THE EMPOWERMENT TEMPLE AME CHURCH, INC. 

Building Usage Policy and Summary 

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The facilities and equipment of Empowerment Temple exist for the primary purpose of being used by its members through its organizations and ministries.

 

The priority of use shall be as follows:

 

1. Recognized Groups/Ministries Within the Church:

Church services - (i.e. worship services, Sunday school, adult education)

Regularly scheduled church activities - (i.e. Choir rehearsal, committee meetings, and small group meetings) Church-related activities - (i.e. Church-sponsored events)

 

   2. Active Church Members

Weddings, funerals, and receptions

Individual gatherings and special events (anniversary parties etc.)

Other informal active church member requests (basketball, volleyball, etc.)

 

    3. Outside Groups

Church non-sponsored events that keep with the building use philosophy embraced by Empowerment Temple AME Church

 

Although church and church-related meetings, functions, and activities obviously have higher priority in requests for space, outside groups can request space up to three months prior to the date of the event. It is therefore to the advantage of everyone to request space as early as possible. The church is a private religious organization and reserves the right the decline applications or request.

 

A space use request form must be completed by all groups and submitted online, at least 6 weeks in advance of the activity, but requesting space earlier increases the likelihood that it will be available. The Space Use Request Form provides rental for every area of the church (except offices and private areas). All facilities, set-ups, and other service needs (e.g. food, sound, etc.) must be included on the form. If assistance from members of our Audio/Visual Ministry department is being requested during the event, the request should be made at least 6 weeks in advance to increase the likelihood that one or more of them can be available at a specific time.

 

A church representative will meet with the primary contact person, when the reservation is made to review conditions of the church for usage, the expectations and needs for the event, and to set a schedule for room set-up and cleanup as needed. A schedule of fees for building usage, custodial and/or technical service, and other financial commitments necessary for the event, will be given to the user at the time of reservation. All church activities are scheduled on the master church calendar once the request has been approved.

 

A Certificate of Liability including property damage insurance coverage naming Empowerment Temple AME Church, Inc in Baltimore as an additional insured MUST be on file prior (24 hours) to the date of the event by all outside groups to Empowerment Temple for the purpose of covering liability and property damage or accidents that might occur on church property. Inside groups and members may request a liability waiver request if sponsored by the church and not covered under the church’s normal activities.

 

The conduct of all persons attending programs is expected to be respectful of the property, maintaining noise levels that respect others in adjoining spaces.  Select guidelines include:

 

Smoking, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, profanity activities that are in direct conflict with the mission of the church and weapons are not permitted in the buildings or on the grounds of the church campus.

 

When children are in attendance, they must be under the control of their parents or adults at all times and are not permitted to roam freely on church property. All children’s or youth activities shall be supervised by a minimum of two (2) adults over the age of 21 at all times.

 

Users are expected to leave the building clean and in the same condition it was in prior to the event and must remove all items associated with their program immediately following the event. Furniture or equipment cannot be moved without the permission of the church to maintain the quality of the building’s furniture and equipment and to prevent damage. The user will be held responsible for any damage done to church property, and the user assumes liability for injuries to persons attending the event and for damages or loss of user's property.

 

Dining or the serving of food is limited to pre-approved designated areas (not cooking food), and activities and programs are limited to the space that is assigned. Programs in the sanctuary that require the use of the sound system must have one of the church's Sound Technicians on duty.