Follow-up to weekend space inspection

[Brad Collette]

We had a good turnout on Saturday and looked at two places.  One of the two also has a smaller/cheaper little sister that we didn't see directly but which I'm getting more information about.

Here's a summary of what we saw/discussed.  Please chime in if I missed anything.

1) Any of the spaces would meet our needs but in very different ways.  The smallest space would be affordable now with the number of committed members we currently have.  It would be basically a shared workshop.  (Assuming $30/month member dues)

The middle space is twice as large but we would need at least 15 committed members.  It's large enough for a shop and could (barely) serve to run basic classes.  

Both of these spaces are very basic but serviceable.  There's only a single shared bathroom for the entire facility and it is, to put it mildly, "a guy's bathroom"

The largest space is very nice.  It's modern, professional appearing, and would be quite comfortable.  It's also the kind of place where we could run classes to raise additional revenue and expand membership.  To make it work, we would need 20 or more committed members AND a viable plan to continuously run classes that generate additional revenue.

2) There seemed to be general consensus that as nice as the big space is, we don't have either the membership or organizational discipline to pull it off.

3) Moving/upgrading spaces won't be difficult as we grow so starting small is good.

Bottom line conclusion:  We want to move forward with either the small or medium space.  To do so, we're going to take a vote.  The vote will happen in the form of a meeting to occur in December.

Your vote will be a check for three months dues ($90).  This will cover first and last months rent and security deposit.  We'll decide on which space we rent based on the number of committed members we have.  If we don't raise enough for the small space, all checks will be returned.

All paying members will have equal access to the space and a vote in the operating rules to be established.  

My suggestion would be the December 20th Hacknight meeting at Zach's place to take a vote.

--
Brad Collette
573-427-7132

[Zach Zeman]

Sounds like a plan. I have some questions about the implementation and the voting system, but we can talk this week at my place.

-Zach

[Carl Campbell]

Brad. Here is another option that the "treasurer" could use.
https://squareup.com/ just add a 2.75% convience fee to monthly dues
to cover the expense of credit card processing. It is also simple to
file a LLC. So that no one member is saddled with the liability of
rent/expenses etc etc etc.

[Carl Campbell]

Regester a EIN with the IRS,
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online

Regestering for Missouri State Taxes. http://dor.mo.gov/forms/2643A.pdf

And filing a MO LLC

http://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/BusinessEntitiesOnline/Help/MO/Notice.aspx

[Zach Zeman]

Already registered. Thank you, though.

https://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/soskb/Corp.asp?3112137

-Zach

[Scott.K...@gmail.com]

I was looking at those commercials this weekend and thinking that might be good for dues collection.

[Nathan Odle]

Is the group being organized for-profit or not-for-profit?  Just curious as it affects donations, et cetera

[Zach Zeman]

I'm pretty sure we're firmly in the not-for-profit realm. Actually becoming a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, however, will probably wait until we are much larger.

-Zach

[Carl Campbell]

I picked one up After finding out about them in the July Wired. I
have only test swiped it but it works and I figured it would be handy
for selling on CL/Yardsales.

Carl