First Baptist Church (FBC) welcomes the opportunity to serve the community by making its facilities available for use by individuals and nonprofit organizations that are not a part of FBC’s ministries. First Baptist Church is required by federal law to charge for the use of its facilities whenever that use would be considered for the benefit of private interests. Therefore, certain requests for use of FBC facilities can only be granted upon payment of a use fee. This document provides the guidelines and requirements that must be met in order for an individual or outside organization to use the facilities.

In order for an event to be considered, the following requirements must be met:

1. The activity must be non-business related. For-profit activities are not permitted.  For-profit organizations that want to use FBC facilities for non-business related activities may do so upon payment of the applicable use fee.
2. Nonprofit organizations will not be charged for the use of FBC facilities unless the facility is needed for an activity with a frequency greater than four events per year.  Those requests may be granted upon the payment of the applicable use fee.
3. Direct selling of anything, regardless of purpose, is not permitted.
4. Incorporated organizations, their purpose, and the activity must not conflict with the purpose, beliefs and doctrines of FBC.

First Baptist Church reserves the right to cancel at any time the reservations of an individual or organization that does not adhere to the guidelines set forth in this document.

Scheduling Priorities

 Meetings or other events involving FBC ministries or programming will always have first priority.

1. Individual FBC members’ usage of facilities will have second priority.
2. Other requests by outside individuals or organizations for usage of facilities will have third priority. 
3. If a church ministry request conflicts with a previously contracted event, the contracted organization or individual may be asked to move to a comparable room within the facility.

Guidelines & Requirements

1. Every individual or organization is required to abide by FBC’s guidelines, requirements and other restrictions regarding usage of FBC facilities. General guidelines, requirements and other restrictions are included in this document.
2. Every person or organization is required to complete, sign and return to FBC’s office staff a Facility Use Agreement and pay all applicable fees and charges. If the event includes reserving any FBC auditorium, the Facility Use Agreement must be submitted forty-five (45) days in advance of the applicable meeting or event. If the event does not include reserving an auditorium, the Facility Use Agreement must be submitted thirty (30) days in advance of the applicable meeting or event.
3. Incorporated organizations will need to provide a Certificate of Insurance showing First Baptist Church as the additional insured with property damage and bodily injury limits of $1,000,000 each.  This certificate must be submitted with the Facility Use Agreement.
4. Users of FBC facilities agree to use utmost care in the use of our facilities and agree to leave facilities in good, clean condition. Trash must be gathered up by users and placed in the dumpster in the corner of the parking lot.  A cleaning deposit of $25 is included in the fees but is returned after the event if the facilities are properly maintained. 
5. Use of the FBC facilities for weddings must adhere to additional requirements and pay fees as found in the Guidelines for Weddings policy.

Availability.

1. FBC facilities are generally available for use Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 9:30 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  
2. If the facility is needed at other times, arrangements must be made at the time of reservation.

1. A coordinator is required for all events and will be provided by FBC for a fee. The coordinator will be the FBC contact person during the event to answer questions or address needs. They will also unlock the building at the appropriate time, ensure that the only areas being used are those previously contracted, troubleshoot in case of an emergency and lock the facility after the event.  
2. The coordinator will report to the Facilities Director on the condition of the areas used to determine the appropriate refund of the cleaning deposit.

1. A detailed listing of fees is provided with FBC’s Facility Use Agreement Form. All such fees are subject to change up to 90 days prior to the event.
2. 50% of the fee is due at the time the room request is made. The balance and the cleaning deposit are due seven (7) days prior to the event in two separate checks.
   Unless there are cleaning issues, the cleaning down payment will be returned after the event.  The room is not guaranteed until all fees are paid in full.  
3. Additional fees may be incurred for last minute changes and some late changes may not be possible.
4. In the event you need to cancel your event, the down payment will be returned if notice was given in writing at least up to five (5) days prior to the event.

Auditorium Use.

FBC Auditoriums include: the Worship Center, Apex, Garage, Warehouse, Studio 34, and Drive-In.

1. All auditoriums have a maximum capacity and some auditoriums have a minimum capacity that an event must expect before it can be reserved.  Maximum capacities are listed on the Facility Use Agreement.
   
   a. Worship Center – Minimum capacity of 250 people
   b. Apex – Minimum capacity of 100 people
   c. Warehouse – Minimum capacity of 50 people
   d. Garage – No minimum capacity
   e. Studio – No minimum capacity
   f. Drive-In – No minimum capacity
   
   
2. Before using any A/V equipment in any auditorium, a pre-event meeting must be held at least forty-five (45) days prior to the event with the FBC’s Technical Director in order to provide a full and detailed outline of the event and of all required equipment and the placement of the equipment. 
3. FBC’s audio/visual equipment must be operated by church approved and trained technicians. Charges for technicians are listed on the Facility Use Agreement.
4. All technical support is based on availability of crew. 
5. Technical changes made within two weeks of the event must be coordinated with the Director of Technical Ministries and may incur additional fees.
6. All events in the auditorium areas will be held with the understanding that the stage setup cannot be moved or cleared.  
7. Food and/or beverages, except water bottles, are not permitted in the Worship Center & Drive-In.

Additional Requirements and Restrictions

1. Those using FBC facilities agree to release, protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless FBC and its trustees, officers, employees, members and other representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, actions, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and other legal costs) directly or indirectly arising out of their use of any FBC facilities.
2. In the event of damage to FBC facilities, those using any facilities shall accept the amount of repair and replacement costs as estimated, or otherwise determined, by FBC’s designee and shall pay FBC for such repair and replacement costs upon demand.
3. For children and youth events, the applicable individual or organization must provide proof of adequate adult supervision for all usage.  Adequate adult supervision means two adults (18 years of age or older) in each room.
4. FBC nursery rooms are not available.
5. The transfer or passing on by any individual or organization of permission to use FBC facilities to any other persons or organizations is strictly prohibited.
6. Usage must not exceed the space/capacity and equipment provided for in the user’s Facility Use Agreement. Those using FBC facilities must confine themselves to the areas provided for in the Facility Use Agreement and may not take tables and/or chairs or other items from other rooms or areas of FBC facilities. No furniture or equipment may be moved without knowledge and permission of FBC’s staff.
7. All TV/VCR’s, projectors, screens and/or sound equipment, are subject to availability and approval and must be provided for in the Facility Use Agreement. 
8. Any articles of property left on FBC premises by those using FBC facilities shall, after a period of seven (7) days, be deemed abandoned and shall become the property of FBC. In no event shall FBC be responsible or liable for any loss or theft of, or any damage to, any articles of property of any individual or organization.
9. At no time should tape, plastic adhesive, push pins, tacks, nails or staples be used to affix materials to walls or woodwork or to furnishings or equipment.
10. Flammable liquids, fire-producing chemicals, and/or open flames in any form (except approved drip-less candles) may not be used without the written approval of FBC’s staff.
11. No signs, posters, banners, flags, streamers or other items are to be attached or hung within or outside FBC facilities without prior approval of FBC’s staff. All scenery or props must be freestanding. No nails, screws or stage hooks may be used. All materials used must be non-combustible or have been treated so as to be made fire-retardant.
12. Food and beverages are permitted in classrooms and other areas only upon advance approval by FBC’s staff. No red liquid beverages may be served.
13. No smoking or tobacco use is allowed within FBC facilities. Alcoholic beverages of any kind or drugs are strictly prohibited on church premises.
14. FBC reserves the right to schedule other activities and events in other parts of FBC facilities.
15. FBC does not furnish any security services, or any other services except as expressly provided for in this policy and the Facility Usage Agreement and Fee schedule.
16. The facility is to be in the same or better condition when departing as when arriving. FBC may require, in addition to listed fees, the payment of a refundable deposit, which is to be refunded to the applicable group or organization after inspection by FBC facilities following the group’s or organization’s meeting or event showing that no damage resulted from their usage of FBC facilities.
17. For purposes of this policy, any reference to facilities includes any property of FBC, including furniture and equipment.
18. No individual organization shall use any FBC facilities in any manner or for any purpose that is in conflict with or contradicts the teachings and doctrine of First Baptist Church.
19. FBC’s name shall not be used by any individual or organization in any manner in advertising or other publicity or any other oral or written statements that indicates or implies that FBC endorses or sanctions such individual or organization or its meeting, event, mission, or principles, except for any reference to FBC solely as the location of event or as may otherwise be expressly approved in writing by FBC.
20. No event shall be held for the purpose of endorsing any political party, candidate or political agenda.
21. In the event of an unscheduled closing (inclement weather, etc.), the office staff will contact the scheduled user to notify them of the closing and any fees paid will be refunded.