[hackerspaces] pay-what-you-can

[Nitin Gadia]

I think the trick is to have a solid group of people who are willing to
start the space with as much as they're willing to lose. Each individual has
a certain amount, and then add people, and divide up the costs more and
more. Right now at Ames MakerSpace we are footing the bill for the space and
trying to get people, and allowing anyone to come and use their stuff for
free. At some point we will start telling people that we need to cover rent
a bit more, especially to the people who use the space more, and see what
different people can do. We like to keep things informal, so they feel
welcome, and there are natural consequences.

nitin

On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 1:26 PM, Edward L Platt <elplatt at i3detroit.com>wrote:

> i3 Detroit has 2 membership levels with almost identical privileges.
> People usually choose between those two based on what they can pay and how
> much value they feel they get out of the space.  It sounds nonsensical but
> seems to work well in practice.
>
> -Ed
> --
> Edward L. Platt
> i3 Detroit: i3detroit.com
> Cell: 248.320.5061
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 2:18 PM, Matt Goodman <meawoppl at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> ATX Hackerspace has a 25-40 pay-what-you-can scale, which keeps you an
>> active key card.
>>
>> That said, no one would turn you away at the door, its not in the spirit
>> of the place.
>>
>> Additionally, a good number of people come and work with friends etc.    I
>> think the people who can, kick in more, and the shared responsibility is
>> what keeps the doors open.
>> --Matthew Goodman
>>
>> =====================
>> Check Out My Website: http://craneium.net
>> Find me on LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/d6wlch
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 12:53 PM, Matt Joyce <matt at nycresistor.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Noisebridge is pretty all access and people spend inordinate amount of
>>> time there as non members ( myself included as I am a member at hackerdojo
>>> currently ).  There is a donation bin so that people can throw in for the
>>> day.  Suggested donation is 10 dollars for the day.  But nothing is
>>> enforced.
>>>
>>> At NYC Resistor, membership is pretty limited and people are expected to
>>> pay dues.  If you are in a situation like out of work you can always teach
>>> classes to cover your dues.  This does not translate to all hackerspaces as
>>> some don't charge for events.
>>>
>>> However NYCR did on a few occasions basically do an "artist in residence"
>>> where someone would ( usually be visiting nyc for the summer ) have access
>>> to NYCR basically as a member but pay nothing for the period of time they
>>> were in residence.  I think we still made them pay for consumables such as
>>> laser time.  No real voting capacity, or anything like that.  But keys and
>>> 24/7 access.
>>>
>>> I liked the artist in residence approach.  I also liked providing a way
>>> for someone to give to the hack space through an alternative means... such
>>> as teaching classes.
>>>
>>> I've never seen anyone thrown out of a hackerspace for not being a member
>>> and hanging around too much ( apart from actually LIVING in the space ).
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM, Chris Hardee <shazzner at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> We sort of have an unofficial pay-what-you-can system at our space. If
>>>> you're a student/unemployed/etc but have a desire to join the community
>>>> we're happy to negotiate a price. I think anyone can see the value of having
>>>> more community members, that can potentially bring in others, versus a few
>>>> bucks. We don't disclose the price to others though and ask them not to
>>>> disclose it. No nda or anything silly like that though.
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 11:53 AM, Jeff Cotten <omegix at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> It seems like most hackerspaces have a fixed dues amount.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering if there were any other hackerspaces than Makers Local
>>>>> 256 that have a pay-what-you-can system?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Discuss mailing list
>>>>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Chris Hardee
>>>> 10BitWorks
>>>> San Antonio Hackerspace
>>>> 10bitworks at gmail.com
>>>> http://10bitworks.com/
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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>>
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