Volunteer opportunities: Mesa Smart City program

[Jay McGavren]

Harry Meier is a long-time HSL member who now works with the Mesa Smart City program. He can be a liaison between us and the city.

I met with him on Friday and made these notes. If you think you can help with any of these opportunities, I want to hear from you!

The Smart City program leverages technology to improve quality of life for Mesa citizens. Read more on their [webpage](https://www.mesaaz.gov/Government/City-Projects/Smart-City).

Mesa has worked with HeatSync in the past. Mayor Giles helped line up a grant for our 2nd space remodel. And evidently various members have talked to their Economic Development department in the past. There are opportunities to renew this relationship.

Harry is ready to help us jump through the hoops if we want to pursue any of these opportunities, or make proposals for grants!

# Historical pain points for Mesa-HSL collaboration

Mesa loves that HeatSync is in their downtown. They can point to us as a supporter of creativity and innovation. BUT:

- They don't know *how* to effectively spend money on us.
- Hasn't been a consistent point of contact; volunteers come and go.
- As a result we seem somewhat unreliable.

This will need to be addressed to maximize our effectiveness.

# Mesa Business Builder

A collection of resources to foster small business growth in Mesa.

https://www.selectmesa.com/business-environment/mesa-business-builder-start-or-grow-your-business

They might be able to offer a HeatSync membership as a resource to businesses. Kelley with this program has already talked to an HSL member about this, but that HSL member is no longer available (through no fault of their own). New point of contact will be needed.

They also run [Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios](https://www.selectmesa.com/business-environment/mesa-business-builder-start-or-grow-your-business/mesa-business-builder-the-studios), a nearby co-working space.

- They may be able to get HeatSync access to their computer lab, podcast studio, VR studio, and more!
- They are also looking for teachers for classes in this space. Harry thought at least 1 HeatSync member was already doing this; if you have more info please speak up!

# Hackathons

This is a potential opportunity for collaboration! Mesa would like to run hackathons that promote STEM workforce development.

A prior successful event was "Hacktivate Mesa": civic data hacking for high school youth.

- Granted access to city data.
- Supplied subject matter experts for participants to consult.
- Asked, "What insights can you come up with?", and got surprisingly innovate and insightful results!

However, Mesa has stopped directly supporting Hacktivate. There's an opportunity for us to collaborate with the Mesa Public Schools Career & Technical Education program to fill the void. We could try to stick with this model, or reimagine it.

Target doesn't have to be just high school students, they could be college students or adults.

Not just data viz; any STEM topic where there's interest!

# Classes for city employees

This is a potential opportunity for collaboration if we can find appropriate teachers. HeatSync hosts the class, city employees attend and pay HeatSync a fee.

Teacher doesn't need specific credentials, just a resume that demonstrates appropriate subject matter expertise.

No reason the class can't be opened to the community as well, either at the same time or at other times with the same syllabus.

Could go in the city's training catalog, _if_ we can reliably host the class again when the city asks for it. (With roughly a month's advance notice.)

Informal possible benefits:

- Attendees are potential future members.
- Could encourage further city investment in HeatSync. "They run these valuable classes for us, we should help them stay open!"

Potential topic areas:

## Internet of Things (IoT)

- Train city employees in general IoT technology, giving them a basis for their more specialized work.
- City needs LoRa ("Long Range") wireless communication for meter readers, streetlights, and more.

## Cybersecurity

- Invite participants to act as a "red team", simulating attacks on Mesa infrastructure.
- Simulate social engineering attacks.
- Evidently the Arizona Cyber Warfare Range does events like this occasionally, maybe we can too.

## Data visualization

- Geographic Information Systems.
- "Digital twin" simulations of real-world systems. (Mesa is talking to ASU about this.)
- Real-time traffic flows
- Water and other utilities