What happened to Lightbox Lab?
Seeing as this site has been very quiet for a long time I thought it about time one of us should update it with the current status of Lightbox Lab. I decided to write this as we often get questions about whether or not we still exist, run workshops, meetup etc. So the answers to all of these questions are, "well kind of". A few hackery makery types :-) started Lightbox Lab back in 2012, the aim of which was to create a hackerspace or makerspace in the Drogheda area to support people interested in all aspects of technology. Be their interests be in exploring, inventing, to work on projects with likeminded people or just to hang out and learn new skills, our aim was to have a space up and running and also run and paid for by its members. We were extremely lucky that the people behind Milmount RDC provided us with space for a number of years to help achieve this aim. However what we found to be very difficult to do was to sustain and build upon our membership. We found over the few years that we were actively running workshops, tutorials, attending events that the interest in the project did not seem to be out there or at least we were not reaching enough people. And so we eventually closed shop in Milmount RDC. We do still meetup on a monthly basis to discuss what projects we are working on and we discuss the ultimate aim of having a hackerspace in Drogheda! so our hopes to do so are still in place, and hopefully when there is enough interest to do so this will eventually become a reality. So if you are interested in seeing Drogheda have its own hackerspace and wish to get involved then contact us through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow us on twitter @droghackspaceWhat happened to Lightbox Lab?
Seeing as this site has been very quiet for a long time I thought it about time one of us should update it with the current status of Lightbox Lab. I decided to write this as we often get questions about whether or not we still exist, run workshops, meetup etc. So the answers to all of these questions are, "well kind of".A few hackery makery types :-) started Lightbox Lab back in 2012, the aim of which was to create a hackerspace or makerspace in the Drogheda area to support people interested in all aspects of technology. Be their interests be in exploring, inventing, to work on projects with likeminded people or just to hang out and learn new skills, our aim was to have a space up and running and also run and paid for by its members. We were extremely lucky that the people behind Milmount RDC provided us with space for a number of years to help achieve this aim. However what we found to be very difficult to do was to sustain and build upon our membership. We found over the few years that we were actively running workshops, tutorials, attending events that the interest in the project did not seem to be out there or at least we were not reaching enough people. And so we eventually closed shop in Milmount RDC. We do still meetup on a monthly basis to discuss what projects we are working on and we discuss the ultimate aim of having a hackerspace in Drogheda! so our hopes to do so are still in place, and hopefully when there is enough interest to do so this will eventually become a reality. So if you are interested in seeing Drogheda have its own hackerspace and wish to get involved then contact us through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow us on twitter @droghackspace and get in touch.Contact Us
If you have any questions in relation to the Drogheda Makerspace, would like to know about any upcoming events or meetups, or would like to become a member please contact us through any of the following methods below.
The aim of the Lightbox lab project is to provide a shared workspace where anybody with an interest in different aspects of technology,be they creative or purely technical can bring their ideas, projects and resources together in order to learn and share knowledge within a relaxed environment.
Lightbox Lab Membership is free and all the skills you need are enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn and get stuck in!
E-Mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About
Lightbox Lab is a planned collaborative space for the Louth and
Meath area. The aim of the Lightbox lab project is to provide a
shared workspace where anybody with an interest in different
aspects of technology,be they creative or purely technical can bring their
ideas, projects and resources together in order to learn and share
knowledge withina relaxed environment.
We aim to join the growing irish community of maker and hackerspaces
along with a bigger movement worldwide which has been developing to
support the DIY creative culture, particularly in the technology and
electronic arts area.
Lightbox Lab Project– How did it start?
At the beginning of 2012 a small group of I.T professionals, all working or teaching in the Dublin area but living in Louth or Meath and who were aware of or had visited other hackerspaces in Ireland came together in Drogheda early February to discuss the feasibility of setting up a hackerspace in Louth/Meath area. A space that would allow people who are passionate about technology and more generally engineering to come together to share knowledge and ideas that they may not have the chance to explore within their current employment.
From there the group met locally every two weeks and began planning workshops and tutorials. The main aim of these tasks were to help in growing the community along with the overall objective of becoming an organisation that would have access to a workspace that could foster growth, ideas and knowledge that would benefit both commercial and non-commercial areas.
With the help of local support from Milmount and the RDC we have been able to hold a number of programming and open source workshops which have helped greatly in this regard. However it is now time to put structure to the group and to become more professional and accountable in how the project is run going forward.
Constitution
1. Name Of Organisation.
1. The name of the organisation shall be "Lightbox Lab".
2. Organisation Objectives.
1. The main objective of the organisation will be to develop an
inclusive community interested in the pursuit of innovation in
science, technology, modern culture, and creative arts.
2. In furtherance exclusively of the main objective, the
organisation shall have the following secondary objectives:
1. To provide shared physical workspaces and resources
where the community can work together or individually on
projects.
2. To provide safe, inviting, and friendly environments
where the community can meet and socialise together.
3. To foster the idea of knowledge sharing and continued
education within the community, and the general public.
4. To promote and support the use and development of
open technologies, standards, and ideas by the
community, the general public, and other bodies.
5. To foster and work with other bodies which have similar
or complementary objectives.
3. Organisation Procedures.
1. The organisation shall be run by its members. A limited set
of finance, membership, and management tasks will be performed
by a committee on behalf of the members.
2. The organisation will have flexible general operating
procedures to coordinate the day-to-day running of the
physical workspaces, the use of resources, and decision
making processes.
3. All decisions of the organisation will be made by consensus,
or if consensus cannot be reached then at a meeting by
majority vote. In this constitution, consensus means that all
full members have been given the opportunity to object to a
decision and no reasonable objections have been received. The
consensus making process will be defined in the general
operating procedures.
4. The committee will be responsible for interpreting this
constitution and the general operating procedures.
5. This constitution may only be amended at a general meeting.
6. All members and visitors shall refrain from actions or
behaviour which would have a negative effect on the
organisation. The organisation shall not be held responsible
or liable for any actions or behaviour of individuals
or groups.
7. All members and visitors will be bound by this constitution
and the general operating procedures.
4. Membership.
1. A full member will have the right to keys and be able to
attend any physical workspaces at any time, to have a single
vote, make use of resources, and accompany two visitors; as
detailed in the general operating procedures.
2. A probationary member will have the right to attend any
physical workspaces while a full member is present, make use
of resources, and accompany one visitor; as detailed in the
general operating procedures.
3. New member procedure:
* A prospective member must agree to this constitution and
supply a membership form to the committee along with
nominations from two existing full members.
* Upon acceptance by the committee, the prospective
member will be deemed to be a probationary member.
* After a three month probation period a decision will be
made by the membership on whether a probationary member
will be made a full member, have the probation extended,
or be removed from the organisation.
* The committee can reduce or extend the required probation
period on a case-by-case basis.
4. The membership fee will be paid in advance. The form of
payment will be, monthly by standing order or monthly in cash.
The committee can make arrangements on the amount and form of
payment for members with financial difficulties on a
case-by-case basis.
5. The membership fee can consist of multiple rates, the rates and
criteria for each rate will be set at a general meeting.
6. Any committee member can suspend any member or visitor in
extreme circumstances. Suspended members or visitors will be
denied access to any physical workspaces until the reason for
their suspension has been resolved. An alternative to a
suspension would be a short term timeout, with a suitable time
set by the committee member.
7. If a member wishes to leave the organisation, written notice
must be given to the committee. Continued non-payment of the
membership fee will be deemed to be the same as the receipt of
a written notice to leave the organisation.
8. A general meeting will be held if a full member is to be
removed from the organisation.
9. Upon leaving or being removed from the organisation all keys,
access tokens or organisation property must be return to the
organisation.
10. On the adoption of this constitution all people who have paid
dues prior to its adoption and have agreed to the constitution
will be deemed to be full members.
5. Committee.
1. The tasks of the committee shall be to coordinate the
financial activities, maintain the membership list, coordinate
general meetings, maintain the general operating procedures,
and act as signatories on behalf of the organisation.
2. The committee shall be made up of full members and shall
consist of:
* One Treasurer,
* One Membership Secretary,
* And at least three ordinary committee members.
3. Committee members will receive no remuneration for being
part of the committee, other than reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
4. The Treasurer will maintain the organisations financial
accounts, create budgets, and be the primary bank account
holder.
5. The Membership Secretary will maintain the membership list for
the organisation, and inform members of general meetings. An
ordinary committee member can be co-opted by the committee to
the Membership Secretary position if the need arises.
6. If a committee member resigns from the committee or leaves the
organisation a general meeting will be called to find a
replacement.
7. A general meeting will be held if a committee member is to be
removed from the committee.
8. All personal information will be maintained in strict
confidence by the committee. Any changes or corrections
required to this information can be made through the
Membership Secretary.
6. Income And Finance.
1. The organisation shall be non-commercial and not-for-profit.
2. All income will be used to achieve the organisations
objectives.
3. The primary income source for the organisation will be the
membership fee, all other sources will be secondary income.
4. The committee, in consultation with the membership, shall
coordinate expenditure on the running costs of the
organisation.
5. The committee, in consultation with the membership shall
define general operating procedures for the collection and
disbursement of small cash amounts.
6. Decisions on extra expenditure by the organisation will be
made by the membership.
7. The signature or electronic authorisation of the Treasurer and
another committee member will be required for all cheques or
financial directives of the organisation.
8. Income, assets and surplus may not be distributed to any
member.
9. Accounts shall be kept and audited annually.
7. Use Of Organisation Resources.
1. The organisation will make no claim and take no responsibility
for the projects created by members using organisation
resources.
2. Members may not use organisation resources for continued
commercial activity.
8. General Meetings.
1. There shall be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) held each year.
2. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be convened if:
1. The lower of ten percent of members with full membership
status or ten full members request one.
2. Or the committee requests one.
3. A quorum of a general meeting shall be two committee members
and the lower of ten percent of members with full membership
status or ten full members.
4. The business of the AGM shall include annual reports from the
Treasurer and Membership Secretary, the election of a new
committee, and the setting of the membership fee.
5. The business of an EGM shall be restricted to the items given
in the notice of the general meeting.
6. Notice of all general meetings and the reason for the meeting
shall be given by the committee at least two weeks prior to
the date of the meeting.
7. A general meeting will be chaired by the Treasurer or other
member of the committee, the minutes of the meeting will be
made available after the meeting.
8. At a general meeting resulting in the dissolution of the
organisation, the remaining assets and property of the
organisation must be used to cover any outstanding expenses of
the organisation and/or be distributed to other organisations
with similar objectives.
9. At a general meeting, a vote will be passed if more then half
of the full members present are in favour, and a vote on an
amendment to this constitution will be passed if more then
two thirds of the full members present are in favour.
Date Of Last Revision.
08 Oct 2012
Events
Events