January 22 2016 Strategic Planning Meeting

Rules

• This is a safe place
  Our strength is in our diversity of backgrounds and ideas. That means that some of you will not agree. Your attendance in this meeting means that you can be constructive, be civil, and leave tonight without any hard feelings. This will allow everyone to speak openly.
• Fight for your opinion, but defend your team
  We need people to disagree on things! This organization and the culture we're fostering is dead the moment we succumb to groupthink. So yes, please, bring your ideas to the table, share them freely, and defend them until the end...
  
  But when the end comes, you have to let it go and embrace the team decision. When we finalize something, it's a decision that WE are making - that includes you, even if you fought against it. When the team decides on something, you decided on it too.
  
  People look to us for a demonstration of teamwork and collaboration. Having people say things like "I think it's a bad idea, but they won't listen to me" undermines everything we're working toward. If you really feel that way, talk to us or me directly. It's one thing if you're not speaking up, but it's an entirely different problem if you feel like you can't. We can only fix problems if we know they exist though, so please communicate.
• Propose solutions, not just problems
  You should feel free to communicate openly here, but please keep in mind that the best way to present a problem is to pair it with a solution.
• Set high-quality goals
  These would be goals which are specific, measurable, and time-bound.

Agenda

Grievances and concerns

• Upkeep
• Lease extension or option to buy

Goals

Education

• Activities in schools
• Summer camps

Marketing

• New website
• Rebranding
• Marketing team and processes in place

Membership

• Attracting new members
  • GOAL: achieve > 200 active members
• Member retainment
• Transitioning members out of grandfathered status
  • Change $10 dues to $10 donation and drop makerspace access?
• Improve communication to members
• Sense of ownership

Revenue

• What can each specific area do?
• Retail/consignment goals?

Facilities

• Front
• Classroom
• Electronics
• Ceramics
• Textiles
• Printmaking
• Jewelry making

Leadership

• GOAL: No board positions run unopposed in 2016