Longtime paying member who has not been participating

[gordia...@gmail.com]

As a longtime paying member, but seldom user of the space, I would like to start participating more and give feedback about the barriers to participation that I have been experiencing. Maybe it will help us gain and retain members. 

I have obligations during tonight's HYH and the one on Saturday the 22nd, but would like to participate and help with the sit-down and evaluation of the future running of the lab. I have a lot to offer and would like to take a more active role. I am a retired teacher and continuous creator in many  media. I am willing and able to teach in many areas and believe I am qualified to champion several areas. I saw suggestions to make committees to discuss some things about the lab and could throw my hat in as a general member.

Since I cannot make it to the upcoming HYH, I want to put in my 2 cents about the discussions I have been reading here: I feel strongly that there SHOULD be some sort of waiting period between membership and keycard-holding and I support that being in the bylaws. I do think exceptions may be made for board members that have been voted in, because their obligations would necessitate having access and they were trusted enough to win the vote. Personally, I wish I could have a card, but completely understand that I have not built up the trust for one yet.  I have invested in the space and worry about people getting one too quickly and damaging our resources unintentionally or otherwise. Verifying the trustworthiness of a cardholding member in time-commitment, knowledge, and respect for the people, space, and resources is essential to protect our assets.

I do not know much about the other dramas or issues, so I won't speak on those.

I look forward to seeing the community pass through these troubles and emerge more resilient.

Cheers, 

Cynthia Huettner