POLICY STATEMENT 102

OPERATIONAL POLICY FOR CARY SENIOR CENTER

 

Prepared by: Mary Henderson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Supersedes: 7/11/2000 (also deleted Policy 82)

Adopted by Council: 5/26/2005

Effective: 5/26/2005

 

Purpose

 

To adopt an official policy for the operation of the Cary Senior Center , a public facility designed to primarily serve Cary residents age 55 and older.

 

Statement of Philosophy:

Cary Senior Center program offerings will be based on the Cary Senior Center Mission Statement:

 

The Cary Senior Center is supervised by the Town of Cary ’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department’s Senior Program staff.  The Cary Senior Center strives to provide quality leisure activities and services to all adults ages 55 and older.  These activities are designed to assist, inform, entertain and enrich the lives of the Town of Cary ’s citizens.  The Cary Senior Center also facilitates the needs of senior adult clubs in the Cary area.  It is our goal to improve the lives of Cary ’s senior citizens through our offerings.

 

Definitions

 

Senior Citizens Clubs - Recognized Senior Citizen Clubs by the Town of Cary must meet the following criteria:

 

1.   Minimum of 90% of membership must be 55 and older with the exception that spouses who are 54 and younger may join the club.

 

2.   Minimum of 75% of total club membership must be residents of the Town of Cary .

 

These clubs are divided into three categories:

 

1.   Senior Citizen Social/Civic Clubs must meet the above criteria, keep a copy of their current by laws or mission statement (if available) and membership (if allowed by the by laws) at the Cary Senior Center and receive all of the club benefits of meeting at the Cary Senior Center listed in item 4 of this policy. 

 

2.   Senior Citizen Church Affiliated Clubs must be sponsored by and meet at a local church, meet the above criteria, keep a copy of their current by laws or mission statement (if available) and membership (if allowed by the by laws) at the Cary Senior Center.  These clubs will receive b, c, e and f of club benefits listed in item 4 of this policy.

 

3.   Activity Based Senior Citizen Clubs must meet the above criteria, keep a copy of their current by laws or mission statement (if available) and membership (if allowed by the by laws) at the Cary Senior Center .  These clubs will receive b, c, e and f of the club benefits listed in item 4 of this policy.

Coverage

 

This policy, upon adoption by the Town Council, shall be applicable to the operation and use of the Town owned Cary Senior Center until such time that the policy statement is altered, modified, or rescinded by the Town Council.

 

Policy

 

The Town Council of the Town of Cary hereby establishes the following policy:

 

1.   Facility:  The Cary Senior Center is designed to provide multi-purpose utilization of the building including three class rooms, one media room, a conference room, exercise room, first aid room, counseling room, offices, two multipurpose rooms, kitchen, outdoor areas and restrooms. 

 

2.   Facility Usage:  The following priority shall be established for scheduling functions in this facility:

 

a.   Town sponsored and co-sponsored senior citizen programs and activities.

 

b.   Programs offered by Resources for Seniors, Inc.

 

c.   Programs and activities sponsored by Senior Citizen Clubs recognized by and located within the Town of Cary .

 

d.   Activities for other ages provided by or co-sponsored by the Town of Cary and other approved sponsors.

 

e.   Rentals for activities and events for private functions held by individuals and groups who are residents of the Town of Cary .

 

f.    Rentals for activities and events for private functions held by individuals and groups who are non-residents of the Town of Cary .

 

3.   General Hours of Operation:  The Senior Center shall be available for use during times as established by the Cary Town Council.  The Department Director or his/her designee shall reserve the right to alter hours of operation due to weather and health or safety of the public or employees.

 

4.   Cary Senior Citizen Club Benefits:

 

The Town of Cary will provide at the Cary Senior Center the following support at no cost to recognized senior citizen clubs as based in club definitions:

 

a.   Space for up to 2 weekday scheduled meetings and/or a maximum 6 meeting hours, with entire club membership, per month with advance notice of 6 months of any permanent schedule changes (space permitting).  All room reservations and set up requests must be made with Cary Senior Center Supervisor’s approval.

 

b.   Space for 1 scheduled meeting with club board/advisory committee per month (maximum 3 hours) with one or more weeks notice (space permitting). All room reservations must be made with Cary Senior Center Supervisor’s approval.

 

c.   The free weekday rental of one shelter at Bond or Ritter Park per year, per club with 3 months notice.  All reservations must be made with Cary Senior Center Supervisor’s approval.

 

d.   Coffee (with condiments and paper products) will be provided for each club during their scheduled club meetings.  Clubs must provide all other refreshment supplies.  All posted kitchen rules must be followed by all that use the kitchen area.

 

e.   Listing of Club meeting time, location, days and Club President information in the Town of Cary Senior Center quarterly brochure and mailing of that brochure to all club members (if allowed in Club bylaws).

 

f.    One evening event, after 5pm , once per year for the entire club to meet as a whole, space permitting, with a minimum of 3 months advance notice.

 

5.   Program Registration and Fees

 

a.   There will be a two-week priority registration period for Cary residents.

 

b.   Classes & Workshops:

 

Fees for participation in classes shall be set to recover 100% of instructor fees plus 100% of supplies. Non-residents shall pay an additional 20% of resident registration fees with a minimum of $5. (Exception: 1-day workshop, additional non-resident fee equal to 20% of instructor fee with a minimum of $1.)

 

c.   Day and Overnight Trips:

 

Fees for day trips are 100% of bus cost plus 100% of admission fees (based on a minimum number of  riders).  Staff travel costs are to be divided among all travelers expenses. Non-residents shall pay an additional 20% of resident registration fees with a minimum of $5.

 

d.   Senior Special Events and Dances:

 

Direct supply and/or meal costs will be divided among all participants (resident and non-resident will have same fee).

e.   SeniorNet classes and workshops:

 

All participants in SeniorNet must join the national organization prior to registering for any classes Cary residents and non-residents pay the same membership fee.  Class fees will be based on recommendations from SeniorNet and the ability to provide sufficient funds to replace lab supplies and equipment.  These fees will be set annually in the Town of Cary operating budget.  The Cary resident two-week priority registration period is waived for these classes and workshops. Non-residents shall pay an additional 20% of resident registration fees with a minimum of $5 for classes, workshops and labs.

 

6.   General Rules of Use of the Facility:

 

a.   An employee shall be on duty in the facility during all hours of operation or whenever the facility is open to the public.

 

b.   All Town of Cary ordinances must be adhered to unless otherwise stated in this policy.

 

c.   Food, beverage or other sales are prohibited except those with prior approval by the Department Director. 

 

d.   Any person or group using the facility shall be responsible for the breakage, loss or damage to the facility and equipment and shall bear the full replacement cost for such breakage, loss or damage.

 

e.   Persons and groups using the facility shall be responsible for any personal items brought into the facility and shall remove same at the end of each scheduled use time and shall return any Town owned equipment to its designated place within the facility as directed by the facility supervisor.

 

f.    Any person/group violating any of the above general rules is subject to immediate suspension from the facility and prosecution in the event of a law enforcement violation as provided in the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Cary .

 

g.   The facility shall be open only to persons who are upon the premises for specific programs, activities, functions or other official Town business.

 

h.   The Department Director or his/her designee may implement any other action deemed necessary to protect the health and welfare of the public, employees or the facility.

 

i.    Alcohol is prohibited with exception of approved rentals as outlined in #8e of this policy.

 

7.   SeniorNet Computer Learning Center/Media Center use:

 

a.   The Computer Learning Center shall be scheduled according to the following priority:

 

(1)  Classes, workshops and labs for SeniorNet members only.

 

(2)  Classes, workshops and labs for all others.

 

b.   SeniorNet Computer Leaning Center guidelines are to be followed at all times.

 

c.   All computer improvements and enhancements will be the responsibility of the SeniorNet Computer Learning Center volunteers and sponsors in coordination with the Cary Senior Center staff.

 

d.   Town of Cary Parks , Recreation and Cultural Resources Department has final approval of the use of the Computer Learning Center schedule, programs and participation.

 

8.   Reservation/Rental Priority:

 

a.   Town sponsored and co-sponsored reservations may be made at any time.

 

b.   Non-Town sponsored usage - Residents:

 

(1)  Sunday-Thursday not more than 3 months in advance.

 

(2)  Friday and Saturday not more than 6 months in advance.

 

c.   Non-Town sponsored usage – Non Residents:

 

(1)  Sunday-Thursday not more than 2 months in advance.

 

(2)  Friday and Saturday not more than 5 months in advance.

 

d.   Reservations for use of the facility shall be made as outlined in the “ Cary Senior Center ” Standard Procedure #61.  All persons making reservations shall pay a reservation /damage deposit at the time of reservation.  All fees will be due at least 30 days prior to the reservation.  A 10 percent surcharge will be assessed for all late rental fees.

 

e.   Non-profit organizations pay 50% of total rental fees for rentals between the hours of 8am-2pm Monday through Friday.

 

f.    Alcohol, in the form of a “ Champagne or Wine Toast” only for weddings and celebrations in recognition of the honored guest/s may be permitted during a rental with prior approval from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.  This toast will not exceed more than one glass of alcohol per person.  All other alcohol, including beer is prohibited.

 

9.   Cancellation of Rentals:

 

a.   The Department reserves the right to make cancellations at any time.  Cancellation notices will be issued as far in advance as possible.  All reservations/damage deposits and usage fees will be returned in full if cancellation is initiated by the Department.

 

b.   Cancellation (for dates other than Friday and Saturday evenings in the month of December and New Year's Eve) may be initiated by the party making reservation up to thirty (30) days prior to scheduled use without liability.  All cancellation notices must be submitted in writing to facility supervisor. Cancellation made within 30 days of the scheduled use will result in forfeiture of reservation/damage deposit.

 

c.   Cancellation for Friday and Saturday evenings in the month of December and New Year's Eve may be initiated by the party making reservation up to the last working day of September without liability.  All cancellation notices must be submitted in writing to the facility supervisor.  Any organization or sponsor who fails to notify the facility supervisor of a cancellation prior to the last working day in September prior to December reservation date will forfeit reservation/damage deposit.

 

d.   No cancellations will be accepted within five (5) working days of scheduled usage.  Party making a cancellation within five (5) working days of usage will be liable for payment of rental fees and other charges in full.

 

10.  Fees for use of the facility shall be those as adopted by the Cary Town Council in the annual budget of the Town of Cary .