The top rule is Be Excellent. All rules that follow are examples of not being excellent.
Yes, Noisebridge has a policy against sleeping and living in the space. This is to ensure that the space remains available and accessible for the community's intended purpose: collaboration, learning, and making. The rule is in place to maintain a productive environment and to comply with legal and safety regulations. Noisebridge is dedicated to being a welcoming and active makerspace, and as such, it is not designed to support living accommodations. If you have specific questions about this policy or need clarification on acceptable use of the space, I can provide more detailed information from Noisebridge's guidelines and policies.
When someone is found sleeping or living at Noisebridge, the community follows a protocol designed to address the situation respectfully and effectively, ensuring the space remains a productive and welcoming environment for all. Here's a general approach based on Noisebridge's community guidelines:
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Communicate Directly: If you feel comfortable doing so, gently wake the person and remind them of Noisebridge's no-sleeping policy. It's important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding, recognizing that everyone comes to Noisebridge with different needs and backgrounds.
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Seek Support: If you're unsure about how to handle the situation or if the person is unresponsive to gentle reminders, seek support from other community members present. Noisebridge operates on a do-ocracy principle, but collaboration and mutual respect are key.
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Use the Community Process: For situations that can't be resolved through direct communication or where someone is repeatedly found sleeping or living in the space, it may be necessary to bring the issue to the broader community. This can be done through discussion at the weekly meetings or by using the Noisebridge discuss forum or Slack channel to seek advice and consensus on how to proceed.
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Refer to Resources: If appropriate and possible, provide information on local resources that can assist with housing or sleeping arrangements. Noisebridge is part of a larger community, and there are organizations that offer support for those in need.
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Document and Report: In cases where there is a safety concern or if the behavior continues despite community intervention, document the incidents and report them to the Noisebridge board or a designated safety working group. This ensures that there is a record of the issue and that it can be addressed in a structured manner.
It's crucial that actions taken respect the dignity and humanity of all individuals involved, aiming to uphold Noisebridge's values of excellence and community. If you're looking for specific guidance or if there's a current situation needing attention, it's best to engage directly with the Noisebridge community through the appropriate channels for real-time support and collaboration.
Noisebridge, like many community-operated spaces, has guidelines and practices in place to ensure the safety, comfort, and efficiency of its environment for all members and visitors. While specific rules about running personal heaters might not be explicitly detailed in the documents I have access to, there are general principles and concerns that apply to the use of personal heaters in shared spaces like Noisebridge:
- Fire Risk: Personal heaters can pose a fire hazard if left unattended or placed near flammable materials. This is a primary safety concern in a space filled with various projects and materials.
- Electrical Safety: Overloading electrical circuits with high-powered devices like heaters can lead to tripped breakers, power outages, or even electrical fires.
- Ventilation: Heaters, especially those that burn fuel, can affect air quality and require proper ventilation to prevent the buildup of harmful gases.
- Energy Consumption: The use of personal heaters can significantly increase energy consumption, impacting the environment and potentially raising the costs for the space.
- Comfort of Others: Personal heaters can affect the comfort of others by creating uneven heating, too hot or too cold areas, and might not align with the community’s consensus on a comfortable temperature.
- Noise: Some heaters can be noisy, which might disturb others working on projects or participating in meetings.
Given these concerns, it's advisable to:
- Seek Consensus: Before bringing in and using a personal heater, discuss it with other community members to understand any concerns or rules.
- Use Safely: If personal heaters are allowed, they should be used responsibly—away from flammable materials, not left unattended, and in accordance with any manufacturer's safety guidelines.
- Consider Alternatives: Explore other ways to stay warm, such as dressing in warmer clothing or using shared heating solutions that might be more energy-efficient and safer for the environment.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on Noisebridge's policy regarding personal heaters or any specific equipment use, I recommend checking the Noisebridge wiki, contacting the community directly, or attending a community meeting where such concerns can be addressed in detail.