding incident happened when I was in Japan in March, and
>> I'm first hearing about it in October; apparently the issue was raised to
>> only a couple people there at the time but apparently it ended there,
>> resolved or not.
>> Microphones in the space were a serious legal/moral issue you were
>> concerned with a few weeks ago, (aside: why didn't it get voted on on the
>> 27th? Should we vote on it tonight?) but when I got a few minutes to stick
>> electrical tape over them and chatted with you about hacking on them
>> together, you hadn't thought about it recently.

>> Now I'm not the only community member here, but you're running against
>> Tim, Ryan, and Jeremy. I'll wager they've been less involved in these
>> situations you've brought up than I have, yet somehow these are examples of
>> things that would presumably run better when you're a board member; better
>> than the competition?

>> I've got infinite respect for the time and energy you've put into the
>> community. Your casting group is one of the more amazing things I share
>> with people. But between the talk of undoing the "do-ocracy" philosophy,
>> clearly defining tasks for volunteers, and these concerning issues that
>> apparently aren't concerning enough to let more than a couple people know
>> about, I'm sincerely worried about serving on a board with you.

>> Believe me, the issues you've raised are important to me and I plan to
>> help address them; but I thought we were on the same team until a few weeks
>> ago and now during an election you've suddenly brought up what amounts to a
>> list of my failings as the Operations board member. So please forgive me if
>> I'd rather work through them together with you, Austin, and every other
>> amazing person in this community, instead of working for you on the board,
>> to fix them and improve HeatSync.
>> On Oct 11, 2012 10:37 AM, "Brian Aday" <projecti...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>> Well HeatSync, today we chose. We know what the incumbents believe to be
>>> be true, what the new people are motivated to do, and what you can expect
>>> in the next year from your candidates.

>>> In light of Will's last minute response, and since it seems to be a
>>> direct attack on me, I have a few parting thoughts. For those of you that
>>> already know me, this reply will be nothing new. I have discussed this with
>>> other members for a year.

>>> Time Commitment.

>>>  It's true, we are an all volunteer organization! Most of the new people
>>> understand the time commitment , and what they have signed up for. I have
>>> discussed this with them at length, and trust me they agonized over their
>>> decision to run. They are running because they think Heatsync is worth
>>> working for and they agree Heatsync is a special place. My board run is a
>>> personal commitment to Heatsync and it's members to make the space a more
>>> open and enjoyable space, to expand our skills, and bring in new and
>>> interesting people. I have the time now to dedicate to the task. I don't
>>> see it as a martyrdom, and since I have done this kind of thing before
>>> I understand if you make it easy and enjoyable for people to participate it
>>> can be sustained. We can look to Austin and Nate as examples.

>>>  It doesn't need to be a small group of volunteers doing everything,
>>> volunteering at HeatSync simply needs to be *organized*. It is a lot
>>> easier to commit time to a task when it is clearly defined rather than an
>>> open ended. Volunteer once, do the task once, no further obligation. I
>>> believe this approach will explode the volunteerism at HeatSync if we just
>>> make it easier. I am willing to facilitate.

>>> *Facility*

>>> No one is advocating turning HeatSync into a TechShop. They really are a
>>> different thing altogether and legally we would have to dissolve HeatSync
>>> to turn it into a for-profit venture. Trust me, if things start to go that
>>> way I will be sitting in that garage Will described! TechShop is a tool
>>> rental and prototyping shop, and HeatSync is a community.

>>> *Bylaws*

>>> Our Attorney worked with our current board to create new Bylaws, to
>>> expand the number of board seats and bring them more in line with standard
>>> 501c formation. They were done much earlier in the year, and never brought
>>> to the membership for discussion. Regardless of who the board turns out to
>>> be, Nate has me motivated. I am going to champion getting these in front of

> You've always had permission to disable the mics, and you don't need to
> ask. I even disabled one myself, it was just a huge hassle.

> My argument about listening in wasn't that we EVER have or will or could,
> simply that existing laws carve some exemptions for owners of a business,
> so hopefully nobody will sue us for having cameras with microphones.
> There's no law about audio recording in a hackerspace, so we have to
> interpret based on laws regarding businesses, private clubs, "public
> space," etc. A lot of your concerns seem to revolve around worries of
> getting sued, so I'm using my legal knowledge here.

> Morally, I would be outraged to find someone using the lab's technology to
> stalk or spy on someone. We're walking a fine, brand new line here. The
> moral and legal territory are up to us to explore. I'm somewhat
> disappointed that more community members don't care either way.
> On Oct 11, 2012 2:08 PM, "Brian Aday" <projecti...@gmail.com> wrote:

>> As I have said, I am not interested in being a 'Spiritual Leader' but I
>> can inspire and facilitate. I can teach my skills, I can help with projects
>> for the space, and I can make things easier and more fun. I am not trying
>> to make a name for myself at  community, and I really don't thing the
>> membership needs someone to worship. I certainly do not.

>> As for scoring political points, I am only responding to what you wrote
>> that I believe was pointed directly at me. I really don't like that this
>> has degraded into negativity. This is being done the minute before the
>> election, so people can make up their own mind.

>> As for the microphone thing, you and I have been discussing this issue
>> for six months. *You kept arguing it was legal for the board to listen
>> in because they control the space, and that made me very uneasy*.  At
>> the point I bought my own camera and found you could make out what people
>> were saying I exposed it to the community. People now know you may be
>> listening in, using cameras or other methods. That was the point. I gave
>> you a chance to do the right thing, you could have offered to address my
>> concerns then.  Now it is exposed the potential hazard. When board
>> elections started you told us you weren't running. It wasn't until Austin
>> started talking about running that you entered the race. As I said in my
>> message two days ago, I will disable the microphones.  From Jacobs earlier
>> post I assume they are yours, I assume I have permission now.

>> As for my part, I am going to stop responding to this thread. I have been
>> open and honest about what I intend to do as Champion, and if the HeatSync
>> membership doesn't agree they won't vote for me. I will be happy with
>> whomever wins, the new people are motivated and energized. And like Nate P,
>> I will act as Champion for HeatSync regardless of the official title. The
>> only difference is I will be setting my own priorities rather than getting
>> them from the membership. So we all end up winning in the end.

>> Again everyone, sorry for the negativity.

>> On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 1:03 PM, Will Bradley <bradley.w...@gmail.com>wrote:

>>> Brian, I just bought up wood shop as something visible whose status is
>>> in flux; it can sit unused for any number of reasons, just like the HAM
>>> shack or anything else, no fault of yours. But I'm surprised by your
>>> complaints, because this is the first I'm hearing about them.

>>> Yes, Spiritual Leader is much closer to the ideal board member than
>>> Project Manager or Volunteer Coordinator. In fact you've running for
>>> Champion, whose very definition is to motivate people with your vision.
>>> We've been moving to reduce the board's role in daily operations since last
>>> election and have talked about these grassroots values in public a lot
>>> (though apparently not enough.) I don't think organizing volunteers and
>>> clearly defining their tasks is something the board, especially champion,
>>> should be doing. In a corporation, the board hires the CEO and trusts them
>>> to run things, it doesn't run things directly. The board is definitely the
>>> spiritual leadership of a corporation (which, unfortunately, we have to be
>>> for 501c3.)

>>> One thing that concerns me a lot is that many of the issues you've
>>> raised lately, in a somewhat political setting, are totally new to me and
>>> I'm sure many other members. Major community issues like microphone
>>> recording, kids welding in flip flops, community involvement in the bylaws,
>>> and your workbenches, all seem to flip between "not important enough to
>>> speak up about" and "examples behind why I should be a board member." I
>>> feel like you're saving those issues up to score political points with them
>>> instead of addressing them fully, in good faith, at the time. I might be
>>> wrong, but that's my perspective.

>>> I haven't bugged you about the wood shop because I figured you were
>>> busy, not because I knew anything about some kind of bench allocation
>>> grudge. It's all very surreal. If moving or fixing a bench will get us
>>> closer to a wood shop, I'll drive over and do it right now!
>>> The bylaws were discussed extensively at the community meeting where
>>> Jose presented them. I think Nate C. and Byron did more work on them than
>>> anyone, which is, nothing actionable happened.
>>> The flip flop welding incident happened when I was in Japan in March,
>>> and I'm first hearing about it in October; apparently the issue was raised
>>> to only a couple people there at the time but apparently it ended there,
>>> resolved or not.
>>> Microphones in the space were a serious legal/moral issue you were
>>> concerned with a few weeks ago, (aside: why didn't it get voted on on the
>>> 27th? Should we vote on it tonight?) but when I got a few minutes to stick
>>> electrical tape over them and chatted with you about hacking on them
>>> together, you hadn't thought about it recently.

>>> Now I'm not the only community member here, but you're running against
>>> Tim, Ryan, and Jeremy. I'll wager they've been less involved in these
>>> situations you've brought up than I have, yet somehow these are examples of
>>> things that would presumably run better when you're a board member; better
>>> than the competition?

>>> I've got infinite respect for the time and energy you've put into the
>>> community. Your casting group is one of the more amazing things I share
>>> with people. But between the talk of undoing the "do-ocracy" philosophy,
>>> clearly defining tasks for volunteers, and these concerning issues that
>>> apparently aren't concerning enough to let more than a couple people know
>>> about, I'm sincerely worried about serving on a board with you.

>>> Believe me, the issues you've raised are important to me and I plan to
>>> help address them; but I thought we were on the same team until a few weeks
>>> ago and now during an election you've suddenly brought up what amounts to a
>>> list of my failings as the Operations board member. So please forgive me if
>>> I'd rather work through them together with you, Austin, and every other
>>> amazing person in this community, instead of working for you on the board,
>>> to fix them and improve HeatSync.
>>> On Oct 11, 2012 10:37 AM, "Brian Aday" <projecti...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>> Well HeatSync, today we chose. We know what the incumbents believe to
>>>> be be true, what the new people are motivated to do, and what you can
>>>> expect in the next year from your candidates.

>>>> In light of Will's last minute response, and since it seems to be a
>>>> direct attack on me, I have a few parting thoughts. For those of you that
>>>> already know me, this reply will be nothing new. I have discussed this with
>>>> other members for a year.

>>>> Time Commitment.

>>>>  It's true, we are an all volunteer organization! Most of the new
>>>> people understand the time commitment , and what they have signed up for. I
>>>> have discussed this with them at length, and trust me they agonized over
>>>> their decision to run. They are running because they think Heatsync is
>>>> worth working for and they agree Heatsync is a special place. My board run
>>>> is a personal commitment to Heatsync and it's members to make the space a
>>>> more open and enjoyable space, to expand our skills, and bring in new and
>>>> interesting people. I have the time now to dedicate to the task. I don't
>>>> see it as a martyrdom, and since I have done this kind of thing before
>>>> I understand if you make it easy and enjoyable for people to participate it
>>>> can be sustained. We can look to Austin and Nate as examples.

>>>>  It doesn't need to be a small group of volunteers doing everything,
>>>> volunteering at HeatSync simply needs to be *organized*. It is a lot
>>>> easier to commit time to a task when it is clearly defined rather than an
>>>> open ended. Volunteer once, do the task once, no further obligation. I
>>>> believe this approach will explode the volunteerism at HeatSync if we just
>>>> make it easier. I am willing to facilitate.

>>>> *Facility*

>>>> No one is advocating turning HeatSync into a TechShop. They really are
>>>> a different thing altogether and legally we would have to dissolve HeatSync
>>>> to turn it into a for-profit venture. Trust me, if things start to go that
>>>> way I will be sitting in that garage Will

> I am stepping up Nate. :)

> There was no [*Proposal]* at a HYH to move the tables, it was a unilateral
> decision by a board member and one other member who has since apologized. A
> consensus was not formed in the community, and I didn't even get a text
> message or an email. Would that have been unreasonable?

> I am glad you have had a better experience than some of the rest of us,
> perhaps it is a function of what you are volunteering to do. I find that
> volunteering to give tours and clean up at HYH works pretty well. It is
> when you have to get multiple people together with board support you start
> to have issues. It has improved over the last few months, I must admit. I
> think having contested board positions has been good for us. I am hoping
> this level of involvement continues.

> On Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Nate Plamondon

> > I disagree with a few of your points, Brian.
> > - Will's post didn't strike me as a personal attack against you.
> > - The revised bylaws were brought to the community, albeit not very
> > visibly. As they're hosted on github [1], this is not something the board
> > needs to do.
> > - Our lack of a full wood shop says less to me about your effort than
> > about the community's desire for a wood shop. The benches are great, by
> > the
> > way!
> > - I'm perplexed by your complaint of HYH rearranging the benches
> > immediately followed by "consensus is better."
> > - I don't see the difficulty in volunteering at HSL; Come in, do great
> > things. If your story is truly not unique, which it may not be, and you
> > want that to change, encourage the others who have complaints to speak up
> > and/or fix it. (This goes for everyone complaining about anything. Speak
> > up, step up, or shut up.) Nothing is accomplished by whispering, and this
> > sort of thing isn't something the board can fix.

> > [1] https://github.com/heatsynclabs/administration

> > --
> > Nate Plamondon
> > Sent from a tiny on-screen keyboard

> > On Oct 11, 2012 10:37 AM, "Brian Aday" <projecti...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Well HeatSync, today we chose. We know what the incumbents believe to be
> >> be true, what the new people are motivated to do, and what you can expect
> >> in the next year from your candidates.

> >> In light of Will's last minute response, and since it seems to be a
> >> direct attack on me, I have a few parting thoughts. For those of you that
> >> already know me, this reply will be nothing new. I have discussed this
> >> with
> >> other members for a year.

> >> Time Commitment.

> >>  It's true, we are an all volunteer organization! Most of the new people

> >> understand the time commitment , and what they have signed up for. I have
> >> discussed this with them at length, and trust me they agonized over their
> >> decision to run. They are running because they think Heatsync is worth
> >> working for and they agree Heatsync is a special place. My board run is a
> >> personal commitment to Heatsync and it's members to make the space a more
> >> open and enjoyable space, to expand our skills, and bring in new and
> >> interesting people. I have the time now to dedicate to the task. I don't
> >> see it as a martyrdom, and since I have done this kind of thing before I
> >> understand if you make it easy and enjoyable for people to participate it
> >> can be sustained. We can look to Austin and Nate as examples.

> >>  It doesn't need to be a small group of volunteers doing everything,

> >> volunteering at HeatSync simply needs to be *organized*. It is a lot
> >> easier to commit time to a task when it is clearly defined rather than an
> >> open ended. Volunteer once, do the task once, no further obligation. I
> >> believe this approach will explode the volunteerism at HeatSync if we
> >> just
> >> make it easier. I am willing to facilitate.

> >> *Facility*

> >> No one is advocating turning HeatSync into a TechShop. They really are a
> >> different thing altogether and legally we would have to dissolve HeatSync
> >> to turn it into a for-profit venture. Trust me, if things start to go
> >> that
> >> way I will be sitting in that garage Will described! TechShop is a tool
> >> rental and prototyping shop, and HeatSync is a community.

> >> *Bylaws*

> >> Our Attorney worked with our current board to create new Bylaws, to
> >> expand the number of board seats and bring them more in line with
> >> standard
> >> 501c formation. They were done much earlier in the year, and never
> >> brought
> >> to the membership for discussion. Regardless of who the board turns out
> >> to
> >> be, Nate has me motivated. I am going to champion getting these in front
> >> of
> >> the community.

> >> Growth

> >> I have stated my position on growth. Membership isn't our only growth
> >> option, there are grants out there. This is a job that must be done by
> >> the
> >> board, the sponsors demand it. I would consider this a priority since we
> >> lost the sponsor back in the summer. $1000 (or was it $1500?) a month is
> >> a
> >> real loss.

> >> Hack-Your-Hackerspace

> >> After a year the wood shop lays dormant, it is true. I am the third
> >> person to take on the task. The reason it has lain dormant is because I
> >> am
> >> completely discouraged with the project. There was a plan to build out
> >> the
> >> space, and a team of us were working on it. There were three incidents
> >> that
> >> were discouraging, the final came in early summer. When the workbenches
> >> were installed they were *redistributed* without a word at a HYH with a
> >> board members support. One was broken during the process. My thought? If
> >> this is how things work here why bother. I am not alone in my expierence,
> >> my story is not unique. There is a lot of frustration with the difficulty
> >> of volunteering time at HeatSync. I would like to see us shift to a place
> >> where we actually work with each other, rather than just destroying
> >> someone
> >> else's work. I believe a consensus is better than conflict even if the
> >> consensus goes against you.

> >> *Communication*

> >> This wasn't one of Nate's original questions, but I think it needs to be
> >> addressed. If you want to be a board member, please temper your
> >> communication on the Google group. Personal attacks and profanity filled
> >> rants (Not Will), make us look bad to the world. There is no way to know
> >> how many people have been scared off of HeatSync by the negativity of a
> >> few. As a board member, your voice is amplified, keep that in mind
> >> please.

> >> On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 10:38 PM, Will Bradley

> >>> I've been drafting this for a few days, sorry for the last minute
> >>> response :)

> >>> Time Commitment.   I disagree that being a Board Member takes a lot of
> >>> time. It took a lot of time and effort to be a founder, and certainly
> >>> volunteering is important, but you should not elect a person to the
> >>> board
> >>> because they promise to volunteer more. You should elect someone because
> >>> they're trustworthy and have a vision for the future you agree with.

> >>> It feels good at first to be a martyr, working for members as though
> >>> they were your customer, but this actually hurts the community and isn't
> >>> sustainable. There's little incentive for a member to lead an event,
> >>> champion a new tool, or even clean up after themselves if they think
> >>> someone else will take care of it, and I think each member knows this.
> >>> We've spent the past 3 years inspiring everyone to "be the change they
> >>> want
> >>> to see" and it's been truly amazing to see the organic growth lately!
> >>> Let's
> >>> continue that.

> >>> It's a hard balance to achieve, but we're using the tried-and-true
> >>> "do-ocracy" <http://www.communitywiki.org/DoOcracy> model out of
> >>> necessity: there is simply too much work to be done to rely on a small
> >>> group of unpaid volunteers to "take care of it." By encouraging and
> >>> empowering everyone to make the improvements *they* see fit, we can
> >>> achieve so much more than in a centralized "hold the board member's feet
> >>> to
> >>> the fire" model.

> >>> To use the sign example: so what if