Stay In the Know
We have quite a few updates for you in this month’s edition of the AMS member newsletter. Read on to get more info on:
- Board Elections – February 20
- Meet the candidates!
- AMS’ Location
- Submit Your Project
Board Election - Feb. 20
We have a full ballot this month for our Board of Directors election! You will receive an email with a link to your ballot on Monday, February 20. Please be sure to complete it promptly in order for it to be counted! The ballots will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.
Read below to find out more about the candidates running for the different offices.
See Who's Running!
We’ve included information on all open positions as well as information that the candidates submitted to inform your decisions on who gets your vote.
Board Member At Large
We will be electing three (3) At Large Board Members this month. Members At Large are not assigned specific responsibilities, but will regularly lead projects and assist titled board members.
- Provides guidance and insight
- Has voting powers, but no permanently assigned duties
- May be requested to assist in tasks under the responsibility of another board position.
Ellie Payne
Why do you want to join the board?
I am very happy to be part of a community that pushes learning new crafts/skills. Recently graduating college made me think I might lose that sense of the art world, but AMS has shown me I did not.
I went to Maine for a summer to teach a workshop about metalsmithing. I had no idea I loved teaching, creating lesson plans, and watching people hold up their work and feel so proud of what their hands just created. Bringing more people to the 5th floor (in a kind-of scary elevator) and embracing learning new skills is just where I want to be.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
- Metals knowledge
- Strong organization skills
- Teaching experience
Alan Bowers
Why do you want to join the board?
Running for re-election
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
Presently serving on the Board of Directors for the past three (3) years.
Beckett Salchak
Why do you want to join the board?
I’ve previously served on the board from 2013-2021. I’ve been on hiatus but am ready to serve on the board once again.
I run my business out of the craft lab and am passionate about the success of AMS. I am also passionate about accessibility and diversity in the maker community and want to make sure that everyone has a safe space to make cool things. Everyone but douche bags. They don’t need safe spaces.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
- I’ve served on the AMS board previously.
- Experienced in running meetings
- Experienced in running committees
- Experience in serving on committees
Casey Miller
Why do you want to join the board?
My involvement with the Space started in 2019. I started as a member interested in what Akron Makerspace was all about. Since then I’ve learned that it’s about community, growth, teaching, learning, and accessibility which lines up with a lot of my interests and passions. I’ve watched AMS grow and change over the years and very much want to continue being a part of that.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
Cruise Director
We will be electing a Cruise Director this month. The Cruise Director works on member engagement and oversees activities at AMS. They are also the point of contact for external events and publish the monthly newsletter.
Kandace Harris
Why do you want to join the board?
Although I am one of Akron MakerSpace’s newest members, I believe that I would bring an interesting, fresh perspective to the Board; as well as a myriad of ideas in my areas of knowledge/expertise and beyond.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
- Experienced in content creation and editing
- Millennial magic: I’m old enough to know how to conduct business; but young enough to be in touch with the trends (helpful with social media engagement and recruitment).
- Quick turnaround time on responding to inquiries.
- Schedule flexibility: Available for activities and meetings at pretty much any time of day.
Secretary
We will be electing a Secretary this month. The Secretary handles records for the Space. This includes taking meeting minutes, documenting member activities (ongoing projects in space, etc.) and more.
Caitlynn Tauscher
Why do you want to join the board?
I love the MakerSpace and want to be a bigger part of it. I’m organized and passionate about creating new things and sharing my knowledge and skills with others so I think I would be an asset to the board.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
Educational skills: I was a college professor and manage training and knowledge database maintenance at my current job.
Critical thinking skills: I am frequently sought out to attend meetings in my current position to identify flaws or bugs in software designs.
Passion and creativity: I love the joy that pottery has brought me and seek to learn new skills that I can bring in and teach at the MakerSpace as well.
Membership Coordinator
We will be electing a Membership Coordinator this month. The Membership Coordinator keeps the member database up to date, tracks
member trainings, manages recruitment, issues key cards/tokens and more.
Doug Stevens
Why do you want to join the board?
I care for making!
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
- Current board member
- Welding
- Glassblowing
Systems Administrator/CTO
We will be electing a Systems Administrator (a.k.a. Chief Technology Office) this month. The CTO handles the IT systems within the Space, ensures they’re all in working order, and handles software acquisition and licensing.
Jo Sugiura
Why do you want to join the board?
I’m an existing board member looking to continue helping with the computer, networking, online needs of the space, and sometimes other things. I still have a lot of things I want to accomplish to help our community grow both online and in the physical world, and find ways technology can help makers bring their idea to fruition in various labs in the space.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
I’m knowledgeable in IT/networking with over a decade of experience, have an acute attention to detail, and willingness to explain stuff to anyone interested.
Vice President
We will be electing a Vice President this month. The VP is charged to assist and support the President, act as a secondary public figure for the Space, handles PR and community outreach and acts as the main point of contact for the Space.
Lindsey Glorioso
Why do you want to join the board?
As a current board member, I am highly invested in the success and growth of AMS and am excited to see it continue to grow and evolve. I’ve seen AMS evolve through a global pandemic and come out even more successful than before.
I am very passionate about building community, promoting art programs and supporting small businesses.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
I have a wealth of experience that includes the following and more:
- Community organization
- Volunteer management
- Marketing and advertising
- Communications
- Social media
- Budget management
- Fundraising
Fundraising Coordinator
We will be electing a Fundraiser Coordinator this month. The Fundraiser’s responsibilities include donor management, PR and community outreach related to fundraising, and grant-writing.
Ian Campbell
Why do you want to join the board?
I want to help make a difference at the Makerspace by people part of the core leadership. By combining my love and knowledge for technology with the board’s leadership I hope to help make the Makerspace a better experience for everyone.
What skills or experience do you bring to the table?
I am an IT professional with multiple years of experience, and also the current maintainer of the 3d printer lab. I have a well rounded knowledge of most disciplines when it comes to creating things.
Moving On Up
You may have heard through the grapevine that the AMS Board of Directors is looking for a new location for Akron Makerspace. While this is the case, we are just looking at the very first baby steps in what will be a very long journey.
Canal Place will be our home for the next several years, but we are starting our location search now. Our hope is that with patience, due diligence, and long-term planning the new location will be able to serve our growing community better than ever.
If you have suggestions or any insight on commercial real estate, grab the ear of a board member (in person, via our Discord server, or email) to let us know. It will be a long road and is a tremendous project, but it’s all to provide our best to our maker community!
Share Your Project
Want to have your work featured in the newsletter on AMS’ social media channels? Submit your information through this form and let us know.
