I’ve been working with Patrick and have been okayed to start teaching the laser basics classes.
In the coming weeks I plan on committing to teaching Thursday classes after the tours. I’ve seen this suggested before and I know it may compete with the 3D printing class but I think it’s a great way to get new members immediate access to the tools they want the most.
What I want to know is if there is a demand for a weekday class? I can offer a class around lunchtime on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
So let me know what you guys think or if you have any suggested class times (I could even do some midnight training on occasion), and start looking for a Laser basics class Thursday nights in the coming weeks.
What I would like to see would be perhaps a 102 class, for those who have started playing with the lasers but want to learn some tricks and get some more hand-on experience. Perhaps a project based class where you cut something out of wood, something out of acrylic, do something with leather, raster slate and/or do cerakote work on metal etc. It seems there is a bit of a learning curve and everybody having to learn trial by error, although I get that’s the way some folks learn best. It could certainly speed up the ramp up time for folks wanting to get to work with the laser without all the frustration of that fledgling solo time and wasted materials.
Be careful with a Thursday class if you are going to teach for honorarium and counting on tour folks to make the class. Currently, under the new system, walk-ins do not count which means folks coming off a tour who haven’t signed up under the calendar system AND registered for the class BEFORE the start time will NOT count toward the three you need for your honorarium. There are some fixes on the way for that, but they are not in place yet. I was also told last weekend (perhaps wrongly) that if the class doesn’t meet the honoraria attendance level, that the committee doesn’t get paid either. SO…just heads up! (The only class I didn’t have “make” in my short time teaching was a Thursday night and there is no mechanism now to submit the sign-in sheet to prove up walk-in attendance that would have made the class. Lasers are pretty sexy though, so your mileage may vary.)
Mark Williamson (aka @thetazzbot) did a highly-acclaimed advanced laser class about a year ago. While some of it is specific to the now-defunct Full Spectrum laser, much of it is general laser usage tips. This other post links to his class materials which are very helpful.
Thanks for the kind words John! I’d love to give another class if there were enough interested parties in attending. As laser time is costly, I would have to charge a nominal fee for the class to cover my time in preparing materials and samples.
I would like to review your material and see your basic class structure. Just to clear you, and I can clear you for thunder if you have time to make out to DMS.
Once again, NOT TRUE. You can charge whatever you want for materials, BUT the fees MUST be collected through DMS system. You can then either get reimbursed (with receipts) OR you can have committee chair authorize the purchase with a purchasing officer…
The way the rule is written, if you collect a class honorarium from DMS, you cannot accept money “from any other source.” So quit your job now!
If it’s basic and/or common materials, the easy/best way is to ask the committee to buy whatever you need for your class in advance and then you can collect the honorarium. Don’t bother with trying to get reimbursed - the Finance committee carps about dealing with the all the receipts so who knows how long that will take (nothing against them, it’s just a pain in the butt and they are understaffed). Just have the committee buy whatever you need in the quantity you need it for class, even if you can get it cheaper, already have it or whatever. Let the committee determine if they want to charge a class fee or if they will let their side of the honorarium pay for the mats. Easy-peasy.
Bitta, would you cut out the histrionics? I explained the rule and how it works, repeatedly to you. As I said, multiple times now, can we start acting rationally and focus on resolving the rules?
Lol, my histrionics - I’m simply responding to what I perceive is an insult and to hands-on project classes in general and specifically the instructors in CA. I don’t like people being assumed to be thieves for no reason other than they would rather accept honorarium from DMS than to ask people who are already paying dues DMS for instruction fees.
Walter, you see, it’s simply not your place to explain (your interpretation of) the rules to me, nor is it your place to attempt to shush me like an errant child and I take extreme umbrage to you thinking it is. You are just another Member, like me. We’ll see what the grand poobahs have to say at the Meeting.
I find Walter’s attitude and pontificating to odeous. Being right and righteous does not make you right.
The goal of Dallas MakerSpace is to have it be educational and fun for everyone. If that is not your attitude. Check whatever heaping warm pile you are are dragging in, at the door. If you are in a position of responsibility at DMS and cannot perform without being mean or incompetent, please resign.
Hey Ryan, Thanks for starting to have Laser Basics classes on Thursday nights! I was one of the attendees last night, and it was a great class! Thanks again!
but they are not in place yet. I was also told last weekend (perhaps wrongly) that if the class doesn’t meet the honoraria attendance level, that the committee doesn’t get paid either. SO…just heads up! (The only class I didn’t have “make” in my short time teaching was a Thursday night and there is no mechanism now to submit the sign-in sheet to prove up walk-in attendance that would have made the class. Lasers are pretty sexy though,
so your mileage may vary.)