Changes

The board discussed Ed Bennett's vote to extend the current lease. Ed's vote was as follows:

The board discussed Ed Bennett's vote to extend the current lease. Ed's vote was as follows:

::Our Lease expires May 31st, but renewal is not automatic. We have the

::Our Lease expires May 31st, but renewal is not automatic. We have the option to renew for another 5 years, but in order to do so, we must send the landlord, by registered mail, a written "notice of election to renew", at least 90 days prior to the end of the lease. This is around March 1st. A link to our current lease is included in the vote proposal. According to our Bylaws, large contracts must be approved by the Membership. This vote authorizes the Board and the President to commit PS1 to another 5 years in our current location, and to communicate our intention to the landlord.

::option to renew for another 5 years, but in order to do so, we must send

::the landlord, by registered mail, a written "notice of election to

::renew", at least 90 days prior to the end of the lease. This is around

::March 1st. A link to our current lease is included in the vote proposal.

::According to our Bylaws, large contracts must be approved by the Membership.

::This vote authorizes the Board and the President to commit PS1 to another 5

::years in our current location, and to communicate our intention to the

::landlord.

::[[Vote to Renew Our Lease 2021]]

::[[Vote to Renew Our Lease 2021]]

The board had the following thoughts on the matter:

The board had the following thoughts on the matter:

::Reading the Article 6, section 7 of the bylaws: "Novel agreements which include a clause placing significant risk on the Organization such as fines for breach of contract or claims to property as recourse, for example, must ::first be authorized by a vote of the Members."

::Reading the Article 6, section 7 of the bylaws: "Novel agreements which include a clause placing significant risk on the Organization such as fines for breach of contract or claims to property as recourse, for example, must first be authorized by a vote of the Members." The definition of "novel" is new or previously unknown, which does not apply to the lease agreement. The lease was negotiated in May of 2016, was available to anyone who wanted to read it, and included the option of extending the lease for an additional 5 years. In reading this clause, the Board interprets novel to mean a new contract, not the extension of an existing contract, as is the case here. We also note that placing the lease up for a vote renders a non-zero chance that the vote fails; such a case would force a move in very short time, with no existing location, and could place the existence of the organization at risk.

::The definition of "novel" is new or previously unknown, which does not apply to the lease agreement. The lease was negotiated in May of 2016, was available to anyone who wanted to read it, and included the option of ::extending the lease for an additional 5 years. In reading this clause, the Board interprets novel to mean a new contract, not the extension of an existing contract, as is the case here. We also note that placing the lease up ::for a vote renders a non-zero chance that the vote fails; such a case would force a move in very short time, with no existing location, and could place the existence of the organization at risk.

For this reason, the board held a vote of the Board of Directors in that fell in favor of renewing the lease for an additional 5 years. The Board was unwilling to take the risk of having a vote to renew the lease not pass, placing the organization in dire financial circumstances contrary with our fiduciary responsibilities. Vote counts are below:

For this reason, the board held a vote of the Board of Directors in that fell in favor of renewing the lease for an additional 5 years. The Board was unwilling to take the risk of having a vote to renew the lease not pass, placing the organization in dire financial circumstances contrary with our fiduciary responsibilities. Vote counts are below: