Recognition As A Charitable Organisation

One of the earliest questions we had when starting TOG in the spring of 2009 was how much would it cost to keep a hackerspace in Ireland running? All of us can probably think some of the regular costs; rent, electricity, gas, internet, insurance, etc.

A less common known cost is rates. Rates is a form of local property tax paid directly to the local council. It is only paid by the occupiers of commercial or industrial properties.

The amount to be paid is calculated after an independent valuation by the Valuations Office which is multiplied by an amount set each year by the local council. For TOG our local council is Dublin City Council. Continue reading “Recognition As A Charitable Organisation”

Hackerspace @ Electric Picnic

Members from hackerspaces all over Ireland will be forming a temporary
hackerspace at Electric Picnic this year.

We will be in Mindfield area on Saturday and Sunday from 6pm to 8pm. Our home for the weekend will be the incredible inflatable Ignition Stage. We will be running  drop in workshops. Details of the workshops below. Come on by to learn, share, create.

Soldering Workshop

Learn how to solder. Make a pocket LED touch (Might come in handy
finding your tent) or a Flashing LED badge.

Origami Workshop

Origami experts will be on hand to teach you the art of paper folding.
Sit down and let your troubles fold away. Flapping Birds and Paper
flowers are waiting for you to fold them.

Craft Workshop

Do you fancy yourself a bit crafty ? A bunch a friendly crafters will
be ready to help you create your own unique LED bracelet or necklace.

To find us, check out this site map for the Mindfield area.

Ubuntu Rocks

Thanks to our local loco Ubuntu-ie we now have lots of new Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal cds. Desktop Kubuntu and even Server.  So if you around town drop in and pick one up.

SDC11656

 

Also this weekend (Saturday 21st) members of Ubuntu-ie will be meeting in TOG to work on there team re-approval during the hackathon. More details can be found here -> http://t9.ie/y

Unfortunately not everyone in TOG thinks Ubuntu rocks. Check out the video after the break.
Continue reading “Ubuntu Rocks”

Social Night Saturday May 7th

Come one come all:
We will be have a social night next Saturday 7th of May starting around 6pm if weather is night BBQ is on the cards. If weather is nice might start bit earlier but keep an eye out for what we are up to on website or get involved during the week.

Lower membership rate

Before the party last week TOG held it’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2011. After reviewing the treasurer’s report for 2010 and some discussion, the group has decided to reduce the standard membership rate to €45 per month (down from €50), the starving hacker rate will stay at €30 per month.

TOG has established itself as a charitable organisation and is non-commercial and not-for-profit. Our intention is that our membership fee will be set so that it covers our operating costs. Our operating costs include rent, insurance, fees, electricity, gas, internet, etc.

Since moving to our new space in June 2010 our operating costs and membership income have now stabilised. So we are now at a point where we can start reducing the standard rate which has be set at €50 since we first began collecting money early in 2009. As more members come in, we hope to continue this process.