Because this is a collective communal hippie wonder fest I think communication is really important. So that’s why I’m always running my mouth (wahhahahahahhahhahahah) anyways…I just wanted to inform everyone I’ve asked for a slight increase in the CA budget from $200 a month to $350-450 as determined by the board during discussion. We’ve done really well with balancing everything and keeping a watchful eye on the finances but…inflation…society…cost of living…we possibly are spoiled…we are finding it a bit harder to maintain the consumable/tool consumption costs.
I would rather discuss pros and cons before the meeting and just have everything out in the open. Not trying to edge up on anything - just balance things.
As one of the largest and busiest Committee spaces at DMS, CA continues to be a major attractor of new members and activity. Investing in this area only makes financial good sense.
Rolling the dice on investment in underused areas in hopes of generating interest is all well and good, but should always be a distant second to investment in core success spaces. CA is part of the foundation of DMS, and deserves more support. It’s amazing and a testament to their committee and leaders, that they have done so well with so little.
For reference, here is a rough list of the ~$30,000 in monthly recurring costs we have right now (I don’t know how to use quickbooks so I manually compiled this list from looking at transaction detail, there is probably a correct way to export this). This of course doesn’t include honorariums, which can be a significant amount of money. We make somewhere around $45-50,000 per month from member dues.
$10,550 FUND - Rent Monthly allocation for Rent // BOD Approved 11-17-2015
$3,500 FUND - Utility Monthly Allocation to Utilities Fund - Board Approved 11/17/2015
$3,000 FUND - Savings Monthly Transfer of $2000 into a Savings Fund - BOD Approved 9/23/2015
$2,000 COMMITTEE - Infrastructure Monthly Allocation to Infrastructure Committee // BOD Approved 10/20/2015. Increased to $1500 in June of 2016 per board meeting agenda item. Increased to $2,000 in August of 2016 per board agenda item.
$2,000 FUND - Insurance Monthly Allocation to Insurance Fund - BOD Approved 11/17/2015, BOD updated 12/14/2015
$1,800 FUND - Janitorial Monthly allocation to Janitorial Fund (Board Approved - 8/23/2015)
$1,200 COMMITTEE - Wood Shop Increased to $1,200 in June of 2016 per board meeting agenda item.
$1,000 FUND - Router Loan Monthly Allocation for payment to Router Loan // 11-17-2015
$750 COMMITTEE - Logistics General Journal
$500 COMMITTEE - Automotive Increased to $500 in June 2016 per board agenda item.
$500 COMMITTEE - Machine Shop General Journal
$400 FUND - Offsite Storage General Journal
$351 FUND - Parts Washer Monthly Allocation for Parts Washer Rental // BOD Approved 11-17-2015
$250 COMMITTEE - Electronics General Journal
$225 FUND - Trash Pickup Monthly Allocation for Trash Services // BOD Approved 11-17-2015
$200 COMMITTEE - Creative Arts General Journal
$150 COMMITTEE - 3D Fab Approved per board meeting agenda item in June 2016.
$50 COMMITTEE - Classroom General Journal
$50 COMMITTEE - Public Relations General Journal
$50 FUND - Adobe CC License Monthly Allocation for two Adobe CC Suite Licenses // BOD Approved 05/17/2015, updated 11/17/2015
$50 FUND - First Aid Maintenance General Journal
$42.59 FUND - Quickbooks Online Monthly Allocation for Quickbooks Online Payment // BOD Approved 11-17-2015
A couple of questions need to be asked: Could you clarify why these additional funds are needed? Are you experiencing high tool breakage, or are you budgeting for additional tools or non-consumables?
We need more stuff mostly. Leather working needs stuff. Vinyl cutter needs vinyl. It would be nice to grow some of the other groups even more, like fiber or sewing.
Fran probably has a better answer, but I’ve noticed CA is always packed during peak hours and often during non-peak hours and has a decent number of well attended classes.
Personally I want a sewing machine capable of quilting but that’s likely more of a specific item to take to the Board.
Even if you are not personally interested in all that Creative Arts offers, consider the value of “something for every member of the family” when it comes to attracting new members.
If the “stuff” is a consumable, like vinyl, I’m against funding this with DMS allocations, as that is giving something away for free to members. [Edit] This should be done with a pay-for-material or bring-your-own system, like 3D printing, etc.
If “stuff” is a tool, which wears our or is broken occasionally, then great, let’s fund it.
I think you’ll need to have a plan and be a bit more specific on what you’ll be using the additional funds to do.
Much of the committee allocations already go to pay for consumables. Woodshop goes through bits and blades; automotive goes through chemicals, wipes, gloves; electronics for solder, etc.
We are not currently on a "bring your own " model for the most part.
I think people are pretty good about replenishing vinyl, it just occurred to me that it’s generally hopping so may need to be replaced frequently.
If I had a wish list, at the top of it would be dedicated fabric scissors and some sewing machine maintenance. The serger needs some love, and eventually the sewing machines might too. None of this stuff is cheap.
I am sure Nicole knows what we need more specifically, it just occurred to me that CA is one of the most populated and least funded per Brandon’s list. Not that other departments aren’t valuable, but I think there’s some solution where everyone can have their department needs mostly met.
I’d agree that that is generally true, but when “consumables” start going home with Makers (in non-trivial quantities), then we are giving money away. The vinyl for the vinyl cutter does not get “used up”, it is the final product, and should not be subsidized by DMS.
One could also argue this for solder in electronics, or some of the anti-seize/lubricants in automotive, but I think we have to draw a line somewhere. If the retained amount of those supplies are vastly smaller than the Maker-retained object, then it might be that is the acceptable loss of consumables to a Maker.
Thank you for listing those numbers. I have always been concerned about the slow creep of monthly allocations. They essentially eat up our freedom to handle the big things at the space.
Also make me a little sore that many committees get tiny amounts or absolutely nothing.
The hopeful model is that supplies and basic hand tools are covered by committees generating their own funds through classes. This would leave the big stuff to the committee growing their reach to the memberships needs.
I’m not a fan of supplies leaving the space as take home items. Glue, solder, paper, screws ok.
Consumables are way up. DMS membership has grown greatly in last two years and CA has not asked for an increase monthly allocation in the last two years (to my knowledge). CA in the last year has been aggressive and successfully expanded the offerings. We have a number of very strong SIG’s within CA - which is fantastic. They are growing.
CA has requested funds, and like others CA goes with its begger’s cup to the BoD, but CA typically puts up 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost for items requested - CA has skin in the game and it’s for areas where we have seen sustained growth (Dye Sub is an example).
For the most part, the philosophy of CA has been Intro classes should be, to the maximum extent possible, be free or are subsidized by CA to encourage folks to explore. Example: Intro to Leather Working has been free, CA provides the leather, etc. for those classes. The goal being to encourage folks to try it out, see if they like it. If they do, then future courses have materials fee to cover cost. Same with painting and drawing.
CA has a lot more classes so more consumables. Some money from the increased allotment may accumulate towards equipment, but traditionally that is not how CA funded equipment nor do I think it is Nicole’s intent to use it as a way to fund equipment. The goal is to support more Makers becoming active the things CA has to offer.
Nicole is putting it out for discussion, no last minute agenda items (I don’t doubt there are some PowerPoints in the works). So please, anyone with comments express yourself.
It’s not. The parts have been donated over the years.
Like filament for 3D printing the vinyl material should be paid for by a fee.
I’m not opposed to increasing monthly allocations but the money needs to be used for the right things. Maintaining equipment like sewing machines or acquiring new tools is a good use of the money. Subsidizing materials like vinyl (or paint, leather, cloth, etc.) is not a good use of the money.
