Talk:Code of Conduct

Grammatical correction

• Delete of after Misuse under Safety Rules (Bobby)
  • Good catch. Done. Thanks.

A deletion or a culture shift

* Guests are not allowed to use tools and equipment except as part of a scheduled workshop. 

Given the nature of our "open house" nights, which I would not consider to be a "scheduled workshop" this line will probably need to go or we will need to start re-educating some of the regulars... --Ubuntourist (talk) 08:32, 10 April 2018 (PDT)

preliminary comments

General comment: It is important to CLEARLY distinguish between rules and requests. They are definitely not the same. Do: Ask questions - Don't - Interrupt presentations, workshops, or mentoring sessions - contradictory! conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking. This includes all forms of harassment - no, it doesn't. It is possible to harass someone quietly & nonboisterously. I suggest splitting this: excessively loud talking or boisterous behavior harassment of any kind (but constitutionally-protected free speech by itself cannot constitute harassment) directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals, or property - suggested rewording: making a specific threat to cause harm to an individual, group, or property I recommend adding: leave the space open without a member present Safety Rules - they should be rules, not requests as currently written Cleaning up and putting away equipment belongs elsewhere; it is not a safety issue (unlike shutting off or unplugging equipment is). Possible addition: No horseplay in the space - there is too much dangerous or fragile stuff here Guests - recommended tool use rules: Guests may use nonhazardous tools in a proper manner. Guests may use hazardous tools they are familiar with in a proper manner if monitored by a member. Guests may be taught to use an unfamiliar tool by a member familiar with that tool. Anyone who misuses a tool may be barred from using HacDC tools. (Note that this allows HacDC to bar someone who misuses their own tools from using HacDC tools, which seems like a good idea.) Members are responsible for their guests and their actions - suggested rewording: Members are responsible for monitoring guests. Minors - I strongly oppose this entire section. HacDC should not discriminate.

I will undoubtedly come up with much more.

    Bobby

Mirage: comments

Most importantly, lack of barriers to entry, such as strict rules about equipment usage, borrowing, or supplies consumption, has been a huge success at HacDC, to be continued. We have not had a problem with accidents, nor substantial damage from supplies overconsumption, nor theft. Permanent injuries have not happened, tools have not been damaged in operation, and minimal supplies budgets have not remotely been drained. This is an important part of HacDC's unique character to be continued.

All major problems at HacDC have been the result of total absence of common sense or deliberate abuse. Most probably deliberate abuse. These incidents are in an entirely separate category from on-mission activities, while often using the same resources.

We need to require disruptive members, and the disruptive guests they allow, to reach a credible "cease and desist" agreement, or be immediately barred from the space until they do. We need to do this without interfering with, or discouraging, our vast majority of contributing volunteers. Immediate action is not a permanent banhammer, but it may be followed with such.

Our bylaw amendment, empowering the board to bar access for "substantial cause", is also intended to apply to members who bring trouble, as well as their own behaviour. Members bringing in live ammunition, would be responsible for doing so safely, as opposed to displaying it in an obviously threatening manner. Likewise, members are responsible for the guests they bring in, and can be barred for continuing to allow disruptive guests.

Explicit rules alone are not the answer. Too many situations will involve substantial cause that involve resources being used as expected, to a degree that is not appropriate. Rearranging some things in the space is normal. Occasionally using a TV set is normal. Sitting in a chair is normal. Even some personal use may be normal, below the threshold of what the IRS would consider substantial. Scattering the components of a tool, burning days of daytime TV on a maintenance intensive display, or sleeping overnight in a chair, is not appropriate.

What we need to do, is provide guidance - in addition to rules - to fairly explain to newcomers, members, and guests - the wonderful things they are allowed to do, as well as the category of things they are expected not to do. Realistically, most would never think of doing the things in the latter category to begin with.

To that end, a Wiki document was written a while back as guidance summarizing some norms as well as the mechanics of how things could work. https://wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/ResponsibilitiesOfMembership

To provide further guidance of what is in the category of on-mission, as opposed to inappropriate, use of HacDC resources, another wiki document has been put up. It may be the first attempt to formally write down the culture of how HacDC operates, both to encourage newcomers to quickly become comfortable with the freedom we offer, as well as to provide a sense of fairness for policy makers. https://wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/NormsOfHacDC