Also, we had some discussions on Zoom during Covid about increasing diversity amongst members in the space. Can we reopen that discussion and get some processes in place to enable broader diversity amongst the membership?
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We do have a Code of Conduct on our website.
I think if we want to make make changes to that I think it would need a wider discussion with the members. This would be something we can get started at our next members meeting.
Increasing diversity is definitely something I want to look into and discuss. I think for a broader diversity we need to also broaden our offer on making and access to that. We should get that discussion going again and see what we can do to improve our current processes.
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Yes we do. But as Iām sure many are aware - in two instances I can think of the process hasnāt protected other members from prolonged harassment. This has been discussed before
Also, I feel it needs a deeper commitment and more active processes to increase the non white membership especially from the local community. I donāt feel that that is about more machines or the opening of Arch 2.
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I definitely agree with you. Thatās what I meant with [quote=āJulia, post:8, topic:19818ā]
broaden our offer on making and access to that
[/quote]
This is something I do want to do but it will need a lot of research and work to really get it off the ground so we need a group of people that can work on this.
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I think what I would hope to avoid is whatās happened in the past, which is a talking shop that putters out, and no action. Talk is great, action means things actually happen.
I donāt think it needs lots of research . There are examples out there in the community. We could adapt a template. We do need people willing to put in the time to connect with the local community though. Iām not sure how many members would be interested. Hopefully lots, but until we ask, we wonāt know
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I was at an open evening.
I noticed a group of women who had literally just walked into the space.
They were drawn to the photographs on the pillar next to the toilet and commented on the lack on women represented.
Got me thinkingā¦
A company that I worked for (shall remain nameless) ran a diversity and inclusion workshop process.
The process was clumsy, divisive and just horrible, horrible, horrible.
I would love to see and participate in a process run well, partly because it is needed, and partly because I recognise that I donāt have a clue how it should be done, and I really want to know.
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Yes. Exactly.
Yes, I think itās extremely hard to develop a process that in itself is inclusive and not divisive. I believe, (others pitch in here please), itās fundamentally about not ātaking sidesā and hopefully leaving anger out of the process. It also helps to be nice!!
Whatās the feeling of affirmative action here: prioritising new members from under-represented groups?
Gotta have statistics for this to work, Iām not sure we collect demographic information from our members, though. You canāt change what you canāt measure!
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Ok, Iāll be really blunt here. As a member, I see very few people of colour in the space. Making a decision not to collect data doesnāt preclude increasing that proportion
And there are many majority black neighbourhoods nearby for sure.
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I always fear such programs breed resentment. Iād suggest a program to increase member applications from under-represented groups like school events in poorer neighbourhoods or participate in events where these groups might be present (e. g. church/mosque events)
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PS: I am not personally against affirmative action, I am just saying itās something that can aggravate others a lot. And that maybe there are other ways to ensure an equitable outcome in the MakerSpaceās case
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I think maybe the best way to concentrate on inclusion is to make sure there are regular inductions for all the tools and make the process of signing up easy.
I.e concentrate on the core stuff of making the makerspace a good makerspace (e.g. well equipped, frequent inductions etc)
You canāt really change peopleās personal choices of what they want to do. There may be cultural reasons why people of certain of cultures are not interested in certain things etc etc. They may just have different interests. But if they are interested in woodworking etc then they have the choice and if the workshop is good then they will easily be persuaded
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I think all the things you mentioned Marc are very important for making the Makerspace work well. Certainly with those things going, it will be easier for anyone to get making.
I do believe there are historical reasons why certain groups may not may not be represented in communities like ours. Thatās no reason to perpetuate the way things are. Itās worth examining if weāve created barriers, conscious and not, to involving others. It tough seeing a space with such a different makeup from the larger community around it.
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The inertia you speak of is typically annoying and often happens in many groups. Iām wondering whether you could lead on this yourself?
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I think inclusion comes down to:
- Organisational culture - we can and should consider how we appear, how we engage, and how we welcome people
- Internal operational factors - things at least partially under our control - e.g. membership costs (for people of limited means), room and tool access (for people with disabilities), decision-making processes and structures (and how disadvantaged groups achieve representation)
- External factors - I am guessing hereā¦people in some circumstances may have less time to devote to maker activities, gender biases and restrictions within their communities may make activities or mixed gender activities difficult.
In terms of an action plan (in approximate order):
- A public statement of our desire to be fully inclusive and an honest assessment of where we are
- A process by which people and groups can raise concerns about barriers to inclusion
- Inclusion assessments (in the same manner as our risk assessments) - for spaces, tools and activities
- Engagement with community groups that already represent local people - perhaps as simple as inviting a group and its members to the space to see what we offer and discuss any barriers to participation.
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