Frequently Asked Questions

From Pumping Station One

How/When/May I get a tour?

We have an open house every Tuesday at 8:00pm, the public or anyone interested is welcome to attend if you sign our [liability waiver] and generally agree to conduct yourself to the same standards as our membership agreement demands of members and their guests. Large groups can contact the PR Director, email [email protected], for tours.

Hi! I found you online, how can I learn more about your organization?

The best way is to come to one of our orientations on the fourth Sunday of each month at 4 pm, or an open house on Tuesdays at 8 pm. This is a great way to get a good feeling for what we have to offer, our culture, and how you can get involved.

Do I have to RSVP or join as a member to attend Orientation?

You definitely don't have to join first. Orientation is always open to the public. Anyone can show up and participate. If you RSVP through the Meetup.com page, you'll be able to be notified if the event is rescheduled or cancelled.

I love Pumping Station: One! How do I join?

Sign up for a membership through paypal, then go through the quick list in the member manual.

You have a <awesome tool>? That's awesome! How can I use it?

The space and it's equipment and tools are generally for the use of members, and each thing often requires individual authorization to use, and authorization requires that you become a member. The authorization process varies from tool to tool. There may be more information about it on a particular tool's wiki page. Some equipment and tools don't require formal authorization, and are labeled as such.

For some common authorization schemes, there is a "How do I get certified" wiki page as well.

Because authorization is done by other members who volunteer to help you, you might have to wait a while for an opportunity to be authorized. We are more of a community than a techshop or retail space, so if you just want to get in, get on a machine, and get out, this may not the right place for you.

I have some equipment I would like to donate.

Post on the list (Google Groups) what the equipment is, and have an area host or member acknowledge that they want the equipment before bringing it in. Do not leave things at the space without making appropriate arrangements first.

So I showed up and possibly joined, but I can't figure out how this place works. What's the deal?

If you started a PayPal payment, you will still need to have your ID checked by 2 board members. The easiest way to find them is to show up for a Tuesday night member meeting. If you think you "possibly" are a member, did you get an email with your door access code? If you did not, then you haven't completed the process yet. You should attend an orientation, as soon as you can after joining, within the first three months of joining. For a little self-reading - Pumping Station: One is a Do-ocracy. Read that link, it's important. I'll wait. Back? Basically, as long as you Just Fucking Do It and Be excellent to each other you'll be ok. Also, look at our new member information packet.

Can my nerdy meetup meet at Pumping Station: One?

For your meetup to meet at our space, you need a member to host and sponsor the meetup (i.e. attend the whole time you're there and be responsible for you) and if it's going to take a lot of space or a long time or otherwise inhibit the normal use of the space, talk about it on the public mailing list to generate some more member interest and talk to the board of directors to get it on the calendar. Your meetup also should probably have something to do with making/hacking things.

Can children come to the space?

People under the age of 18 can come to the space, provided they are accompanied by their legal guardian at all times. We don't currently allow children to join as members.

Do you offer coworking space?

While we would like to, due to space constraints we are unable to provide dedicated desks for coworking. However, full members (not starving hacker members) are provided lockers to store their projects in and we have some limited space for long term projects.

May I get on the roof to see the TARDIS?

The TARDIS is not currently parked at these space-time coordinates. The problem if it does reappear here/now, is that there is no roof access without using a ladder and we really don't let anyone up there without a Good Reason.