How to: Classes, Workshops and Events

This page is shiny new, bear with us as we get it polished

Steps to Hold a Class, Workshop, or Event

• Seek member agreement that this is a good idea.
  • This helps you gauge the interest and attendance
  • This also helps you find members willing to help, including covering you in case you are sick etc. the day off
  • Ideally, this would be brought up for discussion at the Monthly Member Meeting. If not, you can seek input on the discussion mailing list.
  • If you have never taught a class before and need some help formulating a plan, talk to Tracy, Ian, or Tom, who are all experienced teachers, and/or attend the next "How to Teach a Class" class (check the calendar; there's one scheduled for February 28, 2012 and there'll be more after that).

• Thing to determine:
  • Where will this be held?
    • In the wonderful world of FamiLAB 10x, most classes can and should be held at the lab, but if it would work better somewhere else, that's cool too.
    • If you want to hold at Cloudspace, you need to ask Dan L. if he will host. Please don't expect this - this is a very cool thing he does for us, but there are limits.
  • Is this a class or a workshop? This is about proper expectation setting for the attendees
    • Class = instructor that is presenting information and agreeing to help all students individually gain the knowledge.
    • Workshop = Group session, someone will demonstrate or show the highlights, everyone working together
  • Is the public invited?
  • Are there materials required?
    • How much will these cost?
    • Do we have to hit a certain quantity for discounts?
    • How much risk is there in ordering these parts before tickets are sold?
  • Do course materials - slides, etc. Already exist for this? If not, who will create them?
  • Will you need a projector?

• Once you've sought member input on the idea, and thought through the above, contact the group that administers classes at FamiLAB
  • You can use the classes@familab.org email alias which goes to this group
  • This group helps with venue location, class setup, ticket revenue, expenses, promotion, ordering materials, etc.

• Good Promotion (If you agree to hold a class, this will likely all be done for you...) includes:
  • A FamiLAB EventBrite account page for tickets (even if free, tickets are a good idea)
    • Optional Benefits include:
      • RSVP
      • Easy headcount
      • Limits on the number of people
      • Free tickets, "Donation" tickets, or set price tickets
      • Sale of Materials
      • Promotion on the EventBrite site
      • Ability to email attendees with reminder (what to bring, how to get to the lab, etc.)
  • An entry on the familab.org Public Classes and Events page (if it includes the public)
  • An entry on the FamiLAB Google Calendar
  • A blog entry with featured image that highlights the class or event on the main page of familab.org
  • Twitter promotion (typically done by Ian C.)
  • Facebook promotion (just relaunched, Ian C. will start doing if others dont...)
  • Linked In promotion (typically done by Ian C.)
  • Reddit promotion (typically done by Tony M. or Bill R.)
  • Announcement to the FamiLAB Lists
  • Add event to the Florida Creatives Calendar
  •  ???

• Preparing for the event
  • Rehearse your presentation and make sure you have everything you need - slides, materials, backup plans (what if the projector explodes 5 minutes before class?) etc.
  • If it is at Cloudspace, remind Dan L. that he needs to be there to let you in!
  • Send a reminder email - EventBrite does this automatically, but for certain classes, like the Arduino class, we send a special reminder asking them to bring a laptop, download the IDE, bring the correct hardware, etc.
  • If it is at the lab, please arrive early to make sure everything is the way you want it - clean, organized and laid out for your class.
  • Send attendees any reminders (what to bring, directions to the lab, etc.) - EventBrite makes this easy
  • Get the ticket check-in list from EventBrite
  • Group / Label any materials by attendee in advance
  • Get Nametags
  •  ???

• As attendees show up
  • Welcome them. If you have an extra member or two around, get them to help with this while you prep the educational part of the class :)
  • Get them checked in
  • Give them a nametag
  • Give them their materials
  • If at the lab, ask if they want a quick show & tell (at least point out the bathroom!) - Explain what FamiLAB is, our mission, etc. Read our About page if you need some words :)