Want To Use Our Building?

BUILDING USAGE POLICY

Our facility is cooperatively owned and shared by the members of Highlands Community Church.  The policy for management of this facility is intended to ensure orderly access by first, the church program of ministries; second, members of the church; third, regular attenders (those individuals who have a record of attending 2 – 4 times per month for at least 6 months); and finally, the broader Christian community and our local community.  Fees may be assessed in certain instances to cover full or partial expenses of an event.

When you use the building, two simple rules of thumb should guide you:

• This building is a gift of God, and it represents the sacrificial giving of a lot of people.  Use it joyfully for His glory, but do your best to take care of it.
• When you are done using the building, remember that others will follow who also want to use it to minister to people.  Leave it in great shape, like you would want to find it if you were coming in to do a ministry!

GENERAL FACILITY POLICY

NOTE:  For private gatherings (non-ministry use), a usage fee of $50 will be requested two weeks prior to the event for the use of the building. Additional fees apply for weddings or large events (including a security deposit and event/usage fee).

1. Facility usage must be coordinated with the church calendar and scheduled in advance with the church Events Coordinator by filling out a “Building Use Request” form below.  Non-wedding events will be considered for approval no sooner than two months prior to the event.  Upon receipt of a completed Building Usage Request form, a tentative “hold” will be placed.  Notification will follow.
2. All events are required to have an official key-holder from Highlands Community Church present and on-site throughout event.
3. Members and regular attenders are asked to do set-up, take down and clean up of the area used.  (See Maintenance Supervisor for instruction.)  A $25 per hour fee will be assessed in the event that excessive or unusual clean up is required (after the event) on the part of the church maintenance team (additional fees required for weddings or large events).
4. We encourage the use of rooms as they are currently set up. Rooms must be returned to the original layout if altered or additional cleanup fees may apply.
5. Use of kitchen equipment may require a review of operation by an authorized person.  The church’s kitchenware may be used for your event (i.e, metal silverware, serving platters, bowls); the paper products in the kitchen may be used for church/ ministry events, but will need to be provided by the party hosting a non church/ ministry related event (i.e., plates, napkins, styrofoam cups, plastic silverware). 
6. ABSOLUTELY NO:
   1. alcoholic beverages on church property
   2. smoking in the church building
   3. pesticides or other chemicals in or around the church facility
   4. food or drink in the Sanctuary area
   5. red, purple, lime green, orange or other “colored” drinks in the carpeted areas of the building (alternative suggestions include: lemonade, 7-Up, Sprite)  NOTE:  Any spills should be reported to staff immediately!
   6. taking church equipment from the premises for personal use (includes all tables and chairs). This will constitute theft.
   7. moving of platform, liturgical/musical furniture without permission
   8. un-approved personnel in the AV booth
   9. Duct tape on walls, floors, or other surfaces; Gaffer’s tape is a usable alternative (check with church maintenance before purchasing)
   10. rollerskates or skateboards
   11. crafting materials that can stain or damage carpet or flooring
7. The use of snacks with children must be supervised by an adult; snacks should be used in designated areas.
8. The church will not be responsible for personal property left in the building.
9. Scotch tape or string can be used to hang decorations; tape must be removed completely.
10. Candles may only be used with great caution and with approval of Church staff – wax causes considerable damage to carpet and wood flooring.
11. We request respect for other programs using the building at the same time.
12. Highlands Community Church must provide approval for adult supervision of children during an event held in the building (background checks required at $10.00 per person).  Rooms used for childcare must also be requested and approved before the event.
13. Doors of rooms not requested (and approved for use) must remain closed.
14. Saturday evening events must be cleaned up, finished and out of the building by 10:00 pm. Later times must be approved in advance by Church leadership.
15. When leaving the building, please follow the lock-up procedure listed below.

LOCK-UP PROCEDURE

The last person in the building should be the ministry leader/ person who requested the use of the building for the event.  This person needs to pick up the laminated “Building Usage Checklist” which can be found at the Welcome Center.  Each item on the checklist needs to be “checked”, and the sheet “initialed” when done.  The completed and initialed checklist/ clipboard should be left on the Welcome Center for the Building Maintenance Supervisor to pick up.  To lock and secure the building, please follow this procedure:

1. Review the checklist and check each area as specified (kitchen, bathrooms, doors and lights). 
2. Ensure all exterior doors are locked.  This is done by inserting the allen-type key into the back of the handle and turning it one click to the left.  This will cause the push bar to come out, which is the locked position.  (If you need to reopen the door, push the push bar in, hold it in, and turn the allen key one click to the right.  The push bar will stay in, and it is now in the open position.)  The allen keys are found next to or near all external doors.
3. Ensure security system is properly set before exiting building (see separate instructions).
4. Double check that doors are locked by pulling on them before you leave.  If they do not lock, please contact church staff before leaving!

Any changes to the nature of this policy (or items not covered here) should be directed to and approved by the Events Coordinator.  Please report any building problems immediately to church staff.

Facility Reservation Form