SeeTheSpace

This is a See The Space guide for members to give to potential Makespace members.

Intro

• Set up with space donated by the University, funding from the government via Ideaspace, and created by the three dedicated idea people: Jonny, Simon and Laura.
• It's a community - mutual help
• Costs £40 per month (3 month minimum, 1 month's notice after that I think?)
  • This pays only for the space (and 24/7 access with a keyfob) and the equipment.
  • Training courses are run by volunteers, materials you use (eg acrylic) you pay for (or bring your own).
  • Materials are extra - we don't make money on the honesty boxes
  • There is no usage or hourly charge for anything
• Concept of the owners for equipment - run by volunteers as part of the community spirit
• Part of the community spirit of the place
• We don't book equipment - just come along. BUT - if something is heavily used we buy two (eg Laser cutter)

Ask their interests - what they want out of the space.

Encourage questions from the start.

Tour

• Storage boxes for people (Makespace supplies a box and a space for everyone)
• Classroom (events! gatherings! gaming nights! hackathons! electronics! presentations!)
• Trove (partly free stuff, partly members' storage)
• Main space
  • Health and safety overview (it's not an induction - just be clear what we expect, tell them no touching before they're inducted)
  • Honesty boxes to cover materials costs
  • Community - tidying, helping each other, training
  • Go through all major equipment
  • Say what we're actively working to improve (but please don't make promises we can't definitely keep)
  • Explain green/yellow/red kit, that they need to get inductions on red kit
  • Enthuse about anything you love
  • If you don't know much about something explain as such, and offer to put them in touch with the owner
• Secure workshop
  • Make sure it's safe to enter! (Ask anyone working in there to pause for a few minutes)
• Thank our sponsors outside the kitchen, congratulate yourself if you're on it
• Kitchen (please keep it tidy, honesty box)
• Craft room - Vinyl cutter and TShirt press
• Loos (explain the keyfob to get back in)

Mention that we have this space for now [until when?], and after that we hope to find somewhere else close to Cambridge centre.

Reconvene in the main space, ask if any more questions.

They can sign up at makespace.org/membership (there might be a signup event right after the showing around - see if someone is running this)

• They get a fob and a workspace induction, and then they can use the space whenever they wish.
• Inductions on kit - please do ask for induction courses to be run!
• Also: meetup.com, wiki, googlegroups.

Tell them they're welcome to hang around after the tour and ask questions...