Constitution

The principles, ethos and reasons for how the Auckland Hackspace works

Guiding Principles

6 hour rule and “Do Not Hack”
Change and experimentation is more than welcome, even if you’re not sure how it will end up, but if any change to the space would take longer than 6 hours to put back as it was, please check on the mailing list before doing it. Also, you can use anything in the space for anything you’d like - parts or as part of another project - but if it has a DO NOT HACK sticker on it please leave it alone because it’s probably important.

Safety: Some parts of the space are dangerous and some of the tools should not be used unless you know how to use them. If insure ask someone. If it has a red sticker, make sure you've been shown how to safely use the tool by someone before trying it.

If your about to make a bunch of noise, warn everyone and offer ear protection before switching stuff on.

Non Exclusivity: side rooms are available for running events in, but it’s important that others can always use the main space for their own thing even while your thing is going on. Also events must be open to everyone who’s interested and cannot be charged for - knowledge is free.

Commercial use and prototyping: A hackspace is a great place to try ideas, prototype first versions and maybe even bootstrap a business - but doing the actual manufacturing there puts strain on other members. This is not a hard and fast rule.

Consensus Protocol: Disputes and tensions are inevitable, but working through them and trying to resolve things so the whole group is alright with things is important, even if difficult.

The voice of the few are equal to the voice of the many - we do not govern by mob rule.

Opinions and descent are important, but compromise should always be aimed for - not deadlock.

Arguments must always be thought of as what's best for the group as a whole, rather than the individual.

Donation of Things & Materials: We welcome donations! Things can either be loaned to the space or gifted to the space.

If whatever's being brought in is going to make a lot of noise, smell strange to take up a lot of space, there should be a community-wide discussion about it being brought in first.

If you don't want it to be hacked or changed, please place a DO NOT HACK sticker on it.