Tim and I talked last night about pricing and part of that discussion was free tickets for folks who can't afford the $50 level.

Motivation
I think it's important for up to come up with a policy to open our camp to really disadvantaged groups.
This value can up a number of times in our mission discussion.
We can set an example for other camps and organizers.
With our large reserves, we can try this and fail, and move on to try something else.

Logistics
Create a free level ticket
Provide an additional section under the two existing levels with a little verbiage and a link
We create a page describing the free program, and the free subscription button

Adoption
We use the free ticket level as a tool to solicit attendees
We contact after school programs, libraries, and other programs that work to span the digital divide
Free tickets are encouraged rather than hidden, with no shame or stigma

Let's discuss!

Comments

wylbur created an issue. See original summary.

minneapolisdan’s picture

minneapolisdan commented

If we do offer this, I'd like it to be on a separate page of our site, to avoid confusion with listing it next to our paid options.

I'm mostly for this, but one issue I'd like to raise -- we don't charge for training, but have limited spaces available. If we offered free tickets to a large group (e.g. a classroom), and they opted for training, and then a number of people didn't show up...

My point is that, historically, people tend to show up more often for things like conferences and trainings when they have some financial stake in the process. Perhaps we charge a small amount of $10, which is then applied to lunch for the training day?

eojthebrave’s picture

eojthebrave
he/him
Primary language English
Location Minneapolis, MN
commented

+1 I like this idea. 💯

We could always just say that the free ticket doesn't include training. And are intended for people to attend the Friday/Saturday portions of the camp.

stpaultim’s picture

stpaultim commented

So I strongly support the intentions of this proposal. I strongly support an aggressive program to make the camp affordable and accessible to new audiences and disadvantaged groups. I am not sure that FREE tickets are the only solution to this problem. I'm open to other solutions.

1) Yes, I agree that we could put some limitations on free tickets.
* They might not apply to trainings
* They might only apply to specific trainings (Intro to Drupal)
* They might only apply to trainings if there is space left 3 days before training day?
(all options)

2) Free tickets encourage people to sign up but not show up. Maybe this isn't a problem for us, but maybe it is. I would like to see a sub committee look at this problem and propose a way to offer very cheap or free tickets, but to also provide a plan for how we deal with the uncertainty about who is going to show up.

3) Maybe we only offer free tickets for the unconference on Saturday?

I think that this and other decisions should go through a committee, where they can be discussed by a smaller group with time to think them through and offer a specific proposal.

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
commented
Priority: Normal » Major
Status: Active » Needs work

Bumping this one for visibility. Coming up with a plan for reaching out to the appropriate organizations specifically to invite them to attend and offering free or discounted admission should be a high priority

jerdavis’s picture

jerdavis
Location Minneapolis, MN
commented
Status: Needs work » Fixed

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed - issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.