BrainSilo rent is going up... what do we want to do?

[Lokkju Brennr]

All,

I've been told that the rent on BrainSilo will "most likely" be going
up about $100/month - this would increase our rent from $545 to $650
per month.

Right now, only about $200 of the rent is being covered by donations
or membership, and myself and sometimes a couple other people make up
the rest as needed. With an increase in the rent, I won't be able to
cover the excess anymore (not that I really should be doing it all the
time, anyway).

I'm looking for any suggestions for possible sponsors or other sources
of revenue that we could get in place quickly. I'm not really
hopeful, but I'm putting this out there so that if any of you have
ideas, you can let me know.

At this point, with both the ongoing lack of interest in the space and
the rent increase, if we do not find another way to fund the space,
we're going to lose it.

Loki

[Chris]

Hey Loki,

Browsing Craigslist, I came across this: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/off/2918692914.html

I think with a better location we could garner more interest,
especially with the streetcar expansion (starts in September) and more
parking available.

--Chris

[Lokkju Brennr]

Chris,

and that could be a better solution - though if we were going to
consider that, I think I'd prefer someone else do it. No matter what
happens, if the silo has to move out of the space, I'll at the least
put the more important stuff in storage for whoever next opens a
space, or manages the new location.

Loki

[BitAssassin]

I honestly think our greatest hitch in our efforts right now is the lack of fedcharity status. I'd be willing to drop a small chunk on that (amount varies based on whether or not this raise of mine goes through) because with it, garnering sponsors and larger donations no longer becomes as much of an issue.

I may be able to get Mentor Graphics on it (as it would foster growing awareness of one of their products). I'll be investigating this over the next week.

We really only need a couple sponsors, but we need to get the 501c3.

[Mellow-Yellow]

Hi Guys,

I created the Paper Upgrade Project, housed in Brainsilo, and helped it earn the 501(c)(3) status with the help of many people, including our specialized non-profit attorney. I can help you turn Brainsilo into a 501(c)(3), as I have all of the paperwork. It would help, in that case, if you decide to organize as a educational public charity.

Sean

[Sean Wingert]

Locki,

Any word on definite increase or relocation plans?

Sean

Il giorno Jun 26, 2012, alle ore 19:29, Noor <noororber....@gmail.com> ha scritto:

> Personal tutoring for rich kids. Ask for a certain percentage donation to use space. Iffy for non-profit status, but theres got to be a couple NW customers and interested student instructors.. You'd need to implement a space calendar, and the matching problem boggles a bit. Who the fuck wants to do that!

[Lokkju Brennr]

Nope, nothing yet.

At the moment, I'm working on getting the other board members on board
with accepting fiscal sponsorship from the School Factory's Space
Federation. This would allow us to receive donations as if we were a
501(c)(3) - including, I believe, the Intel matching grants.

Loki

[Nathan Dotz]

Uninvited input from out east:

We at All Hands Active are currently fiscally sponsored by School Factory and it's been a swell deal so far. James & Willow <3
We're also working on our f1023 filing, and apparently having an existing fiscal sponsorship is good news for that. We've not gotten any corporate grants but have had moderately sized grants from local foundations that have gone through SF with no problem.

[Sean Wingert]

I'm interested in this.

Sean

Inviato da iPhone

Il giorno Aug 13, 2012, alle ore 23:58, barberb <starw...@gmail.com> ha scritto:

> I'm looking into renting a house a block from the Portland State Business Accelerator, there are in fact 3 houses with basements for rent on the same block. The PSBA has wetlabs and small offices for rent, should a person or persons wish to set up shop, and is tightly connected to school resources and talent.
>
> Do you like your location and rent, and if not what is a preferable rent / location?
>
> What are your thoughts and requirements for a space if you were to move, including access control, conduct, and lease agreements?
>
> What are your thoughts about other tenants, having the upstairs portion of the house, and what requirements should be?
>
> lastly: what's your thoughts about having some sort of out of town geek / grad student hostel, if not in the same building in an adjacent building next to it?
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I found out about brain silo's rental needs, when i was trying to compile a public policy document for jefferson smith, about having hacker/maker spaces in or next to students. Where each school would get one of (arts/crafts, electronic / software engineering, industrial / mechanical engineering, Bio / chemistry). The school would get use of it during the day from say 8am-3pm, and during the evening it would be open to private use until say 3-10pm, with some sort of sliding scale membership/use fees based on income level.
>
> Samuel Adams has put forth a school levy for $35 a person or $12m a year, specifically for arts and music education in schools. He is being challenged in the courts, on the reasoning that its unfair both for the subject matter and irrespective to income. I would like to make the case that the case for this idea, as both a cost effective solution for training children for the new economy, and that 'productivity should not be tied to employment'.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Incidentally I've done research into the city's plan for this area, and it looks like they have ideas for it around 2016-2020, to make it a bike/pedestrian corridor. However there is also the need for affordable student living, and denser job opportunities in the area as well. I informed the property owners that the will likely be forced into one of 2 options. 1) form a partnership with a developer and financier and do a capital for stock trade along with dividends with city input for the planning 2) the city will take the property through imminent domain by ODOT citing the need for more road space, which will spend as little for property with mortgages already underwater and will to fight in court, which they will then give to the city and subsequently sell to a private developer to build upon at a higher price (like my experience living in sw 5th and college). It is of my opinion that if I/We work with the city and property owners on this, that there is a chance that we could turn this into an opportunity to build something great, say college housing with a nonprofit hackerspace built into it.
>
>
> Here is a debate that we had today, for which i was doing the preparations for, and tried to contact you all this last weekend about.
> http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29027-dd_hackathons_and_bu.html

[Sean Wingert]

If having 501(c)(3) improves our chances for obtaining the space or lowering the monthly rent, let's use the Paper Upgrade's existing status to move forward.

Sean

Inviato da iPhone

Il giorno Aug 13, 2012, alle ore 23:58, barberb <starw...@gmail.com> ha scritto:

> I'm looking into renting a house a block from the Portland State Business Accelerator, there are in fact 3 houses with basements for rent on the same block. The PSBA has wetlabs and small offices for rent, should a person or persons wish to set up shop, and is tightly connected to school resources and talent.
>
> Do you like your location and rent, and if not what is a preferable rent / location?
>
> What are your thoughts and requirements for a space if you were to move, including access control, conduct, and lease agreements?
>
> What are your thoughts about other tenants, having the upstairs portion of the house, and what requirements should be?
>
> lastly: what's your thoughts about having some sort of out of town geek / grad student hostel, if not in the same building in an adjacent building next to it?
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I found out about brain silo's rental needs, when i was trying to compile a public policy document for jefferson smith, about having hacker/maker spaces in or next to students. Where each school would get one of (arts/crafts, electronic / software engineering, industrial / mechanical engineering, Bio / chemistry). The school would get use of it during the day from say 8am-3pm, and during the evening it would be open to private use until say 3-10pm, with some sort of sliding scale membership/use fees based on income level.
>
> Samuel Adams has put forth a school levy for $35 a person or $12m a year, specifically for arts and music education in schools. He is being challenged in the courts, on the reasoning that its unfair both for the subject matter and irrespective to income. I would like to make the case that the case for this idea, as both a cost effective solution for training children for the new economy, and that 'productivity should not be tied to employment'.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Incidentally I've done research into the city's plan for this area, and it looks like they have ideas for it around 2016-2020, to make it a bike/pedestrian corridor. However there is also the need for affordable student living, and denser job opportunities in the area as well. I informed the property owners that the will likely be forced into one of 2 options. 1) form a partnership with a developer and financier and do a capital for stock trade along with dividends with city input for the planning 2) the city will take the property through imminent domain by ODOT citing the need for more road space, which will spend as little for property with mortgages already underwater and will to fight in court, which they will then give to the city and subsequently sell to a private developer to build upon at a higher price (like my experience living in sw 5th and college). It is of my opinion that if I/We work with the city and property owners on this, that there is a chance that we could turn this into an opportunity to build something great, say college housing with a nonprofit hackerspace built into it.
>
>
> Here is a debate that we had today, for which i was doing the preparations for, and tried to contact you all this last weekend about.
> http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29027-dd_hackathons_and_bu.html
>
> On Wednesday, June 27, 2012 6:30:10 PM UTC-7, sleepy nate wrote:

[benjamin barber]

Could you clarify more on your meaning?

On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 8:40 AM, Sean Wingert

[benjamin barber]

My wife and I signed a lease and put a depost on 2637 sw water st 97239

Also for rent are the houses: 013 and 019 sw arthur st, 97239

The PSBA available space is here:
http://www.psba.pdx.edu/availablespace
there is a residence committee that reviews applicants for approval/denial

[Sean Wingert]

Sure. We have 501(c)(3) exemption. That qualifies us for discounts, often through other 501(c)(3) organizations like PSU. Your contact for the new space can provide details or suggest somebody who knows about such discounts.

Sean

Inviato da iPhone

[Sean Wingert]

Can you legally sublet to Brainsilo?

Sean

Inviato da iPhone

[Lokkju Brennr]

It would be the same if it went through our fiscal sponsor - the
benefit goes to School Factory, which then provides it to us.

Loki

[benjamin barber]

I dont hink there is any legal problem, but its more about agreement
between the concerned parties, for example I am screening roommates.
There may be concerns about the amount of noise,people virtually
living there, and the need for a bolt lock leading to the basement
(there is also an alarm setup), the lack of bathroom in the basement.
The landlord previously rented to a bunch of rich frat boys who
trashed it, suffice to say that he is not looking for a repeat of that
scenario. I dont think that I have any use for a tax subsidy, the
landlord has leased it out to me, and i dont think PSU pays any taxes
because it is the government. The landlord in 013 arthur street may
also be willing to accommodation your space, and also may be
interested in the taxes as he has several properties, whereas my place
is owned by the former homeowner. I'm supposed to pay for $2000 + 100
for each person over 3 maximum 5 persons, and the basement is 1100
sqft and has an entrance from the 200sqft garage and the house.

[Sean Wingert]

Any idea when we'll know the monthly rent difference or if we already know approximately?

Sean

Inviato da iPhone

[benjamin barber]

I dont know, we would have to talk to the homeowner. if it were up to
me I would ask for $550 a month, which is 2200 split 4 ways, which
means 2 couples in each of the large upstairs rooms and a singleton in
the regular sized main level room get to use the garage. Then Myself
and hopefully two other males (hoping they're both geeks), would pay
$40 membership dues to brain silo, which would reduce the effective
rent to $430 (or $420 to be cute).

The property is listed as zoned residental/commercial BTW.

On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM, Sean Wingert

[benjamin barber]

He spoke to me and indicated that it would be okay, but if your doing
anything that could be potentially hazardous, that you will need
liability insurance. Furthermore someone from the org would have to be
a co-signer, because its impossible to recover damages to the property
from a 501c3 organization.

[benjamin barber]

What I think is implied is, he wants to protect his assets, from for
example because sawdust caught on fire from arc welding, the house
catches on fire. Secondly if people in the org do destroy the
premises, then its going to be nearly impossible to seek compensation
from the nonprofit org. I suspect its fairly standard to have a
co-signer, when an entity does not have any sort of assets, and wants
to get a loan or sign a lease.


As for liability for individual persons, I suspect that you have some
sort of waiver process for yourselves, and want the property manager
included as well.

On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 12:07 PM, BitAssassin <odin....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Erm,
> Considering that my second favorite thing in the space is the 4" table saw
> without
> a single safety feature, and that my first would be the capacitor coil that
> a 9V battery
> can cause to spot weld thick copper wire, I don't really think it's 'if' we
> do anything
> potentially hazardous, but 'when'. Though even if the space were to move,
> (which I've
> been totally out of the loop on mind you), it'd be much more likely to move
> with adequate
> funding, or, as lokkju has previously stated, go into deep hibernation until
> someone
> opens the next iteration, in something like Fe Ward's location at 7 NE
> Oregon St, which
> is being used as nothing but a parking spot afaik. Furthermore, no one from
> Brainsilo
> would purport to make themselves legally liable for the actions of visitors.
> That's just scary.
>
> Other than that, stuff.
>
> -BitAssassin

[Lokkju Brennr]

From my perspective, sure it would - BrainSilo was started because nothing else comparable existed, and the closest cousin, CubeSpace, had shut down.  If someone wanted to merge/replace/etc BrainSilo with another/larger organization that kept to the same core goals (openness, availability to all the community, freedom of speech/thought), then I can't see any reason anyone would object - as long as it was an organization where the member's had influence on policy.

Dorkbot would be great to talk to, though they are, and as far as I know only have an interest in being, a user group, not related to a specific physical space.

ADX, on the other hand, is a commercial entity providing workshop space at a reasonable price, that I don't see sharing many of the goals that I'd expect from maker space, much less a hackerspace.  But I'm a bit out in zeta field when it comes to what a hackerspace should be...

I'm in DC for an extended period for work, but would be more than happy to talk on the phone with you, if you wanted.  Dean Pierce is the current Executive Director/Supreme Ruler/Benevolent Dictator of the space as of December 1st, and I'm sure he'd be happy to chat with you as well.

Anything formal would have to go through the Board - currently myself and a couple others.

Loki

On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 1:07 PM, Jeffrey Sens <jeffre...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,

i've only been to BrainSilo for the 3D printing demo when Bilal and team came through town.  I'm working with Will Lewis from Portland Indie Game Squad on a maker center for video game education and development.  We want to incorporate 3D printing and other game vectors like Raspberry Pi.

As an organization, would Brain Silo be interested in exploring options as a larger community? We'd also like to meetup with Dorkbot and ADX and other stakeholders in maker education.

Jeffrey

[Dean Pierce]

I plan to rule with an iron fist, using fear and violence to ensure order.

 - DEAN