To my esteemed Independents Hall list members,
This email is a long time coming. We're coming up on 5 months since the
March 1st inauguration of this list, it's pretty incredible to already see
the effect that we've had on each other.
From projects evolving <http://www.bubblebee.org/> with the help of one
another, to the city's first large scale unconference, to a generous hat-tip
in Wired Magazine (among
many<http://conversationagent.typepad.com/conversation_agent/2007/05/phila...>,
many<http://www.robertsandie.com/2007/07/15/blog-philadelphia-recap-why-i-...>
other
bits<http://ryanishungry.com/2007/06/27/co-working-independent-workers-unite/>of
media <http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/007001.html>
scattered<http://blog.coworking.info/2007/05/04/philadelphia-jelly-cream-cheese...>about
the internet).
The time has come that our community has grown into our goal of
wanting and needing
a permanent shared
space<http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-s...>of
our own. We've diligently researched, polled interest, and with
fingers
(and toes) crossed we should be hearing back in less than a week about a
space in Old City<http://flickr.com/photos/dangerouslyawesome/sets/72157600451276400/>that
we're very excited about.
Up until this point, Independents Hall has been 100% free, with open events
funded out of our own pockets or through donations of time, money, and
resources from individuals. Obviously, running a space won't be free, but
we've done some number crunching and have made it a point to consider your
wallets, and make your involvement be as sustainable as possible. Here's the
scoop on membership, tentatively, that you can read and figure out where you
fit with needs and buget:
http://wiki.independentshall.org/planning/membershipmodel
Here's the part where you all run away screaming and my dreams are crushed
to pieces: I need to ask for commitments.
No engagement rings here, no "Its not you, it's me" excuses.
I've been level and transparent through this entire journey so this should
be a simple decision for you, nothing is hidden, this is the real deal.
Respond to me, off list, that you would like to commit to a membership and
at what level. Also, since this is a 100% bootstrapped effort, we're looking
to see if anyone is able to do a couple of months up front to help, or even
better, a charter donation. If there is interest expressed in that charter
donation, we'll figure out what the return for that donation would be.
Many of you are listening in and going, "well, I don't need a desk, what
does this mean for me?" It means that you should still become a member, at
$25/month, since you've followed along for this long and believe in what
we're doing. That $25 goes to making desks affordable for everyone else,
supporting the community, funding events, and making sure that this can keep
happening. Not only are you giving to help that, but your name goes on the
member directory, you're on invites for events, and you do get a free day in
the space and a free hour in the conference room built in and reduced day
rates, should you decide to drop by once in a while.
Also, being in the member directory is a great opportunity to find work as
well as workers for your projects, since our project is already getting some
heavy visibility.
Finally, if you're a business listening and you're interested in sponsoring
a desk, contact me off list and we can discuss options for that.
This is huge for us, so please be realistic and honest with your
commitments. If you have questions or concerns about any of this, speak up!
Thanks again, for all of your continuing support. This is really, really
incredible that we've gotten this far, we can't slow down now!
Viva la Philadelphia!
Cheers,
Alex
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Alex Hillman
web.developer.innovation.consultant
vocal: 484.597.6256
digital: a...@weknowhtml.com | skype: dangerouslyawesome
visual: www.weknowhtml.com | www.dangerouslyawesome.com
local: www.independentshall.org
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