POLICY FOR The Dakota Creek Christian Center

PURPOSE

The Dakota Creek Center (DCCC) is to be used to bring glory to God and serve the community, through Christian worship,  education, fellowship, recreation, and outreach ministries.

GENERAL USE

1.  The use of the DCCC facility, as well as all Dakota Creek Christian Center property, shall be determined and controlled by the Church Board in keeping with the Church policy .  The church shall use the facility to the best advantage in carrying out the purpose of the body.

2.  Use of the DCCC shall conform to fire and safety ordinances.

3.  The person in charge of an anticipated activity shall read the DCCC Policy and complete a Facility Use Form, which is available in the Church Office.  Reserving the facility will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Plans for an anticipated activity should not be fully developed and announced until permission is given by a church staff member and the activity is recorded on the Master Calendar.  All anticipated functions should be placed on the Easter Calendar in the Church Office preferably three months and no later than two weeks in advance of the event.

4.  Unauthorized rooms will be locked; even if individuals have access to Sunday School rooms, they are to respect other peoples property by not disturbing the room setup to include pictures, chalkboards, decorations, supplies, audiovisual equipment, coffee pots, etc.

5.  Any damage to the church facility or property resulting from misuse by persons or groups will be the responsibility of the person signing the Facility Use Form.

6.  The person in charge of an activity must be instructed on building security, and the use of the heating and air conditioning, kitchen equipment, showers, telephone, lights, and fire alarm system and know how to operate the fire suppression equipment.  This person will also complete the a Checklist for Maintaining the Kitchen and leave it on the clipboard on the freezer.

RULES

1. Gambling, hard alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, tobacco products, and weapons (commercial or homemade), in any form are prohibited on church property.  Note: Wine only upon permit from county, alchohol permit supplied by renter of facility (with restrictions). No foul language will be allowed.

2.  Gum chewing is discouraged in carpeted areas.  No muddy or black-soled footwear is allowed on the carpeted areas.  Food and beverages may be consumed in all rooms of the DCCC as long as they are properly disposed of at the end of an activity (no food is to be left in the rooms or on the tables); any spills are to be wiped up immediately with the carpet cleaning solution stored under the kitchen sink for that purpose (this will minimize staining of the carpet).  No other solutions are to be used on the carpet.

3.  Christian modesty is required for all forms of dress.

4.  The person responsible for a function (MUST be an adult age 21 or above), as specified on the Facility Use Form, must be present for the duration of the function and shall be responsible for maintaining all rules.  During meetings or practices (for example, Choir and Drama), an adult must be provided to oversee the Dakota Creek Center.

5.  Children and teens shall have adult supervision--one adult for every 10 children or teens.  For overnight functions, such as lock-ins, mixed groups (male and female) must be chaperoned by at least one male and one female adult, preferably a married couple.

6.  Tacks, nails, wire, tape, or other materials likely to damage finished surfaces should only be used for fastening permanent or semi-permanent items such as white erasable boards, chalkboards, and bulletin boards.  The attachment of decorations and other materials to walls shall be done only with the consent of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, except when posters, pictures, or notices, etc., are placed on bulletin boards or fastened to the walls using a stapler.

7.  No equipment or furnishings in the DCCC are to be removed from the building for personal use.  If equipment or furnishings are needed for church-related activities, approval must be obtained from the Building and Grounds Committee and the items signed out in the Church Office. 

 8.  No clothes, towels, sports equipment, shoes, or other personal items shall be stored in the DCCC.  If items are left in the building, they will be disposed of after two weeks.  Dakota Creek Christian Center WILL NOT assume responsibility for damaged, lost, or stolen personal items.

9.  The building shall be left in the proper condition for the next group; Sunday School rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms.  Items, such as tables and chairs, removed from the storage rooms are to be stacked back on the racks properly and the storage rooms locked.  All gymnasium equipment will be returned to designated locations at the end of each activity.

10.  Those responsible for an activity will ensure inside and outside trash is disposed of in the dumpster at the rear of the parking lot.  All food left over after an activity must either be taken home or put through the garbage disposal unless it will be used within two days.  Leftover food  must be dated.

11.  No temporary structure will be built within the facility without the approval of the Church Board and the supervision of the Buildings and Grounds Committee; for example, platforms, structures, or devices that attach to the floor, wall, or ceiling or that might damage the facility.

12.  Any infraction of state or city ordnances on church property will be handled in an official manner.  The proper authorities will be contacted (pastor, church board, police, ambulance, etc.).

RESERVATION PROCEDURE

1.  The person responsible for an activity will complete a Facility Use Form and turn it in to the Church Office in sufficient time to have the activity placed on the Master Calendar preferably three months and not later than two weeks in advance of the requested date.

2.  The church staff will evaluate the request, ask for further information, if necessary, and approve or decline the request.  Approval or declination will be confirmed by giving a completed copy of the request to the originator.  If time is crucial, the requestor may call the Church Office for initial confirmation.

3.  When two or more requests are submitted for the same date and time, DCCC groups will have priority.  When two DCCC groups request the same date and time, the first-come, first-served rule will apply.  The exception to the rule will be if the two groups can work out an amicable solution to scheduling their activities.

4.  If individuals outside of the Dakota Creek Christian Center congregation desire to use the DCCC Church Sanctuary and Dakota Creek Christian Center for a wedding, the following fees apply and are payable to the Church Office prior to the wedding:

      a.  Sanctuary wedding, rehearsal, and reception - See Wedding Fees (includes use of both buildings, piano and organ, sound system (using only DCCC sound personnel to operate the system), tables and chairs, kitchen facilities, and utilities).  If the reception is catered, the caterer will furnish the tablecloths, decorations, punch bowl, silverware, plates, cups, and napkins.  If the reception is not catered, the wedding party will be responsible for furnishing these items.

      b.  Sanctuary wedding and rehearsal without use of DCCC for reception - See Wedding Fees (includes use of sanctuary, piano, organ, and utilities).

      c.  Custodial fee:  Main church building: See Wedding Fees;  DCCC: See Wedding Fees

5.  If a group outside of Dakota Creek Christian Center desires to rent and use the building (for purposes other than a wedding), they must have the approval of the Church Board and complete a Facility Use Form.  The Rental Fee and the Custodial Fee for the use of the DCCC are as follows:

a. See Wedding Fees per day for the use of the facility to take care of heating and cooling expenses and lights.  Fees for activities lasting longer than two days will be decided by the Finance and Buildings and Grounds Committees.  Fees for District or Zone functions will be decided by the local Church Board.

b. See Wedding Fees for the custodial fee.  The custodial fee includes opening and closing the building, checking the temperature, and cleaning the building after the activity.  This does not include kitchen cleanup, except sweeping and mopping the floor (see the AChecklist for Maintaining the Kitchen).  There will be an additional fee of See Wedding Fees if furniture arranging is required before and after the activity.

6.  Permission for use of the DCCC by community organizations may be granted by the church staff.  (The appropriate fees will be decided by the Finance and Buildings and Grounds Committees on a case-by-case basis.)

7.  No activities will be held in the gymnasium during the time of regularly scheduled church services.  Free play will be permitted during Choir and Drama practices based on the availability of volunteers (adults) to oversee the activities.

8.  Once an activity is approved, a copy of the Facility Use Form will be sent to the individuals  affected by that activity; for example, Requestor, Custodian, Kitchen Committee Chairperson, Nursery Supervisor, Van Maintenance Person.  If an activity is canceled, the Church Office must be contacted so that the appropriate individuals may be informed of the cancellation.

9.  A request by the church staff for a change of dates/times for scheduled activities may sometimes be necessary; if and when this occurs, Christian cooperation and understanding will be sought and expected.

KEYS 

1.  The Key Policy to control the number of keys given out is necessary for the security of the building and to prevent misuse of the facility.  Everyone receiving a key must sign for it, and the approved key holders list will be reviewed and re-approved every two years or more often as deemed necessary by the Church Board.  When a key holder no longer needs access to the building, he/she should return the key promptly.  (If a key is lost, a replacement key will be issued at a cost of $2.)  If a key holder moves away, he/she will return the DCCC key(s) to the Church Office prior to the move.

2.    Individuals directly involved with the ministries of the church who need access to the DCCC will, upon their request, be issued a key to the outside door and, if appropriate, a key to the inside rooms.  Requests for keys to the DCCC by all other individuals must be approved by the Church Board.

3.  The person responsible for an activity (or a designated key holder) will unlock the DCCC for a scheduled event and immediately following the event complete the A Checklist for Maintaining the Kitchen@ and lock and check all three outside doors to insure the building is secure.

 

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