Community organisation would like access to leather and sewing studios for disabled and deaf people

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Vivas Pro

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:59:16 AM4/21/16
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Not-for- proficommunity organisation wishes to access the studio  for leather and sewing workshops for deaf and disabled people. 

Anybody with any disability can join the group to learn one of the skills for free. The tutors are disabled too and doing voluntary work. 

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 11:39:06 AM4/21/16
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Left out of this email are that the company is wanting to sign up their users themself and hold these sessions with their staff at our venue.

This feels very much as using the hackspace as a service not as the community that it is. Given their interactions with the trustees in private I don't believe they understand how the hackspace works or is operated despite trying to rectify this through an email dialogue and don't think this is a good fit for how we operate.

For that reason I'm opposed to this.

Sol

On 21 April 2016 at 10:48, Vivas Pro <askvi...@gmail.com> wrote:
Not-for- proficommunity organisation wishes to access the studio  for leather and sewing workshops for deaf and disabled people. 

Anybody with any disability can join the group to learn one of the skills for free. The tutors are disabled too and doing voluntary work. 

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Henry Sands

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Apr 21, 2016, 12:03:39 PM4/21/16
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Whilst this is a very noble goal and I wish you all the success, I don't think this would work at the hackspace for the reasons Solexious has outlined.

I wish you all the best in finding a venue and I hope your workshops are a success.

Henry.

Tim Reynolds

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Apr 21, 2016, 12:11:23 PM4/21/16
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Seconded. The fact that all of that was ommited from the public post
doesn't fill me with much confidence.
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deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 6:13:13 PM4/21/16
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I am a little confused by this 

let me compare and contrast with what london hackspace has done in the past 

I believe a session or a number of sessions where non-members have come in as guest  i.e perl mongers (is that name correct) happened and were embraced
and
The Hackspace has had commercial courses run ie the tutor was being paid an example is the Arduino Sessions run by London Arduino  (I did not see anything in the Directors channel or on the list at the time) 

Given that we claim to be a community organisation and our alleged position on access and equality - this thread is a little strange 



On Thursday, 21 April 2016 15:59:16 UTC+1, Vivas Pro wrote:

deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 6:31:47 PM4/21/16
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Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 7:09:02 PM4/21/16
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The pearl mongers event was open to all to attend unlike this event and was held by an existing member with support from the membership for this event and content to be of interest.

The London arduino course was similarly open to anyone to attend and did have a fee to over costs.

The proposal for this thread is to have sessions only alible to people within this outside organisation's catchment audience with the organisers not being existing members and currently no support from the membership to hold these closed sessions. I don't think these examples you have given show parallel existing examples.

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Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 7:10:56 PM4/21/16
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Also none of the events you listed signed up members on bulk to enable them to use the space without going through the normal channels. Thus is similar to if a university decided to effectively rent the workshop by signing up their students themself to provide them access.

Mark Steward

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Apr 21, 2016, 7:30:33 PM4/21/16
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I agree, we're working on very little information right now. The original post sounds a headline and could be followed by "See how a local community workshop ruins their dream!

Rita, who's on the Hackspace system but not a member yet, has posted an advert for this event already[1]. And a check through the Vivas Pro page[2] shows they were recently advertising similarly at Create Space, Wembley, so maybe someone from CSL has some experience to share.

Vivas Pro or trustees, could someone share more detail on what this is actually about? Have you read our guide to running an event at the space? If not, it's here:
I don't see why this shouldn't be possible to hold at the space as long as it's organised properly.


Mark

[1] https://www.facebook.com/ritam5/posts/10206589588724699

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JJ

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:00:29 PM4/21/16
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Call me a dinosaur but is it not still convention to actually get agreement to use a venue before signing people up to attend an event there?

Or is there a private dialogue going on that the general membership of this list aren't party to?

Mark Steward

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:19:42 PM4/21/16
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It's not just convention, it's explicitly called out in the guide.

There is definitely a private dialogue going on which I'd like to be not private.

Mark

On 22 Apr 2016 01:00, "JJ" <jj.so...@gmail.com> wrote:
Call me a dinosaur but is it not still convention to actually get agreement to use a venue before signing people up to attend an event there?

Or is there a private dialogue going on that the general membership of this list aren't party to?

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deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:37:21 PM4/21/16
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I agree that there could be more information however at thus point, It feels like a negative reaction to deaf people be justified on spurious grounds

Open to all members - I would be surprised if when they were asked if our deaf members could join that they would respond negatively

Well I was simply pointing out that Sol's  statement "This feels very much as using the hackspace as a service not as the community that it is. Given their interactions with the trustees in private I don't believe they understand how the hackspace works or is operated despite trying to rectify this through an email dialogue and don't think this is a good fit for how we operate." is way off the Mark to understand why contrast  this with this statement about a previous course that was also paid for 


London Arduino & Machines Room

Organiser of Getting started with Arduino

London Arduino is for all Arduino, Raspberry Pi, hardware and design or digital making enthusiasts meeting every month for social and training events. 

Machines Room is an east London maker space open to the public and businesses to come and fabricate their ideas. We have a full range of machines for processes such as laser & vinyl cutting, 3d printing to CNC. At our centre is a 2000 sq ft space that hosts events and exhibitions (available for hire). During the day, the area functions as an open to all co-making and co-working space. 




As I said it feels like a  prejudicial and inconsistent stance and most of what has been said so far is emotional and nothing said so far has been consistent with our past or factual or show any real reason why this should not happen 






On Thursday, 21 April 2016 15:59:16 UTC+1, Vivas Pro wrote:

deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:42:46 PM4/21/16
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JJ and Mark is there any evidence that this has happened, its not part of this conversation and I suspect conjecture at this point 
however 
would the normal way to organise an event be anyone interested, yes I have a demand followed by the question can I service it part of which would to then to find a location when this is done then confirm with people # I am not sure a event can be planned many other ways 

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:43:06 PM4/21/16
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If you want to contrast Dean, please use information on the event when held at our location , you have copy pasted about an event at machines room.

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:48:02 PM4/21/16
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I miss spoke, I mistook the location on the event.

However I take great umbridge at your comment: "however at thus point, It feels like a negative reaction to deaf people be justified on spurious grounds" it sounds like you are trying to say that the negative reaction is because the people taking part are deaf? ! What grounds do you have to assert that? That to me is an emotive argument from yourself.

The onus is on the person wanting to hold the event to show why it should be held, not the other way around.

I see also that you haven't touched on my pointing out about the parallel on if a university wished to do the same with the workshop, I'm sure a different reaction would be had to that.

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:49:22 PM4/21/16
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The evidence that this has happened is that I said in my first email that we had been having a dialogue, or are you calling into question if I'm lying about that?

deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 8:52:41 PM4/21/16
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Sol It always worth checking your facts, I suspect you make my point # @447 FYI

That Machine rooms in conjunction with an outside group run by a member have run a paid course (where they paid themselves)  at the hackspace and have "covered their costs"  this I believe has set a precedent

After the charming tone set on the list I am not sure that the people at Vivas Pro would feel welcome 




WHEN
WHERE
London Hackspace - 447 Hackney Road, London, E2 9DY - View Map
TAGS
London, United Kingdom Events Course Science & Tech

FRIENDS ATTENDING

London Arduino & Machines Room

Organiser of Getting started with Arduino

London Arduino is for all Arduino, Raspberry Pi, hardware and design or digital making enthusiasts meeting every month for social and training events. 

Machines Room is an east London maker space open to the public and businesses to come and fabricate their ideas. We have a full range of machines for processes such as laser & vinyl cutting, 3d printing to CNC. At our centre is a 2000 sq ft space that hosts events and exhibitions (available for hire). During the day, the area functions as an open to all co-making and co-working space. 



On Thursday, 21 April 2016 15:59:16 UTC+1, Vivas Pro wrote:

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:01:21 PM4/21/16
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Given I double checked and retracted based on them I don't think your point is made.

You have yet to suggest a parallel event that us the same as this that is:

An outside company

Registering and paying for members on their behalf without them doing so and becoming part of the community.

To hold events not open to the whole community.

Without first being members and knowing the space.

The 2 examples you have given don't fall into this.

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deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:01:35 PM4/21/16
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were not a university as I understand it we are a community organisation that have hosted similar event in the past 

as for the discussion I am playing the ball and wont be "invited" off it 


On Thursday, 21 April 2016 15:59:16 UTC+1, Vivas Pro wrote:

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:08:39 PM4/21/16
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I didn't say we are a university, I was referring to:

"This is similar to if a university decided to effectively rent the workshop by signing up their students themself to provide them access."

I don't see anyone trying to remove you from the conversation, just pointing out where you are incorrect in your arguments.

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Mark Steward

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:35:21 PM4/21/16
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Let's stop arguing about whether there's an exact precedent, and assume there isn't for now.

The original poster isn't set to receive email, so I've included them in this email. They should be given at least some time to take down the advertisement and respond.

I don't see anything in the post or advertising saying that it's charged for, and we've allowed people to turn up to events organised by members on the understanding that the attendees may want to join too. Offering to sign users up is like something you'd do if someone said we didn't admit non-members to organised events.

It also doesn't look like a big event, so the only concern I can see is that a couple of people turn up on Monday asking to be let in. Surely we can just tell them to come back on Tuesday?

Mark

Mark Steward

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:35:25 PM4/21/16
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deanforbes

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:35:26 PM4/21/16
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not sure what your ramble about removing me from the conversation is about, I merely asked you deal with the issue and not the person in response to your tone towards me.

and 

You forgot to mention you have never had an event for deaf people before.

I really have nothing more to say for now 

I think this conversation speaks for its self if that's what you call it 

On Thursday, 21 April 2016 15:59:16 UTC+1, Vivas Pro wrote:

Eugene Nadyrshin

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:43:38 PM4/21/16
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There's no further discussion happening between the organisation in question and trustees, they asked us and we encouraged them to consult the membership after explaining that the HackSpace is not a service but a community. The original poster did a poor job of explaining what they are doing and why and I'll leave it to them to elaborate.

Also, Dean, your comments are inappropriate, please stop.

Thanks,
Mentar

Peter "Sci" Turpin

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:51:12 PM4/21/16
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Somewhat concerned the first-time-poster refers to the LHS as a
"studio". It does rather smack of a lack of research.

It sounds like a positive thing they're doing, but doesn't sound like
they have any pre-existing connection to the hackspace or knowledge of
how it's arranged. They're a completely outside entity.

They also haven't specified the manner of disabilities they might be
catering to. I don't think we're set up well to support access for large
groups of people with mobility issues, or able to make the space safe
enough in the case of any severe developmental disabilities.

My gut instinct says we're being canvassed simply because we're a
"creative space". The subject line suggests this is a stock message
being sent to multiple candidates.

Charles Yarnold

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:51:46 PM4/21/16
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You are correct, we have never had an event that excludes everyone other than deaf people. There is a marked difference between an event that is catered for and supports deaf people and one, and I quote from the op "Anybody with any disability can join the group to learn one of the skills for free. "

You said "as for the discussion I am playing the ball and wont be "invited" off it" I was pointing out that no one has invited you off it. You yourself made it personal in your first email insinuating that the responses were due to prejudice against the people the event was aimed at with no reasoning to back it up.

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Billy

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Apr 21, 2016, 9:53:09 PM4/21/16
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Conversations and personal dis-agreements aside, Vivas Pro have been actively advertising this event without discussing it here, and without us having agreed to it.

This doesn't show good faith, and doesn't show any understanding of what the hackspace is about.

I would have been up for his event taking place, but it hasn't been organised properly.

Billy

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:00:23 PM4/21/16
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Sorry, that should have read "I would have been up for this event taking place, but it hasn't been organised properly."

While we have ground floor access, we don't have accessible toilets.

It also seems that the organisers aren't explaining how the hackspace works, which brings a whole 'nother set of issues.

Can guests truly be said to be acting under their own recognisance, if they haven't been made aware that they are going to be personally responsible for themselves and their actions?

Billy

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:05:58 PM4/21/16
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Further, in the Facebook announcement referenced by Mark, https://www.facebook.com/ritam5/posts/10206589588724699 says that "These FREE classes are starting from Monday "

This implies that they are going to be ongoing events, which really needs to be discussed here, before being advertised.

Billy

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:10:49 PM4/21/16
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Looking at the application form that they are using here, http://form.jotformeu.com/60554775670362 it seems that the classes they are planning to run are going to be running from Monday to Saturday, not just on the Monday they announced.

Jim Hayes

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:11:44 PM4/21/16
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You can apply for the FREE courses here : http://form.jotformeu.com/60554775670362, it would appear.

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Jim Hayes

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:16:40 PM4/21/16
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http://vivaspro.org.uk/ to save others googling

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Billy

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Apr 21, 2016, 10:45:08 PM4/21/16
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They also really need someone to help them with ther website and their social media communications.

They have malformed links to their Facebook page, http://vivaspro.org.uk/facebook.com/vivas.pro.90

The Youtube account was set up two days ago, https://www.youtube.com/user/VivasProTV

And they've mis-spelt ther name on the Twitter account, https://twitter.com/ViivaPro

Marc Barto

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Apr 22, 2016, 3:00:04 AM4/22/16
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Just to correct some facts as I've been brought into this strange conversation:


That Machine rooms in conjunction with an outside group run by a member have run a paid course (where they paid themselves)  at the hackspace and have "covered their costs"  this I believe has set a precedent

1. Machines Room had nothing to do with the workshop we ran at hackspace, they appear on the eventbrite organiser profile because we updated it for a recent event we held in their space, for some reason it has updated that old event page too.
2. We have covered the cost(-ish), we paid the teacher and donated £150 to the space, there was no profit for the meetup and it certainly didn't cover my countless hours preparing the event.

It's not straightforward to run an event in the space (see previous post here), so for me it was really about bringing together communities. I was hoping to run more  workshops at the space but it looks like it's not appreciated so I might as well do this elsewhere.

Paddy Duncan

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Apr 22, 2016, 4:02:34 AM4/22/16
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I was going to paraphrase the communication between Vivaspro and myself (the Trustees) but I feel that could too easily lead to further misunderstanding or misinterpretation so:

If Vivaspro give their permission here (they are cc'd) I will happily publish the entire thread.

 

Paddy

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Adrian Godwin

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Apr 22, 2016, 4:31:29 AM4/22/16
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On Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 1:52 AM, deanforbes <m...@deanforbes.com> wrote:
Sol It always worth checking your facts, I suspect you make my point # @447 FYI

That Machine rooms in conjunction with an outside group run by a member have run a paid course (where they paid themselves)  at the hackspace and have "covered their costs"  this I believe has set a precedent


We should not consider that setting a precedent implies any sort of automatic approval or support. Regardless of the pros and cons of this event, we don't want to be trapped into the idea that once something's been done once it can be done again. Each application should be made purely on its merit and take into account the specific circumstances of the application as well as our changing circumstances and experience.

Regarding this one I think Mark has the most sensible attitude : he's saying don't make any assumptions or comparison with previous events and find out the actual circumstances before judging.




Lex Robinson

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Apr 22, 2016, 5:24:38 AM4/22/16
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Wow, this is an impressive thread to wake up to.
Hats off to dean for having the balls to complain about the toxicity of the mailing list in the same post as attacking another member and purposefully misreading his posts.

It'd probably be best if Vivas Pro started a new topic with the requested info to avoid all this bile clogging up the discussion - if they still want to come here.

A S

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Apr 22, 2016, 6:56:25 AM4/22/16
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I met two of them on the Tuesday, after the induction presentation, where they raised the possibility of using the space for their workshops.
I told them the reason the community would be happy for a workshop to be run in the space is because it benefits the space, either because it is something members will want to join, or a potentially a financial contribution in lieu.  For lack of the former* they seemed agreeable in paying the latter.

In any case, I told them that they would need to seek approval from the community here, which they have now done. (They had an issue that was causing their emails to the list to bounce.)

There was also the suggestion that they could sign up the teachers as members, who could let the students in as their guests, and then use the space as regular members, with no special treatment, such as classroom booking.
As far I can see, this is a somewhat loophole open to abuse, as suggested by Sol, and those concerned may wish to start a new thread to discuss this, and potentially close the aforementioned loophole.

________
A930913

*Unless they classify Asperger's as a disability in which case most members can come :D [Source: EGM]

Mr Ed

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Apr 22, 2016, 7:19:23 AM4/22/16
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On Friday, 22 April 2016 10:24:38 UTC+1, Lex Robinson wrote:
Wow, this is an impressive thread to wake up to.
Hats off to dean for having the balls to complain about the toxicity of the mailing list in the same post as attacking another member and purposefully misreading his posts.

Good point about toxicity. Now, how do you know the posts are being intentionally misread or are you just making precisely the same sort of toxic accusations that you're accusing others of?

We know a couple of things, and only these things:

1. There's a rather short and unclear message posted to the mailing list.
2. There's some private interactions with the trustees which the organisers have no (yet?) given permission to publish which make the trustees inclined to say "no".

So I'm going to go with a qualified no as well, until I get more information on what the actual plans are.

-Ed

 

Penguat

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Apr 22, 2016, 8:54:26 AM4/22/16
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If I may give my 2c, I'd be concerned about an organisation which doesn't seem to listen well to trustees (so I hear), or respond actively to members, and is advertising what looks to me a lot like full-time occupancy workshops (Mon-fri, morning/afternoon/evening). Even if we were happy for them to run one or a series of workshops, I think their track record for paying attention seems ominous / speaks of likely problems when they are here.

I am happy to support their aims, but I am concerned about the way they are approaching us.

I think it could do tremendous damage in all directions to kick them out if they turned up, so I'd suggest a very clear response (Yea or Nay) back to them would be a good idea.

Thanks,
Alex.

deanforbes

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Apr 28, 2016, 9:19:42 AM4/28/16
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@Eugene aka Mentar sorry I missed your post and have two things to raise as a result of other members coming to me and asking what the .... are they on !!!

In the interest of you integrity and transparency could explain what it is that you regard as in appropriate (because a member or trustee does not like the facts or comments does not make that statement inappropriate in my opinion)

Why the put down (please stop) when I have said I am bowing out of this thread at that time
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