Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ
Policies Regarding Use of Our Space
- General Policies:
- The policy of Spirit of the Lakes (SOTL) is to make its facilities available for religious, cultural, educational, and recreational activities of responsible community groups so far as such use does not interfere with the use of its building by the membership and organizations of the church.
- Events will be scheduled in the church calendar according to the following priorities:*
- All worship events - including Sunday services, funerals, and weddings
- Wednesday evenings -- adult education until 9:00 pm
- Preparation or rehearsals for worship events
- Choir rehearsals
- Council and team meetings
- SOTL members
- SOTL attendees (non-members)
- Outside non-profit organizations
- Outside for-profit events
- SOTL facilities are used by groups with a variety of objectives, philosophies, and attitudes. The fact that a group is permitted to meet at SOTL does not constitute an endorsement by the church of the group's policies or beliefs. Meeting publicity shall not imply such endorsement.
- Because we are a 501(C)(3) organization, NO POLITICAL EVENTS, such as fundraising banquets for endorsing political candidates or lobbying groups, are allowed to rent the building.
- SOTL reserves the right to deny/revoke permission to use any meeting space.
- SOTL's Representative Council shall be the final authority in granting or refusing permission for use of the building by outside groups.
- Members of SOTL will not be charged a fee for one-time space use; however a donation would be gratefully accepted. Non-members, outside non-profit and for-profit organizations will be assessed a fee for use of the building. Any group wanting to rent space on an ongoing basis will be assessed a monthly fee for use.
- In the event of the death of a SOTL member or attendee, all previously scheduled events will be canceled for the time of the funeral or memorial service. As a church, our first obligation is, and has to be, to our congregation. In the event of a death, we will try our best to work around any previously arranged rentals; however this may not be possible. If we have to cancel a rental, renters will be refunded any deposit or rental payment.
- Any use of facilities of SOTL must be in accordance with the regulations hereinafter set forth.
- Regulations for Use of SOTL Facilities
- The group representative will fill out the "Contract for Building Rental" and return it to the office manager. The contract shall name the individual who will have charge of the event and see that the church's regulations, with respect to the use of its facilities, are carried out.
- With the "Contract for Building Rental" the renter should enclose two checks made payable to Spirit of the Lakes. One check should be made out for the amount of the rent payment and should include the words "For Building Rental" in the memo line. The second check should be made out for the amount of the cleaning/damage/security/key deposit. This check will be returned to the renter after the date of the rental if all of the policies, regulations, security, and cleaning procedures are followed; the key is returned; and there is no damage.
- "Contracts for Building Rental" may be approved by the office manager per the guidelines provided by the Trustee Team. The Trustee Team, the Representative Council, or the Steering Committee has the responsibility for approving all contracts.
- Groups who use SOTL will be responsible for discipline and reasonable care of the church property and furnishings and shall be expected to pay for any damage. There must be a supervising adult in charge and present at all times whenever a group of young people (high school age or under) uses a room.
- NO ALCOHOL, BEER, OR WINE may be served in the building. Serving food in the building is permitted, but cooking is not allowed.
- Unless previously agreed to, the church's sound system, church supplies, or other equipment may not be used during a rental.
- The piano/organ may not be used or moved during a rental unless previously arranged with David Lohman, the Minister of Music. Renters may not unplug the humidifier attached to the piano for any reason.
- Renters may not change the temperature on any of the thermostats. Please contact the office manager before the rental to be sure that the building will be at a proper temperature during the time of the rental.
- No event shall continue past 1:00 am. Music/noise must be kept to a reasonable/respectable level.
- The set-up and clean-up are the responsibility of the renter using the space. Instructions for clean-up are as follow:
- Bathrooms -
Sweep and mop
Clean toilet and sink basins as needed - Garbage Removal-
Empty bagged, non-recyclable garbage into dumpster in parking lot - Church Area-
Sweep (and spot mop where needed) church floor
Replace chairs to their places
Vacuum rugs at church entrance
Remove all personal decorations
Turn off all appliances and lights
- Bathrooms -
- Renters are responsible for properly unlocking the building and disarming the security system when they enter, and for arming the security system and locking the building when they leave. Failure to arm the security system and lock the building when leaving, or any improper operation of the security system resulting in a police response will result in the loss of the renter's security deposit.
- Spirit of the Lakes UCC Church is not responsible for any personal injuries or property damage.
- The pick-up and return of the key for the church should be arranged with the office manager. The office manager can be reached at 612-724-2313. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and by appointment. If you are calling after these hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned. The key should be returned within 48 hours of the event.
- If there are any further questions, please contact the office manager as soon as possible at 612-724-2313. Otherwise, sign the attached contract and send it back to Spirit of the Lakes with your rent and cleaning/damage/security/key deposit checks. Upon approval of the contract, we will expect you to understand the agreement and the instructions for clean-up. If the above policies, regulations and cleaning procedures in this agreement are not followed, or the building is damaged, your cleaning/damage/security/key deposit will not be returned and you will need to pay the balance of any repairs or any fines associated with a police response.
- The group representative will fill out the "Contract for Building Rental" and return it to the office manager. The contract shall name the individual who will have charge of the event and see that the church's regulations, with respect to the use of its facilities, are carried out.