Membership and access
Draft. This text is proposed and has not yet been adopted by the members.
Proposed policy. The board adopts it to take effect with the bylaws. Not yet adopted.
Joining
- Sign up online at columbiagadgetworks.org/membership/join/. You’ll sign the waiver and the member agreement and upload a photo of your ID.
- Pay dues, or be approved for a hardship waiver.
- Complete the safety orientation (about 20 minutes) with a director or Zone Boss. Then you get your badge.
Within your first month, a director checks in with you.
Age
| Age | Rules |
|---|---|
| 18 and over | Any membership type |
| 16 and 17 | May be a member if a parent or guardian also signs the waiver and the member agreement |
| Under 16 | May attend Open Hack Night and classes only with a parent or guardian present the whole time. The parent or guardian signs the waiver too |
Board seats are open only to full members 18 or older.
Dues
| Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $50 a month | Set by the bylaws (2.1); changing it takes a member vote. May be paid quarterly |
| Supporter | $100 a month | Monthly only. Same as Standard in every way. The extra $50 is a tax-deductible donation, and each receipt says so |
| Hardship | $0 | Apply privately to the board. Lasts 12 months and can be renewed. The board decides each application on its own merits |
| Legacy | $40 a month | Only for members already paying $40. Ends when the new bylaws are adopted |
Standard and Supporter members are full members and vote. Hardship and Legacy members do not vote and can’t hold a board seat (bylaws 2.1); otherwise every type has the same rights and use of the Space. Who holds a hardship waiver is kept confidential: only the board and the Secretary see it, through the voter roll.
Missed dues
- If a payment fails or is cancelled, Dolibarr sends reminder emails after 3, 7, and 14 days.
- If dues are still unpaid 30 days after the missed payment, membership ends and the badge is turned off. Time you’ve already paid for always runs out first.
- Until your membership ends, you stay a member in good standing, and a full member keeps their vote.
- You can rejoin any time. No back dues.
Access
- Your badge is yours. Don’t lend it. If you let someone in, stay with them.
- Guests. Any member may bring a guest. The guest signs the waiver, and the member stays with them the whole time.
- Open Hack Night, Thursdays 6 to 8 pm, is free and open to everyone, except on the night of the annual meeting. Every visitor signs the waiver.
- Checkout-gated tools need a recorded checkout before anyone uses them, member or visitor.
Your records
- CGW keeps your name, contact details, signed documents, ID photo, and payment history in Dolibarr, and never sells them.
- Only directors can see ID photos. An ID photo is deleted 30 days after membership ends.
- Official notices, including notices of member votes and ballots, go by email to the address on your member record. Every member agrees to this in the member agreement.
- Full members can vote once they have been members for 30 days (bylaws 4.4).
Official text: view on GitHub · change history · propose a change · all bylaws and policies