POLICIES FOR USE OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
10/3/03
Before any facilities or equipment may be used, a thorough understanding of responsibilities of all parties shall be determined and acknowledged by signatures on the application.
The user will agree to assume full responsibility for the use and final condition of facilities and equipment used. There shall be no alcohol use in the building by outside groups, except during the celebration of Communion. All used areas of the building shall be cleaned by the user and returned to the same or better condition than found. The user is responsible for their own set up and take down unless prior arrangements have been made with the office. All garbage and full trash receptacle contents should be placed in the dumpster outside the kitchen. All floors should be swept and tables scrubbed if needed. Vacuum cleaners are located in the nursery and fellowship hall.
All damages, injuries, and unusual incidents occurring during use will be reported in writing by the user to the church office within 24 hours. Users agree to release all responsible authorities of these facilities from any and all liability arising out of the use of facilities or equipment. Users of the building should restrict members of their group to the areas of the building noted on the application. Persons under 21 years of age should not be in the building unless a responsible adult is physically present. No children will be allowed in the nursery without supervision.
All church related activities must be under the sponsorship of one of the congregational boards or council and must involve members of their designees. Exceptions to this are weddings and funerals, which must be scheduled with the pastor(s).
Church facilities shall be made available to church members insofar as the church calendar of activities will allow with church activities having priority over other used. When a building use application is approved, the office shall confirm the event by placing it on the church calendar on a first-come first-served basis.
Due to wear and tear from transportation and use, tables, chairs and other equipment may not be borrowed by members or friends for use outside the church building. The only exception to this will be for church activities held in the homes of church members where additional tables and chairs may be needed.
Members of the congregation using the church building for non-church sponsored activities shall pay a $250 damage deposit which will be held in the office. Any damage noted or discovered will be given in writing to the user and they will be responsible for all damages. When all equipment and facilities have been returned to their original condition, the damage deposit will be returned. A $50 use fee shall be charged to cover insurance, utilities, equipment and furnishings replacements. If the fee presents a hardship for a user, consideration may be given to a reduced fee arrangement. The facilities shall not be used for personal gain or any commercial purpose or for any purpose contrary to the Confession of Faith of the church or other policies.
Outside individuals and groups (i.e. those that are directly associated with any specific ministry at St. Paul) wishing to use the church on a one-time or regular basis shall submit an application to the Congregation Council Executive Committee. The committee will consider how the aims and goals of the using group support the Values, Mission and Vision of this congregation. Using groups will furnish a certificate of insurance naming and protecting the interests of the church. The damage deposit and fee arrangements for building use shall be the same as for members. Groups that use facilities on a regular basis may request a reduced or waived fee from the Congregational Council.
Members of the church who use the building will be given a key before use and will be asked to return it immediately after use. The responsible person will take care of lights, heating and other needs. Building users shall be sure all lights are turned off, thermostats are restored to their previous setting, windows are closed, interior doors locked and ALL outside doors secured upon leaving the building. Special arrangements for outside users must be made with the church office in regards to who is responsible for the above details. Generally speaking, the church should be locked after 8:30 p.m. regardless if there are groups meeting or not. A lost key charge is $5.
Applications for non-church supported use shall be received by the church office and will be approved as soon as possible by the Congregational Council Executive Committee. Use of the building may be periodically reviewed by the Congregational Council as needed. The decisions of the Congregational Council regarding all building use shall be final.
No modifications (physical or decorative) shall be made to the building or grounds without permission of the Operations Board and/or Congregational Council.