Rules and Policies

Please see our Membership Levels and Benefits for pricing information

This document is a work-in-progress -- PLEASE HELP US MAKE IT BETTER! All members are encouraged to help write, define, and codify our operating rules and policies. Many situations arise that we may not have written rules for. The Rules and Policies set forth at Fat Cat Fab Lab are at the sole discretion of the Board. The Board may act to enforce rules, make judgement calls, or whatever else is needed to maintain a safe, functional space, and further the collective efforts of the lab members at large.

Lab Areas Cleanliness & Organization

The rule at Fat Cat Fab Lab is to “leave it better than you found it”. It is everyone's duty to put away items accidentally left out by others and regularly clean the space. Little messes can snowball into big messes quickly! If you use a work area often, it is your duty as a member to help organize tools or improve storage space in the area.

When entering a workspace to work, you should:

• Photograph and report any big pre-existing messes to the appropriate Slack channel for further investigation.
  • To rectify any large messes, Members may be charged a $50 cleaning fee ($50/hr if more than 1 hour needed) and/or incur strikes against their 'good standing'.
• Prepare the space with drop cloths and/or containment systems (e.g. the 'spray booth') when applicable.
• Attach and turn on vacuums and any other dust collection systems.
  • Check vacuum is working properly and replace/empty the bag/container if needed.

When you are done working in a space, you must:

• Budget time to include clean up. No excuses.
• Sweep and vacuum all dust and debris on the tables and floor.
• Put away all tools properly (that are not currently in use by another member).
• Tidy up and place signage on any project that must be left to dry.
• Turn off all fans & lights and close open windows if needed.
• If you are the last person, you are responsible for everything even if you didn't create the mess or leave tools out.

Before leaving FCFL, you should:

• Walk through everywhere you might have been to verify all is in order.
• Double check all equipment, fans, and lights that should be off are indeed off.

Working in the Space

• All members must store their belongings inside their bin when not present at the lab.
  • Materials that do not fit in your bin may be stored only in designated Oversized Storage areas, neatly and labeled with your name.
• Laptops and belongings cannot be left unattended longer than 2 hours -- no 'camping' or 'reserving' tables
• DO NOT bring items in to 'donate' without preauthorization from the Board for each item. If you bring it in, it is your responsibility.
• The lab CANNOT be used as a storage facility. Inactive projects and non-tool personal items left in public may be charged an extra monthly 'storage' fee until removed.

Member-Loaned Tools

Many of the tools at Fat Cat Fab Lab are actually owned by other members and loaned to Fat Cat Fab Lab for all members to share.
See the Member-Loaned Tools agreement & policy for more details.

Parking Permit

Link to current Parking Permit File

What it is
A green Parking Permit should be placed on any item, project or materials used for personal or group projects, which are being actively worked and/or are too large to store in your storage bin.

Who can issue
Members are able to write their own permit for parking, valid for a maximum of 72 hours unless a Board Member agrees to a longer period of time not exceeding 30 days. Members are able to renew Parking Permits themselves given that they are physically in at Fat Cat Fab Lab to do so. Board Members are able to limit renewals at their discretion if appropriate to maintain organization of Temporary Storage.

What's on the permit
The tag includes a brief, legible description of the material or project being stored, the name and contact information of the owner/responsible party, the date the permit expires and the name and signature of the issuer of an extension in the time limit for the permit.

Parking Ticket

Link to Parking Ticket File

What it is
Orange Tickets should be placed on any item, project, or materials found in the space without a permit or with an improperly filled or expired permit. If materials are obstructing a walkway, or is otherwise stored in a manner that is a hindrance of the use of FCFL by other members, anyone is able to respectfully move items to temporary storage where an authorized person will ticket items if they are unclaimed. As stated above, items must be labeled with a Parking Pass and stored properly when not actively being worked on.

Who can issue
Parking tickets may be issued by any FCFL Member or Board Member.

What's on the ticket
The ticket includes space for a brief description of the material in question, instructions for the owner of the item, the name of the individual issuing the ticket, the date of issue, and the date at which items will be moved to Salvage if no action is taken.

What happens to ticketed items
The ticket can be struck by the issue of a valid parking permit. Ticketed material may be moved to Lost and Found 72 hours after the ticket is issued. The issuer, and/or Area Host, accepts the obligation to make a good-faith effort to contact the person responsible for the material (if known) to let them know their material should be retrieved or marked with a valid parking permit. If the owner is legitimately unavailable to take care of their materials within the 72 hours, the issuer and/or Area Host may make arrangements with the owner at their discretion, but are under no obligation to do so.

ITEMS WITH TICKETS WILL MOVE FROM "LOST AND FOUND" TO "FREE STUFF" TO THE TRASH ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE.

Members should use their best judgement in each situation. Whenever possible, help a fellow member out and alert them of items that are out-of-place before they leave the lab.

Events in the space

Event Types by Size and Approval Conditions

• Note: Max occcupancy is 35 people for all events (due to seating limitations). Special consideration with Approval for larger events can be made.
• Small event: less than 15 people doesn't require Approval. If the event requires silence from attendees and other members, then Approval is required.
• Large event: more than 15 people requires Approval.

FCFL Event Space Fees

FCFL used as event space by some entity: $110/hr (starting--case by case basis depending on event needs on discretion of FCFL Board).

Approval

• Any event in FCFL's space that is not a Basic Usage and Safety class or previously approved Meetup workshop requires a minimum seven (7) days advance notice given to the Board of Directors, and must be approved by the Board.
• Requests can be made to info@fatcatfablab.org or to the #Operations channel on Slack.
• Approval of the event is at the sole discretion of the Board.
• A point of contact (POC) person must be established for the event.
• We always encourage events in the space that forward our mission of building the Maker community in New York City!

Clean Up and Garbage

• The POC is responsible for seeing that the space is returned to the state it was in prior to the event.
• The POC is responsible for seeing that all trash generated by the event is taken out immediately after the event. If the event does not fall on a Monday or Thursday, the POC must dispose of trash elsewhere and legally.

Rules & Policies Enforcement

Purpose

Fat Cat Fab Lab's successful operation relies on the values of stewardship of the space by its Members. Every Member is expected to know and follow the Rules and Policies and be as a positive contributor to our community. In cases when these Rules and Policies are not followed by a Member, we have the following enforcement and consequences procedure in place.

Strike Policy

• All strikes remain in place for a period of one year since issue.
• Depending on severity, a first offense may incur either a warning (verbal or written) or an official strike.
• An official strike will be a written notice sent by email from the Board of Directors detailing:
  • The rule(s) offended.
  • Actions required to remediate the offense.
  • A date and time before which remedial actions must be taken.
• A second strike for the same offense will be given if the Member fails to take the required actions by the provided time and date.
• Strikes can be issued from repeating the same offense or any other violation of the Rules and Policies.
• Three total strikes will result in a temporary ban from FCFL Member Privileges.

Temporary Ban

During a temporary ban the Member will:

• Not enter the premises of Fat Cat Fab Lab the lab, unless approved by and scheduled with the Board.
• Empty the space of all possessions including projects, materials, and tools.
  • If applicable, create an agreement in writing for the handling of any Member-Loaned Tools with the board.
• Membership will be reinstated only when Member is deemed to be in 'good standing' (e.g. any storage fees paid in full)

After Parting Ways - Membership Cancelation & Expiration

• Members are responsible for making arrangements to retrieve their personal property by the date of membership expiration.
• Any personal property not retrieved beyond 2 weeks after membership cancelation or termination will be considered abandoned.
• Abandoned property may incur standard bin storage fees until retrieved or membership reinstated.
• Abandoned items that require special disposal (e.g. hazardous chemicals or large items that must be hauled to the dump) may incur cleanup fines and recovery costs for truck rental or cartage services.
• It is recommended that at least one Board member and one other member should be present during the exchange.