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| − | '''NoiseBridge Finance Policy (and related considerations)
| + | {{Template:OutOfDate}} |
| − | Draft for Discussion'''
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| | | | |
| | + | ==NoiseBridge Finance Policy - Currently in Draft for Discussion form== |
| | | | |
| − | '''Minimum Reserve'''
| + | ===Minimum Reserve=== |
| | | | |
| − | ''A NoiseBridge bank account should have at least six months'
| + | It seems reasonable to create a NoiseBridge bank account. It should have at least six months' expenses to pay rent, insurance, ISP, power, and for various consumable supplies. Currently we're in the burn rate evaluation phase. Once we've determined our average monthly burn rate, we'll know how much we should keep in the bank. |
| − | expenses to pay rent, insurance, ISP, power, and various | |
| − | supplies.'' | |
| | | | |
| − | ''NoiseBridge should run a funding drive if balance falls
| + | NoiseBridge should fund raise if our bank account balance falls below five months of our average burn rate. It seems reasonable to continue until balance exceeds seven months or more of a nice money cushion. |
| − | below five months, to continue until balance exceeds | |
| − | seven months. '' | |
| | | | |
| − | ''Consider having parties as part of funding drives. What
| + | We may have rent parties in the same spirit as NYC Resistor. We may also simply make phone calls and ping our network. We may want to teach classes but it's counter to our spirit to charge for them (except possibly for parts cost, this TBD). If we're really feeling adventurous, we can apply for grants. |
| − | other events and efforts?''
| |
| | | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] This is very much in line with
| + | ===Bank Account Access=== |
| − | what we've been trying to do. So far we've raised pledges
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| − | of around $10,500USD. [EndJake]
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| | | | |
| | + | Noisebridge corporate account will probably have debit cards or checks. The board should allocate some petty cash for having in the space and will otherwise sign checks as stipulated by the membership. Anyone that's signing checks will also report financial status updates in an open manner. |
| | | | |
| − | '''Bank Account Access'''
| + | The finances will be published, hopefully in real time. Transparency is key. We want to avoid major issues with |
| | + | money by letting it all hang out. |
| | | | |
| − | ''Noisebridge corporate account checks should require two | + | We'd like someone to help research a second short-term CD or other interest-bearing account as a complement to the checking account. Such an account should have a restriction to control release of funds. It seems reasonable to have funds released to the checking account only. |
| − | signatures, any two of four Noisebridge members may sign
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| − | checks (or all board members or all officers may sign
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| − | checks: the important point is to require two signatures
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| − | for a check). Those who can sign checks should also have
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| − | the responsibility for reporting current financial status | |
| − | at regular times.''
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| | | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] It's possible that we'll implement
| + | ===Member Dues=== |
| − | something like this. I suspect the limiting factor is
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| − | two-fold:
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| − | 1) Banks are probably not going to like this very much.
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| − | 2) Members may not be happy with any two people being able to drain the bank account.
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| | | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] i believe a two-signature
| + | We have two official Membership rates, both with the same privilages and responsibilities. The rate you choose is up to you, and you can change it at any time. |
| − | checking account is within common practice of most banks.
| |
| | | | |
| − | the alternatives are having one person able to sign checks
| + | The Regular Membership Dues are $80 per month. The Starving Hacker Membership Dues are $40 per month. |
| − | or having a number of persons able to sign check. both
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| − | seem more problematic than having a small number of persons
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| − | able to sign checks and requiring two signatures on each
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| − | check. the thinking behind this is that of the old pogo
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| − | cartoon: "i have met the enemy and it is us". there's
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| − | another appropriate maxim, "trust is efficient." [EndJim]
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| | | | |
| − | Remember that we've structured the (soon to be) 501c3 in
| + | '''[[Donate or Pay Dues| Click here for info on how to pay your Membership Dues]].''' |
| − | such a way that we're all capital 'M' "Members." This is
| + | <br> |
| − | an important legal distinction and one that I'm really
| + | <br> |
| − | happy about (we may live to regret it but we don't yet).
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| | | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] 501(c)3 status might be
| + | If you're planning to be a member for a year, consider a simple check or cash payment in one lump sum. |
| − | far enough in the future not to merit too much discussion
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| − | at this point. it seems to me that membership ought to
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| − | be defined and probably more formalized than it is
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| − | currently. [EndJim]
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| | | | |
| − | The finances will be published, hopefully in real time.
| + | ===Physical Supplies=== |
| − | Transparency is key. We want to avoid major issues with
| |
| − | money by letting it all hang out. [EndJake]
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| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] Amen. [EndJim]
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| | | | |
| − | ''Consider a second short-term CD or other interest-bearing
| + | Donations of equipment and other physical goods do not count as member dues. It certainly will help your reputation as being a generous member of the community but it won't pay the rent. It's possible that we'll consider exceptions as a membership. Consider donating things for NoiseBridge use, however - we do not accept things with strings attached. |
| − | account as a complement to the checking account. Such an
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| − | account should have a restriction to control release of
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| − | funds, perhaps funds can only be released to the checking
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| − | account.''
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| | | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] This is a great idea. If you have
| + | We have drinks and food in the kitchen. Costs are being evaluated. It's an honors system bar. If it doesn't work, we'll change things. |
| − | some suggestions for a bank that canhandle all of the
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| − | above, that would be wonderful! We've put up a lot of
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| − | banking stuff on the finances page. Do you have any
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| − | preference? [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] this idea belongs in the
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| − | list of questions to ask banks. [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Member Dues'''
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| − | | |
| − | ''Two-tier membership plan: higher tier pays a higher
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| − | monthly dues for unrestricted use; lower tier pays a
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| − | lower monthly dues but must also pay a per-use fee. All
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| − | payments must be by check.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] Here's where we're going to
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| − | diverge. We're a flat organization. There are no "high
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| − | priests" here. We're not running a service center,
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| − | people won't just stop by and pay a daily use fee to use
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| − | the electronics lab. If people stop by to fix something,
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| − | we're hopefully not going to be so hard up that we can't
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| − | share with them. This is critical in fostering a good
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| − | relationship with our neighborhood and in bringing in
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| − | new people as something more than their so called
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| − | "worth" measured in dollars.
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| − | | |
| − | We will accept money in any form people want to send it.
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| − | Check, paypal, cash, anonymously blinded (David Chaum!
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| − | Why didn't you sell to visa or mastercard?!) e-cash,
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| − | e-gold, sacks of quarters, etc -
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| − | | |
| − | When we're officially a 501c3, we'll even issue specific
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| − | receipts to ensure people get the tax benefits they
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| − | expect. [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] i think i'm free of
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| − | elitist tendencies, to a large degree at least. my
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| − | private motivation was to allow a poor man's participation
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| − | so that i can be a paying member (i'm hurting for both
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| − | time and money just now). just to be clear on the point,
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| − | i do not equate anyone's worth with money but rather on
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| − | their good will, mainly.
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| − | | |
| − | it seems to me the issue of cash and other such (bag
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| − | of quarters, gold ingots...) is problematic in terms of
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| − | the membership getting it to the NoiseBridge bank
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| − | account, so i raise the issue even in light of Jake's
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| − | note. as a point of policy, what actions create too
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| − | much trouble? [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Consider a vetting process for new members. SF Gem and
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| − | Mineral Society's vetting consists of prospective
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| − | members getting two current members to vouch for them
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| − | (first step is a short chat with each of the existing
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| − | members, second step has two members okaying the
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| − | prospect at a meeting, third step consists of new member
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| − | payment and receipt of a card.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] We have a vetting process. In
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| − | short, people coming to the space need to be a part of
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| − | the community by being a part of the community.
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| − | [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] i, and possibly others,
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| − | are not clear as to any process for becoming a member.
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| − | i've assumed that my having joined the mailing list,
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| − | taking on this (and in the future possibly other) little
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| − | job, and having come to one meeting are enough that i am
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| − | a member. i don't believe any vetting has been involved,
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| − | and it seems to me that as the group grows, some vetting
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| − | process will be prudent defence against trouble. [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Consider issuing a NoiseBridge member card with a
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| − | member number and a date. Possible to barcode or
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| − | otherwise enable electronic verification (alternate
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| − | possibilities could be fun).''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] If we have any card, it will
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| − | probably be a blank entry card. People can decorate it
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| − | however they like and we (as an org) will hopefully do
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| − | nothing of the sort. We're not creating a flashy emblem
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| − | or status symbol. People can do that themselves.
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| − | | |
| − | We're very likely to use the anonaccess system by Das
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| − | Labor (as has been discussed many times, David and I are
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| − | looking at the hardware for this as I write this):
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| − | http://events.ccc.de/congress/2007/Fahrplan/events/2351.en.html
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| − | | |
| − | We want anonymous credentials for our door and the
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| − | card shouldn't identify someone as a member. We don't
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| − | need or want status symbols. [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Consider requiring higher tier members to maintain at
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| − | least two or three months' paid-ahead status.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] We almost certainly won't
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| − | require anything. People can do as they please. Their
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| − | contributions will be noted in public, on the wiki and
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| − | in the bank balance statements. [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] the only issue i had in
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| − | mind was various means for keeping the NoiseBridge bank
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| − | account up. groups have their seasons, and a healthy
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| − | bank account can see us through an unhealthy season.
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| − | [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Consider releasing keys only to higher tier members.
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| − | This idea suggests regular hours and some set of
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| − | persons willing to open the place for those without
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| − | keys.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] We're going to ensure that the
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| − | space is open to all members. We're not going to
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| − | treat some of the group like less because of their
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| − | financial status. A member who donates $1000 but never
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| − | hacks, never shows up and doesn't participate (other
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| − | than bike shedding) isn't actually part of the
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| − | community. Money isn't the most important facet of
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| − | community participation. [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Some small group should share managing and tracking
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| − | this stuff.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] The entire thing is currently
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| − | and will continue to be managed with our wiki, mailing
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| − | list and possibly using crabgrass in the future.
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| − | [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] details of room access
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| − | are not part of financial policy, sorry i opened that
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| − | door. how to manage access seems to be unaddressed,
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| − | though (and should be addressed in some other part of
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| − | the wiki, yes?). [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Physical Supplies'''
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| − | | |
| − | ''Donations of equipment and other physical goods do
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| − | not count as member dues. Consider loaning or giving
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| − | things for NoiseBridge use.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] If someone donates us a $20,000
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| − | laser cutter, they're probably going to get a pass on
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| − | their $50 membership dues. Not from any one specific
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| − | person but from the membership as a whole. I'm also
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| − | pretty sure this is going to self regulate. Some people
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| − | will contribute things that are of value that cannot be
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| − | counted in terms of dollars per month or per hour or
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| − | whatever time frame, etc.
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| − | | |
| − | We do not need _anything_ currently. Loaning things is
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| − | probably a very bad idea. If you're burdened with
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| − | something and Noisebridge could use it or would want it,
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| − | please by all means donate it. When we're a 501c3, this
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| − | will especially be great. With that said, we're probably
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| − | going to destroy or consume a lot of things. It's
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| − | unrealistic to want it back and it may even create
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| − | personal drama when someone brings in "their" do-hickey
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| − | that is "misused" or otherwise not available to them on
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| − | their personal whims. [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] My point as a matter of
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| − | financial policy was to disinclude donations and loans
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| − | of stuff from membership dues, mainly as an effort to
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| − | keep the bank account up. of course exceptions may apply.
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| − | | |
| − | as an example of loans: it may be that we would like to
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| − | paint the room. i have a lot of tarps and painting
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| − | equipment that i'd be willing to loan. i'd want the stuff
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| − | back. i'd make a big noise about proper care and feeding
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| − | of paint brushes and other equipment and hope to be
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| − | present enough during the work to enforce my wishes. if
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| − | things got away from me, i'd have to eat it as is: it
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| − | makes no sense that i'd try to seek redress from the
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| − | group (in the form of dues credit or recompense or
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| − | anything else). [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Supplies to be paid for as part of ongoing expenses
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| − | could include cleaning chemicals (to be determined)
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| − | along with one good quality broom, one good quality
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| − | mop, up to four various-sized sponges, supplies of
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| − | paper towels, toilet paper, toilet seat sanitary
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| − | covers, plumber's friend, toilet bowl brush and
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| − | holder, two five-gallon plastic buckets, two
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| − | two-gallon plastic buckets, up to four other
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| − | various-sized buckets or containers.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] This is pretty reasonable. It
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| − | should go on the wiki somewhere, perhaps under a
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| − | supplies page for the space? [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | ''Consider drinks to be personal items. Or consider
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| − | purchasing a vending machine. Having an honor bar
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| − | with a cash jar and the responsibility of getting
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| − | the cash and stocking contents seems too much
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| − | hassle for the possible rewards.''
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jake, 20080930: ] Heh. We're a space full of
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| − | hackers. If we put a vending machine up, I'm
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| − | personally going to hack it and give away whatever is
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| − | inside. If we can't trust each other to put in for
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| − | soda or whatever, it's probably a moot point to even
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| − | attempt sharing _anything_. Personally, I'm of the
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| − | mindset (and I'm not alone) that we're going to
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| − | assume some risk. Someone will drink a soda without
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| − | having a dollar. Someone else will put in a five
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| − | and not ask for change.
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] myself, i think we
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| − | shouldn't bother with drinks: let people bring and
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| − | share as they please. as to hacking our own community
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| − | stuff, that seems possibly self-defeating, though
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| − | also possibly amusing. [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | We're not solving that problem until we actually have
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| − | it! [EndJake]
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| − | | |
| − | [Per Jim rejoinder, 20080930: ] This is a great
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| − | policy! [EndJim]
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| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Other'''
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| − | | |
| − | ''What's missing?''
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