So you want to build a hackerspace 





What is a hackerspace ?
   
A hackerspace is a real (as opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests, usually in science, technology, or digital or electronic art can meet. 

It would be a combination of a woodwork, metal, home economics, computer lab, science lab.






Hackerspaces are all over the world over 300.

Two active in Dublin
Others in planing stages 
Galway
Limerick
Cork
Ennis 
Belfast






TOG

Over a year since it was founded.
28 members.
A wide range of actives/events. 
 











Steps to creating a Hackerspace.

Check Hackerspaces.org for a space or interest near you , put your interest up there.

Contact local hackerspaces for advice.








Start a regular meeting.

Publicise your meetings locally and on the internet.

Colleges 
User groups   
Boards.ie
Art groups
DIY groups
local newspapers 
local newsletters 







Public meetings

Most of the people you will have interested will be new , it takes time for everyone to get to know each other. 
Remember a hackerspace is a community as well as a physical space do not forget about the community aspect.

Try have meeting every two weeks

Pick a Day that suits you.

Pick a central location to meet
Hotels lobby bars,Empty,Serve food, Age Friendly














Design Patterns

Where made from the experience of many  

You have a chicken-and-egg-problem?

Space first or people first ?

You will need to build up enough people to pay the bills 








Critical Mass

The rule of thumb is 2 + 2. You need a partner to get the initial idea kicked off, making two of you. You need two more people in order to get real work done. Don’t start before you are at least four people. From this point it’s easy to recruit more people. Aim for ten people for a start.








Naming the group
Just pick a name.









Communication

Mailing list 
IRC
Wiki 

It does not take much to set this stuff up, don't worry about getting your own site up right away, use hackerspaces.org. 









Funding & Independence

Your main source of funding should be from a membership fee.

Never ever depend your space on external sponsors.
 
Donations are great, but remember that companies can go bankrupt.









Membership Fee

Choose an appropriate amount.

Have discounts for students and unwaged. 

Collect fees regularly. Make no exceptions, ever.

Aim for at least three months of rent in your account,at all the times.






Paper Work - The Boring Stuff

Bank account 

Constitution

Rates
 
Insurance

The committee looks after this.








What do you want in your space 

Different rooms 

Rec room
 
Classes / Workshops 








Running of your space 

Consensus try not to take votes ,it can cause  divides.

Just do it policy,  Any thing that can be undone or does not use the space funds.

Be as open as possible in decision.
Limit the power of the committee.
Delegate as much of the work as possible, have working groups for specific tasks/events

















The Bike Shed
  
Trivial issues will cause the most debate. 
The big issues it will only be of interest to a few people.
Limit the amount of time spent talking about any one issue.





Try and work on the fun stuff.