All right, makerati - help me play-test this idea before I submit it to the events calendar.
I have my AFL (apprentice locksmith) certification from ALOA. And I also have 15 sets of acrylic practice locks, picks, rakes, wrenches, etc., along with a variety of other interesting historical and modern locks that we can play with. (And yesterday I picked open a door for a student who was locked out of his room, and it was GLORIOUS.)
Basically, I would not represent myself as a master locksmith, but I have enough training and tools that I think we could do a really good, interactive 101 session for those interested. (@denzuko, I am happy to partner up if you’re available!)
My question is: can I run this as a “pass the hat” class, with half the proceeds going to DMS? I am really interested in helping contribute to the makerspace’s bottom line (while also earning back some of the money I’ve spent on the training and tools) - but although I’ve used this kind of payment setup many times, I have not seen it offered here before. (I have a Square credit card swiper, so cash checks and cards are all good, and usually I ask for people to contribute what they’re able at the end of the class, so folks can give what it was worth to them.)
Does this sound good? Is there anything I’m not thinking of? Please help me feel for the cracks in this plan - I would love to help teach for the cause!
You can submit it as an event and then donate part of the proceeds. I would say you might accept cash or square payment day of. You can also submit through eventbrite or charge through PayPal. Just don’t request an honorarium.
Mark it as an event, and in the body put down the fee, and that you are collecting the fee directly. Should you choose to make a donation to the makerspace, well that is great. But that is coming from you, not the undetermined number of attendees for the event
Smart advice…this is a very easy alternative to Eventbrite or Paypal for the “browser challenged” in all of us.
I’d also tick the “Attendees Require Approval” box, to ensure anyone signing up understood your expectations and didn’t just gloss over important info:
Basically, I would not represent myself as a master locksmith, but I have enough training and tools that I think we could do a really good, interactive 101 session for those interested. (@denzuko, I am happy to partner up if you’re available!)
Your more skilled than I at this point then but count me in. As for the pass the hat thing, using the DMS event bright would be more appropriate. Besure to run the numbers by VCC since this is a locksport thing and we’ll make sure to work with Team finance on this one for the 50/50 thing.
Anecdotally: Of the classes that I have taught (all free to the students) I fairly often suggested a small cash donation to the committee to defray costs (honestly it was usually about $3 worth of materials total for the class) I can’t think of any times that anyone actually did make a donation.
Note that unless I’m mistaken, you aren’t required to pass the class through VCC, but it seems most appropriate.
I have registered, along with one of my sons. I am happy to pay if that is necessary. But, how much is appropriate? We all know that a 15-20% tip is appropriate for a cab or good restaurant service. What is appropriate and expected for something like this?
You have two classes listed, one as 101 and one for writers. How much of the 101 material will be covered in the writer’s class ? I’m wondering if I should sign up for both.
Oh, I’m glad you asked! I’m still learning what’s appropriate and feasible for the DMS community (most of my experience comes from writers’ conferences, which is a very different audience). But to throw out a starting pitch: this class is an hour and a half, which is about the length of an average film - and I hope will be at least as valuable If you are able to contribute the cost of a movie ticket, that would be wonderful!
Good question! 2/3 of the material will be the same for both - we will play with the same locks, use the same tools, etc.
The other 1/3 is a little different: for the regular 101 class, it will be practical things like “how to prevent someone from duplicating your key” or “what to do if you can’t get your key out of the lock”. The for-writers session will be more about ideas for interesting security situations - like “how a character could copy a key with only a photograph of the original” and “how to set up a believable office building break-in scene”. If there’s enough interest, I’d be happy to split those things into two completely different sessions - for now, I’d say just pick whichever one most strikes your fancy!
@tex_maam
FYI I just noticed your writers class is scheduled until 5pm…the following day. I’m not sure if you can tweak that yourself or if you need to have an admin do that.
I noticed the date/time chooser in the calendar maker was a little wonky when I tried to use it for an event one time.
Dang it! Well-spotted - thank you for doing that! I can’t change it myself, and it’s too late for anyone else to reserve the room, but when I email everyone, I will make sure to mention that sleeping bags are not required
there’s a lot of the infosec guys at the space who could do it.
If you are able to contribute the cost of a movie ticket, that would be wonderful!