Changes

This is '''DRAFT''' amendment to the Policy on Minors.  At this time, please feel free to provide feedback on the talk page.  Also feel free to correct blatant errors or omissions within the text itself.  If I don't like your modification, I will revert it and tell you why I did so.

This is '''DRAFT''' amendment to the [[Policy on Minors]].  At this time, please feel free to provide feedback on the [http://wiki.pumpingstationone.org/index.php?title=Talk:Independent_Minors_Amendment&action=edit discussion] page.  Also feel free to correct blatant errors or omissions within the text itself.  If I don't like your modification, I will revert it and tell you why I did so.

=Purpose=  

=Purpose=  

Pumping Station: One recently implemented a new policy that protects itself from liability by forbidding minors from the space who are not supervised by a guardian (henceforth referred to as ''independent minors'').  However some members feel this policy is too restrictive and conflicts with the educational portions of our 'purpose' (as defined in the ByLaws) by reducing educational opportunities for minors.  Many events at Pumping Station: One are not dangerous and the presence of independent minors at these events subjects the space to a negligible amount of additional risk from liability.

Pumping Station: One recently implemented a new policy that protects itself from liability by forbidding minors from the space who are not supervised by a guardian (henceforth referred to as ''independent minors'').  However some members feel this policy is too restrictive and conflicts with the educational portions of our 'purpose' (as defined in the [[Bylaws#Purpose|Bylaws]]) by reducing educational opportunities for minors.  Many events at Pumping Station: One are not dangerous and the presence of independent minors at these events subjects the space to a negligible amount of additional risk from liability.

Examples of events where independent minors are not likely to be injured include talks, classes, and workshops where no or non-dangerous tools are used.  Further, several areas of the space are generally safe for children given sufficient precautions are taken.  These areas include the electronics area, the crafts area and the lounge.

Examples of events where independent minors are not likely to be injured include talks, classes, and workshops where no or non-dangerous tools are used.  Further, several areas of the space are generally safe for children given sufficient precautions are taken.  These areas include the electronics area, the crafts area and the lounge.

The real reason I feel this policy is necessary is because The Linux Users Group (which meets at Pumping Station: One) had a 15 year old girl travel for two hours to attend one of our meetings a few months back.  From speaking to her mother over the phone, I suspect that her mother was unable to accompany her daughter.  The only thing we really do at these meeting is listen to guest speakers and hack on computers.  There is not any realistic chance anyone getting hurt.  I feel it is ridiculous for us to say that she, and other high school aged students like her, are not welcome at our meetings because there is a minuscule chance that they might be injured.

The real reason I feel this policy is necessary is because [http://chicagolug.org/ The Linux Users Group] (which meets at Pumping Station: One) had a 15 year old girl travel for two hours to attend one of our meetings a few months back.  From speaking to her mother over the phone, I suspect that her mother was unable to accompany her daughter.  The only thing we really do at these meeting is listen to guest speakers and hack on computers.  There is not any realistic chance anyone getting hurt.  I feel it is ridiculous for us to say that she, and other high school aged students like her, are not welcome at our meetings because there is a minuscule chance that they might be injured.

Upon a successful quorum vote of full members, the Policy on Minors will be updated with the following text.  New text is in green.  There is no removed text.

Upon a successful quorum vote of full members, the Policy on Minors will be updated with the following text.  New text is in green.  There is no removed text.