New Members

Welcome to HackRVA!

This is a quick guide for new members.

• Contact HackRVA Official-Like: Slack is our primary mode of communication. You can directly message people. Membership payment stuff, general inquiries, or almost anything else HackRVA can be resolved by emailing us at - [[email protected]] -. If in doubt, just send us an email.

• Intro: For a primer on what makerspaces are about, check out this article on Wired from over 10 years ago. It is still pretty good description of our kind of makerspace. The term is also used for some newer models, so there can be some confusion. We are not a STEAM education center. We are not a business incubator. We are not a service you pay for to access tools. We are a community of people who like to make things, and we share tools and skills.

• Make Stuff: You're here to make cool and awesome things, or attempt and fail gloriously! Do it! Get started on a new idea, jump in on an existing project, take pics, share on the web. Even better, post on Slack with pics and description and we'll feature it on one of our blogs.

• Culture, or This is how things work right now:
  • Hack.rva is a collaborative community space. Members choose their own level of involvement. There are no space custodians, no staff, no one is paid, and almost all of the work is completed by amateurs (This means you!).
  • Everyone is asked to contribute to some degree. The most essential basic level is to clean up after yourself. Sweep, vacuum, pick up trash, etc. In general, if you see something you don't like, you should attempt to make it better. As a collaborative space, we need to be considerate of others. This means if you're changing something at the space that has the potential to effect everyone, you should send an email or speak to one of the more active members. (This sounds ambiguous, but if you come to the space on a Saturday, it's obvious.)
  • We don't have a perfect way to make decisions and not everything at the space works all the time. Part of the point of the space is to enable members to adapt and work together. Hackrva is generally forgiving of mistakes. We would like to limit the time spent repeating work, but we're here to help and we would rather you try and fail than not try at all. You should also expect things at the space to change and evolve.
  • This space is what we make of it. We sincerely hope you feel a sense of ownership and the space becomes a valuable resource for you.

• Volunteering: If you're interested in the improvement and upkeep of the space, go here: Getting Involved Or just do it. Fix things, take out trash, take recycling, and organize. If you need help, ask on Slack.

• Social Media: Follow us on twitter, facebook, and Meetup. Links to these can be found under the "links" sidebar of the main webpage: hackrva.org. Meetup is probably the best way to keep up with larger events and upcoming workshops.

• Calender: if you'd like to follow our calender, find it on the main website and do this. This is the most comprehensive resource for officially scheduled events, though people do come together in impromptu ways.

• Donating: We're incredibly thankful for your monthly contribution as a member. For those that are able and would like to donate additional money or items see our Donating section on the wiki.

• Classes and Events: Attend a class or event by signing up to the HackRVA Meetup group or checking the calender. Want to give a class or host an event? Email us and we'll get you set up. Here's the wikipage for more info - Classes

• Buying Stuff at The Space: If you'd like to recommend a purchase for HackRVA, go here - Acquisitions. When possible, the person pushing the new tool is asked to train others on it until we have some members trained as trainers.

• To-do and Ideas List: Check out our idea list. If you can help with any of these things or have something to add, post it on Slack!

• Board Meetings: If you'd like to become even more involved you're welcome to attend a board meeting. We normally meet on the last Wednesday each month at 7PM. We're always looking for great people with good ideas. Everyone has a say. We tend to decide by consensus. You can check the calender or email at the below for dates.

• For Parents: Please read the HackRVA policy on minors at the space - Minors at HackRVA

• Additional Info: You definitely want to swing by the [Terms and Conditions]. Also clicking around in the wiki is a good way to learn more. (This, Special:AllPages, is a fun one for exploring).

Thanks and happy hacking everyone!