Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: guidelines for use of common house

[David Heimann (heimann]

Hi Judith,

           Several years ago we at Jamaica Plain Cohousing came up with a
policy on using our common facilities, which has worked out well.  Here's a
quick summary (to save space on the list serve -- let me know and I'll send
you the complete text):

1.  Residents should have maximum access to shared space, and the great
room has a capacity of 50 people that cannot be exceeded.

2.  All events must have at least one host who's a JPC resident.

3.  Non-resident groups receive a space use document containing guidelines
for set-up, use, and damages.  They sign an agreement of acknowledgement
and responsibility.

4.  For an event sponsored personally by a resident, there's an optional
donation of up to $50.  For an event sponsored by an outside organization
(and hosted by a JPC resident), there's a donation of $25-$250.

5.  For an event sponsored by an outside organization we need a Liability
Insurance Certification from them.

6.  The guest group is responsible for cleanup.

7.  The guest group is responsible for bringing all of their supplies.

8.  Guests may park in the guest spaces only.

9.  If one event quickly follows another, there needs to be a gap of around
30 minutes to 3 hours between them.

10.  Respect the privacy (including noise, odors, sounds, and quiet hours),
health, safety, and security of residents.

11.  JPC hosts are responsible for alcohol consumption on premises.

12.  A recurring group may make only one reservation at a time.

13.  No more than two common spaces may be reserved at the same time.

14.  Within certain categories (20 non-residents or fewer, 3 hours or less,
not open to the public, only one space being reserved, host will be present
at all times, etc.), the host can directly make the reservation.  If one or
more of these categories don't apply, the event requires approval from the
JPC Community Life Committee.

15.  We will review this policy annually and update as needed.

Regards,
David Heimann
Jamaica Plain Cohousing


On Apr 21, 2015, at 11:50 AM, Judith Lienhard/US/OR/CC via Cohousing-L <
cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote:

> Hi: here at Cascadia Commons, we are thinking about putting together
> guidelines for use of our common house. We talked with other area cohousing
> groups and none have developed guidelines. I searched the archives here and
> found many entries from 2001 and 2007 but nothing more recent.
> We have had some requests for having house concerts and things like craft
> fair where a member would exhibit her work and bring in other artists as
> well and apparently. there was quite the opposition. do you request
> donations, charge? how does this affect liability, etc? how do you
> prioritize the use of the common house? if you have guidelines, would you
> be willing to share them here? thanks so much for any and all input.