I haven't posted in a while, but think this discussion is important.<div><br></div><div>Historically, people have objected to charging for classes for two reasons:</div><div>1) There's an implied restriction on access to the class area for those who have not paid for the class. Traditionally, we've maintained that the entire space remain open to the entire community without having to pay to gain access to any part.</div>
<div>2) People who have donated money and who pay dues to see Noisebridge remain afloat feel it's inappropriate for people to make money based on their donations.</div><div><br></div><div>That said, I think if these concerns are met, it's entirely reasonable to ask for money for classes. I think we could get a higher-caliber class going on, with more student commitment, as well as more dedicated instructors. Also, instructors would have a better idea of how many students would be attending, so would be better able to prepare accordingly.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I think Josh's example addresses both these concerns: He didn't restrict access, as well as provided a "low-income" participation solution to those who asked, and donated a portion of the proceeds to Noisebridge. I think it would be a bad idea to codify this, as every class is unique, so long as everyone is excellent in terms of respecting everyone else's perspectives.</div>
<div><br></div><div>One of the big issues when I was coordinating the German classes was people's lack of commitment to show up. We had a highly qualified (award-winning, even) teacher who put a lot of effort into the class for free. The teacher eventually gave up on us after a few sessions of nobody showing, which made me feel really bad. She offered her services for free and we wasted her time. I think if we had some sort of pay-in-advance system set up with that, people would be more committed to showing up for what they paid for as well as been less likely for people who are unlikely to actually do so to say they're coming if they have to put their money where their mouth is.</div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br clear="all">_______<br>"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." -- Albert Einstein<br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 12:48 PM, Mike Schachter <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mike@mindmech.com">mike@mindmech.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
Thanks for bringing this up Josh!<br><br>I'm pro-free-education, but am not anti-getting-paid. Some points I<br>have from a previous email about the subject:<br><br>1) People paying for classes are not more privileged to use<br>
the space than non-paying people, and should not be given priority<br>
in regards to space.<br>
<br>2) Any for-profit class takes up space at NB and thus money should<br>go to NB. Transparency and profit sharing with NB should be strongly<br>suggested, and enforced if possible.<br><br>3) There should be a cap on the per person/hour charge so that low-income<br>
people don't feel excluded.<br><font color="#888888"><br> mike</font><div><div></div><div class="h5"><br><br><br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 12:25 PM, Albert Sweigart <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:asweigart@gmail.com" target="_blank">asweigart@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left:1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex">I'm for for-pay classes at Noisebridge where they are to get people<br>
invested in the close and/or cover the classes expenses. Though I like<br>
and encourage free and open workshops, I also support (for lack of a<br>
better word) more commercial classes at Noisebridge (though in that<br>
case Noisebridge should be getting money for providing a venue.)<br>
<br>
Either way, I think this is something that the secretary should<br>
coordinate and make decisions on.<br>
<br>
-Al<br>
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