PawPrint Prototyping is only as good as the people who show up and contribute. Membership dues keep the lights on, but participation is what makes the space worth having.
There's no single right way to be involved. Here are some examples, roughly ordered from casual to deeply invested:
Come in, work on your projects, hang out. That's the baseline. A space with people in it is better than an empty one.
Run a workshop. Give a lightning talk at a meeting. Write a wiki page about something you're good at. Mentor someone who's learning a skill you already have.
Take out the trash. Restock the kitchen. Fix a broken tool. Organize a messy shelf. Update the wiki when something changes. These small acts keep the space functional and welcoming.
Launch an interest group. Propose a group project. Organize a field trip. Set up a new piece of equipment. The do-ocracy principle means you don't need permission, just initiative.
Attend general body meetings. Vote on motions. Propose changes. Run for the board. This is how the space's direction gets set, and it only works if people show up.
Participation isn't an obligation beyond your dues. Some months you'll be deeply involved; other months you might only swing by to use the laser cutter. Both are fine. The space benefits from a mix of engagement levels.
What matters is that when you do participate, you do so in the spirit of excellence — with respect for others and in good faith.
If you're new and not sure where to jump in:
The concept of active participation as a core hackerspace value is drawn from communities like Noisebridge and the broader hackerspace movement. We've adapted it to reflect how our space operates.