OK, sounds reasonable; so, like what? What kinds of tools/systems would you find useful in a community workshop?
"Equipment Wishlist" thread is here, btw.

things that would get me to shell out $80/month for would be stuff I do not have at home and have always wanted to learn to use0

Laser cutter/etcher (i have a background in 3D animation, so i know how to draw up things to cut, but I have never had access to a laser cutter/etcher
Welder (always wanted to learn to weld)
Mill(CNC would be nice)(same as welding)
basically metalworking equipment

I know that my girlfriend and my mother would like to learn ceramics

Basically I would see this as something akin to a technical school class, but with free reign. I have a fair amount of woodworking equipment at home so I don't need access to that.

tech school for fools. i like!

im in. i can only realistically afford 60 a month - but i might get work to swing me the other 20 for *appropriation*.
MAYBE.

*bump*

Fellow Makers,

We have now scouted out some places for our workshop and have prospective sites to consider. The sooner we have a space, the better! When negotiating for a lease, we need to have some solid numbers and firm monetary commitments from our membership. We can get more for less, usually, if we sign for a longer term contract.

So it would help to start thinking not only of a monthly contribution, but how long we see ourselves, personally, participating as a paying member.

Also, if anyone here has experience with negotiating leases and related legal issues for groups, we would appreciate your input, which can be shared with group leadership, probably after our office elections.