# 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**