Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Wainwright Bank

Hey all,

Quick idea about banks- what do you think about going with Wainwright Bank? They are noted for being socially progressive, honest, and have a section dedicated to non-profits linking from their homepage. Plus a location in Coolidge Corner + online banking. Check it-

https://www.wainwrightbank.com/html/personal/index.html

-Justin

Sunday, February 22, 2009

House Meeting 2 Topics

So if I remember correctly, Shawn is going to be in the city very soon. You know what that means. . . House Meeting!

Let's brainstorm some topics to cover. Big ones I'll throw out there right away:

Possible Tenants - the list is growing. I don't think they should be there because we still haven't discussed what we need out of the next two people. However, we must address this topic as (surprisingly) these people are getting antsy about it.

Deposits: I like the system we've got setup. Should we keep going with this or is there any other options that could be better?

Bank Account: What bank should it be with? BoA would be convenient (transfers internally work smoothly), but my dad can get a sweet account with Cambridge Savings because they have a business deal with his school. We'd probably all get ATM cards that will be free at any ATM. I'm getting a bit faclempt - discuss amongst yourselves. Bank of America is neither a real bank nor is it America. There, I'm better now.

The House's Websites: I think we should have an internal site (the one I started building) and a public site (the one Shawn began).

Business we can do without the house: I did an onsite recording session the other day. What else can we do that we don't need to have the house for?

The renovations: We need to picture the best space possible so we have a proposal to give to Lynell. I'd like to get Jim Anderson and Leon Janikian over there to consult us.

Non-profit status/Business Certificate: Start saving your receipts!! 2009 will be a year of writing off a lot of things towards the business. We need to set our goals for this stuff. I'd like to have the non-profit status process underway when we move in. It would be awesome if our "Fundraiser Gala's" would be tax write-off keggers for all!

(Speaking of which) The Pig Roast Fundraiser: This will be a couple weeks into living there, so not a topic we need to discuss right away. Good to think about though.

A few small topics: Should we keep that hutch in the dining room? When should we expect to start contributing $50 a month to the house account? How big is Brian's left big toe anyway?

Feedback!! Participation!! (Insert motivational shit here)!! Please! Thank you! Take it easy!

Monday, February 9, 2009

deposits and possible housemates

Hello all!

I don't know if everyone got my email about the deposits. We have a few more days to get our stuff in order. I am suggesting that shawn, justin and I should split the $600 each month for the next few. This will probably be the best way to make sure we can all handle the payments and get them in on time.

On a separate note, there are a couple people who are interested in the house.

First, rob seabeck: good friend of brian, justin, and Eli. Music technonogy senior. Plays guitar, composes, head of the music tech club at northeastern, and does max/msp as well as many other sweet things. He is super emphatic about the concept. I believe he is near 90% sure he would move in.

Second, Maxwell Hockstead: currently lives at 76 Hyde park ave. Landscaper by day, drum and bass dj by night. Attempting a similar operation in Framingham and is interested in what this place in Allston may mean for him. I think he's around 50% sure he'd like to move in.

There are a couple people I know who have expressed interest in the place. Though these people are not able to see that far into their schedules. We should all update this with comments.

Peace brosky's!!

Eli

Mobile Blogging from here.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

RSS Feed Readers

Just brainstormin' away! This time, it's about a way to make it easier to read this blog and stay in the know/participate like a mofo!


I've figured out a way for new posts to show up in my mail reader on a Mac - Shawn, I'm sure you can figure it out too - click on the plus button in the bottom left hand corner of the main window in the mail application. Also, there's something called "Google Reader" which makes it easy to check on it when you are checking your mail. I'll find out with this post if it sends you an email as well.

Peace ya'll!!

Eli

Friday, January 23, 2009

Agreements Idea

Hello Everybody!

I had an idea the other day about something that will help set the right expectations for everyone living in the house, especially those who will be coming into it from here on out. These are called "Agreements" and will be signed by everyone in the house, preferably before signing the lease. The idea runs along the lines of the paperwork everyone fills out when starting a new job. If you've ever read them before, they really just state the obvious and not so obvious things that should be understood entering that place of business. Our situation, of course, is going to be much less formal. However, they ought to be held with the same respect as those types of documents. The Agreements will be a solid foundation for this place to grow on. Also, it will give clear boundaries so it is obvious when someone is not pulling their weight in whatever area. I came up with a whole bunch of ideas. Please give feedback on which of these we should develop. Also, if you think of any - do tell. These will always be up for debate and new versions can be hammered out and resigned at any time. For some of them, it will be nice to have them posted in the space that it pertains to (Kitchen Cleanliness Agreement hanging on a wall in the kitchen).


Overall Cleanliness Agreement: Very general guidelines about what is expected overall. An example of an item in this agreement could be take your shoes off when you walk in.

Kitchen Cleanliness Agreement: Dishes rules, fridge rules, mopping rotation, trash rules, etc. . .

Studio Cleanliness Agreement: Where cables/microphones should go, food/smoking rules, how the place should be organized.

Bathroom Cleanliness Agreement: No poop on the walls.

Rent/Utilities Agreement: Have rent in the account by the 25th of the month before and utilities in by the 15th of the current month or something.

Communal Kitchen Agreement: What function will it serve? How will it be sustained? What the heck is it?

Snow Removal Rotation Agreement: umm, what it says.

Trash Removal Rotation Agreement: I think I've made my point.

A big big big one that I would like to find some legal advice about is an Intellectual Property Agreement. We need to have some general rules so we don't get fucked over by digital rights management and/or copyright laws.

Any ideas? Comments? Concerns?

Elias

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The House is Ours!

Great news!

New President! New Apartment!!!

Today, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. Hours later, we became the next tenants of 12 Wadsworth St. in Allston Massachusetts!

Exclamation!!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

First Meeting Minutes

In our first meeting, we opened up the first topics of discussion. They are as follows:

Lines of Communication
- blog
- on-line focus
- e-mail
- google calendars

Remaining Roomates:
- Craigslist Ad
- Clear expectations for applicants

Qualifications for the Space:
- clean
- music scene
- space
- tolerant neighborhood
- no plastic chandeliers
- equal sized rooms
- ample public space

How to Focus Our Efforts:
- Doing Business As Certificate --> Non-Profit goal
- Single Bank Account for the House (What bank?)
- For bills/rent
- Shared Income
-$50 a month contribution starting Feb/March?
- Shared expenses (staple foods, studio improvements, supplies for business)
-First Generation of income: on-site classical musicians


ROLES:

Brian:
- On-site recording
- Basic video editing
- Disc duplication
- Web development

Justin:
- On-site recording
- home recording
- design
- data networking
- people networking

Shawn:
- good spirit
- marketing
- car driving
- Design
- Mass production
- Web development
- Public relations
- community development

Elias:
- on-site recording
- Home recording
- house systems maintenance
- "Face" of operation
- Logistics
- Budget
- Public Relations
- community development


That's all I have from the Notebook. Please comment with the photos and videos that you guys took. Also, if there needs to be a correction or addition to topics pertaining to this meeting - please put it in this topic. Lets try to keep everything as organized as possible.