Freehackers Union Rules

1. If it’s art, wires, or code you can bring it. This will be our triad: art/wires/code. Remember it.
2. If you can’t sling at least one of the three in the A/W/C triad then you can’t come. No exceptions.
3. Everyone who attends has to eventually show something they did. Not something someone else did. This is your time to give a performance, not to teach people how to use something so you get a book deal.
4. If it’s your first night, you have to present something. It can be anything, but you gotta show that you belong. If you can’t then you can’t come back until you can. For those who absolutely can’t talk in front of people, you can get someone to show your stuff on your behalf.
5. Organized using simple software that’s open. No special hidden jabber servers, no yahoo groups, no fucking evite or someone’s favorite latest startup website. Just a simple mailing list, a website anyone can manage, and a channel on IRC.
6. Frequent meetings at a regular time and spot.
7. Clear guidelines on how to become a member, including the benefits and responsibilities.
8. No powerpoint, web sites, or powerpoint+website demonstrations. We don’t want your marketing demo, we want art/wires/code. Show us how it’s made, tell us where to get the code, show us inside the box with flashing lights.

Roles

The only role at this time is that of the “Curator” of the group. This is someone who’s in charge of organizing things and presenting the show. They’re not in charge, they just get to put on the show. That means selecting what topics are good for the next meeting, inviting guest speakers, and coordinating the space.

The job can be a pain in the ass, so it’s probably good to rotate the job often. Different curators will give different flavors to the show they put on, and being one gives you experience in organizing people in a safe environment.

And don’t worry, one of the things you get as a curator is the ability to ask people for help. They all want a good show too, so you can ask on the list and they should pitch in.

If not, just bring something obnoxious you made, like a “Turd Blaster 9000” and they’ll know better next time.

Meeting Suggestions

The Freehackers Union management is concentrated in the FU Locals that are run by people in each area. This can be in a city or it could be an entire country depending on size and the number of meetings.

Each local is free to run things how they like, and this website will simply help the different locals share in the experience. We’re planning to record the meetings and post them here as videos and podcasts for people to keep track of what’s going on. Also, the Curator doesn’t have to show anything.

However, there are some suggestions for running a meeting:

1. Newbies have to be given a chance to give their 5 minute trial presentation so they should get first chance. After that the Curator shows the next acts.
2. Meetings shouldn’t be boring organizational things, move that offline where it can be dealt with easier.
3. Be nice to newbies, which means even if you hate their stuff, don’t be a dick about it (unless they were dicks about it).
4. Try to report back on what went well and what could be done better after the meeting. This will help other locals get ideas and organize better next time.
5. Rotate out whoever is the Curator so that everyone gets a chance. People don’t have to be the Curator, but it’s a good experience (we hope).

Otherwise this is all new to everyone so we’ll be watching to see what works.

What If My Girl or Boy Can Hack?

A few people asked me: “If my girl can hack, can she come?” Alright, this club is not for men only. In fact, I’m really tired of seeing only men at other clubs. You are encouraged to bring any women you can find as long as they can do one of the art/wires/code triad.

The best way for you to answer whether any friend would fit in is ask if they could come on their own. If you think they’d survive their first 5 minute show, enjoy themselves, and come back again after the whole experience, then they can come.

If you think they’ll complain, be a dick, throw things, or have nothing to contribute, then they should probably stay home.