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Society Information/Meetings

BUILDING A WORKSHOP GUIDLINE
Krankin

As discussed last night at the June 2'nd members meeting. there are some concerns with the current draft of the Workshop Guideline

To summarize some of the concerns with the existing policy

  1. It is confusing
  2. not entrepreneurial or enticing to people wishing to run a workshop
  3. it is still putting a work load on the makerspace board to manage payments and reimbursements


Garret Hunter has agreed to work on another draft addressing some of these concerns, but I would like to open this forum as a place to discuss what individual people would like to see in this policy and find a solution that works for and be beneficial to all parties.


I would like to invite people to list some targets they would like to see in this policy.




Krankin

My two cents on this:


  • a policy that requires minimal interaction from the board or directors
  • ideally only a filled out form given to the board for approval, setting up a appropriate time, and promotion
  • a straight forward structure for the makerspace to be monetarily compensated for providing the facility
  • would a flat room rental fee be more appropriate. we, the board have agreed on a rate of $100 / 4hr block / room for external groups to run workshops at the space. is this a viable method for this?
  • minimal risk to the makerspace
  • workshops cannot be damaging to the makerspace or equipment. any damages done to equipment during a workshop will need to be reimbursed by the runner of the workshop.
  • the makerspace cannot guarantee the functionality of the tools and equipment at all times. We will do our best to ensure they are working, but ultimately we are a volunteer run organization and do not always have members available to do prompt repairs. workshops must be willing to reschedule around such cases and not harass volunteers on repairs.
  • a frequency cap on workshops to prevent monopolization of space.
  • the number I am thinking is a cap of 8 room blocks per 3 months.


Garret Hunter

Since I initiated the initial conversation around the guidelines I'll provide my further thoughts to keep this as a discussion and seek further input.


I think the driving criteria behind drafting any kind of policy should be "What are the outcomes we want to achieve?"


For me those outcomes are:


  1. Passing on knowledge and skills. 
  2. Bringing in new members.
  3. Enhancing community.
  4. Generating revenue that secures the future of the Makerspace.



Item one is all about "Building Creative Confidence" which is the essence of the Makerspace. The other items are bonuses. If workshops aren't happening then the Makerspace community isn't achieving the first outcome, and that's detrimental to all the other desired outcomes. 


Unfortunately workshops haven't been happening, even though Covid restrictions have been lifted since March. I'd advise against creating disincentives towards potential workshop instructors.


As with all things in the Makerspace some kind of balance needs to be achieved between what can be seen as Entrepreneurial efforts, and Community Building efforts.


I've attended many of the Community Building workshops in the past where a quick rundown of how to use a tool is provided, there may be some kind of task or activity to participate in, and duration is few hours. These workshops have typically been free to members and a small cost to non-members. I've found some of these workshops to be very well prepared and documented, others not as much.


I'm also aware of some past workshops that were led as an entrepreneurial effort and involved many sessions but came with a higher price. I can't comment on the quality of these as I haven't attended, but I know that for a volunteer to host this would be a significant contribution of hours. I have created materials for a multi-workshop series, and I will say that the time I put into researching, documenting, and proof testing these was way, way beyond the duration of the workshop itself.


I feel any guideline produced needs to recognize that these two styles of workshops can exist simultaneously, encourage them, and remove barriers preventing their creation or conflict between the two.  


With that I'd lay the document out like this:


Maker Class Workshops - By Makers for Makers

  • Free for members (plus material cost), $30 for non-members (plus materials)
  • Material costs to be approved by and paid for by Kamloops Makerspace.
  • All unused materials to remain property of KM.
  • All revenue from non-member fees to go towards Kamloops Makerspace.
  • Workshop documentation to be supplied to KM for future use, and creation or reuse of documentation to be assisted by KM.


Entrepreneurial Class Workshops - Hosted by Kamloops Makerspace

  • Makerspace serves as a venue, providing the space and tools as per what is available at that time.
  • The workshop instructor is responsible for setting rates, covering material costs, and whatever compensation they seek as the instructor.
  • No compensation for workshop hosting will be paid directly by KM.
  • Kamloops makerspace to receive hosting fee of $15 or 30% per person of all income generated, whichever is greater. 
  • All makerspace members to receive a discount of $15 or 30%, whichever is greater. 
  • 50% of the hosting fee will be waived for every member present.
  • The hosting fee can be waived in exchange for volunteer time at KM above and beyond that which is required to instruct and prepare for the workshop.
  • Preference for the use of KM facilities for hosting Maker Class Workshops will always take precedence over Entrepreneurial Class workshops.
  • Fair use of facilities must be maintained to ensure that access of members to these areas is not adversely impacted. Workshop scheduling will be coordinated and approved by KM. If a proposed workshop schedule is deemed as having an adverse impact on member use of facilities a revised schedule will be proposed.
  • All facilities used are to be as clean or cleaner than they were before the workshop.
  • The instructor is responsible for any damage and costs to tools and facilities incurred as a result of improper use or negligence within reason. 
  • Promotion of the workshop is assisted by Kamloops Makerspace with the workshop instructor identified as the lead. This promotion will be through Makerspace's official channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, forums and newsletter). Cross promotion of the workshop beyond this are the responsibility of the instructor.
  • The instructor bears full responsibility to adhere to Makerspace's policies.
  • Activities that are against Makerspace's policies or result in detrimental effects to KM's reputation will result in a termination of the workshop. 


Sponsored workshops - Hosted by Kamloops Makerspace

  • As a 3rd option workshops paid for by a sponsor can exist, and pay the instructor a fair wage based on a number to be agreed upon.
  • In this case I don't think any hosting fees should apply, and of course costs would be free.
  • An optional non-member fee can be decided between KM and the sponsor.

 


That's my draft at least. The $ figures and % are a gut feel of what I think is fair, but I still want to give that some more thought. It's really critical that a balance is struck here so that the scales don't tip too far towards workshops becoming an expensive affair and out of reach for members. Of course if a "free" option is offered alongside one with cost, it's pretty safe to say that balance will be maintained. Instructors for Maker Class workshop's should be supported by the space, and not take on undue risk by having to pay for their own materials.


For those who want to lead the Entrepreneurial class workshops, well I think they deserve the compensation they seek. Whatever compensation that is will depend entirely upon their success in putting together a well prepared, interesting, and well promoted workshop to bring people into the space. The Makerspace will still benefit financially from these meaning more cash to pay bills and cover maintenance costs.


At the end of the day I think what is most important is that the desired outcomes above be achieved, and that Makerspace creates policy that supports all instructors to do so.


Nicholas Adams

I would like to start that there was a month-long window for input on the existing guideline and it had discussion and input from the members who are engaged in the space. These tend to be the members who put in many hours of free work to make the existence of the Makerspace possible. To revisit this guideline is arduous and a disincentive to their continued work. A very deep discussion of the volunteer nature of our space should be part of passing a guideline that could result in dissolving our already weak volunteer base.  


I personally will be unwilling/unable to spend any more time on fundraising, communications, cleaning, seeking sponsorships, fixing tools, working on my planned courses and workshops, etc. until this matter is closed.


I spend on average 10-20 hours a month on the makerspace for free. I would be unwilling to do further free work if I am expected to support other people's entrepreneurial efforts. I have my own business that could greatly benefit from the additional hours. Figure that I would accept a minimum wage of $15.65 ( I wouldn't) Could workshops guarantee the Makerspace $165.50-$313.00 a month to hire someone? How many other volunteer tasks would we have to pay someone to do? Would we find someone willing to do it for that rate consistently? How does a volunteer organization handle payroll and associated costs such as Worksafe, CPP, EI? Do we hire someone for that and how do we cover it?


I doubt other volunteers would step into the void because most of our meetings lately have been around our volunteer deficit.  


Some background on the current guideline.


There was a consensus that $25 an hour was fair compensation for use of the makerspace that was put together and supported by members for free. As far as materials go, the Makerspace currently runs an extremely tight budget (loss) and cannot afford to buy any materials it does not immediately recover the cost of. Leftover materials and consumables purchased in the past have either collected dust or been stolen (in the thousands of $) as we do not have the capacity to sell and police materials with our current volunteer force.  


I agree that we could offer more consistent and high-quality workshops with stronger incentives. We must also then incentivize all the other tasks needed to offer a high-quality consistent Makerspace. I think a more prudent approach would be to eliminate our reliance on free labor.

Garret Hunter

Looking at workshop revenue in isolation seems pretty narrow minded. If quality workshops bring in 10 people then that's $850 more per month, PLUS whatever workshop revenue is made.


At it's peak when workshops were happening regularly the space had 71 members, without restrictions on how someone ran that shop. Yes there was a single person who ran a higher end workshop without contributing back financially to the space or providing membership benefits. Did that require overturning the whole applecart instead working with them?


Personally I don't have any issues if my contributions to the space result in someone starting up their business, growing it, or making a few dollars leading a well run workshop. In fact that kind of community success is the whole reason I've put in any time at all.


You don't see the board or mentors at Kamloops Innovation Center getting upset that one of the start ups is earning revenue - they're their to grow the community. That's something I want to see here. The guidelines while well intentioned are overly restrictive. The attitude that someone achieving a small success somehow takes away from other's efforts serves no one, and is just a race to the bottom.

Nicholas Adams

Starting businesses is there mission and KIC pays staff

Garret Hunter

Did I say staff?


Garret Hunter

Well I have stated my thoughts on the guidelines, and proposed a rough framework of an alternative arrangement. I would be more than happy to receive feedback on and adjust that framework as it is a first draft. Ultimately policies like this should be flexible and adjustable over time as feedback and results are collected.


As a member led organization it is ultimately up to the rest of the membership to decide on. I would suggest a vote at an upcoming members meeting to resolve the current uncertainty. I personally would not stand in the way of whatever collective decision is reached.


I would assume that the current drafted workshop policy has been effectively in operation the past month or two since it was proposed.

Vaughn

A Brief History of Kamloops Makerspace Workshops (2017-2019)


During the period between 2017 and 2019 the Kamloops Makerspace hosted many workshops and 101’s to share knowledge, attract new people and encourage Members who wished to hold these events. The system proved to be an effective and mutually beneficial strategy for the benefit of the Members, the collective and the community.


These events were very successful overall – there was 100’s of fresh faces coming in, lots of activity on social media, strong pushes to upgrade spaces to support the endeavors and a general sense that the Makerspace was a fun, interesting and accessible place. During this time, the Makerspace had over 50 members, many who signed up as a direct result of attending a workshop or 101, and the number of facebook page followers quadrupled.


Because of the enlarged Membership driven by the workshops, the Makerspace had a ‘deeper bench’ of potential volunteers and ‘doers’ to meet the requirements of running the Space on a volunteer basis – this is proven by the outcomes: updated organization, improved capabilities and spaces, and a general sense that the Space was growing.


Covid de-railed this successful program, unfortunately, but there was a direct correlation between the frequent hosting of workshops and the improved Membership numbers. It was a fun time, as well!


The framework during that time was very open-source, inclusive, accessible, and successful:


• The person hosting (Member or non-Member) would contact a board member and express interest,


• A date and work space were arranged that avoided cross-booking and met some simple criteria,


• A facebook event was created by a Makerspace Member with access to the fb page, outlining the details, which could be shared on other pages,


• The person(s) hosting would handle prep, teaching and cleaning up with minimal support and guidance from a handy board or veteran Member.


• The fees, materials and costs were handled by the instructor, using their own preferred methods of payment, etc.


• The workshop was FREE for Members, which was an awesome sales point for attracting new Members.


• The workshop host would often make a donation (cash, materials, a tool, etc) to the Space, if successful.


There were very few problems with this arrangement and the benefits to the Space far outweighed them, but some issues did arise:


• If the workshop was multi-week and in-depth (such as a 6 week foundation course in pottery), it was determined that the fees must cover Makerspace membership for participants and the weekly use of the Space (ie, some percentage should go to Makerspace coffers).


• It was important to ensure that the workshops did not monopolize or overuse a Space, but this never really occurred.


The benefits of this easily accessible framework for hosting workshops were many:


• Increased attendance of Members and non-Members at the Makerspace, leading to improved Membership numbers, volunteer base, network opportunities, etc.

• Much increased ‘actionable’ content on KMS social media, giving the sense that the Space is an accessible, vibrant and dynamic place to be.

• An ongoing justification and incentive to upgrade and improve the capabilities and spaces of the KMS.

• A way for Members to more fully engage the Space and feel they are part of it, leading to increased volunteering and participation.

• The framework required almost no additional work for the board or volunteers.

• Excellent sales points for potential Members, including:

o FREE workshops!!

o The opportunity to host workshops with little red tape and modest remuneration.

o A method of ‘ramping’ new Members into new tools, techniques, etc.

o An exciting and dynamic environment with lots of accessible programs.


For reference and context, here is an incomplete list of workshops, 101’s and assorted events hosted at Kamloops Makerspace using the open format guidelines prior to Covid (apologies for any missed here):


Acrylic Pouring Jean

Arduino 101 Aras and Ron Ron

Airbrushing 101 Vaughn and Les Carty

Automata Lilly

Build Your Own PC Darren N0pe +

Chainmail Dave

Christmas Crates Jean

Christmas Diffuser Janet

Clay Alchemy 101 janet

Cosplay 101’s Megan

CNC Router 101 Grant

Crafternoon ?

Encaustic Cards Jean

Froggy Mill 101 Rob Stodola

Fusion 360 Garret

Gamers Club Corey the Red

Gem Chang Cue Pottery 101’s

Halloween Hack Dave?

Illuminame LED Mike Savage and Vaughn

3D printing Jason Hogue

Laser 101 Vaughn, Kyle, Jim +

LED 101’s Mike Savage

Logo design Vaughn +

Maker Crepes Vogel’s

Mandala Workshop Yvette

MeArm Aras +

Mighty Makers Vaughn

Motanka Dolls Ukrainian Club

Ocilloscopes 202 ?

Open to Source Mike Savage

Prussa MK 2.5 Build Grant +

Prussa MK 3 Build Vaughn +

Pysanka Ukrainian Club

Repair Café Nick +

Roadsign Workshop Vaughn

Sewing 101 Beth? Kirsten?

Sourdough Sunday Margaret Huff

Steam Engine Build Vaughn +

Taco Night Che

Tie Dye Dan Girrard

Vectors 101 Vaughn

Vinyl 101 Vaughn

VR January All Round Gamers

Watercolors Jean

Pottery Wheel with Liz Sax

Kathleen Raven pottery 101’s

Amanda Eccleston Wheel 101’s

Work Chop Pottery 101 Vaughn +

Resin Pouring Kyle

LiveEdge Sign engraving Vaughn


During this time period, there was also arrangements made for schools, service groups and other organizations to attend the Makerspace in larger groups (paying fees for access), including:


Four Directions School

TREK Learning Center

Skeetchestn School

Girlguides

Engineers

Christian School

ICE Club

TRU TEDX

Insight Support Services

Big Little Science Center


(Importantly, the large number of people doing the other workshops and 101's provided the human resources to host these larger programmes)


It is pretty clear that a vibrant, accessible and dynamic Kamloops Makerspace includes as many workshops and 101’s as possible (without unduly impeding Members general access, of course) is one ingredient of the Kamloops Makerspace Recipe for Success. Therefore, the framework of guidelines should be as free of red tape and restrictions as possible which we know from experience and our history leads to the outcomes we want: frequent workshops and 101’s that create a well attended Makerspace with ample Members and lots of interesting activity.

Nicholas Adams

I do support a change to the current guideline as I agree that workshops are vital to the makerspace. This guideline was put forward a very short time ago for input with little given in this direction. I appreciate the input and agree with a good amount of it. I am generally a no-red-tape guy.


Workshops have always been vital to the Makerspace. Before the time mentioned below community members got together to host workshops to create a buzz about getting a Makerspace in our community. These workshops often had over 40 participants and were put on by volunteers for free. Ultimately leading to the development of the space we have now.  


The latter workshops were great and had a profound impact on recruiting new members. I have extreme worry about the downplaying of the previous effects of maintaining that status quo. The recruitment of new members is often used to justify the alienation of current ones.


I would like to bring up several incidents to outline my concerns. I have kept names out in respect of all involved. If you know the people involved please do not try to engage with them as it may re-ignite the situation.


When the laser went down several years ago the free labor that maintained the laser was abused so severely that they delayed repair of the laser. We lost many members during that outage. That and lost workshop revenue was used to justify harassing emails, cornering individuals, verbal abuse, and character attacks. Multiple dedicated members of the Makerspace left as a result.  


During the development of a new workspace, where many successful workshops have since been held. Work was extremely slow due to the nature of providing free labor. Members were cornered at night physically intimidated and yelled at. They have left the organization due to feeling unsafe. Future work on the same space was also done by free labor with work taken over when it was deemed too slow for the facilitation of workshops. Additional free labor working on the space recieved harrasment was yelled at and received comments of a vulgar and derogatory nature after they tried to call it a day well after midnight.


A dedicated room coordinator who voiced concerns about room monopolization revied harassing emails and ended their family membership. All who were contributing members of the space. During an attempt to resolve the issue a director was not only lied to about the nature of workshop participant membership status. They received harassing emails, character assassination were yelled at, and made to feel unsafe at the makerspace.


To clean up an area to present a good first impression to workshop attendees. Free labor was pulled off another project, abused and several members had their belongings destroyed or disposed of. We lost multiple members due to this.


Our social media greatly benefited from having regular workshops. So much so that a member offered their services to optimize postings. Due to the constraints of life, they were slow to provide their free labor. There received harassment and character assasination. They do not feel safe entering the Makerspace and ended their membership.


On multiple occasions, grants were applied for to do workshops due to the profound impact they have had. Members who were to receive financial benefits from this heavy-handedly advocated for wages over $60 an hour times as high as $100. We never received these grants and our members specializing in grant writing decided not to pursue future grants. Due to an unwillingness to provide free labor to pay others. We have a huge gap in grant funding.


Many other cases come to mind however I do not have the capacity to put them all to paper. Most of these members affected were great contributors to the space fixing things hanging out and making things generally cool. Since they left focus has inevitably been on their flaws due to character assassination for not providing enough workshops etc. Most were female, non-binary, queer, neurodiverse, etc.  


I have focused on using the word free labor as volunteers are often not considered for the career, personal, relationship, and professional hardships they often take on to facilitate creating a space for us all to enjoy and host workshops.

Grant Fraser

We need two separate guidelines. One for instructor led workshops and one for KMS workshops. The KMS workshops being the ones with grant money attached.

The workshop guideline as it is written works well for the second type of workshop.


A guideline for the first type of workshop should include an agreement by the instructor that the KMS facilities are provided on a best effort basis but that ultimately the instructor is responsible for ensuring the space is adequate. The instructor has to acknowledge they are not to rely on KMS volunteers and that they are responsible for any collatoral damage. Ie damaging or discarding someone elses property because its "in the way". I think that we should set the expectation that instructors accept the risk of failure as part of the reward of success

Krankin

I am glad this topic is getting the discussion it needed. better late than never. I hope that we can all agree now to move forward on this and not dwell on past mistakes, and see about improving our process to prevent this in the future. Perhaps a dedicated forum thread for any policy proposal as solely member meetings evidently isn't getting the required attention?


We are facing a bit of a chicken and egg problem here. We need members/volunteers to do work to make the space attractive (part of that includes workshops) and we need to make the space attractive to get more members/ volunteers. We can not make new members and volunteers materialize by will power alone. We can invest in making the space more attractive through things like workshops and maintenance. this is not sustainable with the current volunteer pool, so we need to get new members fast.


I think separating policy for makerspace run workshops and instructor run workshops is a good idea.

We should have a distinct name for these categories to avoid confusion. Classes Vs. Workshops?


To better define them for clarity I propose the tool instructional courses and community outreach courses such as the recent ones run for Girl Guides and Little Big Science center fall under the existing policy proposed in recent meetings.


and entrepreneurial workshops run by the instructor such as epoxy resin workshops, potter courses, chainmail, poured acrylic art, etc. fall under a separate guideline that Garret is proposing. In this case the makerspace would serve more as a venue than an organizer.


all guidelines on the subject of workshops should have safeguards to prevent abuse as has happened in the past. The simplest way i can think of to do this is that the makerspace retains the right to terminate an event held in the makerspace if abuse is being seen/ reported. I think a damage deposit or security deposit is also an option, but comes at the cost of increased workload on makerspace accounting. You act like a dick, you get your workshop cancelled and potentially get blacklisted. you would expect the same terms in any other venue host.

Garret Hunter

How will next Thursday night, July 14th work for everyone to do our committee meeting?

Grant Fraser

Looks good to me.

Chainmaildave

14th looks good to me

Jonathan Gilchrist

so that means that the July 7thmeeting didn't happen?

Chainmaildave

The July 7th Member's meeting did happen, we figured not everyone needs to be involved in creating the guidelines for a workshop/class and have set the 14th as a time for those interested in having input to gather. If you are interested you are welcome to join us

Grant Fraser

I've made a draft guidline for discussion. Feel free to edit or comment.

Garret Hunter

Hey all, this meeting had slipped my mind due to other circumstances that will also prevent me from being there in person. Those circumstances being me having broken a leg bone on Sunday.


Can I zoom in?

Grant Fraser

Sure. Unless you wanted us all over to sign your cast. lol


edit: We didn't pick a time. Does 6pm work?

Garret Hunter

6 works. Sorry for the late reply.

Grant Fraser

I've tinkered with the guidline document. The fee structure is different and more fair. There is a checklist and a feedback form added.

Vaughn

Test Driving Grants guidelines:


Makerspace Member Dougie Doesright wants to host a macramé workshop, cause macramé is how Dougy rolls.


Dougie snags a WORKSHOP APPLICATION from the document caddy in the KMS Lounge or perhaps fills one out online (?) – Dougie ensures his application meets the attached WORKSHOP GUIDELINES, which are also available in the document caddy or online (?) and also checks the Makerspace Calendar (link and access is somehow supplied to Dougie ?).


Dougie works with a handy Board Member to get his WORKSHOP APPLICATION form approved and signed.


Dougie arranges his promotional material or information and forwards it to info@kamloopsmakerspace.com – yet another handy Board Member expedites Dougy’s post onto KMS social Media ? Dougie can then share it on his own social. (Recommend that anyone with access to KMS social media can post an approved workshop – this will reduce Board workload).


Dougie is locked in and stoked – Dougie is more likely to engage the Space and even volunteer! Dougie is chatting up his friends and network about Makerspace and sharing like crazy. Good work, Dougie!


Dougie accepts etransfers (or whatever payment method he chooses), encourages people to signup as Members and get the workshop for free, gets his documentation and materials together and whatever else he needs to do a fabulous workshop, including pre-checking the workspace he intends to use to ensure it is ready for macramé madness. Makers help Dougie, if they can.


Dougie has crushed it and 13 people have signed up, including 3 NEW MEMBERS, who are taking advantage of FREE WORKSHOPS FOR MEMBERS! Dougie has sent them an email confirming they are registered and giving them the info they need, such as where, when, what, why and who to ensure they get the most out of the workshop!


Registration and budget looks like this for Dougie:


9 non-Member, at $40/person $ 360.00

4 Members (3 of them new) at $0 $ 0.00


Materials cost minus $ 86.45

NET proceeds $ 273.55

25% of NET $ 68.38

Subtract $20/new member X3 $ 60.00


Dougie pays Makerspace $ 8.38 (and signed up 3 new Members)

Dougie pockets $205.17 (4 hours of prep, 3 hrs actual class and 1 hr cleanup - Dougie made $25.64/hr


THE BIG DAY ARRIVES and Dougie arrives early to prep the Space and get ready for his workshop – Dougy is nervous, but friendly Makers are encouraging and helpful and do what they can to support him.


Dougies students arrive a bit early and SIGN THE LIABILITY WAIVER AND SIGN-IN SHEET upon arrival. Dougie even asks if anyone wants to signup to be a Member and get the workshop for FREE – Dougie is super solid!


The class goes great, lots of photos are posted tagging Kamloops Makerspace and all is well – the new Members are stoked about the OTHER FREE WORKSHOPS that are posted!


The class finishes, Dougie cleans the Space he used, completes and signs his SIGN-IN checklist, gathers the completed waivers and leaves all the documents at the Office Door. (Dougie is smart and he makes a copy of the signin sheet for himself, so he can stay in touch with his new macramé people!)


Dougie posts, shares and enthuses about how easy it was to do a workshop at Kamloops Makerspace and how friendly everyone was –what a GREAT PLACE to tell your friends about!

Grant Fraser

last tinkering before the meeting

Garret Hunter
Vaughn

Grants tweaks look good but I still recommend social posts about board approved workshops are doable by anyone with editor status on Facebook - recommend further that instructors are given editor access to fb page - more ownership and sense of engagement with full control by board anyway.

To remind, only duly elected board members of KMS may be admin status of fb page or website but other authors are encouraged under firm control of the keys to such vehicles. Processes for the accurate and standard publication, dissemination and retention of these records, for purposes both public and private in terms of use, shall be established, debated, agreed upon,and enshrined within the constitution of the Kamloops Makerspace Society, as soon as is reasonably prqc4ical (Agm 2022?)

Grant Fraser

We did change a few words around. The social media is suggested to be given to the board or an approved moderator. The fee schedule more closely represents the current room rental rate. I would be happy to call this done and let the board handle it from here.


There is no document that can cover every possible senario. Its always up to people to make decisions in the end.


A signup sheet still needs to be made.


Edit: The original workshop guideline should be renamed something like "Official Makerspace Workshop Guideline " and kept as is. It still stands as a good guideline for times when the makerspace is hosting workshops.

Grant Fraser

oops. fixed a typo.

Garret Hunter

Not replying to anyone in particular, just feel this is interesting.


Shuswap Makerspace:

3D printing workshop introduction (3 hours) $105/person

Metal Lathe workshop (3.5 hour) $225/person

Laser cutter certification (2 sessions) $225/person



Vaughn

Here is my feedback/recommendations for the proposed Kamloops Makerspace Workshop Guidelines. These suggestions are based on my experience and estimates of what will deliver the intended outcomes, ie “More workshops > more exposure > more Members > more income and volunteers >, repeat.”


Recommend all independent workshops (and Master Classes, as well, for that matter) are FREE FOR MEMBERS, with some exceptions (which is already covered in Grant’s boilerplate). This is a great tool for selling memberships and ensures the Space always benefits.


Recommend independent instructor donates 20% of NET proceeds to Makerspace, not 50% of all fees. 50% just won’t work in terms of attracting enough independent instructors, let alone making them Members. The point is to make the fee structure very inviting for people to become Members and do workshops – that’s the priority. “More workshops > more exposure > more Members > more income and volunteers >, repeat.”


Recommend independent instructors are equipped with (or made aware of and encouraged to highlight to attendees) tools to immediately signup a new Member - ie, the workshop participants should be given the option of signing up as a Member immediately and getting the workshop for free.


Recommend Independent instructors are furnished with, and required to utilize, a standard format Makerspace Workshop sign-in sheet (on a clipboard) for all guests, which participants sign (including email and phone number) when they complete liability waiver. This completed form (or a copy of it) is left at Makerspace office after workshop by independent instructor (signed by them, as well) for verification. This will also ensure contact tracing, if necessary.


Recommend Independent instructors are required to have all guests in the building sign the supplied liability waiver and deliver those docs to office door when finished workshop, along with the instructor counter-signed sign-in sheet for the workshop.


Recommend a checklist is created for independent instructors to follow to ensure they complete the essentials (keep it short) – it could be included on the sign-in sheet, and therefore checked off, signed and delivered to office, as well?


Thanks to everyone contributing to this discussion - I hope to see a robust programme of workshops, 101's and events this Fall through Spring at the Kamloops Makerspace!

Nicholas Adams

I struggle with the fact that we need to entice people to do workshops. The people who do the tasks needed to run the space are not enticed. They do so to give back to our community. Should all of our volunteers who help create a space so workshops can be possible in the first place be enticed? The original guideline offered $25 more than our volunteers make and it is not enough?


I think a guideline around enticing members to do workshops in an entrepreneurial way should require a certain minimum number of volunteer hours on foundational Makerspace tasks. That way there is no expectation of volunteers working for free to enable others to make money. I don't think we could get any participation in cleaning, administration, repair, organization, improvements, etc. otherwise.

Krankin

so to quote the key point you made Nick.


  • no expectation of makerspace volunteers to work for free to enable others to make money.


So what would be a good way to implement this?

I think requiring a set amount of logged volunteer hours as part of the cost of running a workshop is feasible. Say 2 hours volunteer time for every 4 or 6 of a workshop? This can be a simple line added to the application form requiring to be signed off by an authorized person. in this case the form should also include information on volunteer opportunities such as maker Monday, hacknight, and other public events. we could also potentially use volunteer hours as a way to limit monopolization rather than setting a block usage limit as I suggested earlier, or a hybrid model where volunteer hours could "buy" additional blocks.


a clause that harassments and abuse of volunteers may result in the rejection of the workshop without refund.


Nicholas Adams

I think it would be better to have a minimum 2 hours volunteer for every 1 hour workshop time. It would have to cover all the current volunteer time including months that don't have worksops. I don't forsee many of the current volunteers carrying on (I wont be). It would be important that volunteer work be done for things other than just enabling workshops such as administration etc.


I think having a model like this is alot more feasable if we dont have to rely on volunteers to keep the space running. It would be better with paid staff. I agree with an abuse / harrasment clause. Although I doubt we will have many volunteers left anyway.

Garret Hunter

I think the prominent issue of volunteer time should be addressed as it's own item and not impose mandatory restrictions on hosting workshops.

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