Makerspace Rules

This document contains important information about Cherokee Makerspace and what we expect from our members, volunteers, tenants, students, and visitors. It applies to everyone entering the space and using our online services. Thanks for taking the time.

Membership

Cherokee Makerspace, Inc. operates a creative space and workshop at 6436 Hwy 92 S100 Acworth, GA 30102 (‘makerspace’, 'space', 'us' or 'we').We provide memberships for the use of our space, lockers, equipment, and machinery. We are ecstatic to have you on board and contributing to Cherokee County's active maker community!

MINIMUM AGE: A Cherokee Makerspace membership is limited to patrons 18 years old and older and provide any necessary identification to Cherokee Makerspace upon request. Dependents under under 18 must have a supervising adult family member at all times.

PRICING: We have a few membership options on our pricing page. Some memberships have a minimum commitment. Discounted rates are available to students, educators, seniors, law enforcement, first responders, active military, and veterans. If you want to use the space but are not yet ready to become a member, attend one of our monthly open build events, join a class, or participate in one of our user groups.

VERIFICATION: All members must present a valid ID that verifies the information provided during application. For privacy reasons, we will not keep a copy of the ID. Please provide proof of age or status if applying for a discounted rate.

Fees and Charges

  • Credit Card Only: A valid credit card must be present in your Fabman account. We are all volunteers and don't have time to send reminders.
  • Monthly Fees: Subscriptions renew on the first of each month. The first month will be prorated.
  • Minimum Commitment: Each primary member account has a minimum four month commitment based on your start date. The first month usually doesn't count unless you started your membership on the first of the month.
  • Terminating a Membership: You can cancel at any time after the minimum commitment. Your membership will stay active until the end of the billing cycle. Provide four weeks' notice via Slack or email to inspire@cherokeemakerspace.org. If you do not give at least four weeks' notice, it is possible you may be billed for one final month. Make sure you get a written reply from us. We are all volunteers and stuff does fall through the cracks. Any add-on packages will terminate with the primary account.
  • Deliquencies: Accounts that remain unpaid for 1 month will be blocked. Fees will continue to accrue for 2 months. After 2 months, we will terminate the membership but the balance will remain on the account. Restarting the membership will require paying all overdue fees plus a reinstatement charge. We prefer not tot do this so please let us know if we need to pause or terminate the account.
  • Disputes: If you think a charge has been made in error, reach out to us first before disputing the charge with the credit card company. Please don't dispute the charge because you forgot to send the termination notice. If you do, we will consider that an act of bad faith and your account may be blacklisted.  
  • Failed Payments: We get it, we all forget, or shit happens! If you're having trouble with payment, please contact us so we can make arrangements.
  • Storage: All storage of personal property, either brought in from outside or created at the Space or in Classes, is your exclusive responsibility, and that said storage is subject to approval by us at our absolute discretion. Lockers are available for rent. Use them to store your personal belongings.

General Requirements

Members must comply with our guidelines, policies and procedures. These requirements are in place to ensure safety inside the makerspace. Failure to abide by these requirements may result in the termination of membership.

  • New Member Orientation: In order to access the space and use any of the equipment, all members must first complete an introductory workshop orientation. Some of the equipment can have high repair and maintenance fees, and members may be held responsible for the replacement and labor costs of any damaged makerspace property.
  • 24-hour Access: This is a privilege. During our new member orientation, we will be assessing your suitability to have any time access. We may require you to attend certain courses to access the space and machinery under supervision. Refunds for the expense of the induction courses will not be issued if this course of action is recommended.
  • Entering the Space: When operational, you must use your RFID fob to enter the space on every visit. If the RFID fob is not used, you must sign in using your unique pin on the keypad located in the foyer of the building. Not signing in will deem you a trespasser in the space and may result in the suspension of your membership for a period entirely at the discretion of the makerspace staff.
  • When inside the Space: Please let the makerspace manager, volunteer, and other members know you are in the space when you arrive. Everyone is expected to treat each other with respect and professionalism. We have kids in the space, and everyone is expected to be on their best behavior at all times.
  • Exiting the Space: Last member to leave should always turn off the lights, set the alarm, and make sure the door is secured. We have a tight budget, and we need all the help we can get to keep our expenses low.
  • Guests: Members are allowed to bring up to 2 guests as long as they are only in the space as an observer and don't use any of the makerspace tools and equipment. The workshop is off-limits to guests, especially when machines are in use.
  • Cleanliness: All areas of the Space must be kept orderly, neat, and clean.
  • Safety: You must use appropriate personal protective equipment when using the equipment and machinery. This may include appropriate footwear, clothing, gloves, goggles, masks, or hearing protection, among other things.
  • Training: Training is required for the use of certain equipment and machinery. Members will not be entitled to book or use such equipment and machinery until the training is completed.
  • Equipment: Use with care. All workspaces, equipment, and machinery are provided on an as-is basis. Cherokee Makerspace does not guarantee the state and availability of any equipment provided. Please return to tools and equipment in the same or better state they were found in. We will try to maintain equipment and machinery in working order. Please tell the shop manager if any equipment or machinery is not functioning properly. Bookings will be required on certain equipment. Always book access to equipment and facilities to ensure they are available when you arrive.
  • Consumables: (filaments, resins, sandpaper, drill bits, end mills, etc.) are not provided by Makerspace. Some consumables are donated, they are there for your convenience. If you use them, please return the favor.
  • Supplies: (lumber, metals, plastic, etc.) are also not provided, but some scrap supplies in the shop are free or may be provided with a donation.
  • Revocation of Membership: We reserve the right to revoke membership and admission to the space at any time, at our discretion, and with no refund.