Hacker/Maker Space meeting and recap
Jimmie
with a summery of the info so far. At least read the first paragraph.
I've also created a quick web form so that we can get an idea of the
interest level. Please fill it out, especially if you can't make it to
the meeting:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=psIv0JwmeOITapK713796ZQ&email=true
First off, we need to have a planning meeting before we see the space,
where everyone can be together and talk about what they would like the
space become. We need people to come to this, regardless of how much
you are able to kick in. This is going to shape what the space is
going to be, and what the member model is going to look like. It will
also prepare us once we see the space, and we will have a mostly
unified viewpoint and set of expectations. I think that 7pm on
Thursday at the Willoughby and Baltic is a good time, where most
people will probably be free, and Meredith will be back. So plan to
make it if you can. Otherwise at least fill out the form. Even if you
are going, then fill it out anyway.
Here is what we've come largely to a consensus so far. The space is
going to be incorporated as a non-profit. The space will have a tiered
membership model. People who do needed things for the common good will
be paid (managing the finances, managing the space, building the
website, running training sessions and classes). The board will
probably be composed of the highest tiered members, and will probably
also include the most active members (most likely one and the same).
Major things will be put to a vote to everyone involved in the space,
and all things financial will be open. There will need to be some form
of training/certification for the more dangerous tools.
$250 a month is going to be the starting point for the highest tiered
members. They will have 24/7 access, and a personal work space. Other
members will have access to the space at as of yet undetermined hours,
but someone will need to be there at these times. That person will
need to be trained and certified in all the equipment, and will be
paid. There will be a common space for everyone, and/or for group
projects. You will need to sign some form of commitment to the space
that you will be willing to pay $X a month for Y months.
There will be a common lounge space, where people can hang out and
chat. There will also be meeting rooms where information sessions can
be held. There will be some method of members being able to sell
things, as well as teach classes, but may not be available till more
space opens up.
Here are some of the things that are not yet solidified. There may be
some method for lower tiered members to have some storage space
(lockers, etc), but that will depend on how much is available, and is
not at all set. We may be able to get a number of grants depending on
what is happening. The entire pricing model is also not yet set, and
will probably evolve over time.
The fabrication space and the hacker space will be the same for a
while, but will probably be separated once it can be, and the finances
are in order. That way people can be loud down in the working area
(power tool loud), and the hackers can just be obnoxiously loud. There
needs to be a really good website that shows off what the whole group
is doing, and there needs to be group projects and challenges. Both
funded by the space, and by grants when we can get them.
Even if you are paying to use the space, there will be some method of
you making back money. So you may end up paying nothing if you put in
the work. There will be a ton of things that will have to be done, and
someone will have to be responsible for them. This is all unclear, and
probably won't be till the space is actually up and running.
Also, most importantly. There will be beer, probably even some made by
members of the space, and some ridiculously complicated method of
obtaining and tracking said beer. (ok, so maybe this is my own
personal agenda)
If anyone has any questions or comments, then please respond. There is
a ton to work out, and there will be a ton of work to do to make this
a place people want to hang out and work in.
Jimmie
J.Hock
I second the homemade beer! :)
I think being able to do work-hours is key. Some people that may want
to use the space just for fun, their hobby, and meeting people wont be
able to put up the sizable monetary sums that artists and
professionals using the space as a real workshop will. People could
work off their membership. I think that it would be a great trade off.
Social members may have more free time to work on the space rather
than their projects too. Plus like everyone has said the more people
we bring to the space the less expensive it is to everyone. Also
another thing to look at is if people can donate things to the space
(Computers, furniture, tables, materials and tools.) for membership
credit. There will need to be a number of things like this made
available to get the space set up right and not having to go out and
buy it would be great.
J
On Aug 5, 10:44 am, Jimmie <jaypee4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Since the other thread has grown quite large, I'm starting a new one
> with a summery of the info so far. At least read the first paragraph.
> I've also created a quick web form so that we can get an idea of the
> interest level. Please fill it out, especially if you can't make it to
Jimmie Rodgers
willing to volunteer in the space if it gained you access to the
tools?" in the survey. Simply put, some people have more time than
money. I've been there before, but as of two years ago that trend has
reversed. So I'm in a place where I can pay $250 a month. The survey
has been immensely helpful so far, and has provided a wealth of
information. Thanks to everyone who has already put down their level
of commitment/interest, but more will be helpful. So please fill this
out, even if you don't plan to join in immediately. However,
definitely fill it out if you are certainly going to join at some
level, and at what level:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=psIv0JwmeOITapK713796ZQ&email=true
I'm going to bring that to the planning meeting tomorrow night and
share the information with everyone there.
(7PM, Thursday night at the Willoughby and Baltic in Davis).
What I would like to see is some type of credit system, where there
will be tasks you can take, with each task having so many credit hours
of fab usage, or for pay. There will be a constant stream of things
that need to be done. Between the possible library, tools, common
parts, and cleaning it could be a full time job for someone. Plus we
will need qualified people teaching how to use the tools to others,
and some type of certification process. We will also have projects
going on where x number of widgets need to be made for a group
project, and classes that need to be taught (helpers may also be
needed depending on the class).
The building in Union looks like it will facilitate expansion of the
space. So while the early stages will be a single room with tools, the
later revisions will be multiple rooms with different tools. The great
thing about this being a non-profit with a money pool, is that we will
be able to purchase that $10k laser cutter, or a milling machine, etc.
It will be put up to the members to decide what is needed, and when.
So I'm sure some things will come sooner than others.
It may even come to pass that you can pay for just access to the
hacker space and lounge. Who knows? We may also do some kind of crazy
RFID tracking system where everyone has a badge. That way people
outside the space can see who is there, and what tools they are using.
This could be used to grant or deny access to tools depending on
training, and see who uses what. There are too many smart people on
this list NOT to have something completely geeky as a method of
tracking and the like. It could also tie into a website profile so you
can see what hours people tend to come in, and what they tend to work
on, as well as the projects they were involved in, and even how much
beer they drink (and then denying you from using the more dangerous
tools). Things could be opted out of for the public side of the
website.
All of that will take a substantial amount of work. Coding the
website, building the software tracking system, building the hardware,
etc. I'm sure there will be tons of opportunities for people to work
for time/parts/pay.
Jimmie
Emile
management(typical sysadmin stuff) and backend development for online
functionality. http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Hacker_Spaces has made
their space "operating system" available and provided a lot of useful
documentation on running such a project. They're also quite friendly.
Emile
event I run, and this week my backup is in Chicago for business, so I
can't bail on it. I like what Jimmie is talking about; it incorporates
my concerns and wishes, as well as accommodating the unique needs of
this group, and I'm confident this ball will get rolling. Please count
me among those willing to commit to this launch.
Stokes
have expressed an interest in working for their access rather than
paying. I don't want to be overly pragmatic, but there are some
potential problems with trading work for membership, particularly as
things start up. In short: the rent needs to be paid, and there will
initially be no source of income other than the members. This means
that the work will have to be absolutely mission-critical, since it
puts the burden of paying for the space directly on other members. The
same goes for donated supplies and equipment; the landlord isn't going
to take a milk crate full of capacitors as part of the rent. Unless
there is first a committed and dependable core group of paying
members, this whole experiment could collapse before it even begins.
On Aug 6, 10:07 am, "Jimmie Rodgers" <jaypee4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I agree fully, which is why I added the option of "Would you be
> willing to volunteer in the space if it gained you access to the
> tools?" in the survey. Simply put, some people have more time than
> money. I've been there before, but as of two years ago that trend has
> reversed. So I'm in a place where I can pay $250 a month. The survey
> has been immensely helpful so far, and has provided a wealth of
> information. Thanks to everyone who has already put down their level
> of commitment/interest, but more will be helpful. So please fill this
> out, even if you don't plan to join in immediately. However,
> definitely fill it out if you are certainly going to join at some
> level, and at what level:
>
Jimmie Rodgers
rent, with some going into a slush fund. All other dues paid will go
to the slush fund. You are absolutely right that the bills will need
to be paid with actual money, so volunteer opportunities for pay
probably wouldn't be available till things are up and running. As of
this moment, we have a solid commitment from enough people to cover
the basic rent, but we need another $250/month member or a few more
$150 per month members to have a slush fund going.
The faster that slush fund grows, the faster we get new equipment and
cool stuff. However, we are still going to need to pay managers of the
space, so that cost will have to be counted in once things start
growing. People are still filling out the survey, so we may make our
solid numbers by the meeting. Otherwise we will need to recruit people
outside of the group.
Jimmie
Phinneus Baltic
I think we should probably shelve making policies about anything until the board of directors is figured out. It's likely the board will be made up of the $250 members, but even that isn't clear yet.
It's also unknown whether an insurance policy would cover the liability of an injury on the machines if we distribute alcohol. We'll need to figure that stuff out with an agent or attorney.
Right now, it looks like we'll find some way to cover rent, but other expenses such as attorney's fees, insurance, phone, internet, consumables, etc. haven't been addressed yet. Also, capital building hasn't been addressed. I don't think we'll get to the slush part of the slush fund for a while.
For those members who won't be around tomorrow, we'll try to schedule another day to see the space.