Building Rental

It is the policy of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mankato (UUFM) that the church building be available for meetings and programs that are compatible with the ministry and purpose of the church as expressed in the Seven Unitarian/Universalist Principles.

This policy will also ensure that rental use of the building does not unduly interfere with regular programs of the Fellowship, its committees, or members and that it promotes good stewardship of the building and its furnishings.
 

List of Documents

Rental Cleaning Checklist

Use Agreement for Members/Contributing Friends (a PDF file)

Use Agreement for Nonmember Wedding (a PDF file)

Use Agreement for Nonmember Business Use (a PDF file)
 

Priorities and Rental Fees

1. Church committees and groups under coordination of the Board of Directors may use the building for regular meetings, programs and events at no charge.
    
2. Members, including sons and daughters of members, and pledging friends may use the building without charge for rites of passage, provided that they have been members for six months prior to a request for space use or pledging supporters or regular contributing supporters for the previous year. Other uses may require a small fee as listed in the Building Use Fees section. All use of the building requires that contact be made with the Office Administrator. If the building use requested by a UUFM member is for commercial or other money making activity, specific approval must be given by the Board and a letter of intent agreed to by the member and the Board. This letter will specify the nature of the activity and participants, space(s) needed, and responsibility for building security and maintenance. The Board may charge a reasonable fee to cover costs associated with security, maintenance, heating or air conditioning, and other expenses connected to facility use.
    
3. Groups not affiliated with the church, whose purpose is compatible with the purpose of the church, may arrange for use of space on a regular or single event basis with approval of the Board and Minister. Building use fees apply; however, fees may be reduced or waived for groups with limited funds at the discretion of the Board/Minister.
    
4. Non-profit groups, organizations and individuals whose purposes may not promote the values and purposes of the church, yet are not incompatible with the values and purposes of the church, may use space on a regular or single event basis with approval of either the Board of Directors, Minister, or Office Administrator, provided such use does not interfere with regular church programs or events.
    
5. Space will not be made available to partisan political groups unless the purpose of the group is clearly within the stated purpose of the church. However, the building may be used for free and open, non-partisan discussions of political issues. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, these groups may be asked to seek sponsorship of an appropriate committee, for example, the Social Concerns Committee.
    

Reservations

Once the initial request for a date to reserve a space in our church has been received, it is “penciled in” on our calendar. The initial request is not finalized until the Building Use Agreement form has been completed, signed and received by the church office, along with the initial deposit payment(s). If another request for that date is also received before the building use agreement and deposit are received, that will also go on the calendar in pencil. The first signed building use agreement received along with the initial deposit(s) will be the one confirmed and “inked” on the calendar.
A confirmation letter will be sent out immediately by the church office upon receipt of the signed Building Use Agreement form and payments.
 

Conflicts

Once the deposit and completed Building Use Agreement form have been received, the event is “on the calendar” and will not be canceled by the church to accommodate a program with a higher priority. If a scheduling conflict inadvertently occurs, the administrative staff will notify both groups promptly and involve both parties in efforts of collaboration so that, if at all possible, both groups can be accommodated.
 

Long-Term Use

Groups wishing to lease church space on a continuing long-term basis must receive prior approval of the Board of Directors.
 

Minister

Rev. Lisa Friedman is available to officiate at Nonmember rites of passage. Any other officiate requires approval of the Board or Minister.

Smoking

The entire building is a non-smoking area. No smoking allowed.

Use of Alcohol

The serving of alcoholic beverages requires prior approval by the UUFM. Alcohol may be served when it complies with all federal, state, and city regulations.

Facilities Coordinator

A Facilities Coordinator will be required for all Nonmember rentals. This member of the UUFM opens and locks the building and assists with locating what is needed.

Building Use Agreement Form

Building use must be scheduled in advance through the church office. A completed Building Use Agreement form shall be required of all users, except church committees who use the building for events, programs, and regular meetings. Church staff will inform users of the space and facilities available, conditions for use, and procedures for opening and closing the building. It is the responsibility of users to follow these procedures and leave the building in good order.

Non-Discrimination

In keeping with Unitarian/Universalist principles, no individual or group will be denied use of building space on the basis of religion, race, sex, national origin, disability, sexual preference, age, or public assistance status.
 

Building Use Fees for Members and Contributing Friends

Deposit to Reserve Building and Hold Date
for Members and Contributing Friends

Building Use Fees for Non-Members Wedding*

Deposits to Reserve Building and Hold Date
for Non-Member Wedding

(Two separate checks to be paid when Nonmember Building Use Agreement form is submitted.)

Building Use Fees for Non-Member Business Use***

Deposit to Reserve Building and Hold Date
for Non-Member Business Use

(To be paid when Nonmember Building Use Agreement form is submitted)

* Fees may be adjusted for a small family wedding. Applicant will submit letter with Nonmember Building Use Agreement form.

** Social Hall and Kitchen are not disabilities accessible.

*** Fees may be reduced or waived at the discretion of the Board/Minister for groups with limited funds.

Final Payments for Members and Non-Members

Balance of all fees are due and payable (30) days prior to the event, including balance of Minister fee. Refunds will be made up to sixty (60) days prior to the event. Deposits are non-refundable for cancellations made less than 60 days before the event.

Damages

The individual or group making this reservation is responsible for reimbursing the UUFM for any damages to the building caused by themselves or their guests.
 

List of Documents

Rental Cleaning Checklist

Use Agreement for Members/Contributing Friends (a PDF file)

Use Agreement for Nonmember Wedding (a PDF file)

Use Agreement for Nonmember Business Use (a PDF file)

Board Approved October 21, 2009.
“Use of Alcohol” Amended December 16, 2009