RE: Mixmaster training

Nate/Seth,

Nate I know you were asking for feedback on Sat after the orientation.
While it is still fresh in my head I wanted to provide a few points of info.

Both Nate and Seth did an outstanding job providing a learning environment
on our processor and how it works.  Everything from the details on how to
titrate and clean out beakers to running the methoxide mixer.  You both were
incredibly patient and good about reminding each other to stop yourselves
from doing a task and have us do it (the second best way to learn something
is doing it; the first best way,... is to teach it!).  

There's really not any constructive criticism I can even give for Sat.
Well, the only thing I can think of (and this may have not even been
possible as you two have put in way over your allotted time for the Co-op)
is to do a walk-through check of all systems that are going to be
demonstrated to ensure everything is ready.  It slowed things up just a bit
with the bad drum of methanol.  That actually ended up not being a bad thing
since in any batch that a mixmaster will be working on, there will be some
problems that will arise that we have to trouble-shoot on site.  I guess the
only other thing is lots of reminders for the orientation.  (Nate, this ties
into this whole e-mail thing.  1st of all, you were right, below is the only
e-mail I got from you back on the 18th, but it did say 9am!  Still don't
know what is happening to your other e-mails.)  I feel if we are really
serious about needing to get other potential mixmasters to get trained on
our processor, a closer connection is required.  There is only so much
commitment people feel compelled to when receiving a bulk e-mail.  I think
phone calls and follow-up phone calls are required to really get the
remainder of the folks to turn out.  Same think goes for the Sat work
parties.  

Some items that came out of the orientation that I see we need moving
forward now:

- review our documentation of the process and revise (is this assigned to
anyone yet?  If not, I can take a crack at it!)  Be sure we MAJORY BOLD
where safety equip is necessary and what is needed 

- print up documentation of process and mount in processor container for
easy reference

- establish default times for mixmaster meetings and orientations

- need gram scale that goes up to 3000 grams

- need +/- 1/2 lb accuracy scale for magnesol measurement

- need to print calendar of mixmasters signed up and post in container (and
must be updated weekly) so people get help accountable; this is temporary
till the Wiki is up and going

Thanks again guys for the great session.  I think we have a lot to be proud
of.  The site and the fuel is really coming along.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: nathaniel gates [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006 11:41 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; Kramer, Peter;
[email protected]; Cameron; Greg; Jason Buch; mixmaster;
[email protected]; seth
Subject: Mixmaster training

To all Go Biodiesel members.

We are doing it!  We are making the liquid gold and it is looking
great.  We are now in need of members who want to become Mixmasters so
we can start to ramp up our production and start to make tons of fuel.
 Any Members who are wanting to explore becoming a Mixmasters, we are
going to have our first training of how the processor works and how to
make Biodiesel.  After the training we will have a sign up sheet and
schedule so we can start to get commitments from people people who can
show up and start to make the Juice on a regular basis.

No this is not a joke but the first training is going to be on
Saturday April 1st at 9:00 AM.  We will spend the morning and a good
part of the afternoon going over the process.  So if you have ever
dreamed of making your own fuel now you can.  Come join us and enjoy
the smell that comes out of your car, feel good knowing that you are
not burning a fossil fuel,  and that the fuel that you are burning
comes from recycled oil.

We hope to see you there.

Mixmaster General
Nate Gates