Future Gazing 20241027

Future Gazing - Revisited

Date: Sunday, October 27th, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Attendance

Various members including Alex, Chris, Chris, Andy, Anitha, Sanna, Alex, Jackie, Julian, Paul H, Adrian, Zarino, Snoof, Jackie, Terry, Mike, and new deskers

Previous Actions Review

• Assets and expenditure needs collating (Owner: Snoof)
• (Adrian):
  • Originated cash from bank documentation
  • Items written off review
  • Wiki directors minutes links to be shared (Action: Adrian/Director team)

Key Discussion Points

Community Awareness & Growth

• DoES identified as a "hidden gem" with opportunity for increased visibility
• New member discovery through Instagram and Reddit
• Suggestion to place posters in university/college notice boards (Action: Julian)
• Increased engagement noted from LJMU and Liverpool University
• Potential future engagement from Life Science students and Hugh Baird College

Membership & Financial Contributions

• Focus on converting maker day attendees to paying members
• Revenue analysis:
  • Co-working desks identified as major contributor
  • Hot desking equivalent to permanent desking in revenue

Community Integration & Improvement

• Addressing "cliquey" perception for newcomers
• Proposed solutions:
  • Implementation of buddy system
  • Clear documentation of contribution processes
  • Combining "hack the space" with maker day events

Task Management & Participation

• Wiki contains existing chores list
• Need for clearer process documentation
• Suggested improvements:
  • Written procedures for common tasks
  • Designated Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
  • General space induction program
  • Photo documentation of properly maintained spaces

Actions Items

Community Development

• Julian: Create and distribute university/college notice board posters
• Jackie: Set up Doodle poll for next Future Gazing meeting
• Andy: Begin PAT testing program
• Andy, Snoof, Sannah, Liz, and Terry: Establish Fibre Arts setup

Documentation

• Anitha: Conduct Wiki user testing
• Andy: Document processes on Wiki

Next Meeting

• Topics to address:
  • Storage improvement strategies
  • Clutter management
  • North West Computer Museum trip proposal
• Date: TBC via Doodle poll

Additional Notes

• Thursdays showing increased attendance
• University recommendations driving increased space usage
• Successful return of staff maker nights