CommunityMeetingMinutes20250601 - DoESLiverpool/somebody-should GitHub Wiki

Attendees

Adrian, Snoof(Chair), Chris H(notes), Jackie, Chris T, Jake, Sean, John

Summary of actions

  • Improving CNC induction process - no updates
  • AV documentation still to be done (Adrian and Jake) - no updates, Jake to look at. #2045
  • Post-induction emails not sorted yet, Jackie to address #2047.
  • Induction processes to be reviewed. GitHub induction deemed unnecessary. - no updates, left until after makefest with Mike G
  • Mice still an issue - no action

TEAM UPDATES

3D Printing

  • Marcus is currently fixed (Chris H). #2014

Laser

  • Laser team not here

Fibre Arts

  • Maintenance needed, team cautious about everyone opening the machines so looking at best way to keep these clean and running
  • Lighting. Andy still looking into. Probably not viable because it is expensive but still worth opening an issue for future reference.

Mice:

  • More mouse poo found by Jackie. Food waste still being left in all bins.
  • Jennie suggests we should get more traps (alternative is to get a cat)
  • We're not getting a cat

Marketing:

-More flyers to be printed. Files stored somewhere-safe, Jackie to print more flyers before Liverpool Makefest. #1985

Finances

  • Adrian has finished the Cost of Being Epic poster and is looking fantastic in the events room. #24

  • Over last six months we are making £500/mth loss but doesn't include some desk loss

  • Forecast spreadsheet is showing £600-700/mth loss We can only sustain that for four more months This equates to needing four permanent desks or ten workshop members Down to 14 permanent desks We are not expecting any more rises in rent/rates both have risen after 5 years
    There are no expected big payments coming in the next months.

  • The bottom line is we need to act now. Discussion about running workshops Adrian, Snoof, Neil and Chris, and Andy have run workshops but other community members need to. #1975

  • Should we start charging for laser inductions at Makernight/day. Suggested that tool library has laser cutters so it would be worth checking their offer. Could we offer a one day laser course, which used to be a thing ~£50/person with some coming back to the space. Is it viable to offer paid inductions for other machines eg Embroidery machine. CNC etc

  • Should we have a reduced rate for former students over the Summer. Action: Jackie to ask Matt Murphy

  • Should we revise our free use events space? We are currently 80% occupancy in the evening with free space. Possibly reduce how far in advance these can be booked for. Definitely should reduce advertising of this. Can we change the language to 'pay what you can'/pay it forward rather than donation/for free.

  • Is there scope to sublet the events space? Jackie reported the leads we had didn't result in viable options. We are getting some daytime bookings. eg cycling consultation. But only 1-2 /mth Do we have details of this offer as a pdf that can be sent to prospective clients. There is a web page Action: Chris T look into how we can improve this.

  • Can we reduce cloud payments? One suggestion was to replace Youcanbookme with Optimism, Action: Chris T and Adrian to look at this

  • Is charitable status viable? It has been looked at but not considered viable #321

  • Jake offered to apply for funding. Eg to offer residencies Jake to look at potential grants for reference. Adrian raised a potential grant from MRWA to run sewing courses. Fibre arts or repair cafe could apply. Action: Fibre Arts team to look at this

Action: Adrian going to start a monthly meet up tech event

  • Should we have a donations box/ tap payment? Or is that role taken by Cost of Being Epic poster with QR code to as-yet-inexistent help page on the website?
  • An issue has been opened by Adrian for the help page, issue #2032 - awaiting input Action: Jackie to talk to Neil about adding this asap

Membership

  • Zarino has updated posters for the stand for Makefests to promote membership
  • Anyone who is an organiser can access password for taking card payments. Jackie happy to give a demo if needed Action: Jackie to look at tap to pay card reader device, issue #2046

Website

  • No progress from last meeting, actions carried forward.
  • Repair Café only on facebook at the moment, people are moving away from facebook so how do we include this in the DoES website? Could be wiki, could be a page (Mike to talk to Jackie or Neil if page on website).
  • Neil has revamped the website and is gathering feedback to make what exists work for everyone. Will discuss Repair Café page with Mike.

AOB

  • Pairing up with Boost members: Snoof started this process and initially seems positive. Can this be communicated to Boost members when they are awarded.

  • We need a procedure to induct Event organisers – Mike and Jackie to address, this will be after Makefest

  • New laptops have been donated by Assim, which are currently on Darth Gleeson's desk. They need power supplies, seem to be reasonably well-spec'd, we need to work out what we're doing with them. The all have Kubuntu on them, need PSU's 2044

Upcoming events:

  • Makefest Liverpool 05/07 - so does anyone want a) to be part of the DoES stand or b) have their own stand (there is a google form for people who want their own stand – on the google group and will be in week notes) 1985

  • Carried over: Email google group to ask if anyone wants to run or attend a specific workshop – Jackie will find out what kinds of workshops people want to attend – Mike has some ideas but is being waylaid by rug project – later in the year Action: Jackie to Email about this

When’s the next meeting? 29th of June 1-3 again.