Vote for All Member Suffrage

Sponsors

• Lucas Kushner
• Kathryn Born
• Anna Yu
• Alisha Ciardi
• Ed Bennett

History

• Announced: 1/15/2019
• Language locked: 1/17/2019
• Voted on: 1/22/2019

Background

The goal of this vote is to extend the privilege of voting to all members, regardless of their membership tier. This will not change the dues of each tier, nor change the membership tier or status of any existing members. Full Members still have exclusive access to storage lockers at the physical workspace, membership pricing for classes hosted at Pumping Station: One, and the ability to serve as an officer or director if elected.

$30 per month is a big additional expense for those who are in financially precarious positions. Statistically, it creates a voting body based on the minority of the members, and represents a group that has more disposable income than those who do not vote. Many of our members who contribute the most to the space cannot themselves vote, nor propose a vote for the things they need. At our core, we should value talent and resourcefulness over wealth; and should speak with a voice that represents our economic diversity.

Voting issues range from the purchase and maintenance of equipment to rules and policies that affect every member of our organization. Through voting, people will be motivated to learn about the issues that affect them, and our community as a whole.

Particularly now, as we as an organization are soon to be voting on a new set of governing documents that will shape our direction for the foreseeable future, it is important that all members are able to contribute their voices to the decision that we as a group make.

Dues

As a point of clarification, the membership dues will remain be $40 for membership (Starving Hacker) and and additional $30 for storage (Full Member) until the new membership agreement is voted in by the membership. The membership dues will be revised by the board after the bylaws, membership agreement, and DRC vote.

Language

Membership Privileges

The following text of the Pumping Station One Bylaws describing Starving Hacker membership privileges:

Starving Hackers enjoy the following privileges:

* A key or other method of entry to the physical workspace.

* Twenty-four hour access to the physical workspace.

Shall be amended to contain the following three lines

* Eligibility to vote on any issue put before the membership.

* Eligibility to vote for officers and directors.

* Eligibility to submit an issue for vote by the membership, unless the issue is specifically enumerated in the bylaws as something subject to vote by the board of directors.

Such that the final language of the Bylaws shall read:

Starving Hackers enjoy the following privileges:

* A key or other method of entry to the physical workspace.

* Twenty-four hour access to the physical workspace.

* Eligibility to vote on any issue put before the membership.

* Eligibility to vote for officers and directors.

* Eligibility to submit an issue for vote by the membership, unless the issue is specifically enumerated in the bylaws as something subject to vote by the board of directors.

Also, the following lines shall be removed from the current bylaws:

Unlike Full Members, Starving Hackers do not have the right to participate in member votes, or to vote for officers and directors of the organization.

Quorum

The following text of the Pumping Station One Bylaws defining Quorum for Votes of the Membership:

Quorum for a vote of the membership of Pumping Station: One shall require at least one-third of the existing voting membership on the day of the vote.

Shall be amended to read:

Effective January 23rd, 2019, quorum for a vote of the membership of Pumping Station: One shall require at least 20 percent of the existing voting membership on the day of the vote. Effective March 13th, 2019, quorum for a vote of the membership of Pumping Station: One shall require at least 10 percent of the existing voting membership on the day of the vote.

The changes to this language shall take effect on the day after this vote is passed (January 23rd, 2019). Such that as soon as the vote passes, any member, regardless of membership level, shall be able to vote on any votes taking place at any point after the day of passing of this vote.

Results

Quorum:43

Present:50

For:30

Against:15

Abstain:5