====== Merri-Bek Tech AGM. 2025-09-17 ======

===== Attendees =====

Sarah Webber, Maggie Cowling, Simon Hildebramdt, Flora Hill, Rob Eales, Matthew Stevens, 
Wade Robert, Jade Ambrose, 

===== Agenda =====

==== Presidents Report (Jade) ====
  * Project launched Oct 2023
  * Incorporated 6th march 2024
  * Volunteer cohort Sep-Nov 2024 
  * Objectives (see slide): reducing carbon emissions, increasing...
  * Volunteer engagement (see slide): 26 ongoing participants; 1 resilitant technology meet up; 3 solarpunk meetup; 2 event stalls; 2 talks; 3 regularly meeting working groups
  * Mission (see website): 
  * Mission Progress: Volunteer cohort directed towards use of Rasberry Pis; Proof of concept cloud node talking to other nodes in peer-to-peer way and running example app
  * Documentation of workflow and ready for app development 
  * Mission status is at risk;  PoC node not providing any current apps or services, no work on the battery storage; no work done on LoRA coms. There is still time. 
  * Software being stewarded: Matrix, Bonfire, and Dokuwiki
Social Media Working Group (Sarah)
  * A few meetings so far.
  * A few platforms discussed: Bonfire, Mastadon, Lemmi, Friendifer. 
  * Ben and Sarah are keen to drive forward.
  * Mostly as social challenge to shift people onto a system that is familar enough for use in disaster 

==== Solarpunk Meetups (Jade) ====
 
  * 3 run so far 
  * New faces each time
  * Nice intersection of social and technical perspectives 
  * Needs a more sustainable plan. 

==== Treasury report (Rob) ====
 
  * Income and Expenditure (see slide). 
  * The biggest cost is equipment, but this is also an asset
  * Monthly costs approx. $150 per month (including operating expenses include location hire and digital ocean)
  * Donations main source of funding 
  * Grants are difficult and uncertain,
  * Membership contributions would help make the association more sustainable 
  * Long term may be able to offer services that generate revenue 
  * If there is capital expenditure we will need grants. 

==== Outgoing committee: ====
 
Thanks to Simon, Maggie, Rob, Matt, Jade

==== Election of New Committee ====

Committee’s job is minimal legal and financial compliance to act as a container for the various projects we initiate. 

Treasurer: Nomination for Rob by Maggie, seconded by Simon. 
Secretary: Simon nominated by Maggie, seconded by Jade
President: Jade  nominated by Maggie, seconded by Simon
Committee members:
  * Self-Nomination by Maggie, seconded by Sarah
  * Self-Nomination by Wade, seconded by Rob
  * Self-Nomination by Sarah, seconded by Maggie 

==== Proposal: Membership Fees ====

Membership fees proposed (yearly): 
  * Solidarity $100
  * Full $40
  * Concession /Precarious $10
  * Aboriginal & Torres Straight Island: $0
Recurring Donations without membership: $10+
Discussion in favour; no amendments: 
Motion moved by Jade; Passed unanimously