There has been much discussion over the months about why members join (is it for the tools, etc?)
We seem to be on the way to eliminating “tools” from the possibilities …
I spent way, way too much time looking for a utility knife, there was only 1 hammer available anywhere in the annex and storage area and it was in a box of odds and ends on the floor, blue tape is only a bad memory, and finding a functioning, charged Ryobi battery is becoming a “treasure” hunt.
If we are going stop supplying basic items and replacing worn out tools, could you just publish a list of what members are now needing to lug from home to work on projects? Finding out what’s no longer available when you are at DMS and need it is a terrible system.
We are in the middle of a pretty disruptive expansion project, and tools are wandering around, all over the ‘doubled-in-size’ Makerspace.
A tool procurement order was approved at the June BoD meeting. Talk to Logistics about the details.
Members may or may not return tools to where they found them after using them. We are a volunteer-administered enterprise.
While DMS is an amazingly tool-rich environment, never assume that the specific tool you need, when you need it, will be available for your use. If you want a guarantee, bring it from home.
You infer that we have some sort of increased membership attrition rate, or at the very minimum…that members leave because they can’t find tools. Member attrition is overwhelmingly tied to members’ personal finances and where they live (I.e., their proximity to DMS).
DMS doesn’t have customers, we have volunteers. You are welcome to participate in Logistics if you see an opportunity to help make DMS better. Contact @Team_Logistics should you wish to contribute.
IMO, Bert has volunteered plenty. He didn’t say he was a customer. The response to frustrations expressed by members doesn’t always have to be to tell them to volunteer for another committee.
I definitely agree that getting involved is the best way to make things better. I think what I was trying to say is that when anyone expresses frustration, but especially when someone at Bert’s level of contribution (and Bert is also consistently reasoned and level-headed in his approach) it can be valuable feedback.
That said, I know the folks in charge, or at least with the most authority, the BoD and Officers, are working hard in a lot of areas, What I perceive as valuable feedback may seem like, or in some cases likely is, criticism of the BoD and Officers.
There are some things I strongly disagree with and others things I believe are wrong. I think it is important to speak to these things, but I will strive to remember that frustration is felt by all members, including Officers.
I believe the unsaid frustration is here is when someone wants to help and fails to hear the message that their attempts at help are appreciated, but need to tone it down. When such a person fails to hear the message and it finally takes direct harsh words to get their attention. It becomes quite hard to see their “suggestions” as anything more than someone who has an axe to grind.
That’s a good point Freddy. I don’t think harsh words are particularly effective. I believe this is true whether one is enforcing rules or disagreeing with them. The same is true of potshots and snide comments. (I’ve been guilty of all the above). But I do understand that hearing complaints gets old. Sometimes the message that attempts to help are appreciated isn’t heard, but other times it isn’t expressed. I think that is true on all sides of the discussions on TALK.