On Duty Volunteer Program - Earn Free Membership :awesome:

Operations
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Additional Disclaimer

Volunteerism is a vital component to sustain any community shop. This program does not capture all volunteer work done at Asmbly and is specifically designed for individuals seeking membership rate reductions. Some tasks outlined here are expected of all members always (e.g. taking out trash and cleaning up after yourself). They are listed in this program as well because they are tasks we can never have too many people doing. We’ve received feedback from members, especially new ones, that they wish they had someone to go to with questions who is clearly “the person” so that they don’t feel they are intruding. This program is designed to provide that.

TL;dr – You are not required to participate in the On Duty program to volunteer at Asmbly. Regardless of whether you volunteer your time or not, all members are expected to clean up after themselves and then some when using the shop (as indicated when booking time in Skedda). If you can offer help to a fellow member in need, we also request everyone to do so or at least be kind to one another if you’re in a time crunch or don’t have the expertise/knowledge to assist (shop harmony FTW!).

Updated 5/22/23

As mentioned in the communications on the rate increase, we are starting a new volunteer program members can sign up for that will allow them to earn free membership. We are still sorting out some backend specifics with this to make sure the process runs smoothly, but here are some general details about the program in the meantime.

On Duty Volunteer Program

This program gives members a way to earn free membership through service onsite at Asmbly to help keep the space running. There are a wide variety of tasks which means anyone can participate and contribute regardless of their skills or expertise.

Requirements

  • Must sign up and be approved (sign up form here)
  • Use Slack to communicate with other volunteers and ask questions during your shift
  • Wear a provided Asmbly shirt or apron during on duty shifts to help members identify you
  • Sign up for shifts using Skedda and clock in/out using defined process (specifics will be shared during onboarding)
  • Work 12 hours to earn 1 free month
    • OK if it takes more than 1 month to work 12 hours
    • Automation will be developed to automatically add free month based on hours clocked
    • Can only earn up to 1 free month per calendar month
      • Extra hours worked are deeply appreciated but will not count towards additional free months. This helps us ensure there is consistent opportunity for as many members as interested to participate and earn free membership on an ongoing basis.

There will be two types of On Duty Volunteers —

1. Ambassador

Duties:

  • Being a resource for other members to ask questions
  • General cleaning
  • Checking supplies
  • Cleaning out scrap carts
  • Emptying trash cans
  • Checking storage tags

Hours:

  • 54 hours available per week across all Ambassadors
    • you choose your shifts based on what’s open in Skedda space
  • 2 hr minimum per shift
  • 3p-9p weekdays
  • 9a-9p weekends
  • Max 1 Ambassador per shift

2. Steward

Our existing Stewards program will be moving under this On Duty program umbrella. Current Stewards must opt in to the new program to remain a steward+++.

Duties:

  • Check preventative maintenance log
  • Perform machine maintenance/repair
  • Develop maintenance schedule
  • Identify machine issues and parts needed, then report accordingly
  • All Ambassador duties

Hours:

  • 1 hr minimum per shift
  • 5a-2a any day
  • Max 2 Stewards per shift

+++Existing stewards who are active and decide to opt into the new program will initially have an opportunity to choose one of two options:

  1. Move to the new program to earn free membership – 12 hrs worked = 1 free month of membership
  2. Maintain current expectations to get 12 extra booking hours per week – 12 hr/quarter commitment
    • If minimum hour commitment is not met at quarterly checks, ability to choose this option will be lost.
  3. Keep stewarding without benefits. Maintain access to steward storage, no tracking required.

We’re aiming to roll this program out fully by the end of this month.

If you are interested in participating, be sure to fill out this form here. Once we’re ready to kick things off, we’ll reach out to everyone and have an info/onboarding session to discuss all the nitty gritty details.

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Do the people moving to the “new stewards” program keep the 12 extra booking hours per week?

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No, it’s one option or the other.

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Losing 12 booking hours per week is a powerful disincentive to step up to the new position.

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The logging and paperwork this will require is a powerful disincentive, period.

I believe I understand the intent. I just hope that somebody is watching to make sure the result matches the intent and doesn’t wind up with perverse incentives.

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The logging is not new. Since January, stewards are supposed to be logging their time at 12 hours a quarter, to continue to receive the extra hours. Up to this point, with no tracking system, there were people who were stewards in name only. In stewards meetings towards the end of last year, and January of this year, this was discussed, and the solution proposed, by another active steward, was to record hours.

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Added this additional disclaimer to the top of the original post as there seemed to be some confusion on this for some reason. The basic goals of this program are to make membership accessible for those who may have financial limitations while ensuring basic needs around the shop are met.

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Additional clarification on logging – we will be using existing systems members are already required to use to book time and access the space. There will be no paperwork in this program other than the digital form to let us know you’re interested in participating. Everything else will be using already established mechanisms with automated backend scripts that provide leadership with reports for auditing and volunteers with the benefits they have earned.

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We will have a meeting at Asmbly tonight to go over the details of the On Duty Program and get folks interested onboarded. We’re still building the integrated logging system and will be using Googlesheets temporarily for folks that want to start on the program now. Be sure to fill out this form if you are interested in participating in this program –

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Here’s the slide deck from our meeting last night with more specifics on this program — On Duty Volunteer Program - Google Slides

You can still join this program if you weren’t at the meeting last night. Just review the slides and fill out the Google form!