[Noisebridge-discuss] Charging for classes at Noisebridge

[Sean Cusack]

I guess I'm a little confused why we need to set a "policy" in the first
place...nothing at Noisebridge prevents you from having a class that charges
cash...its a do-acracy, so if you want to charge for a class, you should!
So, I don't really know why we're talking policies and SOPs and lions and
tigers and bears.

It may be excellent to consider the following points:

1) Noisebridge is a hackerspace, not a school. Therefore, you may not have
serious students...you will have tinkerers and a ton of general interest. If
you want serious students that are going to stick with something week after
week, maybe teach at a school or a place like Crucible/Techshop/etc. where
they already have a great system of paying for classes.

2) NB doesn't benefit from you making money. So, if you're using NB as a way
to make money for yourself, it would be considerate to think of a cool way
to benefit NB while you make cash (part of the income goes to NB donations,
or free food for the space, or have the class help out on space
cleanup/construction, etc.)

I guess what I'm saying could be summarized as "be creative". I feel like
forcing people to pay for a class to take it is using an old, boring
business model. Instead of trying to mold Noisebridge to fit into what you
want it to be, why not think of a good way to do what you want (in this
instance, making cash while teaching what you love) by working within the
awesome anarchy that is Noisebridge? I'd be happy to offer specific
suggestions (just like I did with the Arduino class).

Sean

On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 11:43 AM, Geoff Horne <horne at slc.com.au> wrote:

> my $0.02 :
> If someone is going to charge for a class they should pay NB rent for the
> time and space that they use. People paying for the class need to cover
> these costs and the costs of any consumables used by NB or provided by the
> teacher.
>
> At the Bike Kitchen, we have a different charging model that seems to work
> well for everyone :
>  - All classes cost money
>  - classes cost $N for members
>  - classes cost $M for  non-members and includes a free membership
>  - the money goes to the BK, not the teacher of the class
>  - teachers aren't paid
>
> I think it would be fair to charge people for a class and give them 1-2
> months use of the NB for them for finish, enhance the project.
>
>
> On 7/16/10 11:34 AM, Josh Myer wrote:
> > In another thread, I'm seeing a lot of confusion about whether or not
> > Noisebridge bans for-pay classes.
>
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