[hackerspaces] Members under 18

[Volatile Compound]

Speaking from personal experience: I have a relative who was 16 when he 
wanted to start attending functions at the local hackerspace.  Insurance 
was a consideration; it didn't cover anyone under the age of 18 if 
unaccompanied by a parent or guardian except by signed waiver.

We went the waiver route, naming a couple of people at the hackerspace 
to act as guardians while he was on property; this was in addition to 
his parents also being named.  It was understood amongst everyone 
involved that no parents or guardians on-site meant no attendance, which 
wasn't an issue in practice, and that attendance was based entirely on 
behaviour while on-site.

My personal opinion is that if you're old enough to legally drive 
yourself there, you should be considered capable enough to be around 
laser cutters, power tools, and electronic equipment.  Granted, there is 
a maturity factor to be taken into account on a case-by-case basis, but 
this is where waivers can be denied as well as issued.

- skroo.

On 11/6/14 5:56 PM, charlie wallace wrote:
> if only every kid was like coco
>
> On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 5:19 PM, Arclight <arclight at gmail.com> wrote:
>> My experience is that the kids who are "mini adults" and cause no drama
>> generally have parents who are good people and also don't make trouble
>> appear. There is probably a cause-and-effect thing going on I think.
>>
>> Arclight
>>
>> On Nov 6, 2014 4:45 PM, "Don Ankney" <dankney at hackerco.de> wrote:
>>>
>>> You're conflating two questions. The first is the practical one about how
>>> to go about admitting. The second one is whether you really want to. Your
>>> opinion is already pretty clear:
>>>
>>>
>>> "We've got some people who are against it because it would "ruin" their
>>> favorite hangout space, or make them uncomfortable in some way."
>>>
>>>
>>> Setting aside the pejorative overtones of this statement,  you will likely
>>> lose some members over the decision to admit kids as members. Just as many
>>> adults chose not to become parents, many adults don't enjoy hanging out with
>>> kids. That's okay, and you should recognize that it's a perfectly valid
>>> preference, and that those folks will likely wander off and find new places
>>> to invest their time, effort, and money.
>>>
>>>
>>> This decision represents cultural change. Take it seriously and have a
>>> real discussion about it rather than writing off the "adults-only" faction
>>> as whiners. Either decision can be positive -- just go into it with an open
>>> mind and eyes and make sure it's the culture you really want to have.
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: discuss-bounces+dankney=hackerco.de at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>> <discuss-bounces+dankney=hackerco.de at lists.hackerspaces.org> on behalf of
>>> Bob Bownes <bownes at gmail.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2014 4:29 PM
>>> To: Hackerspaces General Discussion List
>>> Subject: Re: [hackerspaces] Members under 18
>>>
>>>
>>> At the TVCoG, we require an adult be onsite to be responsible for anyone
>>> under 18. The kid can be the member, or it can be a family membership, but
>>> someone has to be responsible for them. It's really a matter of state law
>>> and age of majority for us.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 7:26 PM, Alan Fay <emptyset at freesideatlanta.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Here's Freeside's age restrictions policy, for some ideas:
>>>> https://wiki.freesideatlanta.org/fs/Policy_AgeRestrictions
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 7:19 PM, Pete Prodoehl <raster at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Our space is currently in a discussion about allowing people under 18
>>>>> (16 & 17 year olds) to become members.
>>>>>
>>>>> We've got some people who are against it because it would "ruin" their
>>>>> favorite hangout space, or make them uncomfortable in some way.
>>>>>
>>>>> We've got some people who are convinced that the legal/insurance aspects
>>>>> will cause us to lose our insurance policy and have to shut down.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have some that think that while we can trust an 18 year old, a 17
>>>>> year old is in no way to be trusted and will do completely stupid shit.
>>>>>
>>>>> We've even discussed specific rules for 16 & 17 year olds, which would
>>>>> be much more limiting than members 18 or older. (They would need to have a
>>>>> family member as a member, not be allowed in the space without the family
>>>>> member that is a member, etc.)
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway, I'm sure there are spaces that allow people under 18 to be
>>>>> members, or guests that can use equipment, etc. and I'm looking for real
>>>>> cases especially if you've got an insurance policy that addresses minors.
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Discuss mailing list
>>>>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>>
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