Category: SCCA

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Community Programs: Transparency & Rental Rates

I have been having a number of conversations about the importance of preserving low prices for Community Programs at Mansons Hall. My goal here is to clear up any confusion, and address concerns about lack of transparency, and in some cases, the appearance that some groups get special deals over others. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to email me at bryan [at] mansonshall [dot] org

Short Term Rental Rates

Each space at the Hall has a standard rate, and a discounted Community Program rate.

For this discussion I will focus on the Main Hall ($20 / hr – $10 /hr Community Program Rate), The Pioneer Room ($15 / hr – $7.5 / hr Community Program Rate), and The Om Studio ($15 / 2 hrs – $7.5 / 2 hrs Community Program Rate). Click Here for the full list of short term rental opportunities at Mansons Hall

Why Charge Anything?

Every event at the Hall requires administrative staff time to book the space, meet with members, review the rules, inspect the space before and after the event, coordinate cleaners, create the contract and invoice, and other necessities. As administrative costs are not covered by grants or tax funds, we must raise revenue through donations, and short and long term rentals. We aim to break even and in some cases lose money on Hall rentals.

The Community Program Rate

A Community Program is a pre-booked, recurring activity*, hosted by one or more members, community organizations or government bodies. Hosts of Community Programs enjoy a 50% discount off the standard rate for renting Hall space. (*Ongoing weekly rentals that run 3 months or longer, between September 15 – June 15 are discounted 50%.)

Most of what we think of as Hall activities are recurring Community Programs, created by and for members.

What’s NOT a Community Program? Typically one-off events such as private parties, weddings, or even the recent Trivia Night.

Community Programs – some open to the public, others closed groups – are pre-booked, reccuring activities, that provide facilitators, organizers, co-creators, participants and members, access to Mansons Hall at a discounted rate, to socialize, learn, practice, experiment, dialogue, meet, plan, and in some cases, earn a little money.

Entreprenneur

Some Community Programs are created by one or more people, who enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit of putting together a weekly class, renting the space, promoting their event, selecting the music, printing out materials, and having the opportunity to deepen their practice and their teaching and instruction skills.

In exchange, participants drop-in, pay the facilitator’s fee, and enjoy the benefits of their hard work. For example: if a yoga instructor wants to offer a weekly class and earn some money, they can rent the Main Hall for the discounted rate of $10 for one hour, charge participants a fee (let’s say $10 each), and if 4 participants show up, there is enough to pay the $10 rental fee and $30 left over for the facilitator.

Closed Groups

Some Community Programs are created by a closed group, who put together a weekly program by and for themselves. In this case each member of the group chips in a small amount to cover the rental cost of the space. An example might be a group of actors rehearsing their scenes, a study group, or a dance troupe developing new choreography. In this case a group of 5 people renting the Main Hall for one hour would chip in $2 each in exchange for the experience.

Community Activities

A Community Activity is a special kind of Community Program for those who want to volunteer their time to host a class (weekly or one off), or for those who want to facilitate a class but also avoid taking on the risk of renting the space. For example, a martial arts instructor who wants to volunteer their time teaching a 1 hour movement class in the Main Hall can apply to facilitate a Community Activity. Participants pay a $5 drop-in fee, with the first $10 collected going to pay the rent, the next $30 going to the facilitator as a stipend. Any money collected above that is put towards our Community Activity Scholarship Fund, for those members who can’t afford the $5 drop-in fee.

The new Community Activity Punch Card makes it easy for people to pay in advance – no need to worry about carrying cash to class anymore.

For more information contact: admin [at] mansonshall [dot] org

Community Hosted Programs

Finally, there are several community organizations who pay the discounted Community Program rate to host closed group sessions, or community activities open to all that are sliding scale, low cost or no cost to members. These organizations are paying an annual or monthly rent in exchange for the discounted Community Program rate to host different activities. For example, the Cortes Isand Seniors Society host free weekly carpet bowling open to all. Most recently they hosted a drop-in pay what you want T’ai Chi class in the Om Studio, collecting donations for their other programs. Other examples include CCHA hosting Teen Scene events, the SRD hosting community town halls, and long term tenants hosting monthly board meetings.

* Community Program Rental Rates: Main Hall = $10 / hr Pioneer Room = $7.5 / hr Om Studio = $7.5 for 2 hrs

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December 2022 Board Update

NOTICE: General Meeting January 14

Our accountants Nicole and Melissa are busy putting the final touches to our 2023 Budget that we will be presenting at the upcoming General Meeting of the Members: Saturday January 14, 2023 – 2:00 pm in the Main Hall.

December Board Meeting

The last meeting of Board of Directors for 2022 happened on December 6th. Here are the minutes:

Meeting Minutes

Hall office is now open 4 days a week!

As part of our goal of improving service and accessibility to members, the Hall office is now staffed 4 days a week 1 pm to 4 pm, Tuesdays through Fridays. Staff are available to answer your questions, help with bookings, and accept donations! Drop by and say, Hi.

Community Programs Rental Rates

I’ve been having a number of conversations about the importance of preserving low prices for Community Programs at Mansons Hall…continue

SCCA & Cortes School Gym Insured!

After-school indoor physical activities are back on at the Cortes Island gym. Thanks to all who helped keep this essential program alive. Insurance will cover general liability but will not cover injuries related to physical activities.

Thrift Store Hours & Volunteers

Plans are underway to allow the Thrift Store to open Fridays and during Cafe Hours (Mondays and Wednesdays 7-2). If you are interested in volunteering at these times please contact:

Cemetery Committee
At the request of the Cemetery Committee the Board passed the motion that there “be no vehicle traffic on cemetery property except on cemetery business.”
Horses, bicycles, and walking traffic welcome.

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SCCA GM and AGM

The SCCA invites you to attend their AGM on Sunday December 5, 2021 at 2pm in person at Manson’s Hall. Due to Covid-19 Public Health Orders, the AGM will be limited to 50 people and masks will be required. Preregistration is necessary and proof of vaccination is not required.

To preregister, click the link below, or send an email to mansonshall@gmail.com

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwuSH3F45hnAq9tOEqaGCyA_zKpqZ8sCVunsHRRXgWi79-iw/viewform?usp=pp_url

We will start with a General Meeting to approve the 5 Year Operational Budget for Core Funding, and ask for approval to change our fiscal year to be Jan 1 – Dec 31.  This will assist us in being in line with the way the SRD asks us to report our finances and budgets. Currently our fiscal year is Apr 1 – Mar 31, which means we are currently needing to create two sets of financials. After concluding this meeting we will move directly to the AGM business.

At the AGM we will be giving reports on the past financial year, electing the Board of Directors, and bringing you up to date on current changes to our organization.

You can become a member or renew your membership once you are registered for the AGM, but must be a member for 30 days prior to the meeting in order to vote.

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Dr. Bonnie Henry Updates

May Update, May 25 – June 15, some restrictions have been lifted. We can now offer yoga classes again! Inside organized meetings of up to 10 people are allowed. We continue to wear masks while in the building.

April Update, continuing with the circuit breaker until May 25, 2021.

March Update, there is a Circuit Breaker lock down from March 30, 2021 – April 19, 2021

All exercise classes are cancelled. No yoga until after April 19th.

For the Friday Market, food and plants can be sold indoors, any other products must be sold outdoors.

* Update, the lock down is now in effect until February 5, 2021 *

We have some sad news to deliver.

The shut down of events and gatherings will be in place until January 8, 2021.

Here is an except from the order, as it pertains to Manson’s Hall.

As per the oral order of November 19th, all events are suspended until January 8th. Events are defined as in-person gatherings in any place whether private or public, inside or outside, organized or not, on a one-time, regular or irregular basis. Some named examples include events, meetings and conferences, parties or celebrations, receptions, shows, fund raising benefits, and live solo or band musical performances. Only support group meetings, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and programs/sports for children and youth are currently permitted as gatherings, and where those gatherings occur, they must be in full compliance with the order.

Order restrictions that may directly impact your operation are as follows:
· Holiday parties, receptions, staff gatherings, family gatherings and any other celebrations must be suspended.
· All entertainment, such as trivia and bingo, is suspended.
· No person may permit a place to be used to host receptions before or after a permitted event (e.g. support group meeting, wedding, baptism, or funeral).
· Perimeter seating vehicles (e.g. party busses) require 2m physical distancing between patrons who do not reside together, and must not operate between 11PM and 6AM.

There has also been a cancellation of craft markets, which are considered events. As such, we will not be holding the December 19th outdoor market.

The hall is still open to tenants and we can keep the playschool running.

Stay safe everyone, and please be kind to each other.