The Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC) encourages use of its facility for activities consistent with the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Building Use Policy establishes the guidelines and procedures for the use of these facilities.

 

          The use of these meeting facilities by any individual or organization signifies their acceptance of the Building Use Policy and agreement to follow these guidelines. Individuals and/or organizations that do not comply with the MUUC Facility Use Policy may be restricted from further use of the facility and be assessed for any damages.

 

Scheduling

 

1.               Scheduling of the building must be done through the Building Use Coordinator (�Coordinator�). Contact information for the Coordinator can be found at the end of this Policy. The Coordinator may be contacted via our website or at schedule-building@mqtuu.org.

 

2.               Once a week or more frequent scheduling of the building by non-members or other organizations must be approved by the MUUC Board of Trustees. Individuals or organizations may not schedule the building on behalf of other individuals or organizations, nor may they transfer their reservations from one scheduled event to another.

 

3.         For non-church sponsored events, event insurance must be obtained and a Hold Harmless agreement signed.

 

4.               Eligibility and Priority Ranking for Scheduling: In general, the building will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The building may be reserved for special events up to one year in advance. However, the scheduler will keep the following priorities in mind when giving permission for building use. Our general priorities for use are listed in order below. Special event scheduling needs to be made around the regular church schedule.

 

a.               Regular meetings of the congregation, its committees, and its sponsored groups.

 

b.              Occasional use of the building for functions of the congregation, its sponsored groups, its members and celebrations of church members.

 

c.               Other congregations for occasional use or for frequent use in case of emergency situations. We would seek to honor these requests in so far as scheduling permits.

 

d.               Non-profit community service groups which seek meeting space either on a one time or a regular basis. We would seek to honor these requests in so far as scheduling permits. Regular meetings will be approved only if they further the goals of MUUC and will not interfere with the space needs of MUUC groups.

 

e.            The building may not be used for political campaign activities. Political forums, such as �Meet the Candidates� or debate events are allowed, provided all interested parties and candidates are invited to attend

 

 

Building Procedures

 

1.       Smoking/open flames

a.        Smoking in the building and on the wooded areas of the property is prohibited. Smoking in the parking lot is permitted 20 feet away from the entry doors.

 

b.       Specially designed serving dishes with holders for sterno or candle flames are allowed. Candles or open flames for food warming plates must be enclosed in proper containers designed for the purpose. Candles used with glass protectors around the flame are allowed. Open flame candles are only allowed during services. Candles or other flames must be properly extinguished at the end of the service or use period.

 

2.       Use of Alcoholic Beverages

a.       If the event involves the service and consumption of alcoholic beverages, the Lessee or event organizer will purchase their own alcoholic beverages and will designate a responsible person to monitor that the alcohol is used in a manner consistent with Michigan law. The lessee or event organizer agrees to be solely responsible to assure that the alcoholic beverages are served in compliance with applicable Michigan law and hold MUUC harmless from acts resulting from the use of alcohol.

 

b.       The sale of alcoholic beverages on church property is prohibited.  

 

3.       Food Service: Food is not to be sold at this facility until MUUC completes the necessary health department inspections. Food may be catered in or brought in, but not prepared in the building for sale. Food may not be cooked in the kitchen for non-church sponsored events. Coffee and hot water pots may be used by all.

 

4.       Telephone: The telephone is located in kitchen on the wall. Instructions for use are posted nearby in a framed poster. It is for brief use only as we are charged by the minute. It MUST be turned on to work. (It is usually left turned off so it doesn�t ring and disturb services.) To turn on, press the button on the top left of the phone. You do not need to dial the area code to call out. For emergency help, dial 911 and press green send button, once the phone has been turned on.

 

5.       Entry and Set-up

a.       A loaner key for members to enter or lock up the building can be obtained by prior arrangement with the Coordinator  or schedule-building@mqtuu.org . Non-members using the building will need to arrange with the Coordinator for a member to open or close the building, unless another arrangement is authorized by the Coordinator or Board of Trustees, in which case a key deposit will be required. (See fees.) NO copies of keys are to be made by anyone, except our Building Use Coordinator.

b.       The keys work only two doors: the door to the main entry and the door to the multipurpose room. All the other doors are for emergency exit only and cannot be opened by key. Doors can be fixed to stay unlocked for the duration of an activity, or they can be fixed to lock after shutting.

 

c.       There are many light switch panels in the building. You will have to use trial and error to find the ones you want. Please note that when leaving and shutting lights off, that some turn off by switching upward and others by switching downward. We expect all lights to be turned off when leaving, except for the outside main door lights.

 

d.       The fans in the sanctuary are regulated by the two dimmer switches�one by the emergency exit at the back of sanctuary and one by the front podium. Turn to the far left (counter clockwise) to turn off, and to the right to turn on. They act to cool the building. Do not turn on in the winter.

 

e.       Thermostats are set to turn on and off for Sunday services. They may be turned on for special meetings and activities by pushing the up arrow on the thermostat to the desired level. A 68 degree setting makes the rooms quite comfortable. Setting the thermostats higher does not result in any more rapid heating. It takes about a couple hours to warm the meeting space in the winter. Please only heat the part of the building which is being used. Thermostats go back to their automatic settings at midnight. each day. We request people turn the heat down to 50 degree upon leaving the building for the day. It saves energy. It takes around two hours to heat the sanctuary area during the winter. The inner sanctuary doors need to be kept closed during the winter.

 

f.       There are six thermostats and zones in the building:

A.  In the foyer area, to the right on the right of the double doors before entering the sanctuary

B.  To your left after your first step into the main sanctuary

C.  Above the coffee table, to the left of the double doors before entering the kitchen

D.  In women�s bathroom just inside the door to the left

E.  On the south wall in the multipurpose room at the east end of the building

F.  On the north wall of the smaller, yellow children�s room.

 

g.       Parking lot lights can be turned on by flipping the circuit breaker in the electrical box located in the utility room between the men�s and women�s bathroom. It is circuit breaker #27. They take a couple minutes to warm up before lighting up. Please turn off upon leaving.

 

6.       Clean up and Lock-Up

a.       The cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaner are located in the utility closet between the two bathrooms. If you use the last of any supplies, please let the Building Use Coordinator know or replace them.

b.       Rooms must be returned to their prior arrangement if chairs and tables have been moved. Failure to leave the building clean, with lights turned out, and in as good condition as it was found may result in loss of building privileges for future activities. A fee will be added if special cleaning and repair of church facilities is required.

 

c.       The Building Use Coordinator or another church officer needs to be notified at the time of scheduling, if the building needs special cleaning prior to Sunday services because of a borrower�s or renter�s activities.

 

d.       Both the main entry and multipurpose room doors need to be locked upon leaving. The door handle to the multipurpose room needs to be double checked that it is locked � if the door handle is locked in a certain position, it can be reopened by hand.

 

Double check that all windows are closed, candles/open flames extinguished, the stove/coffee pots/appliances are turned off, lights and fans turned off, parking lights are off, toilets are not running, and doors are locked.

 

 7.      Building problems: Problems with the building or damage should be reported to the Building Committee contacts listed at the end of this policy.