RICHMOND FRIENDS’
MEETINGHOUSE:
INFORMATION FOR USAGE
The Richmond Friends welcome your use of our
Meetinghouse and ask that you adhere to the procedures delineated below. Please note that these policies apply not
only to Richmond Friends but to all who utilize the Meetinghouse.
It is important that each group using the
Meetinghouse provide a contact person.
This person is ultimately responsible for advising Richmond Friends of
your group’s needs, paying any and all fees, and the
overall use and resulting condition of the facilities. For information regarding scheduling use of
space at the Meetinghouse call Bob Alexander at 358-9712. Leave a message on
the answering machine (please speak your number slowly and clearly) and Bob will
be back in touch with you within 24 hours.
Richmond Friends’ Meetinghouse is composed of
two structures: the “Frame Building” is
entered from Kensington Avenue. The
“Brick Building” is located behind the Frame Building and is entered from
Commonwealth Avenue.
General
Policies and Procedures:
1. Long-term use of the
facilities, or use of the premises for commercial or profit making endeavors
requires written approval from the Richmond Friends Meeting (RFM).
2. Parking and Noise: Because the Meetinghouse is located within a
residential neighborhood we ask that your group be considerate of our neighbors
when parking automobiles. Ideally, cars should
be parked on Commonwealth Avenue when possible.
Persons on RFM grounds should be quiet and respectful of our neighbors
whenever outside the building, and should not be on the grounds past midnight.
3. All reservations should be
made through the Building Coordinator.
4. Any damage done to
Meetinghouse property is the responsibility of the individual or group using
the facilities.
5. A scheduling calendar for
use of the building may be found to the left of the pigeonholes in the Common
Area. Once a proposed activity is
approved, the meeting time for that activity will be entered onto the calendar
by the Building Coordinator; long-term users are asked to reserve dates several
weeks in advance.
6. IN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY PLEASE DIAL 911. The Meetinghouse address is 4500 Kensington
Avenue. First Aid supplies are located
in the kitchen in a labeled cabinet, and Fire Extinguishers are found
throughout both buildings.
PLEASE NOTE: A CHECKLIST FOR
EXITING THE BUILDING MAY FOUND AT THE END OF THIS BROCHURE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
SPECIFIC RFM POLICIES
Smoking: No smoking is allowed within the
Meetinghouse, on the grounds, nor in the playground. An ash container may be found next to the
Commonwealth Avenue entrance and we ask that tobacco products be extinguished
there (this prevents a need for policing the grounds.)
Alcohol: No alcohol may be consumed in the
Meetinghouse nor on the grounds.
Candles: Please use caution when burning candles. In addition to being a fire hazard, hot wax
can damage carpets and floors.
Wedding
Decorations: All wedding decorations should be removed
after the ceremony.
Telephone: A telephone is located on the 3rd
floor of the brick building; an answering device receives INCOMING calls after
the 4th ring. Local OUTGOING calls may be made for ten
cents per call.
Furniture: Please do not move the benches in the Meeting
Room for Worship. Furniture moved from
one area of the Meetinghouse to another should be returned to its original location;
this is also applies to toys, books, equipment and supplies in the children’s
rooms. Furniture should not be borrowed
from the Meetinghouse without RFM approval.
Shutters: Please do not close the exterior window
shutters.
Fire Doors: Please keep fire doors closed when possible,
and always close these doors before exiting the building.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USING THE
KITCHEN
Ø Please take or throw out all
food you brought unless you are
using it again (Don’t assume that if you leave it someone will use it).
Ø Label any items you put in
the refrigerator with the date and who they are for. Items not labeled will be thrown away!!! Tape and marker are in the drawer next to the
refrigerator.
Ø Put away dishes, food,
storage containers, etc. Please leave
the countertops free of clutter.
Ø Sweep the floor (broom and
dustpan are in the janitor’s closet).
Ø Check microwave and clean,
if necessary.
Ø Clean coffee makers
(including dumping old grounds).
Ø Wipe the counters.
Ø Unclaimed serving dishes
will be placed on the cart in the alcove opposite the kitchen. Periodically unclaimed dishes left for long
periods of time will be recycled.
STOVE
INSTRUCTIONS
(PLEASE
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!!!!)
Ø
Spilled sugar or
acidic liquids left on the stovetop will damage its surface. Turn off the burner and wipe the stove right
away with a damp sponge.
Ø
Clean stove top
after each use with the special cream cleaner found in the cabinet (soft scrub
is ok too). Squirt a small amount of
cleaner on the stovetop, wipe with a damp, non-abrasive sponge. Then buff with a clean, dry cloth. Please do not use any other cleaners. Ammonia especially will harm the finish.
Ø
Please do not
slide aluminum pans across the top of the stove.
DISHWASHING GUIDELINES
Ø
Do not use dishes
and leave them in the sink. Please wash
your own dishes!!!!!
Ø
Small quantities
of dishes are best done by hand.
Ø
Larger quantities
of dishes can be done in the dishwasher.
Please use the energy-saving dry mode.
Ø
Dish washing
liquid and dishwasher detergent are located in the cabinet above the sink.
Ø
Dish drains are
located below the sink.
TRASH
GUIDELINES
Ø
Empty trash can
into supercan outside especially if trash contains foodstuffs.
Ø
Put a clean bag
in the can (bags are located above the sink)
MEETINGHOUSE ACCOMODATIONS
Light and Fan
Controls
Brick
Building:
Ø Inside the Commonwealth
Avenue doorway:
-
Light switch to the right is for the outside light and should be left
on at all times.
-
Light switch to the left (as well as the switch at the top of the first
stair landing) controls the hall and stairwell lights. Both switches control the same lights.
Ø There is a light switch on
the 1st floor of the Brick Building inside the swinging doors.
Ø There is a light switch at
the bottom of the landing en route to the 2nd floor.
All other ceiling lights have pull
strings.
Frame Building:
Ø There are two light switches (one a dimmer
switch) in the small foyer between the Frame and Brick buildings.
Ø The switch for the ceiling fan is located
between the two light switches.
The
switch inside the Kensington Avenue door controls the exterior light over the
front entrance.
Electrical Outlets
Brick Building: Numerous outlets are found throughout the brick
building.
Framed Building:
Ø On the baseboard
Ø To the right of the return
air vent
Ø To the left of the clock,
near the floor.
Elevator Usage
The elevator connects all three floors of the brick building and will only operate if all the doors to the elevator shaft are closed. The grated doors in the elevator must also be closed. The top switch in the control panel in the middle of the car is the car’s light switch. Turn the key in the keyhole for the floor you wish to go to; the top keyhole for the third floor, the middle keyhole for the second, etc. Do not remove the key from the car.
WINTER HEATING PROCEDURE
Frame Building: This thermostat is automatically activated
every First Day morning during cold weather.
To heat the frame building at other times go to
the furnace room in the1st floor of the Brick Building (across from restrooms)
and change the wall switch (found above the water heater) form “Automatic” to
Manual.” Please remember to return the switch to “Automatic” before leaving.
NOTE: It may take 30-60 minutes to warm the Frame
Building.
Brick Building: The thermostat for this building is located
on the 2nd floor. Switches
should be left at “Auto” and “Heat.” The
temperature should be set between 68-70 degrees. Please return the control to the far left
position before leaving. DO NOT TURN OFF!!
RICHMOND FRIENDS’
MEETINGHOUSE
CHECKLIST
BEFORE LEAVING THE MEETINGHOUSE
ü If you used the framed building, did you bolt the Kensington Avenue
(front) door from the inside?
ü Did you close the handicap entrance?
ü Are all windows closed, including the storm windows on the 1st
floor of the brick building?
ü Are the fire doors closed?
ü Is the kitchen
clean, and all requests regarding kitchen usage met?
ü Did you return the heat controls to the original position?
ü Are all fans, heaters, the stove, coffee and other appliances switched
off?
ü Did you turn out the lights in closets and restrooms? Are the exterior lights on?
ü Did you lock the Commonwealth Avenue (side) door?
ü If you opened the building with a borrowed key did you return it to the
owner?
Thanks for
your cooperation.