Election 2023

This Election

We have to fill 4 board seats, each 2 year terms.

How to nominate someone

• Fill out the Google form, if that fails email the secretary.
• nomination form

Nominees for Board of Directors

• nominations

Board nominee survey

All members are welcome to add any question they feel are relevant

How long have you been a member of i3?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

I have been a member since September 2017 (I can't believe it's been almost six years already).

Jan Henry (talk)

I have been a member since 2015.

Alex Tsuker talk

I have been a member since 2022.

What is i3?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Technical answer: i3 Detroit is a non profit non stock corporation incorporated in the State of Michigan which is self owned and 100% member run for the purposes of public education and to enhance and support members' and the public as guests of members ability to devise, create, make, and/or manufacture things.

Real answer: i3 Detroit is a group consisting of a lot of very smart and creative individuals who share inspiration and knowledge among themselves and with the public while being excellent to each other and who pool their resources to buy awesome equipment and supplies to enhance their making abilities. <insert corporate babble about synergy or something here >

Jan Henry (talk)

i3 is a community of people who have the common interest in making stuff, improving stuff and sharing the common goal of having a place to make said stuff and work together, as well as they're able, to improve and maintain the place and tools we all share.

Alex Tsuker talk

i3 is a DIYer's dream. A community run non-profit organization who's purpose is to provide the community with tools and skills they might not otherwise be able to have access to, while also providing a safe and friendly space for everyone.

What types of personal projects do you work on?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

At i3 I have worked on electronics, laser cutting, fiber arts, and 3D printing projects. But my biggest project has been helping to run and improve i3 itself.

Jan Henry (talk)

I sew. I sew costumes and clothing for David and I. Usually something Disney related but also historically inspired now, too. The 18th century is currently my fave for style. I've dabbled a bit in home dec.... I made a tuffet. I should put that project on the wiki! I'm hoping to make it a workshop one day. I do sewing related stuff like custom dress forms, which should also be a wiki page. I also like to make doll miniatures in 1:12 scale. I like to paint plaster buildings; they're about the size of HO scale. I also do scrapbooking when I am not sewing but that is getting harder because my brain can't stop giving me sewing ideas. I've also started a new project making carnival inspired costumes for a theme camp for Lakes of Fire. I approach each piece like wearable art.

Alex Tsuker talk

I do metal working and wood working so I've worked on the boat, I and I've done blacksmithing on the forge, and I've used the CNC router to carve wood burned signs.

What projects have you worked on to improve i3?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

I have encouraged and supported and run classes taught at i3, I have run or co-run i3's presence at Maker Faire multiple times, I have started the work necessary to build and equip the Kitchen Zone, I have helped with the painting of the big mural on the front of the building, I spent a Maker Faire Afterparty on Wolverine making labels that were needed for the next day instead of enjoying the party (that one kind of sucked), I have acted as i3's graphic designer designing and getting printed the i3 tri-fold brochure, the Maker Faire Afterparty invitations, and cards to distribute for the MEDC fundraiser among other printed things, plus other things I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Jan Henry (talk)

I built up more of a sewing presence in the craft room, started a SIG and now we're building the sewing zone its own dedicated room. It's been at least, a six-year process so far. Maybe more. I made the blue curtains for the craft room to give it a cozy vibe at night. (No more fishbowl.) I take care of the toilets and urinal from time to time, and try to keep some lid on the grime. I try to do whatever needs doing... whether it's the bathroom sinks needing attention, weeds outside, floors mopped etc. I worked on the "purple bathroom" paint and floor and made the curtain shade. I worked on the hallway door to the front "office" - new coat of paint and helped with the vinyl design. Previously the only warning you got of another person on the other side of the door was when they ran into you. Now we can see each other, at any height.

Mel (talk)

Created our current accounting system. Spearheaded the MEDC campaign where we raised $50,000 and got a matching grant for $50,000. Worked with the expansion committee to get the Certificate of Occupancy for B-side that allows us to do automotive work and use open flames. Still hoping to better integrate the CRM and related systems into the accounting system and also improve our Bylaws and Standing Rules so that we have clear and consistent policies that make it easier for future leadership to maintain our organization. Those are the big projects I've worked on.

Alex Tsuker talk

I'm currently working on bringing blacksmithing to i3, I built a forge and brought an anvil, and soon I will be offering classes! I also give most of the tours at the space. I'm there nearly every Friday encouraging potential members to join.

What qualities do you look for in a fellow board member?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Ability to compromise

Members of the board need to be able to peacefully and calmly come to a decision about many things in the best interests of the space and not hold on to personal wishes or grudges.

Natural Diplomat

Differences of opinion will happen, people will butt heads, arguments will occur, a god board member is someone who can find a diplomatic solution or diffuse tense situations.

Creativity and Ingenuity

The board is sometimes faced with intractable problems that require me and innovative solutions.

No Life

Sort of joking in a Ha Ha Only Serious kind of way but being on the board often requires a lot of time and a lot of work. Someone who is already doing a bunch of things outside of i3 will be overwhelmed or will drop the ball.

Be Diverse

It has been shown that corporations with a diverse leadership and diverse workforce outperform non-diverse ones. A variety of viewpoints and life experiences in the board mean more and better ideas for solutions to the problems that i3 experiences.

Jan Henry (talk)

Good communication. If you're struggling with something, discuss it. Ask for guidance or help or delegate. Patience. Level head. Good listener. Collaborator.

Mel (talk)

Want what is best for i3 and be reasonable and willing to compromise. Those are the most important traits, in my experience.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

Integrity, honesty, dedication and motivation to help the space.

What qualities do you have to be a board member?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

The qualities I listed above.

Compromise and Diplomat

I've always been able to come to a compromise and to help others to do the same. I am a very calm and level person which helps me be very effective in that

Creativity and Ingenuity

I am an engineer and have used my creativity and ingenuity to solve intractable problems that others could not saving my employers hundreds of thousands of dollars per year as well as design and create my own personal projects at i3.

No Life

Ever since joining i3 it has basically been my life. I became giving tours a few weeks after joining, becoming the unofficial official tour guide and only member giving tours. A few months after joining I was made the Vice President of Activities and Classes, a post I held until earlier this year when I became VP of Membership as I was the only member filling in for the previous VP when he left. At the next election, I was elected to the board for the first of two terms in a row, including the term at the start of the pandemic (that was interesting and fun 😒). I stepped up to volunteer as Member Advocate because an advocate was needed and nobody else was volunteering. I was also appointed the Kitchen Zone Coordinator at the start of the expansion but the Kitchen Zone still hasn't gotten its floor space yet.

Be Diverse;

I may appear to be a cishebt white male which is considered the antithesis of diversity and an engineer in addition which would make me even less diverse in an i3 context, but I am a part of the LGBT+ community and also the disabled community (I just got a really cool power wheelchair, I should ride it to i3 and show it off some day, maybe put cool LED lights on it [it has a 24V power system]). I've also been accused of being on the spectrum and am actually scheduled for testing next month so wish me luck or something 😒.

Jan Henry (talk)

I am present, I keep updated on what is going on, I'm inquisitive, I ask questions. I have a level head and professional when I need to be. I listen, I can see things from multiple viewpoints. I am committed, as crazy as that may sound, but I don't mind a bit of work. I do have the luxury of flexible time in order to do things.

Mel (talk)

I have a background in legal and financial compliance. This is the main reason why I'm interested in returning to the board right now, our leases are both up at the end of the year, and I want to be more involved in negotiating our next leases, as it's something I feel I'm good at and it's a way I can use my unique skills to help i3.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

I absolutely love i3, I'm deeply motivated and dedicated to see it's continued growth and I would love the opportunity to see it grow further.

Why are you interested in being a board member?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

For the first time in almost six years I am just a plain old member of i3 and while it has been a nice break and definitely helped avoid burnout, I feel I have more to give to i3 than just being a member. I want to help i3 be the best and most inclusive makerspace it can be. And I think I have the experience, both professional and life experience, to do so.

Jan Henry (talk)

I do things for i3 that don't require me to be a board member. Yet I have been a member of the board in order to lend my vote to the tough decisions that are involved in keeping a makerspace - relating to budgets, building, etc. It is being involved with i3 as a whole, vs the more specific contributions in direct areas of i3.

atsuker/Alex Tsuker talk

Ever since I became a member, I poured a lot of myself into i3, and I would love a chance to give back even more and be a part of the decisions that will help i3.

What is the biggest issue at i3 that you hope to address in the next year, whether you serve on the board or not?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Two big things: I want to encourage everybody to return to i3 post-pandemic. I see people at the space but it's a few here and there and not like it was. Meeting attendance of five or six people is a good turnout these days instead of like thirty in the old days. And the people I usually see at the space are the new members (which is great) but I want to encourage the old members to return as well. I'm also interested in improving the handicap accessibility of the space and making handicap accessibility less of an afterthought when changes are made in the future.

Mel (talk)

Negotiate new leases to make sure that we have a stable home for the next 5-10 years with fair terms for us and our landlord.

Jan Henry (talk)

I will be nudging or rallying, this expansion along regardless whether I'm on the board or not... but on a related note, it's a new lease agreement time soon so I do want to contribute to that.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

I want to attract more new members to the space that understand and uphold i3's ideals. Every Friday I see people walk in who had no idea that i3 or even makerspaces existed and only found out because they explicitly googled it or word of mouth. It would be great to try and bring those people in sooner.

What are your long-term (5+ years) goals for i3?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

I want to get i3 into a financial and number of members position to buy its own building. This would allow a cheaper building expense as we would be paying a mortgage and zero property taxes instead of paying for the owners mortgage plus property taxes. It would also allow us to use our building hotter we see fit worrying about a lease. It would also allow us to find a building with better amenities such as a loading dock, better/bigger office space, better plumbing and drainage, and away from Lake Wordsworth.

Mel (talk)

Finish the bylaws edits that we've been working on for the last several years, and making our policies clearer and easier to follow. Finish the CRM project to make automation easier for membership and treasurer functions, to make it easier to attract volunteers and make it easier for everyone to follow our rules. Continue to make it easier to contribute to the organization so that we can get more people involved, which will let us get more fresh blood in leadership roles and more diversity of opinions and new ideas. Eventually, I want to be able to step aside completely again and trust that the organization will survive regardless of who is in charge. And make it easier for people to be able to contribute where-ever they have availability or skills or a passion. My goals are always to optimize processes to make it easier for people to focus on the fun projects they came to i3 to do and not feel they have to spend a lot of time on the work of maintaining the organization.

Jan Henry (talk)

Explore how we can ultimately own our own building one day. The expansion will be several years in the past, finished. Including the kitchen. Zones can support themselves with classes and workshops. And the occasional grant can help us add big ticket items.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

There has been a lot of talk of of potentially owning our own building, I think that's a fantastic idea to work towards and it will give every zone greater opportunity.

What makes i3 great? Why did you join/why do you keep coming back?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

The members. The people of i3 are some of the best people I know. And smart, omg so smart, I've heard off the cuff but extremely in depth discussions about so many various topics and learned so much at i3. Plus, when adversity strikes we all circle the wagons and find a solution.

Jan Henry (talk)

The ability to develop your own ideas plus contribute to the organization. I came for the party, and stayed for the community.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

Whenever I talk to a new or potentially new member and they talk about being overwhelmed with the space's possibilities, I always give them the same advise that was given to me by Paul. Pick a project and just do it. If you take too long you will get overwhelmed by everything and get nothing done. Well I feel very privileged to be able to be a member at a place with such an overwhelming amount of possibilities. But its not just in the zones and tools, it's in the kind and caring community. I learned so much so quickly, sometimes about things I didn't even know I wanted to know about, and I've made great friends along the way.

What isn't i3 for?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

i3 is not a job shop: we're more than happy to teach you how to do something but we're not going to do it for you.

i3 is not for the closed minded, all are welcome at i3 unless you're bigoted, racist, sexiest, homophobic, transphobic, etc.

Jan Henry (talk)

It's not for tool rental and it's not for others to do your projects for you, and it's not for everyone. That means to say it's not for the irresponsible, or for those who prefer a staffed environment.

What will you do if the board or members pass a decision you disagree with? Will you enforce it?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

I will argue my point while it's being discussed but once the board makes a decision I will stand behind it 100% unless it's something illegal or contrary to our inclusive non-discrimination policy.

Mel (talk)

I will either enforce the will of the majority, or, if I believe the decision to be too unethical to enforce, I will resign my position on the board.

Jan Henry (talk)

I can state my opinion, and provide the reasons why I oppose, and if the majority wishes... it wouldn't make sense to go against the majority and be rogue and not enforce it. However, if there's reason to restate my opinion along the way, if there's something concerning. It can be done kindly and with concern for the organization while still carrying out the wishes of the majority.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

We're a Democracy, and the board must show unity with whatever decision they vote for, even if I disagree with it.

What changes do you feel need to be made in i3 policy?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

I don't know if it's a change in policy or maybe a restatement of current policy/previous culture but i want to encourage and make it as easy as possible for members to be active in improving and "running" i3. I want to dispel the idea that you need board approval dictated from on high to do anything at all in/to/with the space.

Mel (talk)

I would like to see better documentation that allows us to be more consistent and transparent. In addition I'd like to see us continue to refine our processes to make them easier to follow to make it easier for people to do the right thing and to have their voices be heard.

Jan Henry (talk)

I started work several years ago collecting ideas for an updated conduct policy. Some of the most dramatic events in recent years have revolved around conduct issues and decisions related to them. Adjacent organizations like Lakes of Fire have had similar issues so I studied their policy and think their concept could be of some use to us.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

I haven't been a board member yet, so I don't fully know of the potential policy issues we have and what could need changing, however I'll work to make whatever changes the policies need to improve i3.

It is my experience that our consensus model works best if all people in the decision making group gives feedback in a timely manner. Otherwise, we are left hanging for significant periods waiting to hear if everyone is just silently agreeing or actually hasn't responded yet. Can you commit to responding to direct questions in a reasonable (48-72 hour) time frame?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Yes. That's entirely reasonable.

Mel (talk)

I'm the person who wrote this question in the first place many years ago. You can ask anyone who has worked with me that when I was on the board in the past, I was generally pretty responsive.

Jan Henry (talk)

Yes. And I don't mind poking.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

I'm pretty much always available on slack and I always respond as soon as I see any message

Will you participate in solving uncomfortable discipline problems, or will you just do nothing and hope they fade away? We have a really bad history of taking forever because uncomfortable discussions are uncomfortable.

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Yes, I have, in fact, voted to ban a member in a previous term, as well as act as Member Advocate to help the board investigate actions leading to the bans of two other members. I've done it before and I am willing to do so again if it unfortunately becomes necessary.

Mel (talk)

I have already participated in several discipline issues both as a board member and a Member Advocate. I have always tried to be fair, which I believe also includes addressing issues in a timely manner.

Jan Henry (talk)

I have been through several rounds of uncomfortable discipline problems. It's what motivated me to review our history to read decisions before my time, see the same patterns, and try to gather ideas to reshape policies to make things a little easier for ourselves.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

Yes I have no problem making difficult decisions.

=

Being on the Board does present its challenges. Can you describe a project (whether for personal, work or school) that for its completion, depended on being committed, finding solutions and working through it during its most challenging parts? What had you learned from that experience?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

For my Bluetooth LED music visualizer project I read an IEEE paper and wrote my own FFT (a single precision, real-valued, in-place, 4/2 split radix FFT). Writing and debugging it was grueling. A buggy FFT is like a one-way hash function. You get what basically looks like random output that gives clue as to what the error might be or where it might be. You just have to look through the source code verifying each line.

I learned that writing FFTs suck and that's why people put up with licensing issues to use already-written FFTs that don't quite fit their needs. I also learned patience, stubbornness, tenacity, certain choice words, and how to make butterfly diagrams. So. Many. Butterfly. Diagrams.

Mel (talk)

Probably the most relevant experience I have with this is being one of the people involved in getting the Certificate of Occupancy for B-side, which allowed us to legally operate and do all the things that we wanted to do with that space. For anyone who does not know, it was a very long process that started shortly before the pandemic and involved at least two different fire marshals, multiple other officials from the city of Ferndale, hiring an architectural firm to help us, and at the same time meeting all of the short-term legal restrictions we were operating under during the first couple of years of the pandemic. The whole process took us almost two years. I believe that experience well positions me to help with our next major issue, which is to negotiate a new lease with our landlord.

Jan Henry (talk)

The Cinderella costume project I started in 2015 isn't complete yet. I've worn it incomplete, gotten stuck in an elevator, been stitched into it because the zipper broke, gained weight so the finished parts and patterns don't currently fit, but haven't given up --- it's just taking me a longer path to get there and back to it, but I will. It's only unfinished if you give up on it.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

In my work as a software developer, I found that the smaller the team and company, the more power and decision making you have on the final product. This also means I often needed to wear multiple hats and deal with things I might not fully understand at first. Sometimes on the fly. It's taught me to be dedicated and resourceful in my problem solving.

Are you comfortable committing to a 2-year term?

Inaudible/Paul Lee talk

Yes, my last time on the board was two consecutive one-year terms, including the term when covid hit and the board had to work ceaselessly to follow all the Governor's executive orders to keep i3: out of legal trouble, out of bankruptcy from losing members due to being closed, staying as open as possible so people could work on PPE projects at the very least, and keeping up with CDC recommendations to devise rules to minimize the risk of disease transmission at the space. Like the ancient Chinese curse, it was an interesting time, but I lived through it and didn't get too burned out😉.

Mel (talk)

Yes.

Jan Henry (talk)

Yes.

Alex Tsuker (talk)

Yes.