Greetings All,
I’m curious about class fees for classes that don’t include materials, or consumable costs. I’m fairly certain I read somewhere on the site that donations should be considered, and also that fees can be charged, but I suppose I’m just wondering how that all works.
Just as an example, lets say someone wants teach a class to do with folding clothes (I know, bad example) and there are no materials required, no welding gas needed, no laser time, etc… just someone teaching people how to fold clothes.
My understanding is that person would be eligible for the honorarium, but what if they charge an additional $10 per attendee to be collected during the class?
So, how does that work? I’m totally clueless about non-profits, but this just seems like a way for someone to decide how much they want to teach a class, instead of accepting the agreed $50 honorarium.
I understand that we all get to pick and choose the classes we take (so long as we get signed up quick enough) and I have had fantastic experiences with classes I’ve taken at DMS, it’s just a bit confusing to me these added costs when materials and/or consumables aren’t needed.
Some people had to start charging for classes because people would no-show resulting in no honorarium. If someone has to pay $5-10 they are more likely to show up - or only sign up if they intend to show up.
Is this a fee charged through the calendar when you register or is it collected during the class as your wording states? If it is during the class, the “earnest money” justification does not exist.
That’s a good question, and there are a few things that contribute to this. I won’t relist the honorarium guidelines that are already posted here, but the basics are these.
In order to qualify for honorarium, the class must have 3 attendees show. A few things would happen. Members would sign up for a free class, then not show up, and neglect to tell the instructor. So now a space was a taken, and not used, and the class would not have the 3 attendee minimum so the Instructor still teaches the class, but doesn’t get the honorarium.
In order to get Members to have “skin in the game” some areas started charging a small fee ~$5 in order to help ensure that Members would actually show up.
According to our current rules, an Instructor could absolutely charge more, say $20 for a class, and still receive honorarium. The discussion about this getting abused, sort of came to the conclusion that Members choose which classes they want to take. So if members will pay $20 for a class then the class will make. If the classes don’t make, because Members won’t pay that fee for a class, then those Instructors won’t get honorarium. So here we are.
It’s up to the Instructor to determine the fee. Our DMS economy sort of controls which class fees are reasonable.
In addition, sometimes a class is taught by someone who makes their living teaching a particular skill or technique. Frequently these are taught by non-members but hosted by a member. Sometimes these aren’t particularly maker-y either.
It’s not uncommon for this type of special class to cost more than the typical DMS class, and the fee is frequently collected through EventBrite or similar. I saw some acting or (fashion) modelling classes on the calendar recently that fit this pattern.
Hi Bill,
I’m talking about classes that don’t include a class fee that can be paid when registering for the class, instead just the fee explained in the class description, indicating the fee will be collected during the class.
Do you have a specific example that you were wondering about? I certainly don’t want to point any fingers, or any names or anything, I just have not seen anything like you describe. Maybe that’s a product of me just skipping over those classes due to lack of interest on my part.
When I am setting up a class I charge for materials rounded up to the nearest dollar (so if materials cost $7.38, then I will set the class for $8). I want all my classes to be as affordable as possible so people can walk away with a finished item for a reasonable amount. In another case If I ask folks to bring cash I am very explicit about what that cash is going towards. So far that has only been for the pen blank class and the $5 is only if you want to walk away with a finished item.
edit- I guess the point I am making is, does the description clearly state what the extra fees are for? If its “for my time” and that’s not explicitly prohibited by our rules, then the market will sort itself out.
As you said, not to point any fingers, but some classes that deal with online marketing, I’m sure there are other examples.
If it’s approached from the perspective that, you sign up, and you pay for the class, to help motivate you to show, so the Instructor can get the required number of students to get the honorarium, then it makes perfect sense.
Ah ok. I think I know what you mean. If its the ones I’m thinking of, in those cases the classes are setup for 1 hr and do not meet the requirement for honorarium so no additional burden to DMS. Its also a clever way to not get taxed, assuming the proceeds are not being reported.
One could also view it, is the class worth the cost of “admission” or not.
If one doesn’t feel it is, then no need to attend or pay.
I do see the some classes, have attended some, would attend more when schedule permits, and classes available.
The ones I did get to attend payment could be via card using Square on instructor’s end.
Absolutely agree, nobody is forced to take any class. As I originally posted, I was just curious how the process worked when there wasnt an initial payment required when signing up for a class, but a fee collected during the class.
And to be clear, I don’t have any problem having to pay for a class when I show up for it.
