There is a great deal of misunderstanding around our fee schedule, how fees are determined, what a 'fee' implies, and how fees should be or are calculated.
This is an open discussion on this issue.
Anyone may submit a proposal.
Intent of this discussion is to have a new Standing Rules 14.1 section for the Board to ratify at the February Board meeting.
Proposals:
PR1: Suggested Fee Schedule (Bo)
Suggestions for new Fee Structure
PR2: Suggestion for new Cost-Sharing Schedule (Jim)
Includes a discussion of Makersmiths history, multiple options, definitions, implications of Virginia law, and a suggested new schedule for Cost-Sharing.
Bulk of fees come from Laser cutters.
Cost analysis done, 2024 through mid 2025. Using actual expenses, found fees did not cover costs. Fees adjusted to just cover costs. Adjustments made in October.
New fee structure still shows negative net for BN2-20, $600 loss, $32 loss on UV. $405 plus net for sublimation.
Need to look at these over a period of 6 - 12 months. Suggest keeping and re-evaluate in March. Report in April if adjustments needed.
Cost-sharing is more fair that asking all members to pay for consumables (might require dues increase).
Cost-Sharing should have financial basis.
Bo (some explanation of why we had fees and what we have to do)
Some consumables are expensive.
Super-makers may use a disproportionate amount of consumables.
1 Comment
James Waldron
Discussion on Fees, Cost-Sharing, Donations, Suggested Donations, Fees, Reimbursements and Sales.
February 10 2026, 7pm Leesburg Basement and on line
https://meet.google.com/cih-ehxi-wbc
Discussion commenced at x:xx pm
There is a great deal of misunderstanding around our fee schedule, how fees are determined, what a 'fee' implies, and how fees should be or are calculated.
This is an open discussion on this issue.
Anyone may submit a proposal.
Intent of this discussion is to have a new Standing Rules 14.1 section for the Board to ratify at the February Board meeting.
Proposals:
PR1: Suggested Fee Schedule (Bo)
Suggestions for new Fee Structure
PR2: Suggestion for new Cost-Sharing Schedule (Jim)
Includes a discussion of Makersmiths history, multiple options, definitions, implications of Virginia law, and a suggested new schedule for Cost-Sharing.
Bulk of fees come from Laser cutters.
Cost analysis done, 2024 through mid 2025. Using actual expenses, found fees did not cover costs. Fees adjusted to just cover costs. Adjustments made in October.
New fee structure still shows negative net for BN2-20, $600 loss, $32 loss on UV. $405 plus net for sublimation.
Need to look at these over a period of 6 - 12 months. Suggest keeping and re-evaluate in March. Report in April if adjustments needed.
Cost-sharing is more fair that asking all members to pay for consumables (might require dues increase).
Cost-Sharing should have financial basis.
Bo (some explanation of why we had fees and what we have to do)
Some consumables are expensive.
Super-makers may use a disproportionate amount of consumables.
Lasers. limit
Discussion ended at x:xx pm