Editing NodeGrant (section)

== Node Grant Request For Proposals ==

'''WE''' are Baltimore Node, a member run hackerspace, and we have up to $250 ready to give away, every month, to support an awesome project. Your project.

'''YOU''' are a member of Baltimore Node or a citizen of Baltimore who likes to do interesting work and has a project in mind.

=== What is a fundable project? ===

1) ''It's interesting.'' Take a look at [http://baltimorenode.org our blog], the [[Event_Proposals]] page, or the [[Project_Proposals]] page to get an idea of the kind of things we think are interesting. Also take a look at [http://www.instructables.com/], [http://www.media.mit.edu/research/groups-projects], [http://www.generatorx.no/category/generative-art/], [http://eyebeam.org/], or [http://www.sparkfun.com] for more interesting things.

2) ''You've got a plan.'' We're giving the money based on budget and need, so you have an idea of what it's going to require in terms of parts, tools, people, and time. We want to support people doing things, not thinking about doing things or just throwing out interesting ideas for things (although brainstorming is an important part of the ideation process).

3) ''It's open.'' We're interested in how it works out, so tell us about it! Ideally this will look like an [http://www.instructables.com Instructable], some blog posts, a whole bunch of pictures in [http://www.flickr.com/groups/1127918@N24/ our Flickr pool], and a presentation at an [[OpenHack]] or a workshop to help other people do what you did (or maybe the project ''is'' a workshop, whatever).

At the very least you'll tell us what you did so we can talk about it. The easiest way to make sure your work is documented would be to...

4) ''Uses the workshop.'' We've got tools, benches and space for you to keep your stuff. If you're a member with a key, you're all set. If you aren't, get in touch with the members on [http://groups.google.com/group/baltimore-node-discussion/ the mailing list] to figure out when people will be in the space and stop by then.

5) ''Gets other people interested.'' The best and most popular projects (i.e., the one's that get funding) will be those that get the most people involved or are simply so awesome that we can't not support them. Show some passion, tell a compelling story, come to an Open Hack and get people so excited about it they beg you to let them help you.

=== How We Choose Projects ===

We're a member run organization, so the membership will decide by vote which project is going to get funding. For the first few rounds, projects will be chosen from among the membership, based on the [[Project_Proposals]] page. The decision making criteria will be: 

* Awesomeness
* Preparation
* Participation

Preparation and Participation are kind of objective. That is, eligible projects will tend to be obvious. Awesomeness is totally subjective and totally at the whim of the folks picking projects. Rock.

In the end it'll come down to what project the members can get behind in a given month.

=== How To Submit Your Project === 

There's no official submission process. The [[Project_Proposals]] page is still the place to go to talk about things you think would be interesting in big-list-of-awesome format. Anywhere on the wiki would be fine,reall, just make your own page, or write a post for our blog, start a new blog (I suggest http://tumblr.com), lay down some wicked Tweetage, make a Facebook fan page, whatever. Just post to [http://groups.google.com/group/baltimore-node-discussion/ the mailing list] if you've got a project you'd like to be considered for the grant.