10 Feb 23 Meeting Notes

Grand Rapid Makerspace 02/10/2023 (Grandville Public Library).

Board Attendees: Pat Hurn (President), Kyla Bos (Treasurer), Lucas Leverett (Brand & Communication), Steven Scherbinski (Operations/Interim Secretary), Mike Tooley (Grant Support). Barry Kane (Philanthropic Outreach/Legal – attending remotely).

Board Member Introductions to the group:

Lucas – branding communication design and event background moved to GR and has been in the area for 1.5 years. Was in Nashville with a makerspace and makers fair (co founder to expand) local science space and venue very important to the music scene in Nashville – “Great Cities have Great Makerspace”.

Mike – Also transplant (from Oklahoma?) interested in machining and learn about 3D printing and programming. Handling Grants at the moment, he and his wife have recently moved to the Grand Rapids area.

Barry – became involved in with a makerspace in 2012. Lives in GR half year and Santa Fe NM half year. Interests in fabrication and metal works; was a woodworker for many years including furniture, bowls etc. Became interested in metal work and metal fabrication, trying to do an internet of things with kinetic sculptures, teaches in Santa Fe NM. Glad to see everyone and meet again.

Steve – Photography and film, woodworking, and electronics. Background in IT and is into filmography.

Kyla – treasurer on another board (nonprofit), looking to bring the expertise she has learned from her organizational involvement to makerspace. Has been involved with a makerspace for many years, looking for one closer to home, frequents the Lakeshore Fab Lab she is in awe of (go CHRIS) the community building.

Pat – “brains behind this wild Ride” reddit with a makerspace and if anyone was interested in starting one, gotten more and more complicated and really is focused on gaining momentum. What to show you tonight to justify the membership fee to make everything work, and to make everything as inclusive as possible. Interested in everything. Wants to build a wood strip canoe since he was 14 but needs more space and time, has the materials needs the workspace. Jack of all trades, Master of none.

Meeting Minutes:

We need to hit Fundraising hard now, meeting with Mayor Bliss on the 14th for Grand Rapids local outreach. Maybe connect with Friends of GR Parks and the city Planners (Nathan VanderVen, Olivario?). Also there is WMCAT in GR which does STEM work.
Finding support from Grand Rapids city, as real-estate is expensive. We have some equipment needed for the spaces, but we need space.
Equipment – On “Loan” (not a Donation) from members. CNC machines (two), consumer grade for the time being. Once we get the funding going we will be able to afford “good stuff”, proper equipment is going to be key, Miter Saw, table saw, belt spindle sander, bandsaw, 3D variety of printers, work benches, air compressors, impacts.
Discussed locations, and benefits of some scouted locations that have overhead garage bay doors, which would be good space for including auto location for indoor Garage work during Michigan winters.
Search has been difficult because locations for commercial use have not been easy to find, not all have adequate postings. Barry has been working hard to find any viable options, Car wash in Grandville - the owner is willing to let us in and build out and build to suite. Disadvantage for cost it will be expensive potentially. NNN and CAM will need to take up maintenance too.
If anyone sees locations that they think would be suitable, please contact the makerspace board member or use the link for email comments on the website – www.grandrivermakerspace.org
Basement location at a Monroe avenue location – willing to work with build to suite centrally located right by med center (handy insert woodshop injury pun), talking to structural engineer to get a car ramp in – need to figure out how much expense per month/operating costs for insurance etc.
Home repair services – they were hosting the mens shed, slipped in behind the mens shed would we have a space, has a nonprofit right now and not sure how long they are going to stay 1200 with utilities, monthly expenses. Walled off area – very open concept which could be difficult.
Discussion about location is variable - Grandville centric – lots of properties not on real estate and found a location with walking by, there is a guy who has a lot of space downtown Grandville behind speedway (approximate location) and already has some cool business involved in this – high side of the cost but is well outfitted for many power banks and space, divided well to get through, lots of garage space.
Small space in Kentwood – office space and a warehouse – clean space for the 3D printers and the bay can hold the auto shop and the wood shop. Unsure of NNN or CAM right near horrocks. Potentially we could outgrow quickly, but there is possibility for expansion since other business rents may expire and we could grow with this potential.

**** lets get with D-jones, there is a closed down school in Grandville – he was working on this split a big space, STEM with 3D printing.

***** curious for target demographic for location (alex rundown area on burton and 131) Wyoming, seems like he has some opinions here

Barry mentions some important TRUTHS – real estate options are hard to find where everyone has the perfect location and space; there is difficulty with the central location because that is debatable, central to who? How can we possibly appeal to everyone – Gentle reminders *everything accessible by east south and westsiders* with accessibility to off hwy locations may be best. Attention to the evaluation of the area to see if we are able to get into things, or if they have developers already to sell off quickly, we are up against the development in some areas where money talks. They are coming on and off the market, real estate is crucial to making our makerspace happen, but its double edge sword where we need funds to be able to jump on when the opportunity to come. NEED FUNDS.
Ongoing expenses – this is something with everyone to have faith and funding. Monthly fees – lets put this up together. To start things there has to be some “faith funding” where members can feel comfortable putting up funds before we have space to use, again funding > space…. Space ≠ Funding
Tentatively there is a small space for hosting us for a short period, attached to meeting rooms and scheduling. Build out a schedule and would be a good space to get laser cutter and 3D printers in a space. (Chapel School with warehouse space? Some religious center – did not catch the name)

**** suggestion from group member - start looking into Mott funded; they provide private funding to community engagement spaces often

Partonicity update – after re-evaluating they may be less likely to help since they only work out to be existing nonprofits. So we need to become EXISTING. BARRY discusses the early opportunity for funding, but does not supply seed money for funds. Patronicity (government grant?) – they only will support the back half of any budget.
Struggle to set budget of 2000$ for building and space fees. Since it could be varying greatly with membership funding. How can we get here? We can’t jump at a good location without having security of the funds.
Patronicity again – the Eligility of the information would be available to anyone who would like to see the requirements (some members were asking).
Patronicity has plans for matching funding, not out of the questions but currently we have virtually 0 dollars and we need to have some funding. Kyla steps in and corrects we have roughly 1800 in the funds not being touched.

**** Reminder everyone here is a volunteer, and everything so far that has been supported or loaned is personal property of members or from other makerspace locations to support our cause and community.

Cash raised with sponsorship? How do we get the brands activated in the community (e.g. Meijer, DeVos, Steelcase etc.)
Getting the founders gallery – display and get names on the building; 100 FOUNDERS concept is amazing, former contact from a board member (Barry), gave us our first bite. We have a founder!!!

****** Reminder this is a very worth while endeavor, this is community based and there is interest for community outreach.

Membership with supporting cost $10 subscription membership will accumulate until we can get a place, SPONSER (example was all the sponsored items like at the FAB LAB), it will grandfather you in and will be adjacent to other discounts, the tier would be “forgettable target so we can be a contribute” this would help with operating budget, spend a little money to start getting money – accessible and easily doable for a lot of people to make things happen, pay in to help it a thing, active members affordability and change for additional equipment and everything. Co-membership. Paying to the space, geek group with support. INSERT THE DETAILS FROM THE DECK

***** some members were leery – also they brought up ridiculous membership fees – like 50 dollars for a whoe year. We need to be very clear about the differences between our space and other examples individuals are bringing up. Predominantly the private or public funding that these other makerspaces were able to achieve.

Meeting costs and what others have seen on the “market” (comparisons to other spaces and things of that nature) – Barry Makers of santa fe memberships in excess of 60 a month – liability insurance and things that are costly.
PATRICK INSERT THE COSTS OF EVERY MICHIGAN BASED MONTHLY EXPENSE AND WHY THEY CAN MAKE SO CHEAP IF ITS QUESTIONABLE. This is important as it brought up much debate, and people need some clarity here so they understand and stop trying to debate some more…..******
Nonprofits operate with the operation expense and business here …. We want to serve everyone but we are trying to consciously work out the best solutions for the discussion.
Points to bring up for city planners – and incentives for supply funding for makerspace Lucas cannot grow city density and get the detached garage and a workshop and still expand city population/area development. City growth will see that space and inventory what you want to get reasonably (pricing) will go away – but then you need places to help for areas where people can still get projects done. BAM makerspace … prototyping and opens the gate.
How to handle diversity and equity and welcome anyone to experiment and play around to let them through the door, effective pitches on why a makerspace. FULL QUOTE FROM LUCAS “ the neighborhood park is to the backyard, as the community makerspace is to the workshop garage”….
Application for funding our makerspace and interest to be involved or on the board please contact (xxxx). Grand Rivers Makerspace board needs more diversity and to represent the demographic of our community! Public call to please fill out an application.
Lucas – brings up great point. That the city will have incentives too! That they cannot grow city density and get the detached garage and a workshop for every household in the city center. What you want to get inventory has gone or will go away – but then you need places to help by getting.

Move to open discussion forum. See separate page.

Ending remarks:

How to be a member today – www.grandrivermakerspace.org

Go to one stop donation – pay for donations and monthly fee. See Kyla to sign up today!!!

Attendance:

Remote Attendance: Barry Kane (Board Member – Philanthropic Outreach/Legal), Tom Mort, Kevin Vermeer

Public/Community Introduction and attendees: (some names were not going to be perfect as this was me trying to keep up with everyone’s intro/discussion)

Jane friend of Kyla interested in what has been going on.

Bob (Python Programming saw on FB) and then looked for and found Grand Rapids reddit – posted question about shared woodshop and this was mentioned.

Chris from Fab Lab – been crucial resource for Grand Rivers Makerspace almost all along. Has been keeping up since he lives in GR.

(older gentleman did not get name) – background in computers and backboards and has his own designs to show – wants to show his circuity boards he made, brought some demo stuff

Corey software (engineer?) by trade, found on reddit forum.

Carson (Found on reddit – machining, works on his kids cars. Engineering by trade).

Kelaine - Former Librarian (KDL) helped get makerspace started in the libraries tech tudor).

Colleen – googled makerspace at 5pm tonight and this popped up – following curiosity. Digital imaging with woodcraft and paper with color and substrates.

Mike (Steve said had to come into photography). Reddit and meetup – loves wood working.

D Jones extremely passionate entrepreneur (eSports to KDL) computers for graphic arts game creation and design – saw on Facebook. **** GREAT CONTACT*****

Connor (just moved here, used to run space where he lived) found out randomly at a coffee shop, moved from California and lives towards the lakeshore now.

Mathew interested in laser technology and engineering saw on reddit randomly

(Person who knows Kyla), Art wood working shop – for sale, previously with the other grand rapids NOT geek group and attempted. Local Artisan.

Scott/Katie Hurnwell (or whatever) in the crafting and interested and on reddit and subreddit (dev ops engineer) 3D printing and general engineering

Nate - interested in woodworking and metal working,

Pam (comes along with Pat), compassion for learning new things pottery and leather jewelry for crafting

Josiah product design engineer heard about it during the Confluence festival and interested in the success of the makerspace for creative space and community

Chris (Lakeshore Fab Lab) makerspace for the community passionate about getting a space closer to home and has helped with everything for Pat along the way! shoutout THANKS CHRIS

Alex discovered with google searching recently in Norway and they had one so he figured it has to exist here needs room with craft and doing, Jared (learned from Alex) create learn more)

Remote: Kevin and (little boy/son) Charlie (controls engineer from Grand valley) broaden field of robots CNC and plc into more hands-on stuff and share with Charlie. Kevin has been following along since the beginning, originally heard about it through reddit and was on a mailing list for geek group back in the day.

Tom Mort heard on the reddit and likes to get involved with a lot of things. (has been following along from beginning/near beginning).

Synopsis of the Interested areas:

Python Programming, Wood working, laser cutting, cad modeling, 3D Printing. Art and crafting – sewing, papercrafts, pottery. Wood working and metal working, mentioned multiple times. Instruction on technology, CAD, sewing and papercrafts, photography.

Synopsis of how people learned of the Grand River Makerspace and this very meeting:

Reddit and subreddit

Randomly googled “Makerspace Grand Rapids”

FB – ******we may want to add some social media pages

Friend of a Friend

One or two mention of the discord channel.

Open Forum for Group Discussion:

Jen’s thoughts and discussion points – will include asterisks, or if someone side bar mentioned something, again asterisks during meeting minutes.

****Could be cool to get with KDL (Kelaine Mish) for teaching the elders about technology – this is something community centers often do?

******KDL has a really cool program, with small scale check out of electronics- she loves to share so she would be a great contact. This could be a cool avenue to incorporate. https://kdl.org/kdl-beyond-books-collection/

Has there been discussion of the Tiered system section. Is this locked in right now? Example for College students or low income housholds?
Someone asked why other makerspaces in the area have failed – should we include this in the meeting minutes as a reminder? – insert the same brief history of events for GR? And how we have reached out to colleges in the area and theyre like in support in spirit at this point, need more to get funding????
Chris (Lakeshore Fab Lab) revenue is garbage for the year, the community support and funding, especially that of the Muskegon community college, is what is affording the makerspace to continue to operate.
Boat ton of money in afterschool programs with governor ARPA funds. Conference workforce development with high school and adult as vocational schools are on the outs? Explain challenges that there may be funding/money but staff and how to insure the space with the kids and interest groups is CHALLENGING. **** but perhaps there is a caveat to this, like older students introduction into vocational programs (think people coming back to school or from military even??? **** or like new new graduates 18 year olds not moving on to workforce just yet, is there a way to support these adult makers???
Reminder that there are Pitch Decks, that there are different pitches for different potential support. Where making the deck for the sponsorship specialized to the party the pitch is going to. For example bring up to city/community planners the lack of current vocational programs in public education? VOCATION? How do we make this happen.
How do we support scholarship membership? Discussion?
What is the time frame??? To open by SPRING 2023

****** Show up and come? Provide community engagement …. Community engagement will be essential. For example attending confluence fest, or makers market (Merchants and Makers of west Michigan). Friends of GR and rally to provide the resource. WCMAT in grand rapids (Nathan has a contact, we think).

Lucas brings up the Curve – WE ARE GROWNING. Every meeting has more attendees 10, 20, 30 – we are moving in the right direction.

Pat 20 or more people that would have loved to be here but had other commitments – GROWING MOMENTUM.

Overall reddit responses and interest in the area. Its RALLY TIME.