View source for Circus Space Design Patterns

This is inspired by [https://fahrplan.events.ccc.de/congress/2007/Fahrplan/events/2133.en.html Hackerspace Design Patterns], a talk which was central to the development of Hackerspaces in the united states.


Recommended Reading: [https://archive.org/details/hackerspaces-the-beginning Hackerspaces: The Beginning]

== Challenging Person Archetypes ==
How do we remain as inclusive as possible without allowing bad behavior / bad actors?

Some personal challenges we collected can be found [[Interpersonal Challenges|here]].

=== The "well that's the way we've always done it" person ===
They've been in the industry since the dawn of time. They believe that the way they do things is the best way. They have a habit of using their experience as a cudgel against new ideas, citing the fact that they way they do it has worked well for a long time.

=== The fair weather  / Tough Love coach ===
Students who excel are given extra attention and praise, while those who struggle or fail to progress are largely ignored. This coach is polarizing, people either love them or hate them, often dividing along skill lines. 

Related: the coach who uses "tough love" on all students, leading some students to succeed and others to leave in tears.

=== Lowkey problematic / the creep ===
This person hasn't said or done anything blatantly wrong, but has a history of making people uncomfortable with off color "jokes" or comments. Or a person who repeatedly accidentally misgender or call someone by the wrong name.

=== Highkey problematic (habitual) ===
A person with a pattern of shitty behavior such as stalking, harassment, etc.  <blockquote>We need clear policies to keep these folks out of the space and clear procedures for reporting this behavior  </blockquote>

=== Highkey problematic (isolated) ===
A person who did a shitty thing in the past but has since apologized. Example: two members went through a bad breakup in which one was a jerk, but has since corrected their behavior and the affected person does not feel unsafe or uncomfortable around them.<blockquote></blockquote>

=== The hater ===
A member who has a beef with someone (or multiple someones) in the org and is frequently badmouthing them to anyone who will listen. <blockquote>We need strict policies about not gossiping or badmouthing people while in the space. If you have a real issue with someone it should be brought to the administration's attention via some other means. </blockquote>

=== Everyone's BFF ===
This person frequently turns classes or training time into social hour with their friends. As an instructor they may make new students feel isolated because they are not part of the group.<blockquote>We need a culture of professionalism in training areas and classes.</blockquote>

=== Safety Third / Leroy Jenkins ===
This person has a high rate of safety related issues and incidents, or a person who routinely attempts skills they are not ready for / able to do safely. As an instructor this person may push students towards skills they are not ready for.

== Sustainability and Independence ==

=== Critical Mass ===
<blockquote>The rule of thumb is 2 + 2. You need a partner to get the initial idea kicked off, making two of you. You need two more people in order to get real work done. Don’t start before you are at least four people. From this point it’s easy to recruit more people. Aim for ten people for a start.<ref name=":0">https://fahrplan.events.ccc.de/congress/2007/Fahrplan/attachments/1003_Building%20a%20Hacker%20Space.pdf</ref></blockquote>

=== Anti-Pattern: Roommates ===

You need a space for meetings and as a lab, to store and work on materials for projects. In order to minimize rent or out of sympathy, you think it’s great when someone lives in your space. But somehow it doesn’t work, as you cannot use the lab anymore.<blockquote>Guest are fine, but don’t let anyone live there. Kick them out if necessary.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>

=== Ownership ===
Many organizations have had the rug pulled out from under them when a landlord suddenly raised the rent or decided to sell the property.<blockquote>As much as possible the group should own, not rent, its space and equipment. </blockquote>

=== Funding ===
Groups that rely on external funding such as grants or selling classes to the public can sometimes lose sight of their goals.<blockquote>Aim to have base costs covered by membership dues and use grant money or other income towards growth and improvement.</blockquote>

== Growth ==

=== Openness ===
You want to draw in new people and provide an interface to the outside world.<blockquote>Have a monthly, public, and open lecture, talk or workshop.</blockquote>

=== Expertise ===
The people in the group may not have the expertise needed, but the local experts on the topic are jerks.<blockquote>Hire experts from outside to teach the group and consult with them as needed. It is easier to teach a person to become an expert than it is to teach someone to stop being an asshole.</blockquote>

== Safety ==

=== This Is A Dangerous Sport ===
People can and will get hurt. If people are not well informed about the risks involved it creates a dangerous situation for everyone.<blockquote>Require basic safety training for everyone and offer it regularly.</blockquote>

=== Differing Opinions ===
Sometimes people from different backgrounds disagree on what is correct or safe. They may refuse to do something the way everyone else is doing it because they find it unnecessary or unsafe.<blockquote>Rely on data, not tradition, to set safety practices. Get everyone on the same page by having everyone attend the same safety classes when onboarding. If someone who is very knowledgeable disagrees with the contents of the class then it is necessary to sit down and determine what the best answer is for the organization. In matters of simple differences of opinion default to the existing policy. If the policy is out of date or incorrect update it and let everyone know about the change.</blockquote>