BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Burleson United Methodist Church

General Policies for Use of Facilities and Tangible Property

 DATE: 04/07

I.                    Purpose                                                    * Revised V1*

 

The purpose of this policy statement is to outline the general policies for the use of church facilities and its tangible property.

 

II.                Authority

 

This policy has been issued by the Board of Trustees of the First Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas, and shall remain in effect until modified by the Trustees.

 

III.      General Policy Statement

 

The tangible property of Burleson United Methodist Church is held, in trust, by the Board of Trustees for the use and benefits of the ministry of the United Methodist Church. The following general policy statement has been developed to provide guidelines to uphold this trust. The Book of Discipline, the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church and the Mission Statement of Burleson First United Methodist Church provide the basis of these local policies.

     

       IV.    Priorities of Use

 

(1) The conduct of worship, the due administration of the sacraments and public rites of the Church shall be the first priority for the use of facilities. Public worship shall always have first claim. Sacraments and rites include Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Funerals, Consecrations, and like services. Weddings, being private and not public, shall be scheduled, for a fee, on a first come, first serve basis. (See a separate wedding policy for members and non-members.)

 

(2) The provision for the needs of the adopted programs of the Council on Ministries of Burleson First United Methodist Church shall be second priority for use of facilities. (i.e., Children’s Choir programs.)

 

(3) The provision of space for church related groups, which seek to properly schedule events to support their mission and purpose, should have the next level priority. Agencies of the Central Texas Conference and the Fort Worth West District are such groups as are connectional organizations (UMM~ UMW, UMYF,) Emmaus Reunion Groups, and units of Boy / Girl Scouts of America sponsored by Burleson First United Methodist Church.

 

(4) The provision of space for non-profit community service organizations, whose purpose are clearly consistent with the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, shall be the fourth priority. Because of the large number of potential conflicts between the meeting of these needs and the earlier priorities, the following guidelines will be followed:

                 

                 A.             Fellowship Hall/Kitchen space will be available to non-profit community service organizations on a non-repeating basis for an occasional event (banquet, meeting, awards ceremony, etc.) Events of this nature will not be scheduled on Sunday. A sheet of guidelines for use will be issued upon reservation of the facility and shall be followed. The community organization shall be responsible for fees and deposits as outlined in the Building Use Policy.

 

B.            Regularly scheduled non-profit groups and shall be approved for no longer than twelve (12) months at a time, as space is available. (Groups of the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts, which are officially a part of the program of the Council on Ministries of Burleson FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, are excluded from annual review.) Groups will designate a “responsible party” to complete all calendar request forms, to communicate with the church secretary, and to keep the church office informed of the group’s need. Absence of communication, lack of respect for facilities, or unavailability of space are all just causes for declining future use for any group. In the event of conflicts, scheduled events will be rescheduled based on the priorities established by this policy.

 

5. Lowest priority shall be given for use of the facilities by individuals for personal convenience. Such events include showers, receptions, anniversary celebrations, etc.)

 

V.                 FEES

 

A.    A facility use fee will be levied to compensate the church for cost of utilities and general use of the building. It is required that a custodian be used for clean-up and general services. The custodial charges will be at the same rate as that billed to the church (See Building Use Schedule for Members and Non-Members). PLEASE SEE WEDDING POLICY for scheduling weddings.

     

VI.              Annual Review

 

It shall be the responsibility of the TRUSTEES to appoint at least two members of the Trustees annually to review this policy and update as required.

 

VII.           SCHEDULES

 

The following schedules are attached and incorporated into this policy:

 

A.    Individual Member use

B.     Non-Profit / Community Service Organization

C.     Non-Member Use

D.    Church Sponsored Groups (Groups sponsored by UMW, Sunday School classes, Etc.).

 

     VII.      General Guidelines

 

  1. The facilities of Burleson FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH shall not be available for commercial profit making events or organizations for events held for political purposes, or for organizations whose mission is contrary to the Social Principles of the Church. In addition, no political signs shall be displayed on Church property.

 

  1. Burleson FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH is a non-smoking, non-drug, and non-alcohol facility. No pets (except for handicapped assistance), weapons (except for duly authorized peace officers), profanity, or fireworks will be permitted. Do not request other exceptions.

 

  1. Sanctuary (when constructed) shall only be used for worship, sacraments, church related programs and rites of the church and weddings. Out of respect and reverence for this area, no food or drink will be permitted.

 

  1. The Fellowship Hall currently serves a dual purpose as a worship center and Fellowship hall and is available for other purposes (i.e. meetings and other church sponsored activities falling under these guidelines). Food consumption in the Fellowship Hall is allowed under supervision of church appointed building / kitchen superintendents.

 

  1. The ALTAR FURNISHINGS and appointments are to remain intact, except the baptismal fount may be removed. NO TAPERS are to be used; only VOTIVE TYPE CANDLES MAY BE USED. Clear plastic covering should be used under the votive candle stand (s).

 

  1. The message area on the sign is to be used only to communicate messages and / or announcements of the church as determined by the coordinator of communication and/or a pastor.

 

  1. Tangible church property (i.e. tables, chairs) can be borrowed for Burleson FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH sponsored functions. Use of any item must be approved by the Trustees for each occasion and checked out through the church office.

 

  1. An Adult (21 years or older) must supervise activities of children 17 years or younger.

 

  1. Groups will be notified within seven working days of damages to building, equipment, furnishings, etc. Full replacement value of all damages will be paid within 30 days of notification.

 

  1. All rooms in use will be left clean and in order. All trash will be disposed of in the dumpster at the back parking lot. Soiled diapers will not be left in the nursery or any other trash receptacle in the building. Floors will be swept and all spills mopped. If time and persons available permit, chairs should be stacked and tables returned to table caddies. Sitting on tables is forbidden. Required floor care as printed is to be followed.

 

  1. Care must be taken when using nails, tacks, staples, pins or anything, which can mar the walls. Anything weighing more than two pounds must have Trustee approval before attaching it to any wall.

 

  1. The Trustees or the Communications Director must authorize use of the  Media System (sound board and/or equipment) prior to use.

 

  1. ALARM SYSTEM unauthorized entry of the building will activate the alarm system. The responsible party will pay all false alarm fees. Any tampering with security devices is strictly forbidden.

 

    

      

Deposit

 

An event is scheduled when the required deposit has been made, and the date and time has been cleared on the church calendar. No event will be scheduled without a deposit (when required).  (See applicable policy for rates). Failure to notify the church of the cancellation of a scheduled event within 7 calendar days of the event may result in forfeiture of deposit (at the sole discretion of the Trustees).

 

 

Damage Liability

 

Any group reserving church facilities (other than groups performing official church duties, the Choir, Church Council, Sunday School, etc) will be required to sign a damage liability form at the time reservations are made. This will ensure each group is aware they are liable for any damages incurred.


Building Use Fees*

 

Individual Members Building Use Fee Schedule

 

 

Fellowship Hall

$250.00

Kitchen Privileges

$100.00

             

 

            Use of Tables and Chairs

Included

            Use of Kitchen Appliances

Included

 

One Classroom

$ 75.00

Sound Technician Custodial Fee

$100.00

Custodial Fee

#

Building Supervisor

#

 

 

                                                    • Facility Use is per 4 hour period

                                                    # Price Quoted Upon Request

                                                    Opening and Closing to be arranged


Building Use Fees*

 

Non-Profit Community Service Organization Schedule

(Non-Repeating Groups)

 

 

           

 

            Use of CLC Tables and Chairs

Included

            Use of Kitchen Appliances

Included

 

Fellowship Hall

$350.00

Kitchen

$150.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Classroom

$100.00

Sound Technician

#

Custodial Fee

$100.00

Building/Kitchen Supervisor (Required)

$15.00/hour

 

 

                                                    • Facility Use is per 4 hour period

                                                    # Price Quoted Upon Request

Building Superintendent and Sound Tech can be same person for one fee

                                    

 


Building Use Fees*

Non-Members

Fellowship Hall

$500.00

 

 

Kitchen

$150.00

Use of Tables and Chairs                                                    

                                 Included

One Classroom

$150.00

Sound Technician

#

Custodial Fee

$100.00

Building/Kitchen Supervisor (Required)

$15.00/hour

 

 

                                                    • Facility Use is per 4 hour period

                                                    # Price Quoted Upon Request

                                                   


Building Use Fees*

CHURCH SPONSORED EVENTS – FUND RAISERS

Fellowship Hall   (min. suggested contribution)

$50.00

 

 

Kitchen

Included

Use of Tables and Chairs

                                 Included

One Classroom

$50.00

Sound Technician

#

Custodial Fee (if needed)

$15.00/ Hr

Building/Kitchen Supervisor (Required)

                                  Included

 

 

                                                    • Facility Use is per 4 hour period

                                                    # Price Quoted Upon Request

                                                   

 

 

First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas

Deposit and Liability Agreement

 

 

Event_________________________________________________________________________

 

Date of Event____________________________________ Number of people_______________

 

Time of Event__________________            (No earlier than 8:00 am or later than 9:00 pm)__

 

I/We, _________________________("LESSEE"), agree to accept responsibility for any damages that is a result of our group’s activities while on the property of First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas. In addition every effort will be made to leave the building as it is found and LESSEE agrees to assume all liability for, and to hold the First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas harmless from all damages and all cost and fees in the defense thereof, caused by the negligence or willful act of the LESSEE or Lessee’s invitees or guest in or upon any part of the church premises and to be responsible for any damage or breakage to the church’s equipment, fixtures or appliances therein or thereon not caused by the First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas’s misconduct or willful negligence.

 

Signed this __________ day of_______________________________________ 20__________.

 

Contact person_________________________________________________________________

 

Address_______________________________________________________________________

 

Phone____________________________________ Deposit $____________________________

 

Received by _____________________________________Date__________________________

 

·         A security deposit of 40% of the total event cost is required for all groups/individuals using the facility. These funds will be applied to the total cost of the events, however, failure to notify First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas of the cancellation of a scheduled event within 7 days of the event may result in a forfeiture of the deposit (at the sole discretion of the Trustees of the First United Methodist Church of Burleson). The balance of the funds is due on the day of the event.

·         Security Refunds:  Refunds of security deposits (provided notice has been given as provided above) will be refunded within 2 weeks upon inspection of the facilities used, and will be reduced by any cleaning fees or damage repair. First United Methodist Church of Burleson, Texas is not responsible for any personal injury, or damage or loss to any personal property, incurred while Lessee is on the premises. Any group found to be in violations of the rules and guidelines of First United Methodist Church of Burleson’s operating procedures will be removed from the premises and will forfeit all deposit fees.

 

 

 

 

 

Group/Individual Responsibilities:

 

·         To honor the smoke free, alcohol free, and drug free status of the Church.

·         To obey all city ordinances with regard to fire safety and maximum number of people allowed in a room at one time.

·         To set up, clean up, and reset the facility in the way it was found

·         To make sure all outside doors are locked and secure

·         To turn off room lights, coffee pot(s) and any other appliances used for the meeting.

·         Notify Church Representative at time you are ready to leave the premises.