Pool Table, Ping Pong, Air Hockey for ETC?

[Michael Copeland]

Many of the members have said they want to get something like a pool table, or ping pong, or air hockey here at ETC.

Right now, at ReStore in Elgin, they have a unit that's all three. 

However, I would like you all to weigh in on this.  Would it be a good or bad idea to have this at ETC?

To get it, it's a $1 raffle ticket. I put in my dollar, but let's discuss.

--
Thank you,
 - Michael S. Copeland

Executive Director 

Elgin Technology Center
President

Elgin Jaycees

Personal

Twitter   Facebook

Office: 847-380-2670

Cell: 224-402-9503

Skype: Filmpod

[Tracie Pannell]

I'm in favor of it.  I think it is a good way to blow off some steam when you have been deep in code all day.  And a good way to spend time getting to know other members.

If you go to places like ThoughtWorks and Groupon, they have "play areas" for their employees.

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Tracie Pannell
Dinotrac, Inc.
(630) 403-8148

100 E. Chicago Street
Suite 201
Elgin, IL 60120

[Rusty]

I've seen this being raffled off. I would be willing to pitch in some money to outright buy it. Also, Craigslist has a FREE section that is giving away things like this and other furniture all the time. I've also been thinking about refinishing the table tops in the cafe and getting some couches for the library donated. Anyone have a truck?

[gelde...@aol.com]

I have seen these devices in ante-rooms to sales offices.  I do not think they conjure up an image that the incubator participants are here at ETC to establish and do business .... I think it reflects both a tension release and a less mature audience.  Maybe you could put these in a side room where these activities will not distract people visiting or using the library or cafe.  I know it would be impossible for me to talk to a prospect while at the table in the cafe and having a "game" going on.
Thanks for hearing my thoughts.
DON
HorsesEveryOne.com

[Patricia Glees]

I do not think this is a great idea. We I was a tenant I stated this. My reason is that ETC is a group of companies, not a single company or department such as you would see at groupon, Google or apple.

If was visitor or working with a company located in the offices or even meeting someone in the library or cafe, my first thoughts at seeing a game room would be is this a place to do business or a frat house.

I am not a tenant anymore just a member and I have office in another location, therefore I would not be meeting my clients at ETC, my two cents is not worth much.  I think all of the members should have a chance to weigh in on the subject before something is done.

Kind regards,
Trish Glees
T.G. Consultants-IT Professional Solutions
847-848-7726
Patr...@tgconsultantsinc.com

[Rusty]

"ETC is a group of companies"

That's an interesting perspective. Where are we getting that from?

Since ETC is looking to target a younger crowd I feel this fits with the culture we are trying to create at the tech center. The pool table/whatever won't be visible from the conference room where meetings are generally held. Not to mention the doors can be shut for privacy.

This is a great idea, as Tracie mentioned, to create a open, friendly and fun environment for collaboration. As a former tenet, I would have appreciated this feature to get out of my office once in a while.

On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:

[Tracie Pannell]

Not that we have very many tenants on the floor right now... BUT not being able to have a relaxed environment (couches, games, lounge area) was a reason we lost several tenants. I don't believe we are trying to create a Regis environment at the ETC.  We want to have a creative environment.

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[Patricia Glees]

Rusty I sure hope your comment "the younger crowd" does not cause issue with the older members of ETC.

I would say more...but

Kind regards,
Trish Glees
T.G. Consultants-IT Professional Solutions
847-848-7726
Patr...@tgconsultantsinc.com

[Rusty]

I hope it doesn't either. Some of the older, seasoned tech people are needed to mentor and share information with some of the younger crowd. But the opposite is also true. I've seen 13 and 14 year old's who are doing amazing things when it comes to innovation, current technology and trends that some old timers can learn from. The future of our world is in the hands of our young people, but if we don't invest in them, we will loose them and our future.

So the topic is pool table/air hockey and the sort...my vote is yes!

On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:

[gelde...@aol.com]

Well, I know I am the old guy around here .... but I have also visited and done work for some 150+ major companies.  The image your first see when you walk in any companies door is what your remember and stereotype them as forever.  For example, I still remember the Native American and conservation artwork in the entry lobby to Waste Management.  I still remember the big Red Harley in the outer office of Harley-Davidson Financial.

I think a customer want to see that he is going to do business with somebody who understands that the software and web work performed for his company is really triage .... you will do as much of the work as he/she can afford and in the order of need and legal requirements.  So the customer needs to feel that each consulting company takes his missions very seriously.

I do not think games in the public view are a good idea.  I do think that the consensus of the group may well be to have a game room.  More importantly we need to nail down the short list of what activities will make each member successful in industry here and track on those tasks.

This is my opinion.  I hope it helps.
DON
Horses EveryOne, Inc.

[Dean Pannell]

I agree that it would probably be bad to have such a thing in the
front lobby, but you really should be aware that the ETC is not IBM.
Go around to a number of places that employ a lot of tech people,
ranging from marketing agencies to Groupon and even places like the
Chicago Tribune, and you'll find things like Ping-Pong tables and the
like. It's a different world from the one you and I started out in.

Dean

[Mark Zeman]

As an older fart, I try to think young and I like our crowd. If it gets
too loud and unprofessional I'll squawk, but I think a balance is in
order.
Anything but that haunting emptiness ... during they day I feel like the
phantom of the ETC.
-mz


Mark Zeman
Cerebral Software, Inc.
847-392-3860 24 hrs
mze...@cerebralsoftware.com
http://www.cerebralsoftware.com

>>>> Elgin Technology Center <http://www.elgintechnologycenter.com/>
>>>> President
>>>> Elgin Jaycees <http://ElginJaycees.org>
>>>> Personal
>>>> Twitter <http://twitter.com/mscopeland> Facebook<http://facebook.com/mscopeland>
>>>> <http://socialnetworkingdirectory.info/>

>>>> Office: 847-380-2670
>>>> Cell: 224-402-9503
>>>> Skype: Filmpod
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
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>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>> --

>> *Tracie Pannell*

>> Dinotrac, Inc.
>> (630) 403-8148
>>
>> 100 E. Chicago Street
>> Suite 201
>> Elgin, IL 60120
>>
>> --
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>> .

[Michael Copeland]

I wanted to keep my opinion and experience out of the discussion but I think it warrants it.  When I worked at MyPoints.com and United.com we had golfing/putting greens all over the office. There were couches and areas where you can relax and unwind. People worked hard and worked for longer periods of time because they had that way to blow off steam. Being "deep into code" all day makes a mind a little crazy some times.

They also had a room with a fooze ball table in it, and pingpong was on another floor (due to space).

I was thinking this could be in the common area in the West Wing and if someone has to work or it's distracting... then ask people to stop, or wait, or just join in for a little bit then get back to work.

If you're meeting with clients, we have the library which can have the door closed during your meeting. We also have a conference room for a reasonable amount.

Wouldn't it be a better time discussing a collaborative project over a game of pool or golf, vs sitting in a stuffy conference room?

Clients, yes, use your office, the conference room or library. Collaboration with other tech members, talk over pool or pingpong. Then, get to work on that awesome idea of yours.

That's my $0.02.

[Dean Pannell]

Yuppers.

[Rusty]

Mark is the phantom of ETC...lol. That made me laugh out loud. Once again ETC is putting the cart before the horse. Lets not make a big deal about it because after all they are just raffling off this thing. Who knows? Maybe another charity will get it or something and we are debating over nothing. The question is should we as a pool throw in some cash so we can purchase tickets for the raffle and see if we win it to use at ETC?

Why don't we put a jar at the front desk or back cafe next to the coffee for anyone that wants to donate a $1 for tickets and by certain date we go drop the cash? Yes? If you don't want to donate because you don't believe we should have the furniture and keep Mark as the ETC ghost, then don't. Simple enough....:)

On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:

[Dean Pannell]

We have got to stop this putting carts before horses.
As a tech center, I propose we start putting habitat modules before rockets.

Just saying.

[Tracie Pannell]

Yes!  Dean and I will donate next time we are in.

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 1:36 PM, Rusty <rusty.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

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Tracie Pannell

[Patricia Glees]

Dean I Like That.

Trish Glees PMP, CISA, MCSE, A+
trish...@tgconsultantsinc.com
847-848-7726
www.tgconsultantsinc.com
T. G. Consultants Inc - Professional IT Solutions

Other ways to reach us:
twitter: @TGConsultants
skype: trishglees
Facebook: T. G. Consultants
Linkedin: T. G. Consultants

..... also, we work by referral, so if you know a business or individual
that could benefit by receiving the same level of service that we provide to
you, please pass our contact information along. Or provide us with their
information, and we will reach out and introduce ourselves.

-----Original Message-----
From: elgin-te...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:elgin-te...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dean Pannell
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 1:43 PM
To: elgin-te...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Elgin Technology Center} Re: Pool Table, Ping Pong, Air Hockey
for ETC?

[Mark Zeman]

I called this company last week to see if they conducted tours. They
said they would by appointment for a group, and I'm checking to see if
there's any interest.
I mentioned to them that one of the things we did was to serve
businesses by connecting them with qualified techs, and the lady I spoke
to agreed that they should talk to us.
Beyond that, this place is on the east side of town, and it's like
having an auto plant here - she confirmed that they build the sweepers
from scratch at this location.
I'm up for just seeing the manufacturing operations and factory tech,
and we might get a few nibbles on the work front.
Please let me know if you'd like to go. She said mid-late January would
be good for them.

[Michael Copeland]

I'm interested.

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[Mark Zeman]

How about the back hall outside my office? Or an empty office for now?
When we're full and need to relocate this stuff, it'll be a good problem
to have.

Mark Zeman
Cerebral Software, Inc.
847-392-3860 24 hrs
mze...@cerebralsoftware.com
http://www.cerebralsoftware.com

[Mark Zeman]

So the challenge is to get us all deep into code, solving big problems
and living at the office, at least such that we need to add these amenities. I
like it. We'll find the right balance.
-mz

Mark Zeman
Cerebral Software, Inc.
847-392-3860 24 hrs
mze...@cerebralsoftware.com
http://www.cerebralsoftware.com

> Elgin Technology Center <http://www.elgintechnologycenter.com/>
> President
> Elgin Jaycees <http://ElginJaycees.org>
> Personal
> Twitter <http://twitter.com/mscopeland>
> Facebook<http://facebook.com/mscopeland>
> <http://socialnetworkingdirectory.info/>

[Mark Zeman]

How about the big concrete-floor office for now?

-mz

Mark Zeman
Cerebral Software, Inc.
847-392-3860 24 hrs
mze...@cerebralsoftware.com
http://www.cerebralsoftware.com

[LF Gibson]

But how would we get it UP there? ;-)    I'm in for working with Restore to find couches too - they just had a bunch of recliners there from a hotel remodel that were selling for less the $10 each. 

[Rusty]

GET THOSE COUCHES! I'LL REIMBURSE WHOEVER PURCHASES THEM FOR THAT MUCH!

[Rusty]

SORRY..I THOUGHT THEY WERE COUCHES. RECLINERS EH...

[tprinty]

For all those that are opposed to "cool" stuff at the tech center please review this article in the Business Insider.  Tech companies have to create a hip environment to foster creativity and to attract talent.  Let the suits stay in the board room....

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-coolest-startup-offices-weve-ever-seen-2013-1


Thanks
-Tom

[Tracie Pannell]

Thank you Tom!  That is exactly the point I was trying to get across.

Tracie

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[Dean Pannell]

And now, imagine the sound of a choir singing out the chorus....

Amen, brother Tom. Amen.

On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 9:20 AM, tprinty <tpr...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Mark Zeman]

Might I add that I think we need more technology on display. I've always
said that we need something along the lines of a bench in the back of the
training room, or a display case in the foyer with a robot and other things.
Perhaps even a wall with a tech display on it. For starters, I say that in
1865 when they opened the watch factory, high tech in this country
largely meant watches and railroads. Elgin was a big tech center then.
When I was a young my Dad dragged me to work at Motorola sometimes, and
I was like a kid in a a candy store. Many of us can remember our first visit
to the computer center or science labs in college. I think the tech center
should have lots of cool tech stuff to check out and play with.
-mz

On Thu, 3 Jan 2013, tprinty wrote:

> For all those that are opposed to "cool" stuff at the tech center please
> review this article in the Business Insider. Tech companies have to create
> a hip environment to foster creativity and to attract talent. Let the
> suits stay in the board room....
>
> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-coolest-startup-offices-weve-ever-seen-2013-1
>
>
> Thanks
> -Tom
>
>
> On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:
>>
>> Many of the members have said they want to get something like a pool
>> table, or ping pong, or air hockey here at ETC.
>>
>> Right now, at ReStore in Elgin, they have a unit that's all three.
>>
>> However, I would like you all to weigh in on this. Would it be a good or
>> bad idea to have this at ETC?
>>
>> To get it, it's a $1 raffle ticket. I put in my dollar, but let's discuss.
>>
>> --
>> Thank you,
>> - Michael S. Copeland
>> Executive Director

>> Elgin Technology Center <http://www.elgintechnologycenter.com/>
>> President
>> Elgin Jaycees <http://ElginJaycees.org>
>> Personal
>> Twitter <http://twitter.com/mscopeland> Facebook<http://facebook.com/mscopeland>
>> <http://socialnetworkingdirectory.info/>

>> Office: 847-380-2670
>> Cell: 224-402-9503
>> Skype: Filmpod
>>
>>
>>
>

[m...@darrenholland.com]

One word, endless possibilities. Robots.

Sent from my iPad

[Patricia Glees]

Nice article, but you realize these are single companies, with the toys
hidden.

Mark get idea about showing off IT stuff the older the better.

Trish Glees PMP, CISA, MCSE, A+
trish...@tgconsultantsinc.com
847-848-7726
www.tgconsultantsinc.com
T. G. Consultants Inc - Professional IT Solutions

Other ways to reach us:
twitter: @TGConsultants
skype: trishglees
Facebook: T. G. Consultants
Linkedin: T. G. Consultants

..... also, we work by referral, so if you know a business or individual
that could benefit by receiving the same level of service that we provide to
you, please pass our contact information along. Or provide us with their
information, and we will reach out and introduce ourselves.


-----Original Message-----
From: elgin-te...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:elgin-te...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
m...@darrenholland.com
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 11:36 AM
To: elgin-te...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Elgin Technology Center} Re: Pool Table, Ping Pong, Air Hockey
for ETC?

[Rusty]

Does anyone want to assume a Workspace Director position? I'll post in a separate thread what we need and are looking for...

On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:

Many of the members have said they want to get something like a pool table, or ping pong, or air hockey here at ETC.

Right now, at ReStore in Elgin, they have a unit that's all three. 

However, I would like you all to weigh in on this.  Would it be a good or bad idea to have this at ETC?

To get it, it's a $1 raffle ticket. I put in my dollar, but let's discuss.

--
Thank you,
 - Michael S. Copeland

Executive Director 

Elgin Technology Center
President

Elgin Jaycees

Personal

Twitter   Facebook

[gelde...@aol.com]

My Vote is to stick to business and play pool at the bars.
DON

-----Original Message-----
From: Rusty <rusty.w...@gmail.com>
To: elgin-tech-center <elgin-te...@googlegroups.com>

[Mark Zeman]

I've got a foot in each camp. Next time I have a few beers in me, ask me
about my dotcom adventure a decade or so ago. $25 million of VC money
gone in 2 years, with lots of shiny new ideas and fun. We were more
conservative than most.
This should be a lot of fun, such that we don't want to go home. I'm
typing this from my ETC office after 2000 hrs, and I like being able to
stay late like i did at the dotcom and bang out stuff. That kind of fun.
This place has a good buzz about it, and we want more of the same, but
this organization exists to serve its members and member businesses, and
the end I see is an economic one. Let's work hard, let's try daring new
things, let's all get rich in the processs. Work hard and play hard. I
have no major objections to a game room behind a door that closes, but
in the end I'm with Don.
We've got a tour of the Elgin Sweeper plant coming up, and as soon as we
have the membership database up and filled, I think we have to start
getting out to visit other businesses. Let's keep our eye on the ball.
-mz

[Dean Pannell]

That assumes that the two are not the same thing. There is an awful
lot to tech businesses, much of which is not sitting in front of a
monitor.

[Rusty]

When thinking about these things, we have to go back to ETC's mission. "Create Sustainable Job and Business Opportunities for Tech Professionals and Companies Located in the Greater Elgin Area and Illinois". How do we create new opportunities for our IT professionals and businesses? Step one is to nurture our existing "IT ecosystem," making sure our members have easy access to key social and business networks, business and technical support groups, banks, and investment capital. The next step is to create a physical location and a downtown environment where professionals enjoy meeting to discuss new ideas and future innovations; where teams and alliances are formed to help firms grow and compete in the regional and global marketplace.

This was taken straight from the ETC website. So does a pool table, air hockey, ping pong table fulfill what we are doing? I would say yes. It helps to create social and business networks, build teams and alliances and provides an environment where people would enjoy meeting. I don't see this as being something that needs to be voted on. No one in this forum are tenants.

[Dean Pannell]

Yup.

[Patricia Glees]

Please let it be known i did not leave the ETC because there were no couches or toys. I left because there was no heat, no larger offices and I expected a more business like environment.
I am running a business not a clubhouse.

Kind regards,
Patricia Glees
T.G. Consultants-IT Professional Solutions
847-848-7726
Patr...@tgconsultantsinc.com

On Dec 10, 2012 9:11 PM, "Tracie Pannell" <tpanne...@gmail.com> wrote:

Not that we have very many tenants on the floor right now... BUT not being able to have a relaxed environment (couches, games, lounge area) was a reason we lost several tenants. I don't believe we are trying to create a Regis environment at the ETC.  We want to have a creative environment.

On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 8:48 PM, Rusty <rusty.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

"ETC is a group of companies"

That's an interesting perspective. Where are we getting that from?

Since ETC is looking to target a younger crowd I feel this fits with the culture we are trying to create at the tech center. The pool table/whatever won't be visible from the conference room where meetings are generally held. Not to mention the doors can be shut for privacy.

This is a great idea, as Tracie mentioned, to create a open, friendly and fun environment for collaboration. As a former tenet, I would have appreciated this feature to get out of my office once in a while.

On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:

Many of the members have said they want to get something like a pool table, or ping pong, or air hockey here at ETC.

Right now, at ReStore in Elgin, they have a unit that's all three. 

However, I would like you all to weigh in on this.  Would it be a good or bad idea to have this at ETC?

To get it, it's a $1 raffle ticket. I put in my dollar, but let's discuss.

--
Thank you,
 - Michael S. Copeland

Executive Director 

Elgin Technology Center
President

Elgin Jaycees

Personal

Twitter   Facebook

Office: 847-380-2670

Cell: 224-402-9503

Skype: Filmpod

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Tracie Pannell
Dinotrac, Inc.
(630) 403-8148

100 E. Chicago Street
Suite 201
Elgin, IL 60120

[Rusty]

Patricia I'm glad to hear you outgrew ETC. WOW! Another success story! For the record, ETC is not a business, but helps businesses like Patricia's and others in Elgin. I see it as a community and a tech incubator of sorts. I wouldn't set my expectations too high paying $170 bucks a month for rent anyway. However, any start-up or small business should be thankful they have access to a space like this to collaborate and host their office if they need one. Its only going to get better with the help of those that want to get involved.

[Mark Zeman]

I'm sitting here with Dave, and I explained the 'to game or not to game'
dilemma, and he suggested we do something more relevant. These are
infinitely hackable, and tens of thousands of video games are available
(and many legal, freely distributable ones).
Great fun. We've got the hardware and the software is free and comes
with source code.
-mz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.A.M.E.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi_Emulator_Super_System

Mark Zeman
Cerebral Software, Inc.
847-392-3860 24 hrs
mze...@cerebralsoftware.com
http://www.cerebralsoftware.com

On Fri, 4 Jan 2013, Rusty wrote:

> Patricia I'm glad to hear you outgrew ETC. WOW! Another success story! For
> the record, ETC is not a business, but helps businesses like Patricia's and
> others in Elgin. I see it as a community and a tech incubator of sorts. I
> wouldn't set my expectations too high paying $170 bucks a month for rent

> anyway. However, any start-up or small business should be *thankful* they

> have access to a space like this to collaborate and host their office if
> they need one. Its only going to get better with the help of those that
> want to get involved.
>
>
> On Friday, January 4, 2013 1:35:04 PM UTC-6, Trish Glees wrote:
>>
>> Please let it be known i did not leave the ETC because there were no
>> couches or toys. I left because there was no heat, no larger offices and I
>> expected a more business like environment.
>> I am running a business not a clubhouse.
>>
>> Kind regards,
>> Patricia Glees
>> T.G. Consultants-IT Professional Solutions
>> 847-848-7726

>> Patr...@tgconsultantsinc.com <javascript:>
>> On Dec 10, 2012 9:11 PM, "Tracie Pannell" <tpanne...@gmail.com<javascript:>>

>> wrote:
>>
>>> Not that we have very many tenants on the floor right now... BUT not
>>> being able to have a relaxed environment (couches, games, lounge area) was
>>> a reason we lost several tenants. I don't believe we are trying to create a
>>> Regis environment at the ETC. We want to have a creative environment.
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>> On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 8:48 PM, Rusty <rusty.w...@gmail.com<javascript:>

>>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "ETC is a group of companies"
>>>>
>>>> That's an interesting perspective. Where are we getting that from?
>>>>
>>>> Since ETC is looking to target a younger crowd I feel this fits with the
>>>> culture we are trying to create at the tech center. The pool table/whatever
>>>> won't be visible from the conference room where meetings are generally
>>>> held. Not to mention the doors can be shut for privacy.
>>>>
>>>> This is a great idea, as Tracie mentioned, to create a open, friendly
>>>> and fun environment for collaboration. As a former tenet, I would have
>>>> appreciated this feature to get out of my office once in a while.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Monday, December 10, 2012 4:29:48 PM UTC-6, Michael Copeland wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Many of the members have said they want to get something like a pool
>>>>> table, or ping pong, or air hockey here at ETC.
>>>>>
>>>>> Right now, at ReStore in Elgin, they have a unit that's all three.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, I would like you all to weigh in on this. Would it be a good
>>>>> or bad idea to have this at ETC?
>>>>>
>>>>> To get it, it's a $1 raffle ticket. I put in my dollar, but let's
>>>>> discuss.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Thank you,
>>>>> - Michael S. Copeland
>>>>> Executive Director

>>>>> Elgin Technology Center <http://www.elgintechnologycenter.com/>
>>>>> President
>>>>> Elgin Jaycees <http://ElginJaycees.org>
>>>>> Personal
>>>>> Twitter <http://twitter.com/mscopeland> Facebook<http://facebook.com/mscopeland>
>>>>> <http://socialnetworkingdirectory.info/>

>>>>> Office: 847-380-2670
>>>>> Cell: 224-402-9503
>>>>> Skype: Filmpod
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --

>>> *Tracie Pannell*

>>> Dinotrac, Inc.
>>> (630) 403-8148
>>>
>>> 100 E. Chicago Street
>>> Suite 201
>>> Elgin, IL 60120
>>>
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[gelde...@aol.com]

[gelde...@aol.com]

Now your talking.  Have fun.  Create something re-usable and marketable .... because it is fun for you, it might be fun for othersa and for your banker.  Congrads!

[Michael Copeland]

I'm just wondering why you would sign off on a video game system,  Don, and not a pool table. Are video games more professional?

[LF Gibson]

I always found success with larger puzzles in an open environment to let people collaborate  indirectly of course. ;-) 

- LF

[gelde...@aol.com]

Some of our members are in the business of creating video games.  I am assuming that they would present a test ground for their games.  Not advocating an arcade be set up ... just think the members should be able to present their wares.
DON

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Copeland <mscop...@gmail.com>

[cjahnke]

I haven't been to the ETC for a couple of month, so I am not sure how it stands, but here is my 2 cents. 

 

I would make sure all the common areas.   I know painting has been done, but the last time i was there lights were hanging out the ceiling in the cafeteria area, the section off the bathroom needed some dry wall work, and the bathroom needed to be fixed up a bit.  The place could also use new windows, but I don't know how you go about that.

 

Then, once it looks finished and professional, I would be thinking about extras.  Personally, if I was a tenant, I would do business in my office, the conference room, the training room, and the library.  I would want these areas to look the best they possibly could.  Also, I think the bathroom should be as nice as possible in case my clients had to use them. 

 

As far as a game room or something, as long as it was in the cafeteria, or possibly that back area by the bathroom, I would think you could do whatever you want.  One of the things I like about the ETC as it has this feel of a technology "club house" as somebody called it.  It would be nice to have a place where you could both Work and Play in the same location...

 

I think the board (or a committee) should go through the ETC figure out all the things that need to be fixed, rank them, get some estimates on what things cost or could be done by members, and then start raising funds and resources to fix them.

 

Thanks,

Craig

[Rusty]

Amen Craig! We were just talking about that yesterday. Even just a 1000 bucks can go along way to do some aesthetic remodeling. We can still get some toys around here in the mean time though too :)

[Dean Pannell]

There is nothing more beneficial than energy, excitement, and
involvement in a volunteer organization, especially one without
benefit of paid staff and notable endowment. It pays to get what you
can when you can to keep participants participating.

So far, I like what I see in the newly energized ETC.

Dean