Meeting Notes 2018 01 16 - Revision history

108.65.4.214: add spaces in consensus proposal

2018-01-17T07:57:13Z

add spaces in consensus proposal

108.65.4.214: add meeting notes

2018-01-17T07:55:26Z

add meeting notes

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Phong: Created new meeting page

2018-01-10T22:25:44Z

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DELETE EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE WHEN YOU POST THE MEETING MINUTES KTHX!!!

= Instructions =

Congratulations and/or condolences! You're reading this because you're participating in a meeting of Noisebridge!

Meetings should be limited to an hour when possible. Shorter is fine, but avoid rushing.

You should read this instructional section thoroughly, and treat them as a guideline for how to host a meeting of Noisebridge. There are three ingredients to an [[Excellent]] meeting: A number of note takers, some facilitators, and participants.

Meetings are just one of the tools used at Noisebridge to create net forward progress on whatever it is we're all trying to do. Meetings aren't the only way to make decisions or have discussions, and in fact its usually a much better idea to talk about things outside the meeting before dragging the entire community kicking and screaming into it.

== Note Takers ==
# Confirm last meeting was saved
# Take new notes
# Save and share the notes at the end of the meeting (instructions at the bottom).

== Facilitators ==

There are generally two kinds of facilitator roles at a Noisebridge meeting:

* Stack taker - Useful when a lot of folks want to hop on the discussion stack. This gives everyone a turn to have their feelings heard. Usually only works when there is exactly one stack taker.
* Moderators - Keeps the meeting moving and prevents everyone from wasting too much time on one subject. Anyone is free to pick up moderation and move the meeting along.

In general, moderators should:
* Understand the structure of Noisebridge [[consensus|decision-making]]
* Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.
* Speak only minimally yourself.
* Keep the meeting moving, and avoid getting bogged down.
* Identify discussion items, arrange times limits for talking about each item.
* Identify and summarize consensus, suggest things that need to be done.
* '''Get the [[membership binder]] and ensure that it is returned safely.'''

== Participants ==

Everyone at a Noisebridge meeting who has consented to participating in one is a participant!

* Say your name before you talk.
* Remain on-topic, and speak as concisely as possible.
* Assist the note-taker with any links or corrections that are needed.
* Remain respectful of other participants, their time, and the consensus and moderation process.

DELETE EVERYTHING ABOVE THIS LINE WHEN YOU POST THE MEETING MINUTES KTHX!!!
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These are the notes from the [https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Category:Meeting_Notes The XXXth Meeting of Noisebridge]. Date: FIXME THE DATE HERE Note-taker: FIXME YOUR NAME HERE; Moderators: FIXME THEIR NAME HERE.
* '''One or two bullet points of high-level meeting summary.'''

== Meeting Summary ==
FIXME FILL OUT AT END OF MEETING AND SEND TO MAILING LIST
TLDR what happened at the meeting:
* Announcements:
* Finances:
* New members:
* New philanthropists:
* Consensus Items:
* Discussion Items:

= Introductions =

* '''Invite a knowledgeable volunteer to explain''' [[Noisebridge_Vision|what Noisebridge is about]]:
<blockquote>Noisebridge is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides a space for creation, collaboration, and learning about technology and creative projects. Noisebridge provides space, power tools, and infrastructure to help the public learn new skills and create cool things. Noisebridge continues to exist through and depends entirely on membership fees and donations. Our code of conduct is 'Be excellent to each other'."</blockquote>
* Introduce any experimental or unusual moderation techniques that may be using during the meeting like: direct responses, limited speaking time, orderless stack, &c.
* Round of introductions (remember, announcements come later):
** What's your name?
** '''What's your preferred pronoun?'''
** What do you do?
** What do you maintain at Noisebridge?
** if you are new: how did you hear about Noisebridge?

= Short announcements and events =
* Cool new projects? Something you'd like people to know? Say now, but keep it short! One or two sentences please!
* Any happenings at the space of which members should be made aware.
* Don't hog everyone's time since we all just want to hack!

= Safe Space =

'''Note:''' This section is experimental. We discussed it at [[Meeting_Notes_2016_06_28]]. We're going to try it for the next meeting, and see how it goes, and then discuss in the discussion section how it went, and how we'd like to tweak it.

Noisebridge is a safe space. '''Invite a volunteer to describe''' what that means.

Some specific points you might prompt the group to touch on, if it doesn't happen naturally:
* What to do if you feel uncomfortable.
* Noisebridge strives to be radically inclusive. What does that mean?
* Noisebridge has an antiharassment policy. What does that mean?

= Participation =

Invite a knowledgable volunteer to describe who can participate at Noisebridge, including:
* Describe how to get an rfid key for the door system
* Describe how to get access to slack

= [[Philanthropist|Philanthropists]]=
* '''Invite a knowledgeable volunteer to describe''' [[Philanthropist/Pledge|Philantropy]], and the application process.
* Read off any names from the binder for the past month. Any applicants must have their sponsor present to vouch for them.
* If there are no objections, they're a philanthropist! Their pledge should be handed over to the [[Secretary]] posthaste, after which their token will be updated to give them the 24/7 access they've earned(?)

= [[ Membership Binder ]] =

* '''Invite a knowledgeable volunteer to describe''' [[membership]], and the application process.
<blockquote>Being a member of Noisebridge is not like being a member of a gym or your local chess club. Anyone can come to Noisebridge to hack and learn: you don't need to be a member for that. At Noisebridge, membership is something different: it means taking responsibility and committing to help to maintain, improve, and govern Noisebridge. As a member of Noisebridge, you don't just come here to hack and learn, you actively work to improve what you see around you, help to deal with problems, and make this community and space better than it is today.</blockquote>
* Read off any names from the binder for the past month. Mark down a check or other indicator on every open application to keep track of how many weeks they've been read out.
* Anyone eligible to join this week should
** introduce themselves,
** answer any questions members may have for them, then
** leave the area in search of gifts (traditionally beer and a lime, or cookies) for the rest of the group.
* The rest of the meeting should reach consensus on whether they may join.
* Remember to applaud new members when they return.

= Financial Report =
* Funds in bank:
* Noisetor (See the bulletpoints at the bottom of http://noisetor.net/finances/#summary):
* Any other details by those participating in handling our financials

= Consensus =

* '''invite a knowledgeable volunteer to give '''[[Consensus Process|a brief primer on consensus process]]
* It is important that everyone in attendance understands at least:
** Blocking with verbalized principled objections.
** Why we use consensus over other approaches to decision making.
** How consensus isn't a legislative process
** Why consensus isn't applicable to some things like conflict resolution, resolution of time sinks, and the like.

== [[ Consensus Items History | Proposals from last week ]] ==
''(Add any items which are consensed upon or someone has raised a principle objection for to the [[Consensus Items History]] page.)''

== [[ Current Consensus Items | Proposals for next week ]] ==
''(Add any new items for consensus to the [[Current Consensus Items]] page.)''

= Discussion =

Longer discussion items belong here. This is the last part of the meeting so that people can break off and continue their discussion afterwards.

== Discussion Items ==

If any important discussion happens, it should be happening after forward progress is made during consensus.

= End of Meeting =

# Return the [[membership binder]] to its rightful location.
# Discuss any items for which there was not time during the meeting.
# Enjoy the company of your fellow hacker, robot, or robothacker.

== Note taker posts the notes ==
# Clean and tidy the meeting notes including removing all these really verbose instructions.
# Fill out the short summary at the top listing just announcements, consensus items, discussion topics, and names of new members and philanthropists.
# Copy paste the notes to the [http://www.noisebridge.net//Next_meeting next meeting] page. (They will become [[Last meeting]] at midnight.)
# Email the meeting summary to [mailto:noisebridge-discuss@lists.noisebridge.net?subject=MeetingNotes Noisebridge Discuss] and [mailto:noisebridge-announce@lists.noisebridge.net?subject=MeetingNotes Noisebridge Announce] lists.
# CC on the email treasurer@noisebridge.net and secretary@noisebridge.net if there are new members and philanthropists.
# Edit the [[Current_Consensus_Items|Current Consensus Items]] if anything is proposed for consensus next week.
# Edit the [[Consensus_Items_History|Consensus Items History]] if anything was reached consensus or failed to reach consensus this week.

== Fun things to do after ==
* Reprise of the [[Hackernationale]]. [This is anarchy - we do what the wiki says!]
* [[PGP|PGP Key Signing]] could happen now (if it doesn't happen '''before''' any given Meeting). Ask others around the space or check the [[PGP|list]] to see who wants in on the action.

[[Category:Meeting Notes]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:57, 17 January 2018
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	&NBSP; Consensus Proposal		&NBSP; Consensus Proposal

	1. Noisebridge’s lease will end in August of this year. It has been made clear to us that it will not be renewed under any circumstances.		1. Noisebridge’s lease will end in August of this year. It has been made clear to us that it will not be renewed under any circumstances.

	2. Noisebridge must survive not just as a nonprofit that exists only as a paper entity and bank account, or as a diffuse online community, but a physical location in the city that is accessible, near public transit, properly zoned for our use, and able to accommodate our growing size.		2. Noisebridge must survive not just as a nonprofit that exists only as a paper entity and bank account, or as a diffuse online community, but a physical location in the city that is accessible, near public transit, properly zoned for our use, and able to accommodate our growing size.

	3. For this to happen, we will need to move. Our two options are to raise a lot of money to purchase a building that could serve as our permanent home, or raise a lot of money to sign a lease on a new location. Both options require much more money than we currently have and big new revenue streams.		3. For this to happen, we will need to move. Our two options are to raise a lot of money to purchase a building that could serve as our permanent home, or raise a lot of money to sign a lease on a new location. Both options require much more money than we currently have and big new revenue streams.

	4. It would be much better for us to purchase a building than to sign a lease, which would leave us vulnerable to future rent increases, and direct nearly all of our future revenue into our landlord’s pocket instead of investing it into real property we own outright.		4. It would be much better for us to purchase a building than to sign a lease, which would leave us vulnerable to future rent increases, and direct nearly all of our future revenue into our landlord’s pocket instead of investing it into real property we own outright.

	5. The preferred option to finance a building purchase would be to borrow money from individuals through simple promissory notes secured against the building being purchased but without any liens. This method was successfully pioneered by Alan Beatts, the owner of Borderlands Books, whose customers loaned him $1.3M to purchase a permanent location on Haight Street in amounts ranging from $250,000 to $10,000 per lender.		5. The preferred option to finance a building purchase would be to borrow money from individuals through simple promissory notes secured against the building being purchased but without any liens. This method was successfully pioneered by Alan Beatts, the owner of Borderlands Books, whose customers loaned him $1.3M to purchase a permanent location on Haight Street in amounts ranging from $250,000 to $10,000 per lender.

	6. The terms of the note are simple: Borrower pays 3% interest on the principal to the lender once per year, for nine years, with a balloon payment of the entire principal at the end of nine years. There is no penalty for pre-payment.		6. The terms of the note are simple: Borrower pays 3% interest on the principal to the lender once per year, for nine years, with a balloon payment of the entire principal at the end of nine years. There is no penalty for pre-payment.

	7. Mr. Beatts has shared the promissory note he used, which we can modify for our own use. He has also offered to introduce us to his real estate broker, lawyer, and accountant, and provide any advice he can, provided we have clear points of contact and an efficient decision-making process.		7. Mr. Beatts has shared the promissory note he used, which we can modify for our own use. He has also offered to introduce us to his real estate broker, lawyer, and accountant, and provide any advice he can, provided we have clear points of contact and an efficient decision-making process.

	8. Financing and purchasing a building is a large undertaking that will require us to make hundreds of decisions between now and the end of August regarding loans, grants, purchase agreements, inspections, and professional services. If we can not make these decisions efficiently, we will not be able to purchase a building (or sign a lease, for that matter), and Noisebridge will be displaced by fall of this year, maybe permanently.		8. Financing and purchasing a building is a large undertaking that will require us to make hundreds of decisions between now and the end of August regarding loans, grants, purchase agreements, inspections, and professional services. If we can not make these decisions efficiently, we will not be able to purchase a building (or sign a lease, for that matter), and Noisebridge will be displaced by fall of this year, maybe permanently.

	9. The “administration” of Noisebridge, including our bylaws, nonprofit corporation, board of directors, and board officers, are basically our API for interacting with the outside world. Internally, we make decisions through do-ocracy and consensus. When we need to work with the outside world, we do so via that API.		9. The “administration” of Noisebridge, including our bylaws, nonprofit corporation, board of directors, and board officers, are basically our API for interacting with the outside world. Internally, we make decisions through do-ocracy and consensus. When we need to work with the outside world, we do so via that API.

	10. Brief description of the way payments work now: Most of our payments for critical expenses, like rent, utilities, and garbage collection, are automated. Most payments that can not be automated are made by board officers — the treasurer (John Shutt), president (Patrick O’Doherty), or secretary (Victoria Fierce) — either online or by check. In rare cases payments are made by co-founders of the space who have access to our bank account, Mitch Altman or Andy Isaacson.		10. Brief description of the way payments work now: Most of our payments for critical expenses, like rent, utilities, and garbage collection, are automated. Most payments that can not be automated are made by board officers — the treasurer (John Shutt), president (Patrick O’Doherty), or secretary (Victoria Fierce) — either online or by check. In rare cases payments are made by co-founders of the space who have access to our bank account, Mitch Altman or Andy Isaacson.

	11. Looking at our “API,” the most logical points of contact for cutting checks, entering loan agreements, and signing off on purchases are the board officers: the treasurer, president, and secretary. They have the clear legal authority to enter into agreements on behalf of Noisebridge, and their roles will be clearly understood by people outside of the Noisebridge community.		11. Looking at our “API,” the most logical points of contact for cutting checks, entering loan agreements, and signing off on purchases are the board officers: the treasurer, president, and secretary. They have the clear legal authority to enter into agreements on behalf of Noisebridge, and their roles will be clearly understood by people outside of the Noisebridge community.

	12. The current board officers are John Shutt (treasurer), Patrick O’Doherty (president), and Victoria Fierce (secretary). The board of directors can choose to retain these three as board officers or appoint different people. When doing so, they should follow the lower-case-c consensus of the community.		12. The current board officers are John Shutt (treasurer), Patrick O’Doherty (president), and Victoria Fierce (secretary). The board of directors can choose to retain these three as board officers or appoint different people. When doing so, they should follow the lower-case-c consensus of the community.

	13. The current board officers must consider whether they have the bandwidth to do all of the work involved in acquiring a new building. If they simply don’t have the time, think someone else would be better suited for the task right now, or would rather spend their Noisebridge time on other important tasks like fundraising, press outreach, party organizing, safe space volunteering, teaching classes, or simply hacking on fun projects, they should pass their title to someone with lots of time and interest in doing paperwork.		13. The current board officers must consider whether they have the bandwidth to do all of the work involved in acquiring a new building. If they simply don’t have the time, think someone else would be better suited for the task right now, or would rather spend their Noisebridge time on other important tasks like fundraising, press outreach, party organizing, safe space volunteering, teaching classes, or simply hacking on fun projects, they should pass their title to someone with lots of time and interest in doing paperwork.

	14. The board officers of Noisebridge are empowered by consensus to enter into loan agreements, building purchase negotiations, and legal contracts on behalf of Noisebridge in the interest of acquiring a suitable building to be our permanent home. Any FINAL lease or purchase agreement will require additional full consensus.		14. The board officers of Noisebridge are empowered by consensus to enter into loan agreements, building purchase negotiations, and legal contracts on behalf of Noisebridge in the interest of acquiring a suitable building to be our permanent home. Any FINAL lease or purchase agreement will require additional full consensus.

	15. Board officers are expected to follow their best understanding of lower-case-c consensus when making decisions. They will be efficient, but not hasty. They will seek feedback on major decisions.		15. Board officers are expected to follow their best understanding of lower-case-c consensus when making decisions. They will be efficient, but not hasty. They will seek feedback on major decisions.

	16. Major decisions should not be surprising or unwanted by the community. Board officers must keep everyone as up-to-date on their actions related to the hunt for a new space as possible, given time constraints and the fact that everyone is a volunteer with a day job. At the bare minimum, they will log all of their actions and write a report once a week that can be read at the Tuesday meeting.		16. Major decisions should not be surprising or unwanted by the community. Board officers must keep everyone as up-to-date on their actions related to the hunt for a new space as possible, given time constraints and the fact that everyone is a volunteer with a day job. At the bare minimum, they will log all of their actions and write a report once a week that can be read at the Tuesday meeting.

	17. As a practical matter, certain details about purchase negotiations may need to be kept off of the public Internet, to avoid being undercut by real estate speculators. For example, we may discover a property listing that has not been posted publicly, and do not want to alert competitors who may bid for the property. Or maybe the city hints that they may offer a city-owned property for sale at a discount, but negotiations are ongoing and it may not be the right time to reveal details to the press. The specific dollar amount of any bid we make when negotiating a building purchase is something else we will probably want to keep offline until the deal is closed.		17. As a practical matter, certain details about purchase negotiations may need to be kept off of the public Internet, to avoid being undercut by real estate speculators. For example, we may discover a property listing that has not been posted publicly, and do not want to alert competitors who may bid for the property. Or maybe the city hints that they may offer a city-owned property for sale at a discount, but negotiations are ongoing and it may not be the right time to reveal details to the press. The specific dollar amount of any bid we make when negotiating a building purchase is something else we will probably want to keep offline until the deal is closed.

	18. For any details that are kept off of the public Internet, board officers must still flag that the private information exists. They must share that information privately with any member who is interested, with the proviso that it should be kept from the press and any possible competing bidders.		18. For any details that are kept off of the public Internet, board officers must still flag that the private information exists. They must share that information privately with any member who is interested, with the proviso that it should be kept from the press and any possible competing bidders.

	19. It is expected that a follow-on consensus proposal will outline a vision for what Noisebridge wants and needs in its new home, and that board officers will follow that vision in all of their work.		19. It is expected that a follow-on consensus proposal will outline a vision for what Noisebridge wants and needs in its new home, and that board officers will follow that vision in all of their work.

	20. Nothing in this proposal implies that all or even most of the work in acquiring a new space will be done by board officers, or that their voices have more weight in making big-picture decisions. The sole purpose of this proposal is to empower them to make the hundreds of necessary executive decisions to pull this off, and to act as the points of contact for the outside world. The board officers do not make big-picture decisions themselves, but implement the consensus of the community in an efficient way.		20. Nothing in this proposal implies that all or even most of the work in acquiring a new space will be done by board officers, or that their voices have more weight in making big-picture decisions. The sole purpose of this proposal is to empower them to make the hundreds of necessary executive decisions to pull this off, and to act as the points of contact for the outside world. The board officers do not make big-picture decisions themselves, but implement the consensus of the community in an efficient way.

	21. This proposal does not expand the role of board members or board officers beyond what is necessary to acquire a permanent home for Noisebridge. For example, this consensus proposal empowers a board officer to acquire a $50,000 loan on Noisebridge’s behalf to purchase a new building, but would not empower them to acquire a $50,000 loan to purchase new fabrication equipment once that building is secured.		21. This proposal does not expand the role of board members or board officers beyond what is necessary to acquire a permanent home for Noisebridge. For example, this consensus proposal empowers a board officer to acquire a $50,000 loan on Noisebridge’s behalf to purchase a new building, but would not empower them to acquire a $50,000 loan to purchase new fabrication equipment once that building is secured.

	22. This consensus proposal will automatically expire after eight months or after we move into a new building, whichever comes sooner, and would need to be renewed by full consensus.		22. This consensus proposal will automatically expire after eight months or after we move into a new building, whichever comes sooner, and would need to be renewed by full consensus.