Recent Developments

[James Munroe]

Hi all,

Steady progress is being made in the establishment of ProtoShed Community Workshop, a Makerspace/Hackerspace in St. John's. We have identified a unit at 245 Duckworth St. (425 sq ft., 2nd floor) as a possible location for our first space.  We have been tentatively discussing moving in as early as August 1st in preparation for a fall launch and recruitment drive.  There have been weekly meetings for the last three months to move this project forward with around 10 or so attending in person.  We now need to get input from the larger group who have been following the developments of this endeavor through the Google Group. 

At those weekly meetings, we went through a process of filling out some paperwork where individuals became official "members" of ProtoShed Community Workshop Inc.  To be able to financially support a permanent location, utilities, insurance, and other basic operational costs our budget suggests that at least 20 members contributing a monthly fee of $50 is required. There is also some flexibility for a "reduced/student" rate of $25/month if this is needed.  At our last meeting we decided to start collecting a $50/month fee from all members effective July 1, 2012. As well, we are asking members who are able and willing to prepay 3 to 6 months worth of fees to establish a cash reserve. The Board of Directors have decided that we should have at least $2500 in the bank (just below three months of expected operating costs) before taking on the commitment of a year long lease. 

We are now inviting everyone who is interested in seeing the growth of a hackerspace in St. John's to express their interest.  If you can, please try and make it out to a weekly meeting (Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 at the A.C. Hunter Public Library, 125 Allandale Rd).  If this time doesn't work for you, please get in direct contact with the Secretary (James Munroe, roe...@gmail.com) or any member of the Board of Directors.  If over the next couple of weeks we are able to get sufficient commitments in terms of paid membership fees and at least $2500 collected we will move forward with negotiating a 12 month lease for a space.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

James Munroe
Secretary
ProtoShed Community Workshop Inc.

[David Bartlett]

Thanks James for the update and i would like to stress the fact that the sooner we gather the needed funds the sooner we can move forward. if we gather the desired capital sooner rather than later then we could possibly be in before august. I personally will be putting forth 6 months worth of membership. 

So get out that money you've been hiding under those mattresses, dust of those cheque books and bring them to the next meeting. Please :-)

[David Bartlett]

Ok guys we are almost half way to our fundraising goal before we can go rent the space after one meeting. which is great, ProtoShed is becoming a reality. Hope to see the rest of you at the next meeting with cash in hand.

[mscott]

I'll put up 6 month's membership at the next meeting too.

Mike