The Bodgery Wiki

Since we're starting to get asked this often, we thought we'd write down some key points. We'll keep updating this as new questions roll in…

First off, what a brilliant idea! Starting and growing the Bodgery has been really rewarding and a lot of fun for us. And your community will benefit greatly from this resource you're creating. Good on ya!

⇒ To get started, do your research online. Search the term “makerspace” or “hackerspace”, utilize the lists of worldwide spaces, and browse their websites. Wonder at the creativity of mortals.

⇒ Makerspaces come in many different models, styles, and community dynamics that they're responding to. Find your favorite(s), take notes on key elements you liked, and read their wikis if they have them. There's no shame in borrowing, especially if you hybridize and modify it to fit your circumstances. In our beginning, we borrowed heavily from i3 Detroit and LVL1 in Louisville, and then turned to our neighbor the Milwaukee Makerspace for advice, and they've been incredibly generous and helpful to us.

⇒ Now go visit other spaces. There's nothing like walking around, seeing the layout, and talking with their members to get a deeper sense of what a place is like. Try to visit during their normal open hours, as people are busy. If you want to talk with board members or founders, ask them in advance via email/contact forms. Consider bringing a small donation for their time.

⇒ Turn all your notes, photos, and links into an outline. Sketch it. Assemble useful documents (bylaws, policies, forms, etc) in a folder. You're welcome to use our bylaws, standing rules, and forms - all are posted on this wiki.

⇒ Start talking with other people. Create a MeetUp group, or add an event to an existing group. Hang flyers, create a FB page. Meet regularly in a library, coffee shop, etc. Teach some workshops to generate interest. Reach out to community leaders and talk about your idea. Build allies with your ideas.

⇒ Keep an eye out for board members. People that show up regularly. Hopefully a few with resources or skills that are useful. Most importantly - look for positive, constructive, and flexible people who are allergic to drama. Avoid know-it-all types and people who need to control things to be comfortable.

⇒ Have the board figure out a name for the makerspace. Reserve that name all over the intertubes: buy the domain(s), set up a contact email at the (main) domain, get a FB/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube account in that name, etc.

⇒ Figure out your “asks”: inexpensive rent, certain tools, referrals to other community leaders. The best approach is to just ask for advice at first. Especially in the beginning, finding and nurturing allies is the most important goal. Once they want you to succeed, enlist their help in checking off your wish list.

⇒ File incorporation paperwork in your state. If you plan on being non-profit, ask which type is best suited for that in your state. LLC is often not your best bet in this case. Once you have approved paperwork, open up a business account at your credit union or bank.

⇒ If you want to be non-profit, file a 1023 form with the IRS, and ideally the 1023-EZ form. It's very straightforward and easy to complete, and has an expedited approval process. It took us only 2 weeks to get approved! Search the GuideStar Directory for maker/hackerspaces, and see what IRS codes (they call it “Category”) are used.

⇒ Fundraise for your first rent. Kickstarter is difficult for this circumstance, so consider asking people to start paying monthly “dues” now - which goes into your bank account for the first few months' rent, utilities, etc. Ask those community allies for advice on fundraising. There are professionals who do this - ask their advice.

⇒ Don't make a deal that you'll regret later, just to get into a space sooner. That'll come back to bite you down the road, and keep on biting for a long time. Be patient until the right circumstance happens.

⇒ Oddly, walk-in traffic isn't necessarily a good thing as you consider location. A billboard is actually better than a storefront - you don't want to be constantly interrupted to give tours, most of whom are just curious and won't become members. Pick a less highly-trafficked area, set recurring “public hours” for visits and tours, and keep all the other time for actually making things in your makerspace!

• We've found that most times, people walk in already wanting to be members. If they like the place, they'll sign up immediately about 90% of the time. We have had long-time guests that gradually decided to become members, but by far the majority were people who knew they wanted that level of access when they first walked in.

⇒ Install an RFID door lock asap. Keys are terrible to deal with as members come and go. With an RFID system (run by a Raspberry Pi, checking the scanned RFID numbers against a list, and sending a 10-second “open” signal to a magnetic lock), you can easily switch off someone's keyfob and never have to chase them to return a key, or worry about copies manifesting out there somewhere. Worth every penny.

☆ A key feature in our model is the “guest makers are welcome” policy. We want people to show up, use (most of) our tools, have access to materials, and make stuff with us. No pressure to join as paying members, ever. Instead of forcing people to be members to make things, we offer bait/incentives to join - a keyfob for 24/7 access, storage space, access to all the tools, voting rights, workshop discounts, etc. This way, both guests and members feel like they're getting a deal, and we all come together to make things.

• We hold two “Open Shop” nights each week. The public is welcome, as we have members there to give tours, answer questions, keep an eye on things, check people off on tools, etc. We also hold monthly MeetUps around topics, and workshops that are open to the public.
• Guests are welcome to use most of our tools, and reasonable amounts of materials. We have donation boxes around the shop, and leave it up to them.
• We have green, yellow, and red-tagged tools.
  • Green tools are straightforward to use, often hand tools. Anyone can use them.
  • Yellow tools require a check-off before using. These are power tools, and easier machines. Both guests and members can use them.
  • Red tools are the most tricky, dangerous, and easily damaged tools. They require either a class before using, or a fairly lengthy one-on-one training. Guests are welcome to use red-tagged tools during a class, but outside that, only members may use them regularly.

☆ We work hard at being friendly to visitors, and welcoming to all skill-levels. Too often groups of skilled people can (unconsciously) create an atmosphere of exclusivity or “you need to earn my respect”. We all bring gifts and skills, regardless of what we happen to know about Topic X. Our niche demographic is the part-timers, the tinkerers, and hobbyists.

• As a makerspace co-founded by a woman, being welcoming and non-pedantic towards women is very important to us. This means expecting women to be interested in all areas of the shop, supporting their learning needs without talking down, and valuing traditionally female areas like crafts as much as any other area.

☆ We've adopted the “Do-ocracy” model. People can talk all day about what “you should” do, and give lots of advice about a better way to do something. The people that actually do something win. Whether that's rearranging an area, building something for the space, or starting something new, please go ahead and make it better for all of us.

• If it's a big change, it's courteous to send out an email to the member list with a heads up. If you're modifying a shop area (metal working, wood shop, craft, electronics, etc), definitely let the Area Captains know. But there is value to things being accomplished.

What are your biggest challenges?

Avoiding a burned-out (volunteer) board, and keeping up consistent promotion/marketing efforts. It's a slog. Luckily, it's a labor of love.

Let us know how it goes!