Proposed Rule Changes

DMS General
#1

I’m working on cleaning up our rules to be shorter and clearer. In my opinion the current rules are too vague in some parts and overly specific in others. I have posted my proposed ruleset on the wiki page Proposed Rules.

For reference, you can find the existing rules on the Rules and Policies page of the wiki.

The major changes I am proposing are:

  1. Additional explanation of “be excellent”.
  2. No sleeping clarification.
  3. Ban on vaping inside the space.
  4. Additional explanation of the formal complaint process and when it should be used.
  5. Additional clarification on minor rules (this will likely change based on the input from @Andrew_Falgout’s meeting about minors).
  6. Simplification of paid event rules. Now a flat 25%, instead of 15%/25% depending on conditions.
  7. Committee governance change to “dictatorship” by default, with rules for how the committee may choose their governance model.
  8. Deleted “borrowing of tools” section, as the system was not used and potentially gave people the impression they could remove any tool/resource from the space.
2 Likes
#2

Sounds good, wood it be worth putting in a change where voting rights expire if you miss 3 consecutive membership meetings?

What’s the process for changing them? Just a board vote?

1 Like
#3

The process for granting/revoking voting rights is handled by the standing rules and can be changed by board or membership vote.

#4

May need to clarify the second rule about banning people… it technically allows procurement officers to ban people. Unless that’s the intent since we’re “trusted” etc.
New rules appear to allow guests to use tools if a member is watching them… we need guests to have an incentive to join.
What about expiring grandfathered rate plans for members that become inactive (unpaid) for a certain amount of time?

#5

Good point, I’ve updated it to say “Directors and the President” now.

This is actually an existing rule, perhaps we should change/clarify. I’m thinking something along the lines of:

Guests are not allowed to use tools and equipment other than computers, TVs/Projectors and network access.

There are so few people (under 10 I believe) on legacy rates that it’s probably not worth the effort to rewrite the rules. The vote we made back in 2011 was basically that anyone who kept current on their dues was able to keep their existing rate. Mostly be switched to the new rates (I did) and this hasn’t really been an issue ever.

3 Likes
#6

Unless this is a big problem, I would request to keep it as-is. Sometimes seeing is believing, but other times doing is believing. If we are strict about the member supervision requirement, it shouldn’t be possible to take advantage of this without being a huge pain in the butt for the supervising member.

My point is, if I want to come in and teach my buddy how to weld, not only is that on-mission, it’s also more likely to generate a new member!

1 Like
#7

Isn’t having access to the building without an escort enough of an incentive? Could some classes that are typically open to non members be impacted by a rule saying only members can use any equipment?

1 Like
#8

I agree with Daniel Hopper. Supervision should be a requirement, not an
outright ban on guests using the tools.

More over it should be along the lines of children. The guest needs to be
within arms reach while using a tool. BUT a tool that requires training
already they need to be a member and be trained on the tool itself.

For example: Lets say that I am installing a skid plate on a truck. I
cannot lift that and bolt it to the frame by myself. BUT if I had someone
with me, even if they are not a member, they could help with the bolt-up.
With the proposed rule, they would have to be a member to even be out to
help, also it would put members that are working on their own projects at a
very large inconvenience because of being asked to help with something that
could have been done by 2 people but the person that the member brought
isn’t a member therefore cannot help even if he/she wanted to.

#9

@DanielHooper, @Brandon_Green, and @william_petefish, excellent points. I’ll leave it as is then.

#10

Some members work during monthly meeting times. Cannot support this

#11

I have added “No pets allowed in the building.” to the Code of Conduct.