first stab at writing down the new membership procedure

5-membership.md

@@ -2,10 +2,19 @@
 
 ## How do I become a member?
 
-1. Come to the space a few times so people get to know you.
-2. Fill in a membership form and get two people to sign as sponsors. They will be responsible for making sure you get settled nicely, and they will be responsible for making sure that you understand how the hackerspace works, and how you can be a part of it.
-3. Put your membership application on the agenda for the next meeting. *During that meeting you will have a chance to explain who you are, and why you want to become a member. After this, the other members will decide on your membership by asking if anyone objects. Did no-one object? Congrats! You are now a member!*
-4. Create an automatic bank transfer to transfer the membership fee each month.
+1. Fill in the membership application form and get two people to sign as sponsors. They will be responsible for making sure you get settled nicely, that you understand how the hackerspace works, and know how you can participate.
+2. Come to a meeting to present your application. On this meeting you announce you want to become a member and who your sponsors are. If you want you can talk a bit about why you're interested in the space. *Note: this meeting is simply an announcement. Your membership won't be discussed further, and no decision will be made on that meeting.*
+3. On the next meeting, your membership will be decided upon. You don't have to be present at that meeting, but it's useful to have you present to respond to questions. As a bonus, membership is often the first thing to be decided on a meeting. When you get voted in, you can join the rest of the meeting as a member! Membership decisions at a meeting follow the same process as other meeting decisions. See Chapter 3 for more info.
+4. Create an automatic bank transfer to transfer the membership fee each month. You will get your key after you made your first payment.
+
+Why this process?
+
+* Step #1 ensures that two people know and trust the applicant enough to vouch for them. It als ensures that the "culture" of the space gets transferred to new members.
+* Step #2 ensures that there is some time between the applicant first arriving in the space and the applicant being voted in.
+* Step #3 ensures that there is enough support for the applicant. The meeting decision model is used for the same reasons as to why it's used for meetings: a bad solution is better than no solution.
+* Step #4 gives the new member an incentive to pay asap.
+
+*Note: If you want more context, see the `HTH_2018-11-17_membership.md` document in "the legacy" for more discussion on the membership procedure.*
 
 ## What are the responsibilities of a member?
 
@@ -15,21 +24,21 @@ When a conflict/problem can not be resolved between individuals/via do-ocracy or
 
 The members should do the following things as a group.
 
-- Creating and patching Hack the Hackerspace.
-- Solve problems in the hackerspace when do-ocracy cannot fix them.
-- Electing the board during a General Assembly.
+* Creating and patching Hack the Hackerspace.
+* Solve problems in the hackerspace when do-ocracy cannot fix them.
+* Electing the board during a General Assembly.
 
 *The individuals have to be excellent.*
 
-- Organize workshops, events, lectures.
-- Follow do-ocracy.
-- Actively try to fix problems.
-- Maintain personal safety and that of others.
-- Follow and enforce the Guidelines.
+* Organize workshops, events, lectures.
+* Follow do-ocracy.
+* Actively try to fix problems.
+* Maintain personal safety and that of others.
+* Follow and enforce the Guidelines.
 
 ## Non-members
 
 Non-members are also an important part of the space. They can contribute to the hacker environment and they can be potential members. However, non-members have less privileges than members.
 
-- Non-members are only allowed in the space when they are in company of a member. That member is responsible for the actions of the non-member.
-- Non-members have to follow the guidelines. A non-member is not allowed to challenge a decision made by the group. If the non-member disagree with a decision made by the group, then they should become a member and bring the topic forward on a meeting.
+* Non-members are only allowed in the space when they are in company of a member. That member is responsible for the actions of the non-member.
+* Non-members have to follow the guidelines. A non-member is not allowed to challenge a decision made by the group. If the non-member disagree with a decision made by the group, then they should become a member and bring the topic forward on a meeting.