--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/MHMC/Usage_policy.txt	Wed Jun 11 15:18:54 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+In handling requests for free or reduced-rate use of rooms at 7
+Victoria Terrace the starting point is the simple observation that
+waiving charges amounts to making a donation of the amount of those
+charges from Area Meeting to the organisation or individual making the
+request, For large charities with deep pockets asking for the Hall or
+the Meeting Room, e.g. OXFAM or, indeed, Britain Yearly Meeting, we
+just say "Apologies, but it costs us money to staff events such as
+this, we already keep our rates as low as we can without losing money,
+Area Meeting has decided that we cannot afford to provide special
+rates for charities such as yourself."
+
+However, not all cases are simple.  In particular, when the request is
+  * From a small charity or non-profit group
+  * With a connection to our Area Meeting, because
+    * We appoint someone to represent us in that group, e.g. Northern
+      Friends Peace Board or Old Town Churches [?name?]
+    * the requsest comes from one or more members of AM who are
+      members of the group as part of the Quaker witness
+  * For a small room (Bow Room, Foyer, Library)
+  * For a date and time when the Meeting House will be staffed in any
+    case.
+
+We can make a qualified offer of rate-free use if the relevant room is
+available.  The qualification is that if we subsequently receive a
+confirmed request for a conflicting paid booking, we may have to move
+the rate-free meeting to another room, or, in the worst case, to a
+different day/time to be worked out.