Talk:Membership: Difference between revisions

From Noisebridge
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎Leaving Noisebridge: small changes)
(Hiatus is the topic of our conversation.)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Membership}}
The topic of "hiatus" is currently under consideration for changes. There is a thread on noisbridge-discuss where we are discussing changes. There will be a [[Meeting_Notes_2012_02_07 | discussion]] of this item at the meeting on Feb 7, 2012. The results of our discussion will be up for consensus on Feb 14, 2012. Our current understanding is below.


(This is the proposed revision to the current membership process, discussed and transcribed by the [[Policy Wonks]]. Please contact the ad-hoc policy wonks if you have substantive changes to make here, but feel free to make wording edits.)
=Hiatus=


==Outline of existing practices==


=== Becoming a Member of Noisebridge ===
===Reasons for Hiatus (in order of frequency)===
#Cannot afford dues for x period of time (where x may be unbounded)
#Do not wish to participate officially in Noisebridge for personal reasons
#Traveling


* Fill out top third of the application form that can be downloaded [https://www.noisebridge.net/images/7/75/Noisebridgemembership.pdf here] and can be found in the [[membership binder]] at the space.
===Communication about Hiatus===
* Put your completed application form in the [[membership binder|binder]] at the space.
*Sometimes people do not communicate their intended hiatus to anyone. This is distinct from people who cease paying dues without consciously intending to go on hiatus.
* Persuade two current Noisebridge members to sponsor your application by signing your application form.
*Most people email the treasurer. Usually they include an apology/excuse/explanation. Sometimes they include a time period. If they leave either one out, Kelly asks them, but previous treasurers may not have.
* Every meeting, there is a standing agenda item to read all the applications in the binder. You do not have to be present when your application is read.
*Most people currently on hiatus do not respond to contact about their status.
* Once your application has been read out at four meetings, and you have obtained two sponsors, you are up for approval.
* During that meeting you may request that Noisebridge consents to have you become a member, but you may put this off until the next meeting (or the next &c.). If you are unable to attend meetings, another member may proxy your request.
* During the meeting at which you request that Noisebridge consents to have you become a member, those present may ask you (or your proxy) questions.
* After those present are finished asking questions, you are asked to leave the room, and your application is discussed without you present. The meeting may then choose to agree to have you become a member of Noisebridge.
* Once Noisebridge has agreed to have you become a member, you pay the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] your dues, and give the [[ Board and Officers | secretary ]] your application form.
* Until you pay the treasurer your dues, you are not a member of Noisebridge. If you have not arranged to pay your dues within thirty days of Noisebridge agreeing to have you as a member, you do not become a member, and must go through the joining process again.


At any time, anyone can look in the binder at the names. If an existing member has any concerns with any of the applicants, they should take time during that month to try and resolve the problem. They may ask another member to be a proxy for them to either help resolve the problem (preferred) or to voice their objection at the approval meeting.
===Terminating Hiatus===
 
*Most people have not terminated their hiatus to date.
The membership form may be downloaded [https://www.noisebridge.net/images/7/75/Noisebridgemembership.pdf here]. There are also copies at the space. The binder is located on the desk at the entrance, next to the donation bin. Note that these items might be relocated through the space over time.
*People usually terminate hiatus because they want to participate in a specific consensus or get a discounted membership at techshop.
 
*Hiatuses that are terminated appear to have no pattern in time length.
 
=== Being a Member of Noisebridge ===
 
* Make sure that you keep the [[ Board and Officers | secretary and treasurer ]] up to date with your current contact information. It's your responsibility to make sure that the [[ Board and Officers | secretary and treasurer ]] have up-to date contact info. If you have exotic contact needs (require GPG-encrypted mail, need messages by carrier pigeon &c) you should make sure to arrange this with the [[ Board and Officers | secretary and treasurer ]].
 
* [[ Donate or Pay Dues | Pay your dues ]] to the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] at or before the first of the month, every month. If you are unable to pay your dues, please consider searching for [[Dues Sponsorship | sponsorship]], or asking the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] about starving hacker rates.
 
* Be excellent to everyone.
 
 
=== Leaving Noisebridge ===
 
* If a member wishes to leave Noisebridge, they must inform the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer and secretary]]. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.
 
* Unless a member is on hiatus, after one month of not paying dues, the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] will attempt to contact the delinquent member to arrange for dues payment. If three months have passed since the not-on-hiatus member last paid their dues, and two months have passed since the treasurer attempted to contact them, and the member has not arranged with the treasurer to pay their dues, their membership shall expire. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.
 
* After a member has been on hiatus for six months, and the date at which they intended to return has passed, the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] will attempt to contact them to confirm that they still wish to be on hiatus. Three months after the treasurer attempts to contact them, their membership shall expire. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.
 
=== Hiatus ===
 
* Noisebridge allows members to go on 'hiatus' if they wish to temporarily suspend their membership when they will not be involved in Noisebridge for an extended period, such as travelling.
 
* Hiatus is not intended for members who will be using the space, but are unable to pay their dues. If you are unable to pay your dues, please consider [[Dues Sponsorship | public groveling]], or asking the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer ]] about starving hacker rates.
 
* Members on hiatus are not obliged to pay dues and they are not able to block consensus items.
 
* If a member wishes to go on hiatus they must notify the [[ Board and Officers | treasurer and secretary ]], stating that they wish to go on hiatus and informing them of the reason for the hiatus and the time at which they intend to return. If a member going on hiatus will not have regular internet acces or has specific communication needs during their hiatus period, it is their responsibility to arrange this with the [[Board and Officers | treasurer and secretary ]].
 
* A member may extend their term of hiatus at any time by contacting the [[Board and Officers | treasurer and secretary ]].

Revision as of 20:48, 2 February 2012

The topic of "hiatus" is currently under consideration for changes. There is a thread on noisbridge-discuss where we are discussing changes. There will be a discussion of this item at the meeting on Feb 7, 2012. The results of our discussion will be up for consensus on Feb 14, 2012. Our current understanding is below.

Hiatus

Outline of existing practices

Reasons for Hiatus (in order of frequency)

  1. Cannot afford dues for x period of time (where x may be unbounded)
  2. Do not wish to participate officially in Noisebridge for personal reasons
  3. Traveling

Communication about Hiatus

  • Sometimes people do not communicate their intended hiatus to anyone. This is distinct from people who cease paying dues without consciously intending to go on hiatus.
  • Most people email the treasurer. Usually they include an apology/excuse/explanation. Sometimes they include a time period. If they leave either one out, Kelly asks them, but previous treasurers may not have.
  • Most people currently on hiatus do not respond to contact about their status.

Terminating Hiatus

  • Most people have not terminated their hiatus to date.
  • People usually terminate hiatus because they want to participate in a specific consensus or get a discounted membership at techshop.
  • Hiatuses that are terminated appear to have no pattern in time length.