The Common Room_Membership Pack Text

MEMBERSHIP PACK TEXT

INTRO The Common Room does not aim to run a service for members ‐ but instead it aims to design processes that open opportunities for the members to create The Common Room together.

Whether you have become a member because you have a project in mind, or one brewing or you’d just like to be apart of something different, creative and cooperative, this pack will explain the role of being a Founding Member of The Common Room.

Through creating activities and projects that have real value for one another ‐ and for the surrounding community ‐ The Common Room’s aim is to be co‐designed, co‐created and co‐owned.

A key element of making this happen is Founding Members’ role as Member Hosts.

MEMBER HOSTS As a Member Host you will be enabling activities and projects to take place by being present in the church during its use, representing The Common Room, overseeing the use of the space and reporting any issues.

The compulsory training carried out as part of the membership induction will provide you with the knowledge and tools to do this.

You Get: + Unlimited time on Living Room days. + Use of The Common Room as a base for your projects. There will be a protocol for approving projects. You are invited to shape those protocols. + Book space for your workshops, making, meetings, and events.

You Give: + Member Host for a minimum of 4 hours a month, including adequate stewarding for project activity and events outside of the Living Room times. + Attend one The Common Room University Learning Event. + Contribute to developing and agreeing Working Together protocols. + Attend a project approval workshop prior to launching. + Undertake Member Induction training.

Check List Summary:

1. Responsible for locking and unlocking the church.

No one should be in the church and its ground on their own so another Member Host or Member should be present during unlocking and locking of the church.

2. Before the space is used for an activity or project, review the risk assessment the member has submitted.

3. Follow security, and health and safety procedures (as included with this pack) at all times and monitor the church’s contents, its use and enjoyment by visitors.

4. Check that the space and any furniture or equipment is safe and presentable before and after any events or activities.

5. Check that if people are setting up for activities they are doing so in a safe manner.

6. Assist with general housekeeping. Check for any spillages, and clean them up. Make sure rubbish is collected.

7. Before leaving the church make sure all electrical equipment and lights are switched off and the church is vacated.

8. On locking up make sure all the doors are secured. If used, lock the main door from the inside and exit through the side door. And finally lock the gate with the padlock.

LIVING ROOM

The Living Room is a social focused, open session at The Common Room.

This was an idea of the original co‐founding group. They thought Living Room days should be an initial element as it would provide opportunity for people to meet and socialise, welcome new members to The Common Room and open up the church. As we know, few projects and ideas happen in isolation!

It is initially thought that Living Room Days would happen on the weekend.

Imagined activities include: + Drop in ‐ meet and chat + Creative meet ups + Art exhibitions + Shared Meals + Community Library/Book Exchange

Please share other ideas...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Included here is important information for you to read and act accordingly. They will also be covered in your Member Induction.

Health and Safety Policy The included Health & Safety Policy and Fire & Emergency Protocols set out how The Common Room tries to ensure that nobody is harmed.

Church Care Policy

As a Grade I listed building there are very particular maintenance and cleaning procedures. All repairs and conservation is undertaken by CCT staff or contractors. For cleaning, please follow the included cleaning guide.

Member Hosting Further details for Member Hosting are included. As a test phase that is co‐created, we will learn and adapt so the procedures will be updated when appropriate. Please remember to use the Common Room Diary via the website after hosting.

BOOKING PROCESS The Common Room activities will start with Living Room days. The days and times will be advertised on the website when decided with the members.

To enable people to book using the church for activities and projects outside of the Living Room days, there will be a booking form filled out on the website via the ‘Community’ then ‘Space Booking’ page.

Questions on the form will allow an approvals process from which projects and activities can be judged appropriate, relating to the aims of the Common Room, Health and Safety and Insurance requirements. You are invited to be part of co‐producing and managing this process. In addition, a Risk Assessment is required for each activity.

Members’ use of the space will be based on a Fair Use Policy.

The church will be divided into areas that can be booked. Currently these are: Area 1 ‐ Living Room / Cafe area Area 2 ‐ Workshop / Make Table Area 3 ‐ Main ‐ Right Aisle Area 4 ‐ Main ‐ Centre Aisle Area 5 ‐ Main ‐ Left Aisle

The church can hold a maximum of 120 people, located below street level with steps down to the entrance – no disabled access available and there are no toilets in the church. You will need (if applicable) to apply for an Alcohol and Temporary Event Notice from the local authority and have the appropriate PRS Licence to cover you for music events.

CONTACTS The Common Room @ St Lawrence Church St. Benedict’s Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3PE

www.thecommonroom.so @TheCommonRoomNR

For Church related issues: Rachel Barrett rbarrett@thecct.org.uk 01223 324442 In case of an emergency on weekends call 07872502117

Other Common Room things: Tessy Britton tessybritton@googlemail.com Sarah Hollingworth sarah@architecture00.net 02077392230

Other Members:

Note: The membership pack is an evolving document as the process is co‐created and developed with you. There will probably be updates from day one and some things still need resolving!