Member Handbook

Our Purpose, Mission, Culture, and Vision

It’s important stuff, so we have a full page on our purpose, mission, vision, and culture.

House Rules

We’re not big on rules. Rule 1 and Respect for others pretty much covers all aspects of fostering a productive community. That said, here are a few specifics worth mentioning:

  • Rule 1: Leave things as good or better than they were found.
  • Don’t abuse the internet bandwidth. No illegal BitTorrent / file-sharing, PERIOD.

Leave things better for the next person, they do the same, and the cycle continues.

Simple Examples: Push in chairs, put ink or paper in the printer, clean spills, remove refrigerator clutter, put dishes in the dishwasher.

Sound Level

  • Sound oscillates between library and coffee shop throughout the day.
  • If it’s noisy and you need to focus then put on headphones, or grab a booth.
  • Try not to interrupt someone wearing headphones.
  • If you need to take a long or loud phone call then please grab a booth

Membership Rates and Benefits

We’re always striving to improve the value and experience, so see our “Become a Member” page for current rates and member benefits.

Synergy Mill Corporate Membership

Active part-time and full-time members may access the Synergy Mill maker space for free (normal price is $65/month) after a $50 one-time setup fee due to OpenWorks.

Simply fill out their form to continue that process. Schedule an official tour with Doug Cone or Joey Loeman or show up on a Wednesday night at 7PM during their normal Hack Nights.

Gym / Fitness Center

Gym access and daily-use lockers are free for full-time members after filling out the gym waiver.

Payment

  • Invoices are auto-emailed the 1st of the month and should be paid electronically by debit or credit card.
  • Click “View & Pay” in the email and the top-left corner of the website has links to Print and download (PDF). The payment form is on the right side.
  • Automatic overdue reminders are sent after 3, 7, and 14 days.

Desks

Full-Time Desks

  • The space above and below the desk footprint is yours, so cabinets and such are fine.
  • 99% of the time we’ll have new and used inventory of the IKEA two desk options

Want a standing desk?

You find/build your own standing base to go along with one of the two IKEA tops above. We expect black legs that fit within/under the footprint of the top.

Members have used systems like:

If you need to sell an unused desk then OpenWorks will put it in a queue for new members.

Events and Meeting Rooms

Rooms available to full-time members include:

These rooms are shared with the tenants of NEXT on Main and fellow OW members and we expect members to keep the number of all-day or multiple-room reservations to a minimum. When multiple room or multiple day events are under consideration please start a conversation with ops@.

Outside communities can generally be hosted on nights and weekends with the expectation that a member sponsor each event.

For paid events, or those which otherwise aren’t a match for the NEXT on Main rooms, we are able to offer a 25% discount to members for event and conference space via a local downtown partner
(Members Must Login to Basecamp or Further Details)

Mail and Package Delivery

There are no mailboxes available to members. Please do not send mail to 101 North Main. If you need to send a one-time item, like a Google Local validation postcard, then give a heads up to ops@joinopenworks.com

If package delivery is necessary, then please use the following format:

Person’s Name
Organization Name
101 N Main St
Third Floor Suite 302 Area {insert your area code, based on the overhead lights}
Greenville, SC 29601

Parking

Parking is not included in Membership. However, we do maintain a list of nearby parking, which anyone can edit.

Biking

Bikes can be locked up:

  • outside on one of many plaza racks
  • inside OpenWorks on the wall rack inside our space.
  • under covered / indoor racks on the plaza-level of the Aloft parking deck.

Trash & Recycling

  • We have centralized trash and recycling. If a personal can is needed then expect to dump it into a big can.
  • There is a trash compacter and cardboard dumpster behind the building on Richardson St.
      • Large cardboard needs to be flattened to fit in the blue dumpster.
      • Large or smelly trash can go in the trash compactor via the small door on the front-right side.

Pets

OpenWorks is pet friendly. However, pets may only enter through the parking deck and should remain in OpenWorks’ area. We have an exception from the building owner, so please use it but don’t abuse it.

Business License

The City of Greenville expects businesses to obtain a business license. Tax abatements (discounts) are available for non-profits, certain “high-growth” industries, and for new organizations. OpenWorks’ occupancy permit # is 15-1854.

Printing / Scanning

There is a community printer/scanners available for light jobs. See our printer notes for more on setup, ink levels, replacing ink, etc.

Keys, Security and Insurance

  • The last member out of the OpenWorks room (suite 302) is expected to close our door.
  • Building hours are Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM. However, full-time members have access 24/7 to the 3rd floor and OpenWorks.
  • Member property is NOT covered by OpenWorks insurance – you are encouraged to purchase your own insurance if you have things worth insuring.
  • One key fob for each full-time paid desk since we expect one person per membership.
  • Members may loan their key to a friend/guest if/as needed, but the member agreement makes a member liable for guest actions.
  • Fee for lost key fob is $35.00
  • Key fobs are to be be returned to OW when members leave or downsize.
  • OpenWorks’ door will lock when closed, but we like to keep our door propped open when there are multiple members present and no external problems.
  • Security guard and building contacts are listed under the glass near the community printer

Communication Channels

  • Day to Day – We use Slack for chatter.
  • Ideas – have an idea and want to see if it has legs? Share ideas via Imagine That.
  • Tasks and Projects – we use Basecamp to manage operational, marketing, and recruiting tasks.
  • Maintenance / Repairs – something broken? Please post a note on Slack and email ops @ joinopenworks.com. If necessary, we’ll create a work order.
  • Security and building contacts are listed under the glass near the community printer

Moving In

The lobby elevators should not be used. Please use the Richardson St parking deck entrance.

Power

For fire code reasons we’re not allowed to use extension cords of any length. Only UL approved power strips with over-current protection may be used. All power strips should be plugged directly into the 4-outlet power blocks coming from the overhead reels. If all 4 outlets are in use then we have, or will add, additional 25 foot power strips to supplement.

Personal heaters and most appliances are not allowed per our lease agreement.

To Be Continued….

Lots more nuts and bolts information is available in our General Notes.

Getting Started