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− | So, you want to start a class / workshop / event? Bully for you, you're thinking like a do-ocrat! Here's what you should probably do and think about next: | + | So, you want to start a class / workshop / event? Great! |
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| + | BTW: '''You don't need to be a member''', you just need a member to sponsor you and your event. Which shouldn't be too hard. |
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| == Initial Steps == | | == Initial Steps == |
− | *First, gauge interest in your class (mailing list, IRC, or just shouting ideas during a meeting are all good methods), you probably want to make sure at least three to four people intend to show up, to make it worth your time -- more about this | + | * First, gauge interest in your class, you probably want to make sure at least three to four people intend to show up. |
− | **Decide what you want and don't want to teach. Set a scope that makes sense to you.
| + | * Decide what you want and don't want to teach. Set a scope that makes sense to you. |
− | *Come up with a funny name. | + | * Come up with a good name. |
− | **This can't be stressed enough. A funny name can be the difference between one attendee and a room of attendees.
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| + | == Establish a Date == |
| + | * Pick a day and time that works for you and has space available on the PS1 calendar. [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=hhlp4gcgvdmifq5lcbk7e27om4%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago PS:One Google Calendar] |
| + | * Send an email to the PR director at [email protected] with a formal request to add your event to the calendar. |
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− | == Establish a Date ==
| + | * Warning! Don't ask for a date that "works for everyone." Down that path lies madness and obnoxiously long threads with no definitive answers. This is your project, make a command decision. |
− | *Pick a day and time that works for you and has space available on the PS1 calendar.
| + | * Two or more weeks is a good lead time. |
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− | **Warning! Don't try to ask the mailing list for a date that "works for everyone" down that path lies madness and obnoxiously long threads with no definitive answers. This is your project, make a command decision.
| + | == Write up a class description: == |
− | **Pick a day at least two (or more) weeks in the future so you can generate interest and people can plan to attend. | + | * Write something brief, and make sure to include the following things at the bottom of your post (seriously, use this exact format or you're going to get a lot of dumb questions from people who can't read anything not in bullet points): |
− | **Remember, PS1 is now large enough that several events can take place at the same time. | + | ** Who: who the class is intended for (the public, members only, beginners, intermediate, etc) |
| + | ** Cost (if it's free, say that it's free, or people will ask) |
| + | ** Where it is: include PS1's address, which room, etc |
| + | ** (If you are going to use the Electronics Lab for events, please also subscribe to the electronics lab calendar (http://www.google.com/calendar/[email protected]&ctz=America/Chicago). Duplicate your event from the PS1 calendar by clicking the duplicate button in the more action drop down to create a reservation of the Electronics lab, and set your duplicated event to the Electronics lab calendar.) |
| + | ** When it is: Date and time. Start time and end time might be nice, too. |
| + | ** What you'll be teaching, what the event is about, etc |
| + | * Find an appropriate picture to go along with your description (because all blog posts must have pictures!) |
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| + | == Draw attention to your class: == |
| + | * In everyone's fantasy world, you just put something on the calendar and hundreds of people flood into PS1 to sit at rapt attention while you expound intelligently on [insert class subject here]. That can happen, but you need to do some marketing first. |
| + | * Post your class description to at the very, very least the following places (this is minimum effort): |
| + | ** PS1-Discorse Announcement category |
| + | ** Help the PR person promote your thing. They have the access, but you have the details. |
| + | ** The calendar: [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=hhlp4gcgvdmifq5lcbk7e27om4%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago PS:One Google Calendar] |
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| + | * Other places you may want to consider: |
| + | ** The Blog (which means a post on the web site) |
| + | ** Facebook, make it an event. |
| + | ** Twitter |
| + | ** Other local hackerspaces' mailing lists (W88 and SSH for starters) |
| + | ** Enthusiast mailing lists that talk about stuff you're interested in |
| + | ** If your event is general interest enough, consider local event blogs like chicagoist, or local specialty blogs |
| + | ** Make blog / similar blogs |
| + | ** Eventbrite or Meetup or similar: Meetup.com https://wiki.pumpingstationone.org/Meetup |
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| + | == Create A Roster of Attendees == |
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− | == Cost ==
| + | * You'll want to know how many people are coming. |
− | **This is a touchy subject, but don't be afraid to charge money for your efforts. Talk to people on the board if you're in doubt. | + | * You may want to send out waivers / any special instructions ahead of time. |
− | **If you're going to charge money for your class, a few things to keep in mind: | + | * Please give your attendees a way of contacting you directly. |
− | ***PS1 should get a cut of the profits (unless you're charging only for supplies). This helps pay for the rent.
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− | ***PS1 full members (not starving hackers) should get a discount (the discount comes out of PS1's share of the proceeds, not yours). The discount is usually in the $10 range, depending on the cost of each ticket, and how much of a cut PS1 is getting. | |
− | ***PS1 has an eventbrite account, to handle payments and managing attendee numbers. Talk to the treasurer for getting your event on there.
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| + | == On the Day of Your Event == |
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− | == Write up a class description: ==
| + | * Show up early to make sure everything is in order for your event. Only you know how long that will take. |
− | **Write something brief but flowery, and make sure to include the following things at the bottom of your post (seriously, use this exact format or you're going to get a lot of dumb questions from people who can't read anything not in bullet points):
| + | * Have guests sign the waiver. https://pumpingstationone.org/ click Join, Begin Application. or https://tinyurl.com/iwillnotdiehere or https://ps1.link/waver |
− | ***Who: who the class is intended for (the public, members only, beginners, intermediate, etc) | + | * Make it easy for people to find you. Put up signs. |
− | ***Cost (if it's free, say that it's free, or people will ask)
| + | * Host your event! Share your enthusiasm for the subject! |
− | ***Where it is: include ps1's address, which room, etc
| + | * You or someone should give guests a tour. Tell them they can put on events too. |
− | ***When it is | |
− | ***What you'll be teaching, what the event is about, etc | |
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− | == Draw attention to your class: == | + | == After the Event == |
− | **In everyone's fantasy world, you just put something on the calendar and hundreds of people flood into PS1 to sit at rapt attention while you expound intelligently on [insert class subject here]. That can happen, but you need to do some marketing first. | + | * Make sure your event doesn't leave a mess. Clean up. Take down signs, and make sure the door is firmly closed and locked if you had it unlocked. |
− | **Post your class description to at the very, very least the following places (this is minimum effort):
| + | * Get feedback from your attendees: what did they get out of the event? What do they think should be done differently? |
− | ***PS1-Public list
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− | ***PS1-Private list
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− | ***The calendar
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− | ***The Blog
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− | **Other places you may want to consider:
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− | ***Other local hackerspaces' mailing lists (W88 and SSH for starters)
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− | ***Enthusiast mailing lists that talk about stuff you're interested in
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− | ***If your event is general interest enough, consider local event blogs like chicagoist and gapers block, or local specialty blogs | |
− | ***The PS1 meetup group
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− | ***Make blog / similar blogs
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− | For assistance, contact [[User:Gtopham|Geoffrey Topham]]
| + | [[Category:Member Manual]] |
− | [[category:Member Manual]]
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