[Coworking] Member access when ownership/management is not there
Hey guys! So, Cowork Gloucester VA is rolling along, and we're doing great so far (open since November and have 3 private offices leased, 1 dedicated desk, 2 part-time members, and 6 community members). However, we're still very green and have a lot to learn. The main thing I am hoping you can give me feedback on is the issue of member access when you or a community manager is not on-site. Because we're so new and don't really have capital behind us, we haven't been able to (and still cannot) afford hiring anyone to be a receptionist or community manager. This leaves me to have to be there pretty much every day from 9 to 5. We allow our Private Office members to have the keypad combo and to come and go as they please, 24/7. Even that is somewhat of a risk, but we felt like we needed to limit liability in not giving that same unfettered access to the lower rungs of membership. Are we being overcautious? Is there another way we could/should approach this? How do you handle it at your space? Thanks in advance! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[Coworking] Member access when ownership/management is not there
I remember how scary this was for me. So I sympathize. But we have keypad access now for pretty much anybody who needs to come in. There is akways someone around and the coworkers here would surely not hesitate to speak up should something odd be seen. And I am oretty sure it would always bee seen. Honestly if I don't trust somebody alone in the space I think they would not be a coworker. But admittedly this space is in a small town, with a small town mentality. In Amsterdam you have to be buzzed into the building and this is normal there. We have twice had situations where coworkers were in a dispute (about something else but it had its impact) and then we did have a practice that one could only come in if the CM or I was there. This was to protect them both -- they were so mad that if a ballpoint pen had gone missing it would have been accusations of theft and derring-do all over the community. Other than that it has not been an issue. The thing about a jeypad is you know who was there when the Unnamed Bad Thing occurred and this makes it easier to resolve. Just my thoughts. You make the decision that's best for your group. Ypu probably alreasy know what it is in your quiet heart. 😊 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[Coworking] Member access when ownership/management is not there
Thanks, Jeannine. You confirmed what I was already feeling. We decided that we're going to just make sure we have an in-depth interview with everyone who signs up moving forward (more detailed than we have been), and we'll rely on the security cameras, the other members and our guts. We have lability insurance, and honestly, we don't have a ton of money invested (very much bootstrapping), so there isn't a ton anyone could steal that we couldn't replace in short order. It's just all new to us. Thanks again for the advice. It's truly helpful to hear from those who have walked the road we're just starting to walk. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[Coworking] Member access when ownership/management is not there
Hi! If your goal is to have certain levels of memberships have 24/7 access, I would recommend have a camera system installed if you don’t have one already. This not only gives you some peace of mind—with remote access etc—but also gives members a sense of security. Simple background checks on new members as well as having a solid membership agreement that protects you as a space from liability of any members lost/stolen items. The agreement on top of reasonable security measures will protect you fully from any legal grounds—unless gross negligence. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
