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--- rules [2025/01/09 22:40] – 6b86b273-ff34-fce1-9d6b-804eff5a3f57
+++ rules [2025/09/19 22:58] (current) – ef2d127d-e37b-942b-aad0-6145e54b0c61
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-**Effective June 11, 2023**
 **TheLab.ms has both "Rules" and special "Membership-Voted Rules." The basic rules can be amended by the Board as needed to further the organization's goals and to respond to its needs. The Membership-Voted Rules cannot be changed by the Board; amending those rules requires a vote of the general membership.**
 ===== I) Mission Statement =====
-\\ 1.1. Our mission is to foster a collaborative environment wherein people can explore and create intersections of technology, science, art, and culture.
+.1. Our mission is to foster a collaborative environment wherein people can explore and create intersections of technology, science, art, and culture.
 ===== II) Board of Directors =====
-\\ 2.1. The operations of TheLab.ms are managed by a five-member Board of Directors, composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and two additional members (called “Floating Directors”) selected from the membership at large.\\ \\ 2.2. The Board of Directors may amend these rules at any time
-===== III) Officers =====
+.1. The operations of TheLab.ms are managed by a five-member Board of Directors, composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and two additional members (called “Floating Directors”) selected from the membership at large.
-.1.The day-to-day operations of TheLab.ms are managed by a team of officers, who report to the Board of Directors. The Officers and the Board of Directors are collectively known as the Leadership.\\ \\ 3.2. **President**: The President is the chief executive. The President (or the President’s delegate) presides over all meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the membership. The President serves as TheLab.ms’ representative to the public and performs all functions where a president or chief executive is called for by law.\\ \\ 3.3. **Vice President**: The Vice President assists the President as directed by the President and the Board of Directors. If the President cannot perform the duties of that office, it is the responsibility of the Vice President to do so. The Vice President is also responsible for managing public relations for TheLab.ms.\\ \\ 3.4. **Secretary**: The Secretary is responsible for recording all minutes of all official meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors.\\ \\ 3.5. **Treasurer**: The Treasurer is responsible for monitoring all financial assets of TheLab.ms. This includes but is not restricted to monitoring the collection of membership dues from members, monitoring the payment of rent and utilities for any space leased by TheLab.ms, and monitoring the disbursement and reimbursement of funds as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining an accurate accounting of all financial assets of TheLab.ms. The Treasurer is also responsible for preparing regular reports to the Leadership on TheLab.ms’ financial condition and (with assistance as needed from other officers) preparing financial and tax filings required by the state or federal government. Examples of such government filings include the annual IRS Form 990.
+.2. The Board of Directors may amend these rules at any time
-.6. **General Counsel**: The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing the provision of legal services to TheLab.ms. The General Counsel advises the Board of Directors and Officers on legal and regulatory compliance issues.
+===== III) Officers =====
-.7. **Education Coordinator**: The Education Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of education events and special projects. This involves marketing, planning, and execution of recurring programs as well as assistance in planning for and facilitating one-time events. Responsibilities include presenter and participant outreach and logistics, as well as maintaining the Education Center calendar.
+.1.The day-to-day operations of TheLab.ms are managed by a team of officers, who report to the Board of Directors. The Officers and the Board of Directors are collectively known as the Leadership.
-.8. **Chief Technical Officer**: The Chief Technical Officer is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and consistency of the technological infrastructure as needed by the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, the website and internal network of the physical space.
+.2. **President**: The President is the chief executive. The President (or the President’s delegate) presides over all meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the membership. The President serves as TheLab.ms’ representative to the public and performs all functions where a president or chief executive is called for by law.
-.9. **Fundraising Coordinator**: The Fundraising Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to manage all fundraising activities and projects. Working with other officers and directors as well as project leaders to provide a coordinated effort towards fundraising.
+.3. **Vice President**: The Vice President assists the President as directed by the President and the Board of Directors. If the President cannot perform the duties of that office, it is the responsibility of the Vice President to do so. The Vice President is also responsible for managing public relations for TheLab.ms.
-.10. **Facility Coordinator**: The Facility Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to manage all tasks regarding the maintenance, upkeep, and physical security of our facilities.
+.4. **Secretary**: The Secretary is responsible for recording all minutes of all official meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors.
-===== IV) Area hosts =====
+.5. **Treasurer**: The Treasurer is responsible for monitoring all financial assets of TheLab.ms. This includes but is not restricted to monitoring the collection of membership dues from members, monitoring the payment of rent and utilities for any space leased by TheLab.ms, and monitoring the disbursement and reimbursement of funds as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining an accurate accounting of all financial assets of TheLab.ms. The Treasurer is also responsible for preparing regular reports to the Leadership on TheLab.ms’ financial condition and (with assistance as needed from other officers) preparing financial and tax filings required by the state or federal government. Examples of such government filings include the annual IRS Form 990.
-.1. **Area hosts**: Various areas within the TheLab.ms’facilities are overseen by designated Area Hosts, who serve on a volunteer basis after appointment by the Board of Directors. An area host is responsible for maintaining the general usability of an area, including:
+.6. **General Counsel**: The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing the provision of legal services to TheLab.ms. The General Counsel advises the Board of Directors and Officers on legal and regulatory compliance issues.
-  * establishing what the area looks like when clean and ready for the next member to use;
+.7. **Education Coordinator**: The Education Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of education events and special projects. This involves marketing, planning, and execution of recurring programs as well as assistance in planning for and facilitating one-time events. Responsibilities include presenter and participant outreach and logistics, as well as maintaining the Education Center calendar.
-    - organizing tools and materials within the area;
-    - performing or coordinating tool maintenance and repair when necessary;
-    - training of members for area tools and infrastructure;
-    - reporting the needs of the area to the Board of Directors; and
-    - acting as an ambassador for their area and promoting its use and projects.
-An area host is not an officer of TheLab.ms and does not have authority to enter into an agreement on behalf of TheLab.ms.
+.8. **Chief Technical Officer**: The Chief Technical Officer is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and consistency of the technological infrastructure as needed by the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, the website and internal network of the physical space.
-.2. **Appointment**: The Board of Directors will usually appoint one member to serve as the area host for an area. However, the Board may choose to appoint multiple members to serve as co-area hosts. The Board of Directors may remove or reassign area hosts at any time. The current list of area hosts is maintained in the Knowledge Base (https://kb.thelab.ms) in the Equipment space.
+.9. **Chief Marketing Officer**: The Chief Marketing Officer is responsible for advancing the organization’s growth through strategic outreach. This includes assessing the organization’s current position and implementing initiatives that strengthen alignment between the makerspace and the broader local community.
-.3 **Expenses**: An area host is not financially responsible for costs associated with maintaining or repairing equipment within the area. The area host should request prior Board approval for any expenses for the area.
+.10. **Facility Coordinator**: The Facility Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to manage all tasks regarding the maintenance, upkeep, and physical security of our facilities.
-.4. **Areas**: The following areas are currently recognized:
-  * FDM (filament) 3D Printing;
-  * Resin 3D Printing;
-  * CNC router;
-  * Dye sublimation;
-  * Mechatronics;
-  * Laser cutter;
-  * Lathes;
-  * Stitch lab;
-  * Vinyl cutter;
-  * Woodshop.
 ===== V) Annual Meeting & Elections =====
@@ Line 75: / Line 55: @@
 .1. **Monthly meetings:** The Board of Directors and other members of the Leadership meet on the first Tuesday of each month. Detailed information about these meetings is announced in the #events channel on Discord. While members are welcome to join these meetings, members are not permitted to speak during the executive portion of the meeting (unless recognized by the chairperson). The President or the President’s designee acts as the chairperson for the meeting.
-.2. **Special meetings**: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called as needed by the President. Written notice of the special meeting, including the time, place, and manner of meeting, must be provided to each director at least seventy-two hours\\ beforehand. Written notice of the special meeting may be delivered electronically.
+.2. **Special meetings**: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called as needed by the President. Written notice of the special meeting, including the time, place, and manner of meeting, must be provided to each director at least seventy-two hours
+beforehand. Written notice of the special meeting may be delivered electronically.
 .3. **Action between meetings**: The Board of Directors may take an action or pass a resolution outside of a meeting with the unanimous consent in writing by all the directors. For example, the Board of Directors may act on an issue by voting unanimously via email or in a poll held via the #leadership channel in Discord.
@@ Line 83: / Line 64: @@
 .1. **Membership**: Membership in TheLab.ms is open to adults (age 18 or older) by completing the steps outlined at http://join.thelab.ms.
-.2. **Membership rates**: Membership rates are posted in the Knowledgebase(https://kb.thelab.ms/display/THELAB/Membership+Types). The Board may change the rates at any time without notice.
+.2. **Membership rates**: Membership rates are posted at https://join.thelab.ms. The Board may change the rates at any time without notice.
 .3. **No minor members**: Minors (anyone 17 or younger) may not join as members, but they can visit if accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian who is a member. The parent or legal guardian must complete the waiver at https://waiver.thelab.ms on behalf of the minor before coming on-site.
@@ Line 129: / Line 110: @@
 ===== XI) Non-discrimination policy =====
-.1. TheLab.ms prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying against any person for any reason—for example, because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity,\\ appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
+.1. TheLab.ms prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying against any person for any reason—for example, because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity,
+appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 ===== XII) Public Health Policy =====
@@ Line 162: / Line 144: @@
 .2. Bank statements: Bank statements are directed to the Treasurer, who reviews and reconciles them.
-.3. Financial statements: Statements regarding the financial condition of TheLab.ms are regularly posted to the Knowledgebase (https://kb.thelab.ms) in the Public Filing Cabinet.
+.3. Financial statements: Statements regarding the financial condition of TheLab.ms are regularly posted to the Wiki (https://wiki.thelab.ms).
 .4. Expense reimbursement: All expenses should have prior authorization from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may decline to reimburse a member for any expense that the Board did not approve of beforehand. A receipt must be provided for any expense that is to be reimbursed.
@@ Line 205: / Line 187: @@
 .1. Before voting on a motion to suspend, expel, or reinstate a member, the Board must provide notice to the member-at-issue and a public opportunity to be heard. Any other member who wishes to voice an opinion on the issue must also be allowed to speak.