The Democracy Center Spaces + BOOKING

• Our work to support community organizing and community building means that we are explicitly a working space. We do not host personal, private social functions (e.g., birthday parties). Event requests are evaluated by the Democracy Center Manager for how well they align with our mission.

• When booking, you’ll have the option to request a recurring event (weekly, monthly, etc.). All recurring bookings are held until mid-year (June 30) or year-end (Dec 31), whichever comes sooner. If you have a recurring event that is set to expire, we will reach out to reconfirm your recurring booking in the month prior.

• We take one-off bookings on a first-come, first-serve basis no more than 6 months in advance. Inquire about extraordinary cases.

• We require a point person for every event or event series to attend a walkthrough to confirm their booking and receive a door code.

• All events must cancel with 24 hours notice OR by Friday at 4 pm for weekend events. Failure to do so may impact future bookings.

• No call/no show or frequent cancellations may impact consideration for future bookings.

BEFORE + DURING YOUR EVENT

• Share door codes only with other event organizers.

• All events must share accessibility information and our COVID19 policies on all publicity (available below).

• No alcohol, illegal drug use, or smoking in the building or on the grounds.

• Do not use tacks on the walls.

• By law, any service animal is allowed in the building. We also understand that people have comfort/support animals, and encourage people to bring their companions to support them as needed. We also ask that such decisions balance the potential for people who are allergic or afraid of dogs or other animals to also be in the space. Event guests should communicate directly with the event organizer about how animals in the space may or may not impact planned activities.
  

AFTER YOUR EVENT

• Leave the space as clean as, or cleaner, than you found it.

• Sweep the floor, wash dishes, stack chairs, and put away tables after your event.

• Close and lock windows and draw the blinds at the end of your event.

• Put trash, compost, and recycling in the appropriate bins in the kitchen. If the recycling or trash is full, empty the bin into the dumpsters provided outside.

• Do not leave any food behind after your event.

• Return furniture to its original position at the end of your event. When possible, lift and carry furniture rather than dragging it.

PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY

• There are 8 steep steps to enter the Mt Auburn St door which is 36 inches wide.

• The wheelchair access ramp is at the DeWolfe St door, which is 32 inches wide (with the door open), and the the door is usable unassisted.
  

• There is one gender neutral bathroom on the first floor, which is not ADA compliant for wheelchair use. The internal hallways leading to it are between 28-30 inches wide. The bathroom door is 29 inches wide, the toilet is about 6 feet from the door.
  

• Daedalus Restaurant, our neighbor, has graciously offered wheelchair users the use of their accessible bathroom. To access it, exit the wheelchair ramp and turn left onto Bow St. The immediate next building's back door is a marked accessible entrance, the accessible bathroom is on the right side. We recognize this is not an ideal or equitable arrangement, and we hope it provides an interim solution.
  

• The Mandela, Chavez, and Parks rooms are connected by wide sets of double doors. The internal hallways vary between 27-30 inches wide, the library door is 30 inches wide. There are threshold ramps into the Mandela room from the wheelchair ramp and from the Mandela room into the kitchen.

• Include the following text on all publicity for your event:

  • Full version (emails, event pages, etc): “The Democracy Center is partially wheelchair accessible, no accessible bathroom on site. The Mandela, Parks, and Chavez rooms are accessible, but the Library is not. Wheelchair users are welcome to use the accessible restroom at Daedalus while we plan our improvements for bathroom accessibility. To reach that bathroom, exit the ramp and turn left on Bow St, at the next building (Daedalus) use their accessible entrance and their restroom will be on the right. More information at: democracycenter.org. Contact info@democracycenter.org or 617 492 8855 as needed.”

  • Flyer version: “The Democracy Center is partially wheelchair accessible, no accessible bathroom on site. Contact info@democracycenter.org or 617 492 8855 as needed.”

COVID-19 POLICIES

After much thought, reflection, and feedback from community members, the DC will no longer maintain a mask mandate starting in January 2024. Going forward:

• Event bookers/organizations will decide and inform their participants about COVID19 protocols in their booked rooms.

• Event bookers will continue to include COVID19 mask and vaccine policies on all publicity, along with all other accessibility information.

• DC management will fully support any event or organization’s choice to require masks from their participants.

• The DC will continue to provide masks for anyone to use.

• We will continue to run air purifiers in the space at all times.

We encourage anyone with specific questions to reach out to info@democracycenter.org or (617) 492-8855.

BASIC EVENT EQUIPMENT + SUPPLIES

All equipment is first come, first serve. However, the Monday before your event we will put you on an email chain with other organizers so you can coordinate equipment use.
Generally, we have the following available to use:

• Around 55 folding chairs

• 10 six-foot folding tables

• 4 double-sided white board easels with flipchart holder

• 1 drip coffee pot and 1 hot water kettle

• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar, and general “break room” supplies

• 1 microwave

• 1 full size fridge

• 10 black polyester tablecloths

• 1 copier/scanner/printer (requires $10 deposit to use)

• Extension cords

• Office supplies - white board markers, pens, pencils, name tags, scissors, etc.

AUDIO-VISUAL (AV) EQUIPMENT

If your event needs AV equipment that is not already built into the room you’re booking, please be sure to specify this in your booking request form so we can ensure it will be available.
The DC has the following AV equipment available for use:

• 1 portable projector (brand: DBPOWER)

• 1 portable screen

• 4 conference microphones (brand: eMeet Luna)

  • These connect via aux cable or Bluetooth to your device, and improve audio for hybrid events (where some people are online and some are in person)

• HDMI cables

• HDMI-to-USB C adapters

Please note that the Mandela Room has a built in projector, screen, and speaker system - so if you are booking the Mandela Room, you do not need to request these items. The DC does not provide microphones.

WIFI

• The DC is happy to provide publicly accessible wifi. Login information is posted on the wall in each meeting room and the foyer.

• 1 and 2 hour street parking is available in the immediate area. Click here to open a parking map with more information.

• Due to there being limited parking options on the street, you may want to consider a garage. There are multiple parking garages located within a 15 minute walking distance of the DC, and most will allow you to reserve a spot online in advance.

• There are multiple public transit options: The #1 bus stops just outside the Democracy Center, and Harvard Square Station on the Red Line is a 5 minute walk away and serviced by many bus routes, including 1, 66, 86, and 77.