Meraki Meeting took place on Zoom Monday, August 10, 2026, 7-9pm
Attendees: John (Facilitator), Kiara (Ingathering), Marion (Notes), Mellen (Timekeeper), Larissa (Vibe Checker), Seth
Meeting format
- Choose roles (Ingatherer, Facilitator, Notetaker, Timekeeper, Vibe Checker)
- Ingathering
- Briefly review How We Roll
- Summarize previous meeting notes
- Gather new agenda items
- Set order and time for items
- Attend to agenda items
- Schedule future meeting(s)
- Evaluate
- Outgathering
Published Agenda:
Additional Agenda Items:
Where Can We Dance - Devin
As per last Meraki, three trial dances have been arranged at South Portland Middle School for October 18, 25, and November 1. The dances will be from 10am to 12 noon.
Cost is $313.75 per dance. Full payment for all three dances and a Certificate of Insurance are required to finalize the agreement.
Note: Devin will continue as the contact person with Heather at the South Portland School District for these three dances but we will need to have another contact person for ongoing coordination if we decide to move to SPMS indefinitely.
Proposal passed unanimously (thank you, Devin)
Actions: John will supply check and C of I to Devin; Mellen will coordinate with Beth El and DJs.
Sept 27 Dance Reschedule - Mellen & Devin
Beth El is not available for dance on Sunday, September 27. Proposal is to have a dance at Lyman Moore Middle School instead.
Discussion: The impact of having only one dance in September versus the work of a one-off dance in a new space for Wiz, the equipment movers, hassle of working with the Portland School District, and the fact that Devin will be away at that time.
Discussion of dance start time, 10am-12 or 1-3pm. Given the equipment schlepping this dance will require (and the preferences of those present) the Sept 27 dance will be from 1-3pm.
Near unanimous approval of doing the dance at Lyman Moore from 1-3 pm only if it is easy for Devin and Mellen. If it seems at all problematic we will cancel the September 27 dance.
Notes: This is NOT a test dance. Lyman Moore is not a candidate for long term use as they are putting polyurethane on their floor (happily for us, after the Sept 27 dance).
Retreat Update - Kiara
The retreat committee is Kiara, Elise, Nev.
Last week there were 27 sign-ups. Numbers were not available for this week but attendance seems on track. Kiara re-visted the site and reports that it is GORGEOUS: clean, fresh, beautiful dance space and lodging - enough room for all in comfort. Camping (with electricity) is also available if desired.
Note: Retreat Committee needs to identify a designated medical personnel with CPR and First Aid certification. PCD also needs to ensure transportation for any medical issues. If Brian attends, he might serve as he is an RN.
Use of AI to support meeting note-taker - Marion
A previous Meraki decision was not to use AI for Meraki notes. Nevertheless, Marion did use AI to help organize the copious and detailed notes from the Special Meeting on Code of Conduct and the follow up Meraki Meeting (in all nearly six hours of deep discussion).
Proposal passed: To use AI only if the scope of the meetings exceeds the capacity of a volunteer effort at note taking, i.e. use it sparingly if at all. Indicate clearly when AI has been used.
Note: Creating a transcript from a recording does not use AI.
Cell Phone Policy at Dance - Mellen
Issue arose from a note in the suggestion box that referred to "cell phone use creep on the dance floor"
Action: Mellen will be sure a new sign is posted on doors going into the dance.
Code of Conduct Task Force Update - Larissa
The task force is working well. They are grateful for the extended timeline which may be further extended as many in the team are at Dance Camp these weeks. A revised schedule will go out to both the task force and the review team. The plan is to have the community survey go out sometime in the last week of August. A revised schedule will go out to the team and the review team shortly.
Notes following other agenda items:
- Larissa suggests that the cell phone policy also be part of the Code of Conduct.
- The question of dance start time 10-12 or 1-3 will also be added to the survey.
Lighting at Dances - Kiara
The fluorescent lights at Beth El are problematic for her and others. The buzz of the fixtures as as afflicting for some people as perfumes and scents can be for others
Discussion: The only lights that are on are near the door, though even these can be an issue. Some people find going into a dark room disturbing. Lights may be needed only when the partition to the Sanctuary is closed.
Suggestions were made about using pole lights, or fairy lights
It is unclear who is responsible for the lights. It made sense to this Meraki that the Wiz take this responsibility.
This issue will be taken up at the next meeting with perhaps more Wiz members present.
Subwoofer ailing not yet failing - John
John wants to put it on record that the subwoofer is malfunctioning and creates a buzz. The nearest authorized repair shop for the Mackie brand is in Massachusetts. There is/was a repair shop in Windham s a possible resource.
We may need to purchase a new one: An upgraded version of the Mackie is $1100. A QSC subwoofer (which would match our speakers) is $2,000 plus and is too heavy to maneuver.
Next Meraki meeting dates:
Monday, September 14, 7-9pm - In person Location TBD (Mellen to contact Kari on location. FYI Portland New Church is not available)
Sunday, October 11, 3-5pm - After Dance at Beth El
