Mechanics Minutes Feb 2010

Minutes taken by Jordan.

We had no laptop, so the notes are not very precise.

Essentially we just talked about a lot of stuff, but there wasn't that many people there so we didn't make any big time decisions.

Present at meeting

• Jordan
• Ron
• Justin
• Daniel
• Heath
• John
• Derek
• Beth

Agenda

• Keys
• Youth Program Discussion
• Sewing Kitchen

Keys

Jordan Read Illana's proposal, and then we discussed it.

Daniel: We should qualify the proposal with specific intentional language about why someone shouldn't become a staff member.

Justin: We shouldn't have a rigid system for determining staff status, but we should have an intentional system. People who want to be a staff member should offer a proposal to existing staff via email or at a meeting. It shouldn't be on the shoulders of one person to say "no" to someone interested in being a staff member, because they might be intimidated in a group setting.

Ron: People who want to become staff should have people who they worked on shift with vouch for them.

Derek: Ditto

Jordan: People should commit to coming every other meeting, and the meetings should be fun, not boring.

Conclusion: Talk more over email and come up with another proposal for the next meeting.

Youth Program Discussion

Justin: We went on a sweet ride today to Marin. We want to discuss budget for monthly youth rides. Today we spent 60 dollars on the ride, including food and ferry tickets for youth and adults.

Daniel: I appreciate the youth program because it helps us invest in future mechanics at the shop.

Beth: They are easy to teach and decent mechanics.

Daniel: Could we have a budget based on spending "x" amount of dollars per kid? Today took 5 kids, at $60 total, so this equaled out to $12 per kid.

Ron: is funding currently an issue for the youth program?

Justin: No, we just want to be transparent, and have a clear policy about how much we can spend. We do not want to just arbitrarily take money from the BK without a system.

Ron: One concern I have about the youth is that they volunteer behind the desk and then are highly interested in donations and just goof around.

Daniel: We need to hold them more accountable.

Jordan: Its our job to set firm guidelines and be real with them. We run the shop, we have the authority to tell them when something is inappropriate, just like when we have a patron who is inappropriate.

Justin: We will set stricter guidelines with the youth about what is and is not cool in the shop, and the difference between open hours and youth hours. We will share this with ya'll so there can be consistent language.

Beth: Can youth come to meetings? Is there a youth council?

Sewing Kitchen

Justin: Myself and Jordan have been talking with a bunch of people who want to start a sewing kitchen. It would be a community sewing workshop and operate similarly to how we do, except with sewing. They are looking for support from the BK and would like to move into one of the garages in this building.

Jordan: The Board is interested in promoting this idea, but only if there is a solid, committed crew involved. This is an idea that is far far away, but if anyone is interested please contact us.