If I could give HackPittsburgh negative stars, I would…read more
I was a member of Hack Pittsburgh for three years and was at the shop nearly every day. I contributed thousands of dollars worth of equipment and spent more time there working on improving the shop than working on my own projects. I truly enjoyed my time there until a new board was elected.
When this new group took over, they made a series of decisions that benefited them and exercised their power over other members, not for the benefit of the shop as a whole.
Two board members, a couple, ran their Internet Service Provider business out of the shop and received a $100,000 grant, even though running a business out of the shop violates their constitution.
Another board member was particularly cruel to older men. She even posted an apology on her Facebook page, blaming her behavior on not having good health insurance and being off her medication. Even after she got health insurance, her behavior didn't improve. Her boyfriend, also on the board, always voted with her.
The fifth member of the board, the President, was ineffectual and unable to resolve conflicts between members. The situation was completely out of his control.
The shop took on a park beautification project for the City of Pittsburgh, with an agreement to maintain the park for five years. Months later, most of their work was destroyed, and they had already spent the entire project budget. They made no effort to fulfill the terms of their agreement.
Funds that were supposed to be used for maintaining shop equipment were spent on one large and expensive tool for the benefit of one former board member. Because of the placement of this tool in the shop, there was not adequate walking space around it, against the manufacturer's recommendations. This tool's placement also jammed the other tools in the shop together in a way that made them unsafe to use. When I called for a vote about this tool's location, my membership was anonymously revoked with no opportunity for discussion.
Three other older men were also driven out about the same time I was. We contacted an attorney to take legal action against Hack Pittsburgh for lack of ADA compliance and ageism. The arrangement of the shop required that heavy tools be moved, and in one case climbed on, for use. We were told that as a private club, they are allowed to be prejudiced and that even if we won a lawsuit, the shop's total assets wouldn't cover the legal fees.
If you are going there to use the tools, don't bother. Due to bad maintenance, any given tool may not be working when you get there, and if you're not part of the in-group, you may be treated badly. Also, don't donate anything to Hack Pittsburgh. During the time I was there, I saw valuable tools and materials carelessly thrown away during shop cleans.
Sincerely, don't waste your time at Hack Pittsburgh. I know five other former members of Hack Pittsburgh who will tell you the same thing: avoid this place. The shop is so badly run it can only exist because its landlord gives them cheap rent and doesn't know what's going on in his building.