Orientation: Dctrl Rules

PROTOCOL

• Operate by the golden rule. i.e. Be Excellent to Each Other https://youtu.be/bqGlS5jxwdQ

• If someone is not operating by the golden rule, invoke the "leave me alone rule", which is:
  if someone asks you to stop talking to them or leave them alone, do it.
  And if someone asks you to follow the "leave me alone rule", follow it.
  [Escalation procedure forthcoming].

• Conflicts are inevitable between human beings. No yelling, name-calling, or loud arguing in the public spaces. Walk it off, take space, and contact the person later on. Give a heads up to the coordinator or another trusted member if you're uncomfortable.

• We aim to teach and learn here-- don't make fun of people for not knowing something, or doing something wrong. On the other hand, don't try to do things you don't know how to do with other people's equipment or projects.

• In general, be transparent and communicate openly about anything related to the space or collective. Do you see something broken? Are you unhappy with how something's being done? Do you have an amazing idea that will blow everyone's minds? Slack and Github issues are the place to pitch these in!

THE SPACE

• For now, we need to keep a low public profile [a la Red Gate Society etc]. 436 West Pender is a clubhouse which is separate from the entity of Decentral Commons. Please list all events as located at 436 West Pender accordingly.

• The street address must not be used in an official capacity e.g. registering any kind of business there. Advertising the address for any events should be agreed with other members prior to execution.

• Though freelance co-working is encouraged, no obvious commercial activity is to be conducted in the space. Sales of material objects or having your clients on-site must be agreed by member quorum first.

• This is a public shared space, not a crash pad or home. Do NOT use the space as a general storage space for things you don't want in your apartment, As a rule-of-thumb if you don't envision yourself or other members regularly using a particular item, it shouldn't be there. If you want to donate equipment to the space notify other members and add an entry to the wiki outlining your expectations.

• Respect the space:

  • If you are planning any activity that might be disruptive or occupy extensive space, message the members group first and adhere to an agreed schedule so others may plan accordingly.
  • Don't use tech equipment or tools that you are not familiar with, or that have not been clearly described as belonging to the larger collective
  • Don't engage in activities and pursuits that are dangerous, illegal, or reasonably likely to cause liability
  • If you have ideas for significant changes or renovations, propose them to the group, don't just go crazy on your own.
  • There's value to the hacker ethos of "just get on with it" for projects, but the clubhouse itself gets really chaotic if everything is constantly getting shifted and changed.

• Clean up after yourself:

  • throw away trash, recycle, and do dishes before leaving for the night
  • try to move furniture etc. back where it was after activities
  • don't leave your stuff spread over a bunch of surfaces when you're not there
  • don't leave food behind in the fridge for more than a day or two
  • Vacuum and Mop the floor once in a while, it won't kill you and will make you instantly more popular with other members.
  • You may utilize the refrigerator for convenience, but ensure that anything you put in there does not remain for an excessive amount of time or past it's consume-by date.
  • You may use utensils etc. in the hallway cupboards, provided you wash and return them to their official resting place.
  • Clean up after yourself and any guests. This includes trash, food, empties (RINSE them and put in the recycling bin), and dishes.
  • [We're still navigating the consensus around "crashing in the space." If we do all agree that members can crash here occasionally, I propose that there be a required record of this-- if they plan ahead of time, put it in the Google Calendar; if they get too drunk and fall asleep, just give a heads up on Slack the next day. It's important that everyone knows what's going on, it probably won't be necessary to "police" this]

• Keep the space secure:

  • always check that the magnet lock has fastened securely after you close the door
  • if you are the last person to leave:
    1. lock the deadbolt (VERY IMPORTANT) never leave the deadbolt unlocked if there is no one in the space
    2. turn off all but the hallway and fairy lights
  • let one of the main coordinators know ASAP if you lose your key/fob
  • unfortunately, there can be some rapscallions in the neighbourhood, so if someone just wanders in randomly, introduce yourself, find out why they're here, and don't leave them alone in the space alert the active members channel to any suspicious activity accordingly

• Maintain open communication with others when using the same space-- respect basic expectations of courteousness and noise levels. [Excluding cries of victory during ping pong games!]

TOOLS AND ELECTRONIC EQPMT

• Consult the wiki [still-to-do] to see if there is a defined protocol/owner for the eqpmt in question.
• If you're unsure how to use something, check the wiki first, there may be written guidelines.
• Put it back exactly how/where you found it.
• If it is noisy, consult others in the space first and offer to close any doors between yourself and other occupants to help with noise control.
• If prolonged and disruptive noise is expected (bigger projects), notify members via slack and organize a time in advance so that others know what to expect.
• If it emits dust/dirt, make sure you sweep/vacuum afterwards. If this is impractical (multi-session projects) then apologize and notify people so they can plan accordingly.
• If you break something, then notify the owner/group promptly and take it from there. Don't let it go un-noticed until later when it might cause more disappointment to others.
• Don't unplug or re-arrange other people's equipment without consent, similarly don't leave your equipment set-up in a space that might be useful to others in your absence. We implement a full hot-desking policy, first-come, first-served. Keep desks clear for others.

PING PONG

• Ping pong can be a noise distraction to non-players, please be sensitive about beginning play when others are
• Working/relaxing in the space. If its in the afternoon, ask the room first. People are often happy to re-locate work to the quieter back room if there's space and they are asked politely.
• If you are the last to use the space at night, please return the table and chairs to "work mode" before leaving; rather than expecting the first people in to do this for you.

DECENTRAL MEMBERSHIP

• Members are expected to pay their monthly dues within 7 days after each month begins. You will receive an email before the 1st of the month with instructions on how you can pay. Please pay your membership dues promptly when requested (our rent is not so forgiving), or notify the group of your intension to pause membership for any reason.
• After three months of timely paid membership, you will gain a more "permanent" [word choice?] status in the collective-- one of the benefits of this is that if hardships arise and you have trouble paying dues for a month or two, you can maintain your status as a member AS LONG AS you are upfront and transparent about the situation.
• If you no longer require your membership, please return your fob and key to the space so they can be recycled to new members.

MEMBER MEETINGS

• The meetings occur once a month at the space around 7pm, and are scheduled on the Decentral Google Calendar
• If you can't make it in person, you're free to beam in via Google Hangouts, just let us know that you plan to ahead of time!
• In general, don't wait for a monthly meeting to bring up new issues, write things down in the form of github issues or slack conversation; to save time the meetings should be mainly be about voting on existing issues
• Meetings are not just for whining, if you come with problems, you should make an effort to also come with solutions and/or proposals to fix the situation.
• Contribute any concerns or agenda items on the Slack active members channel in advance of the meeting, and we will work them into the agenda
• Everyone is encouraged to collaborate on meeting notes on google docs so we get a well-rounded view of what goes on and what's decided. Before a meeting commences, it should be established which member will be publishing minutes (although everyone can contribute to the notes)

VALUES

• Decentralization
• Transparency
• Collaboration
• Equitable Access to Resources and Information
• Learning and Building