Committees
Standing committees and how they work.
Space Improvement Committee and Work Days
The Space Improvement Committee coordinates the work that keeps the shop in good shape: shelves, storage, repairs, preventive maintenance, inventory and cleanup. It does that mainly through Barnraising Days, regular community work days where members tackle a prepared list of shop tasks together. This comes from Project Barnraising, which the board approved at its January 6, 2026 meeting.
Where it stands
The board approved the committee concept on January 6, 2026 and deferred setting it up until the board expansion was complete, leaving the chair seat open for a new Member-at-Large. In the meantime the Executive Director keeps the running project list and coordinates the work. As of July 2026 a task list is maintained and posted on the lockers.
To be confirmed: whether a committee chair has been appointed, and the current Barnraising Day schedule. Watch Discord and the events calendar at https://waukeshamakers.com for upcoming work days.
Barnraising Days
- Schedule: set by the committee in advance, on a predictable cadence. The board's framework calls for a monthly work day, alternating between Saturday and Sunday so more members can make it.
- Prepared tasks: the committee prepares the task list ahead of time, sorted by skill level, time needed and number of volunteers. Members sign up for what they want to do.
- Typical tasks: equipment maintenance and calibration, installing storage, organizing and inventory, minor repairs and improvements, cleaning, and area improvements that Area Champions identify.
- Who can join: any member in good standing. Participation is voluntary; there is no attendance requirement. Non-members may help only with prior board approval.
- Safety: all work follows the shop's existing safety rules and training requirements. Complex work is supervised by skilled members, and professional contractors are used when needed.
How the committee works
- Members: a committee chair appointed by the board, plus three to five members chosen by the chair and confirmed by the board. Terms are one year and renewable.
- Reporting: the chair sends the board a short written report each month on completed work and upcoming priorities. The board reviews the committee once a year.
The committee may:
- identify and prioritize improvement needs,
- plan and run Barnraising Days and direct volunteer work during them,
- keep the list of needed and completed improvements, and
- recommend non-member helpers to the board.
The committee may not, without board approval:
- make structural changes to the building,
- spend money or commit WMI to any expense,
- override safety policies or area rules, or
- change member access or operating hours.
The committee works alongside Area Champions; it does not replace them, and it does not take over emergency repairs.
Related pages
- Other Standing Committees
- Area Champions (Volunteer Runbooks)
- Reporting a Building Problem (Facility Operations)
Other Standing Committees
The Bylaws let the board create standing or ad hoc committees as needed. Committees spread the work, give volunteers a clear place to help, and bring focus to one area. This page lists the committees the board has set up and how new ones are formed.
How a committee is formed
The board endorsed these practices on July 21, 2026:
- A committee needs a clear scope and mission before it is formed.
- It is led by a board member, or by a member the board approves.
- If no capable lead can be found, the initiative waits until one emerges, unless the matter is urgent.
Ideas often come from members who are not in a position to lead them. That is fine: bring the idea to a board member, and it moves forward once someone commits to leading it.
Committees the board has set up
| Committee | Purpose | Set up |
|---|---|---|
| Space Improvement Committee | Facility improvements and Barnraising work days. See Space Improvement Committee and Work Days. | Approved 2026-01-06 |
| Governance Committee | Runs the board candidate process: builds the Board Skills Matrix, accepts and evaluates member nominations, interviews candidates and recommends them to the board. The board keeps final authority over appointments. See How to Nominate a Board Candidate. | Established 2026-01-06; chaired by Casey Kerr |
| Membership Tier Planning Committee | Plans membership tier changes and their rollout to members, and studies why trial members do or do not stay. | Leadership changed 2026-01-06 |
| Board Expansion Committee | Recruited and interviewed candidates for the new board seats in 2026, using the candidate questionnaire on Joining the Board. | 2026 |
| Craft faire feasibility committee | Narrowly scoped to research whether a local craft faire in 2027 or 2028 is feasible (costs, sponsorship, logistics, permissions). Led by Casey Kerr. | 2026-07-21 |
To be confirmed: which of these committees are still active, who chairs each one now, and whether the Governance Committee and the Board Expansion Committee have been combined.
Areas where committees may form
The board has named these as existing or potential committee areas. If one interests you, talk to a board member.
- Education, Classes and Training
- Facilities and Shop Improvement (Barnraising)
- Membership and Member Experience
- Marketing and Outreach
- Finance and Fundraising
- Governance and Policy
- Technology and IT
- Events and Open House
Related pages
- Committees and How to Join One (Volunteer Runbooks)
- Organization Structure and Current Board