However, if you look at Google and why they have the employee perks that they do … we might get some insight on what we can do to attract the types of people we want. They get all of these and they get paid. We get a few of these but have to pay. Both still have to work to get anything done. I think we can do much better at providing perks. Right now, our biggest perk is our tools and knowledge.
People have allergies to many things including dogs. With over 2000 members, we are bound to have people with issues. I’m certain some people have reactions to the woodshop dust. The majority do not. It is about balancing the benefits to the detriments. Here is a well balanced study: Dogs in the Workplace: A Review of the Benefits and Potential Challenges - PMC
It concludes:
Given that many individuals in today’s workforce struggle with long work hours, increasing job demands, and high stress, the notion of dog-friendly work settings to help mitigate these stressors has great appeal to both employees and employers. Indeed, the benefits of dog-friendly work places may manifest as lower rates of absenteeism and higher worker morale and productivity. Beyond employers’ broad desires to create a pet-friendly work environment, employers who are only accommodating service dogs would be well-served to do so with care and consideration for all parties involved. Although several knowledge gaps exist concerning specific benefits, concerns, and challenges associated with accommodating dogs in the workplace, employers and human resource personnel can attempt to weigh the potential benefits of welcoming dogs in the workplace with the related health, safety, psychosocial, and animal welfare concerns using available resources. The decision to accept dogs or other animals into a work setting is complex and ought to be made with careful consideration of all relevant factors.
I just don’t think it is worth excluding even one member and I can’t make an argument that we NEED dogs. I can make an argument we need tools that produce wood dust. That’s all.
However, this is not just about pets. There may be other things that we can do that make the place better for volunteers.
I think we should see if we can get discounts or deals from many companies. I think we already have a few. Perhaps, we should gather a list and see what other ones we can get.
What other things can we give to our volunteer “employees” and members?
We are a work environment. We just don’t pay with money.
The space would not exist without the volunteers dedicating many many hours to making this place work.
We can give them an awesome, clean, friendly and well stocked makerspace to create their projects, art and works. Nothing more is needed, nothing more should be required.
I expect nothing here. We have the Makers fellowship fund just for this. We volunteer, I don’t do it to get paid. I can’t tell you how much I have given up in terms of money, I know its in the many of thousands of $ per year. I do it for the space, I do it to keep this place running smoother. I do it to pay it forward. I do it because I enjoy it, IT IS MY PASSION & IN MY BLOOD. I am a fix-a-holic/work-a-holic
I may not be the best teacher but by god I can fix stuff so others can teach.
Who stocks, maintains and cleans? We hire out someone to help clean.
Who manages the servers? Who does PR? Who does the accounting? We hire out someone to do accounting and are hiring out someone to help with PR.
We can also, perhaps, hire out to do other things like infrastructure.
Perks are part of having an awesome place but they don’t necessarily have to cost anything.
I appreciate the concept that perks are nice. A list of discounts seems an ok place to start. I have to support what Luke said. We have so many opportunities for maintaining what we have. Outsourcing this is not generally the answer. Certain targeted items sure. But not a long term thing like infra/servers/etc.
Not just that but there are well-trained dogs, and there are Not trained dogs. Witness the controversy over “emotional support” animals on airplanes. And I would worry about pets in the Woodshop or metal shops. Hard to find safety goggles that fit.
If we don’t outsource and don’t hire, then it takes dedicated volunteers. We are lucky to have what we have. However, this IS a work place for those volunteers because they are doing necessary work. We need more of them. I’m just seeing if there are things we can do to make life better for them and all members. That is what this thread is about.
My point is volunteers volunteer because they want to make the place better. I volunteered to work on lights because the place was dark and unappealing. I volunteered to go on the roof every month for an entire year to clean out the A/C.
I volunteered for these things because I only want to work in a well lit, well cooled environment. The perks of volunteerism are the benefits you’re making for yourself.
Alright … I can see that this is thread and idea is unfavorable.
I mean sheesh, people complain about giving pizza to volunteers.
I’m surprised that people support the Maker Fellowship fund, from the likes of this sampling.
