Today's Topics:
BYOI Office Hours Tomorrow@Sudoroom 1-2pm
Node Mount(s)
Discussion about finding a new and better name for BYOI?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Everyone,
Seth and I were going on a mount, If you can make it; please mark the doodle here so everyone knows whos coming: https://doodle.com/poll/gs74quqe3cyh3g32
Hope to see you there!
Cheers!
--Null
* What are BYOI office hours?
It serves two purposes:
1. A jumping off point for people interested helping with a scheduled
Sunday node mount, but who are not able to attend a Tuesday night meeting
or are not "in the know."
2. A friendly time for new people to get oriented to the project or just
ask general questions about networking, the internet, and their service
provider.
We may also use the time to hold training sessions on a topic of choice,
conduct outreach to potential node locations, address finances and
purchasing, or tackle any other outstanding issues.
Hello meshers,
I've recently put up a proposal on loomio, and it may have been too vague
as I didn't want to delve into the rather intricate backstory for those of
you who don't participate as much with Sudo Room and the Omni as a whole. I
am attaching both Jenny's proposal and the email thread related to the
proposal for those of you would like more information before you make your
vote.
This is a very reasonable request on Jenny's part, and it is a very similar
proposal to the one she put forward to Sudomesh (that we enthusiastically
approved) a few months ago. We have offered various forms of aid to the
Omni in the past, and this is one of the best ways I can think of that we
can help them now as we all figure out how power, voluntary service, and
need can be balanced in these organizations we care so much about.
Lesley
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lesley Bell <zvezdalune(a)gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Mar 30, 2019 at 10:08 PM
Subject: Fwd: [sudo-discuss] Fwd: Proposal: Hire or Replace Me as Omni's
Bookkeeper
To: Lesley Bell <LBx2045(a)gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jenny Ryan <tunabananas(a)gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 12:21 PM
Subject: [sudo-discuss] Fwd: Proposal: Hire or Replace Me as Omni's
Bookkeeper
To: sudo-discuss <sudo-discuss(a)lists.sudoroom.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jenny Ryan <tunabananas(a)gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 12:15 PM
Subject: Proposal: Hire or Replace Me as Omni's Bookkeeper
To: <consensus(a)lists.omnicommons.org>
Dear Omninoms,
Recently, the topic of more regular and transparent financial reporting has
come up in Omni Delegates Meetings. While this has traditionally been the
domain of the Finance Working Group, said working group has usually seen
fewer than 3 members in attendance, and historically has relied on one or
two volunteers to uphold day-to-day financial transactions, regular
reporting, annual filings (State, Federal, County, and City), loan
repayments, invoicing, bank reconciliations, bill payments, check cashing
and internal financing and filings. Additionally, we continue to receive
requests for and accrue fiscally-sponsored projects, significantly adding
to our administrative overhead. Our property tax exemption application is
due February 15th, which requires detailed documentation of all entities
that use the building (including one-time event rentals and small recurring
group meetings). We also need to consolidate our mortgage loan within the
next two years. Total number of hours spent on this labor each month has
frequently trended toward that of full-time employment (with overtime).
I am now incapable of continuing to engage on this level with Omni’s
bookkeeping and operations on a volunteer basis. I enjoy this work, and
have been studying nonprofit bookkeeping and law generally over the past
three years, obtained Quickbooks certifications, attended webinars and
workshops, and have already begun doing nonprofit bookkeeping as a paid
position for other clients. However, I have bills to pay and will soon need
to find full-time paid employment or the equivalent - which means I won't
have time to work on Omni.
This work adds up to minimally 20 hours/month and is reliant on skilled
labor that has been consistently out of reach for Omni Commons since its
inception. Starting March 1st, all of our community loans - totalling over
$100K with monthly average repayments to the tune of $3,200 - will have
been repaid! We are now in a position, financially, to afford professional
bookkeeping and administrative services (see Feasibility
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pZwwjGPjsCryp78dySTHFbrmiTZR-Q5FqQf82S5…>).
Paying for skilled labor is not unprecedented: since our beginnings, we
have readily paid the hourly or project-based rate for legal assistance,
city permitting and inspection fees, and building and maintenance work
(including electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and roof repair) - as well as
supporting paid A/V for events. Traditionally, those we hire have been
people aligned and familiar with Omni’s vision and structure, or
recommended by comrades within our community.
Summary/Proposal:
It seems to me that Omni has the following options:
1.
Hire an accountant and train them in the structure and history of Omni
and its collectives (probably expensive);
2.
Hire another Omni volunteer and train them in bookkeeping, taxes, etc;
(who will do the training?);
3.
Attempt to find someone else to do this work for free;
4.
Pay me to continue doing the work I've been doing for free over the past
3+ years.
Hire me as Omni’s interim bookkeeper/operations admin on a $25 hourly
basis, with a reexamination of the agreement and contractual follow-up due
diligence by a consensed-upon Omni Delegate upon the start of the next
fiscal quarter (April 2019), with an aspirational increase to $30/hr before
the end of 2019.
*Accomplishments:*
-
Created Chart of Accounts, generated nonprofit financial statements
<https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Finances#Financial_Statements> annually
and custom reports on an as-needed basis for four nonprofit organizations
(Sudo Room, OOC, Omni, and Sudo Mesh), and one worker-cooperatives (Agua
Viva);
-
Created custom reports automatically sent monthly to Commons WG and Sudo
Room;
-
Created and maintain Omni and Sudo Mesh’s business plans and budgets
(both actual and 5-year Projected);
-
Filed Forms 990 and 199
<https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Finances#990_Tax_Forms> (taxes) for all of
the above organizations dating back to 2013
-
Rigorous bank account reconciliations, including redoing Omni’s dating
back to 2014;
-
Oversaw Omni’s building purchase process
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17qHsn6HUcqWGElqFEdmauFQTrdE-JhyT5pZ…>,
which required hundreds of hours, nearly 50 individual and organizational
entities, and nearly 75 documents and signed contracts;
-
Oversaw Omni’s applications
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B4_Q7DQvNFT-bXE4NGQ2WVZzRm8>
for and successful acquisitions of federal, state, city/business, sales,
and property tax exemptions;
-
Oversaw much of the soliciting, drafting of promissory notes, and
near-complete (as of March 1st) repayment of over $100,000 in community
loans;
-
Oversee collective invoicing and followup of overdue invoices;
-
Drafted the following key nonprofit governance/finance documents for
Omni (and the same for Sudo Mesh minus the latter two bullet points):
-
Omni Commons Budget
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rvkMc5lmd8PovoViNLdvlrv0tSyvrH7iB0S…>
-
Omni Commons Business Plan
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DSVoQlY2SiX8EjYS9HcNke6Kkj5pVOAqOWO6Zg_…>
-
Omni Commons Fiscal Policies & Procedures
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QiQeCfD1AwaSy4R5gch67bSdSmgirZ0GZxj8vcF…>
-
Omni Finances Overview and Financial Reports
<https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Finances> (2012-current)
-
Commercial Real Estate Loan Application
<https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4_Q7DQvNFT-ZU9qdjRlaFlUdlk>
-
Bottomlined budgets for the Kitchen,
<https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gog9KDQb8youQp8LalMM11vquNyWAVN2v2z_LEeTV…>
the Media Lab <https://omnicommons.org/wiki/MediaLab>, and nearly a
dozen grant applications for Omni, Sudo Room, Sudo Mesh, ABDC,
and Qilombo.
*Qualifications and Skills:*
-
Quickbooks ProAdvisor Certification (May 2018);
-
5 years of nonprofit bookkeeping experience (Sudo Room 2013-current;
Sudo Mesh 2013-current; Omni Commons 2015-current);
-
Proficiency with Quickbooks Online, Google Drive, and MediaWiki;
-
Knowledge of bookkeeping and generally accepted best practice accounting
principles for complex non-profit organizations;
-
Strong organizational and communication skills; able to communicate
effectively and efficiently through verbal and/or written means;
-
Attention to detail, especially with regards to data entry;
-
Discretion in the handling of confidential or sensitive information;
-
Great love of spreadsheets and documentation.
Responsibilities / Deliverables:
*The vast majority of these I already do, but would be able to do more
consistently and ideally while training a new Treasurer of the nonprofit.*
-
Monthly bookkeeping tasks:
-
Bank account reconciliations in Quickbooks;
-
Accounts payable (bills - maintain Vendor files and payments
including bill pay system & payroll;
-
Accounts receivable (invoices - ensure that receivables are collected
promptly);
-
Liabilities (loan repayments & security deposits);
-
Assets (calculating value of purchases of equipment, machinery,
fixtures, furniture, leasehold improvements & in-kind donations;
calculating depreciation);
-
Regular, transparently-documented financial reporting:
-
Monthly income and expense reports to be submitted to the Delegates
Council by the first Thursday of the month;
-
Monthly customized reports for Commons and Project income & loss;
-
Quarterly reports including: Incomes & Expenses (+ comparative
analysis); Accounts Payable/Receivable; Bank Acct.
Reconciliation; Income &
Expense changes over 1-5 yrs;
-
Annual reporting including: current year’s Statement of Activity &
Statement of Financial Position; State and Federal tax filings;
-
Communications & Fundraising:
-
Preparation and sending of donation acknowledgement letters by Jan
31st;
-
Assist with maintenance of grant budgets, and prepare reports for
funders;
-
Prettified financial reports and binders for potential funders.
-
State Filings:
-
Prepare and file annual Federal 990s;
-
CA State Filings: Forms 199 (and schedules) and RRF-1s;
-
Bi-annual Statements of Information (SI-100s);
-
Property Tax Exemption Application submitted by Feb. 15th annually;
-
Budgeting:
-
Maintain current month-to-month and 5-Year Projected Budget docs;
-
Maintain Designated Funds (eg; Kitchen), Operational & Capital
Reserve Funds;
-
Budgets created as-needed for grant applications and fundraising
campaigns.
-
Create mortgage loan consolidation application package.
-
Documentation:
-
Updating our Guidestar and other online profiles;
-
Ensure accounting and communication processes are properly
documented, and annual reports published on our website/wiki;
-
Update and prettify business plan;
-
Filing annual Board Meeting minutes (analog and digital);
-
Filing system management (analog and digital) and clear labeling/
documentation.
*Goals & Aspirations:*
-
Build Operating and Capital Reserve Funds as budgeted;
-
Scheduled regular maintenance of roof, exterior, HVAC, Fire, etc;
-
Boost the following potential sources of Omni income: MediaLab, Kitchen,
Commons, recurring donations (eg; Patreon), grant awards, substantial
donors/foundations;
-
Create and propose a long-term plan for moving toward sustainable energy
(solar) and full-venue capabilities (fire sprinkler system, Conditional Use
Permit / Liquor License, catering, event promotion, streamlined booking
system);
-
Create and propose a sustainable compensation plan for
currently-undervalued volunteer and member-collective labor (eg; percentage
of Commons/event rental income to bottomliners and member-collective
sponsors).
Financial Feasibility:
Omni’s current monthly expenses average $9,500/mo once all short-term loans
are repaid in February of 2019. Our current monthly average income is
$10,750, leaving a surplus of roughly $1,200/month in the beginning of
2019. This income is an average and does not reflect one-time larger grants
and donations, which we’d be in a much better position to obtain with some
upgrades to our documentation, reporting, and donor engagement.
I propose to do Omni’s bookkeeping work for hire (while still participating
in additional volunteer capacity as I always have) on a 3-month trial basis
at $25/hr, with hours fully documented and invoiced by the 1st of the
month. This is a discounted rate ($45-$60/hr) and about what Omni is
currently able to afford.
This full proposal, including my resume, can be read and commented on as a
Google Doc here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pZwwjGPjsCryp78dySTHFbrmiTZR-Q5FqQf82S5…
Many thanks for your consideration. I hope to continue working with Omni
Commons in a capacity that is sustainable for me and enables the continued
fiscal operations of the building.
<3
Jenny
Help open a professional kitchen at the Omni Commons in Oakland!
https://omnicommons.org/kitchen
`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
"Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories."
-Laurie Anderson
"Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it."
-Hannah Arendt
"To define is to kill. To suggest is to create."
-Stéphane Mallarmé
"Anything done for the first time unleashes a demon."
--Dave Sim, "Cerebus the Aardvark"
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
_______________________________________________
sudo-discuss mailing list
sudo-discuss(a)lists.sudoroom.org
https://sudoroom.org/lists/listinfo/sudo-discuss
--
Lesley Bell
432-266-0397
zvezdalune(a)gmail.com
<http://lesleybell.com>
Hello Sudo Meshers,
This coming meeting is on the first Tuesday of the month. Do you know what that means...?
Another hang out / newcomers' night!
It's time to relax and talk about decentralized/democratized/mesh internet over snacks and drinks. It's also a great time to welcome new folks who are interested in the project and want an informal setting to get to know what we're about.
This week we may watch a short documentary about municipal/community-owned fiber internet.
* WHEN: 7:30 – 9:00 PM First Tuesdays of the month
* WHERE: Omni Commons Mezzanine (the area right above the main entrance, on the 2nd floor)
* THINGS TO BRING (OPTIONAL): A laptop. Food/drinks to share.
Event on Omni calendar: https://omnicommons.org/calendar/events/sudo-mesh-hang-out-newcomers-night-4 (https://omnicommons.org/calendar/events/sudo-mesh-hang-out-newcomers-night-…)
Whether you haven't been around in a while or it's your first time, we'd love to see you! So come by, say hi, and stay for a bit.
cheers,
Mai
Sorry, I don't remember who asked me about this & now may be a bit late!
Someone at Tuesday's meeting asked me about local ham radio clubs.
Saturday morning (tomorrow) is the monthly meeting of the Alameda club.
The topic might have broader appeal than other meetings.
Anyone is welcome.
===
*ARCA Meeting Saturday, March 23 @ 9 AM*
At the Alameda Hospital, Room 2A (2nd Floor)
State of EMCOMM in Alameda - 2019
- A major Earthquake erupts on the Hayward fault!
- A 6 inch gas line explodes in your neighborhood.
- Vandals cut the phone lines to the 911 Dispatch Center.
If these happened tonight, would you know what to do or how you can help
your family, your neighbors, your city?
Come to the March 23rd ARCA Meeting and hear about how you can protect
yourself and help your community in case of disaster.
Topics include:
· What do you need to know before a disaster strikes.
· What training should you take before something happens.
· Differences between an obvious disaster and a hidden one.
· What should you do right after a disaster occurs.
· How can you help your neighbors and community using your radio
skills.
· What equipment is needed and what types of locations/jobs will
need to be filled.
· What is the difference between a Resource net and a Tactical net.
· What Community Service events are in the area that you can
participate in to get more hands on training in a real world event.
This will be presented by Jerry Juhala – KT6CRT in association with Alameda
CERT and the city of Alameda Disaster Preparedness Group.
FYI
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Christiaan Adams* <csadams(a)gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019
Subject: [ORCA] Radio job at Google - Wireless Architect
To: WW6OR - ORCA member forum <ww6or(a)googlegroups.com>,
oakland_ca_hams(a)yahoogroups.com
Hi ORCA Hams & Oakland Radio folks,
In case you or someone you know might be interested, there is an opening
for a "Wireless Architect" with Google's security team in Sunnyvale:
https://careers.google.com/jobs/results/6334958253047808/
Looks like it requires significant radio system engineering experience, as
well as some management experience.
If you or someone you know is interested, please let me know and I would be
happy to submit your resume internally first, which will get it in front of
a recruiter more quickly than applying online.
73, -Chris KJ6WEG
Hey, all! Ben Lau from Toronto Mesh (https://tomesh.net) will be in the bay area on Saturday, April 6th to give a small workshop on how to facilitate mesh workshops :) It will look something like this (https://tomesh.net/2018-12-17/facilitating-mesh-workshops/) and will take about 3 hours.
I'm really excited to participate--I expect to learn a lot about meshing raspberry pis and peer-to-peer apps, but also about their particular perspective on how to talk to people about community networks and why they're politically important.
The time is TBD. Send me an e-mail directly if you want to participate and we can all figure out a time together.
--Benny
