Austin Kipp - Candidate for Operations

[Brian Aday]

I would like to nominate Austin Kipp for Operations board member. 

I would describe Austin, but basically everyone already knows him by face if not by name. Austin is the guy that for the last year has taken care of the space, performing most if not all of the maintenance and repair Heatsync has required. On top of this, he teaches the welding class and acts as our safety officer. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has done more for Heatsync than Austin. He has shown a real commitment to the space, day in and day out, without title or even much recognition. 

In light of his past performance and interest in the position, I think Austin is the right guy for the job. 

[Jacob Rosenthal]

Brian,

Why are you posting on behalf of Austin? He can go ahead and post his own thoughts at this point.

ccing Austin here.

[Austin Kipp]

First i would like to Thank Brian for the nomination. Unfortunately, our current by laws are written such that I’m ineligible to run.”Candidates for offices in the Board of Directors must be dues-paid members in good standing with these bylaws.” as I’m not (for those who don't know) a do paying member and must be to run for the board. For those who are wondering my access to the space is granted by my position on the operations team and not to me. As I can't now nor in the near future afford to become a dues paying member. I can not in good faith run.

Thanks for the support

Austin Kipp  

[Will Bradley]

This is in the bylaws, but there are ways around this (board members have paid extra to subsidize a member who can't pay in the past, etc.) The original intent was to make sure that the board was filled with committed people who could support the organization, though in the last few years we may have evolved past that need. I'd hate to see someone as committed as Austin disqualified because he can't pay dues, although I know lots of organizations require its leaders to be "dues paid members in good standing."

What do the members think?

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[Ryan Mcdermott]

I think that Austin has absolutely earned the right to run for board,
and completely support him if he wants to. The spirit of the "dues
paying members in good standing" is being fulfilled IMHO.

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[David Huerta]

A legally-recognized 501c3 organization has more specific obligations than following just the spirit of the bylaws, but looking at other 501c3s, a lot of them don't have a specific obligation for board members to be paying members of their orgs (Museums, for example). Might be time to amend the bylaws.

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david [.dh] huerta

davidhuerta.me

[Brian Aday]

To Jacob - I posted because Austin is my friend, he is qualified, and is reluctant to sing his own praises.  

The membership issue is no longer a problem. An anonymous donor is willing to cover Austin's membership. 

[Austin Kipp]

 

 

Hi, my name is Austin Kipp. I’m not good at writing speeches; this may have to do with the fact that I’m severely Dyslexic. One of the reasons I’m better at face–to-face communications is that my reader program does not always convey the light in which a person intended their words to be, nor does my dictation software convey mine. So, please forgive any spelling or grammar errors.

 I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about what I love and do at HeatSync as well as tell you a little about myself. I have been the Facilities Manager for HeatSync for the last year and a half. It is a job that I love and hope to continue. I thought I would take this opportunity to run for the Operations position and give back to the community that has given me so much. One of my favorite things about HeatSync is that it gives me a chance to see new ideas and helps make thoughts and ideas a reality. I have been asked what projects I have. I do have projects of my own, but I love challenges and learning new things, so my biggest joy is not working on my projects, but rather it’s helping someone work on theirs.  If you have a question, and I don’t know the answer, I’ll help you connect with someone who may have the answer, or I’ll help you do the research to find that answer.

Outside the world of HeatSync I have had various experiences that have provided the responsibility scaffolding to prepare me for the Operations position. For the past 8 years I have volunteered for F.I.R.S.T. Robotics which is a program that works with school-age kids to help inspire them in science and technology.  F.I.R.S.T. stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. I have mentored both high school FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) teams and elementary school age FLL (FIRST Lego League) teams. I also am the Lead Robot Inspector for the F.I.R.S.T. Arizona Regional Robotics Competition.  In addition, I am a Judge and a diver for NURC (The National Underwater Robotics Competition).

I have been involved in Scouting since I was 7 years old.  I started in Cub Scouts, and then crossed over into Boy Scouts. I earned my Eagle Scout rank, turned 18, and proceeded to organize and be the founding President of a Scout Venture Crew until the maximum age of twenty-one.  Currently, I am a Cub Scout leader for my nephew’s pack.

  I am currently a full time student at MCC and plan to transfer to ASU where I’ll be continuing to study to be an Electrical Engineer. 

I hope this helps you to get to know me better. If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks,

Austin Kipp