I believe I have a clear picture of the so called problem and I have prepared a precise resolution. Some of my suggestions of course will need to be polished by the membership. The responses to this discussion have made it simple to understand that the issue is ALL OF US do not want children and adolescence to go unsupervised by a mature party. It is a matter of common sense, and in that brings about my confusion as to why it needs a rule. Call me an anarchist if you will, but I struggle with society's need to place rules and regulations on everything. I am also not overly dense or crazy to understand that accountability and liability are mostly to blame. I had hoped when introduced to a community of hackers, and read the most elementary and elegant of rules and bylaws, that syn/hak had embraced my same free spirit. Alas, syn/hak has to operate within our society and can not be immune to its pressures. I dream that you all try to strike out a fine line.
My proposal is to set a minimum age that a person can work alone at the space. It has been suggested that the age of majority in the United States, 18, be used. I am not keen on this age being used. I instead suggest an age a maturity be considered. To give some examples, in the United States it is allowable for a 14 year old to work with restrictions until 16 when there are no restrictions. FAA regulations allow a person of 15 to occupy an exit row seat on an airplane with it known they will be assisting with an evacuation if necessary. A person of 16 can start flight training, drive a car without an adult, and even operate a motorcycle on the road with a helmet required. I believe it is still 14 to get a moped. These are good examples of laws in place that recognize an age of maturity. This age is somewhere in the range of 16 and 40 for men and 12 to 18 for women. Joking aside, I think it is reasonable to consider the age for a mature party to be working alone at the space to be 16. If society or the membership believe this has to be 18 then so be it. This proposal solves the issue of Robert W being barred from having a key for ageistic reasons, so that he can be judged solely by his and his support network's character. This idea of judging someone for more than their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or age is something I can not let go of. I feel if you are going to fight against one form of discrimination then you better fight for them all. Though usually not as hateful or hurtful, discrimination of age is by far the most common of all categories. I want everyone to consider very carefully what I am asking for. I want Robert W's key application to be considered seriously and without prejudice. That is all. We have been coming to the space for a little while now. It should be clear that we are of sound mind. It should also be clear we have things to offer the community and far more things we can gain from it. The key would be the most cherished and protected thing a seven year old has ever received. If you may, think on it a key to a very young hacker's future. He would be the sole holder of his key and it would transfer to no one. He would always be at the space with at least me, his mother, or his aunt until an age set by the membership. All of these people have introduced themselves and are at least known of by many of the membership. We are prepared to sign permission slips, releases, and wavers. Robert W mostly enjoys going with me because of our similar interests. I am often gone from early morning Monday to anytime Friday for work. That often leaves us with a 48-60 hour window we can enjoy all the niceties at the space. This time is up for fierce competition with another son that needs dad time, a wife that needs daddy time, and a house that needs homeowner time. My schedule does not provide much sense or incentive for my own membership. However, for Robert W, syn/hak and the people that make it, it his quickly and profoundly become his world. Again thank you all for your time and consideration Robert S Rybicki Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 14, 2014, at 1:17 AM, Omar Rassi <[email protected]> wrote: > > Andy, I was also at that meeting, and the words "many of us" actually do > describe what we felt at that meeting. Torrie can say that because we really > do feel that way, I would agree with you if she said "we ALL" but she didn't. > > Its also really awesome that you show many kids the 3D printer. I think you > are a responsible someone who can watch to make sure they don't touch a hot > extruder or hot printing surface out of curiosity. > > >> On Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 12:04 AM, Andrew Buczko <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> Torrie Fischer <[email protected]> wrote: * Many of us feel >> uncomfortable with letting a 7 year old roam around without someone >> responsible watching them. >> >> I did not feel this way and I don't feel that Torrie can speak for "Many of >> us", In fact, I had offered to show Robert how to run the 3D printer. I have >> shown other "seven year old's" how to run the 3D printer and they have done >> just fine. >> >> >> >>> On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 2:02 PM, Michael Griesacker <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >> >>> Rob, I will try to be brief. The discussion brought up some concerns, and >>> the topic of discussion was member/family pricing. As an aside, we >>> discussed our current rules concerning keys: Non-members are barred from >>> having keys, keys are non-transferrable between members. -also: There is >>> responsibility/risk of a keyholder, and when asked "what's the youngest age >>> a member should be to be entrusted to be at the space alone by themselves >>> in case of accident, emergency, other" the consensus of the small group was >>> 18yrs. I agree Robert is far more mature and responsible for his age, but >>> we felt it time to discuss some general rules, not exceptions. Seeing >>> Robert is intending to be chaperoned to the space by a parent, this is not >>> a conflict, except for the key part, and we felt that fit nicely into the >>> "family membership" pricing discussion. Technically, his membership, -if >>> going under the student clause would be $15. If an adult family member >>> joined, his membership would drop to 5$ and the first adult would be $35, >>> the second adult $15. >>> >>> I wouldn't have worded "nice stuff" so much as sharp and pokey if the >>> wrong end is used for the wrong thing. This is a makeshift electronics >>> lab/workshop, not a padded romper room (envisioning Mcdonalds play area). >>> We are all delighted to have Robert join, but did not fully think through >>> all the aspects. We all know Robert wouldn't be riding his bycicle here, >>> or being dropped off while mom goes to the grocery store. So I apologize >>> for the wording coming off as an attack on you and your wife's parenting >>> skills or to your son. We all feel that he should be encouraged and >>> nurtured as much as possible, but want to make sure we are setting some >>> healthy/reasonable boundaries. If you are willing to willing to work with >>> us on this minor growing pain, I think we can settle on a reasonable >>> solution that doesn't include 100x more fire extinguishers. Again, all of >>> this proposed has not been voted on by the membership group, just discussed >>> by our subcommittee, and released for general discussion. >>> >>> best regards, >>> >>> >>>> On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:37 AM, Robert Rybicki >>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> Sorry for the double post. Craig I thank you for sharing your story and >>>> your warm confirmation about membership. That is the kind of kinship we >>>> should all strive for. >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On Apr 11, 2014, at 10:56 PM, Craig Bergdorf <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> (Happy to hear the argument about age having little to do with anything. >>>>> I think I can get away with saying 29 when anyone asks for the >>>>> foreseeable future, and before that it was 23, 16, 13, etc. I won't >>>>> pretend I don't still have a bit of a complex on judgement based on age, >>>>> being the awkward but tall kid dragged to mensa meetings their whole >>>>> childhood that some drunkens would occasionally "mistake for a peer", >>>>> then came the question that still cuts to the bone "how old are you?" ) >>>>> >>>>> A member is a member. >>>>> >>>>> Since the seven year old member is my son, I will add my opinions to the >>>>> discussion. >>>>> >>>>> First and foremost I want to express my sad displeasure in reading this. >>>>> Perhaps this being paraphrased ideas of a discussion many things are >>>>> getting lost in translation. However the things I have issue with are >>>>> listed as "problems" >>>>> >>>>> My seven year old lives 46 minutes driving distance from the space and >>>>> does not currently drive himself places. If he was of driving age and as >>>>> a parent I decided he was mature enough to go places by himself, or use >>>>> shop tools, or as you put it "nice things" then I would let him go do >>>>> those things. Perhaps sometimes I would go with him at times to check on >>>>> how safe he is still being. Perhaps also I would put two gps tracking >>>>> devices on his car so when he finds the first one I have redundancy. Also >>>>> guaranteed I, or a close and not easily recognizable friend would tail >>>>> him at times. The point I am trying to make here, is my son that is a >>>>> member of syn/hak, is not autonomous yet, and when the time comes that he >>>>> is, we will still parent him. >>>>> >>>>> The way "nice things" is worded I am taken back to my own childhood when >>>>> my evil aunt had us over and I was confined to the kitchen, because she >>>>> had a house full of collectable garbage (much like syn/hak,) and I was >>>>> too much of "an animal" to go into the rest of the rooms in the house. >>>>> If there are concerns about your members not being able to handle tool, >>>>> machines, supplies, or members projects (again, I'm fuzzy on what is >>>>> nice,) perhaps those concerns could be brought up to that member or the >>>>> members guardian. My wife was at the meeting with our seven year old. >>>>> Nothing was said. >>>>> >>>>> Robert W in in fact seven and is more responsible than myself at times. >>>>> If you tell him a rule, good luck trying to change it after that, because >>>>> it has already been programmed. He is excited to be part of this >>>>> community. A community he and believe in and he absolutely belongs in. >>>>> He is also excited to gain full 24/7 access to the space because of my >>>>> unusual schedule. If entrusted with something and told how important it >>>>> is he will follow through every time. Go shooting with him sometime and >>>>> he will give you a lesson in gun safety and have better muzzle control >>>>> than you do. My younger child is more haphazard as a matter of >>>>> personality and he will not be going to the space for the foreseeable >>>>> future because I can not trust him. >>>>> >>>>> I recognize this is a matter of policy and not an attack on my child. I >>>>> struggle with it, but I recognize it. Perhaps it would have been more >>>>> excellent to just say minor, then call out your only seven year old >>>>> member. It makes us feel like he is unwanted or not trusted. Again >>>>> things that should have been brought up at the meeting. He applied for >>>>> membership at the suggestion of Torrie. He was vouched for by Torrie and >>>>> Becca. His full membership was consented on by the members at this weeks >>>>> meeting. He was not made an associate member, an honorary member, or a >>>>> previsionary member. He was accepted by what appeared to be open arms. >>>>> >>>>> I realize syn/hak is not a daycare. Torrie expressed this concern to me >>>>> the night Robert W turned in his application. I thought I made it clear >>>>> then that he would never be at the space without myself or a close family >>>>> member there. That said I agree that a mature person should be watching >>>>> unknown or immature people. I have a problem with an age being just set >>>>> at a magical number of 18. Poof your 18 now, you can handle all the nice >>>>> things, go play and have fun. >>>>> >>>>> Here is my counter proposal if you will. If anyone has a problem with >>>>> minors or in this case seven year olds don't make them members. Or >>>>> perhaps since maturity is not a function of age it would be more >>>>> appropriate to bring up concerns during the interview process, and then >>>>> decide that some kids can or cannot be members because they and their >>>>> guardians are not a good fit. >>>>> If there are concerns with a member, or if the member is a minor, that >>>>> minor and their guardians, then don't issue a key; keep age out of it. >>>>> Age has nothing to do with anything in my opinion and it is more a matter >>>>> of character. Perhaps their will come a day there is a teen or two that >>>>> really need syn/hak in their life because the sports teams and the kids >>>>> that play on them don't understand said teen. These decisions need to be >>>>> made on a case by case basis as I was under the impression they already >>>>> are. Making a policy against minors is foolish and not excellent. >>>>> >>>>> In closing, I am hurt. However, in a sick way I feel closer to syn/hak >>>>> now. As if I went through a right-of-passage. Robert W and I got called >>>>> out on discuss like I see others do to each other on a weekly basis. I >>>>> am not the kind of personality to be nice to your face then get high and >>>>> mighty behind the safety of a keyboard. I am not introverted and I prefer >>>>> personal conflict resolution. If you have a problem with me or my family >>>>> as a matter of excellence it will be addressed directly to me or my >>>>> family before it gets thrown up on discuss. >>>>> >>>>> Thank you all for your time >>>>> Robert S Rybicki >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>> > On Apr 11, 2014, at 7:18 PM, Torrie Fischer <[email protected]> >>>>> > wrote: >>>>> > >>>>> > Hi, all. >>>>> > >>>>> > We had a very good discussion at the space tonight about membership >>>>> > dues and >>>>> > such. >>>>> > >>>>> > Here's a draft: >>>>> > >>>>> > https://synhak.org/wiki/Membership/Sandbox >>>>> > >>>>> > The notable things: >>>>> > >>>>> > * There is still a 10% discount for buying 3+ months in advance, but it >>>>> > covers >>>>> > the whole payment regardless of how many people you're paying for. >>>>> > * Base membership is still $35/mo >>>>> > * It is $15 per adult in a family instead of $35 >>>>> > * Each minor under 18 years old is $5/mo in a family >>>>> > * Keys may not be issued to those who are under 18 earth years of age >>>>> > * Minors must have an adult supervising them at all times and the >>>>> > permission >>>>> > of their legal parent/guardian >>>>> > >>>>> > This solves the following problems: >>>>> > >>>>> > * Many of us feel uncomfortable with letting a 7 year old have a key to >>>>> > our >>>>> > Nice Things, which is a very big responsibility >>>>> > * Families often aren't all using the space at the same time >>>>> > * Many of us feel uncomfortable with letting a 7 year old roam around >>>>> > without >>>>> > someone responsible watching them >>>>> > >>>>> > I'll be adding this to the agenda for next Tuesday for discussion. >>>>> > >>>>> > Feedback is welcome as always :) >>>>> > _______________________________________________ >>>>> > Discuss mailing list >>>>> > [email protected] >>>>> > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Discuss mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Discuss mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Discuss mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > [email protected] > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
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