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)