RampART/guests

We said at the last meeting that we'd sort out information for guest including posters in the guest room etc, leaflet version to give guest and digital version to send guest by email. We already had the basis for this online.

I've added stuff to the accommodation page on the website about smoking, candles, food and which room to sleep in etc. It's a hasty rough draft to get things moving, please take a look and suggest improvement. The original is included in this email for comparison.

= orginal

The rampART is not a residential project. This was decided from the very beginning in an attempt to avoid the seemingly inevitable conflicts of interest that emerge between communal and private use of space. We want to ensure that the whole building is a shared project with no rooms ending up as the private domain of any individual.

That said, we are happy to have guests staying at the rampART and have a room set aside to accommodate people who have come from outside London for an event etc. This is intended only for short term stays. As a rule, two weeks is the maximum period we'll agree to accommodate anyone.

It is vital to email or phone first if you would like to stay as sometimes we have no space available or the room is being utilised for an event.

• • We will and do turn away people that turn up unannounced expecting

accommodation!**

We like to know how you heard about the rampART and why you want to stay here. We also like to know how long you'll be in London and why you are visiting.

* Our aim is to facilitate productive cultural exchange with artists and

activists on a tight budget who are coming to London for an event etc. We are not a homeless shelter or tourist hostel.

* Bring what you need - bedding, roll mat etc. and don't expect the

Ritz. We won't cook for you or provide cooking facilities. We will not tidy up after you or even ensure that there is toilet paper for you to use.

* We don't ask for any money and while it might be nice if you could

make a financial donation to the space what would be even better is active participation. In fact, lets make it clear, we don't intend to provide free hostel space for freeloaders so if you're not open to getting involved in some way during your stay then you should probably look elsewhere.

(see also acceptable use policy}

= bits I've added & changed

We like to know how you heard about the rampART and why you want to stay here. We also like to know how long you'll be in London and why you are visiting. Our aim is to facilitate productive cultural exchange with artists and activists on a tight budget who are coming to London for an event etc. We are not a homeless shelter or tourist hostel.

* We don't ask for any money and while it might be nice if you could

make a financial donation to the space what would be even better is active participation. In fact, lets make it clear, we don't intend to provide free hostel space for freeloaders so if you're not open to getting involved in some way during your stay then you should probably look elsewhere.

* Bring what you need - bedding, roll mat etc. and don't expect the

Ritz. We won't cook for you or provide cooking facilities. We will not tidy up after you or even ensure that there is toilet paper for you to use.

* Please keep the noise down when entering or leaving the building or

using the roof garden as we are under a noise abatement order and have neighbors who make complaints at every opportunity.

* For health and safety reasons we ask that guests do not use candles,

incense or smoke anywhere inside the building.

* Be aware that the building is infested with mice and roaches and we

ask guests to ensure that no food or food wastes are ever left out in any room.

* Please only sleep in the yellow room (unless asked to sleep elsewhere

when the yellow room is full), and ensure you possessions are tidied away during the day as there may be meetings arranged in the library or guest room.

* Rubbish should be removed from the building at every opportunity but

not dumped in Rampart Street. There are litter bins on both Commercial Road and Cannon Street Road and larger bins in nearby Myrdle Street.

= ends

There is also stuff in the Statement of Principles, Mission Statement, Building Policy and Acceptable Use document on the wiki. It contradicts the accommodation page in terms of the length of stay and being part of the agreed constitution it is probably the 'correct' one.

= starts

Overnight stays

In order to maintain itself as a productive project space the rampART is non-residential. The aim is to remain an accesible and nonintimidating space by reducing the problems that seem to be associated with combining residential elements into communal project spaces. However, there is provision for crash space which is intended to provide overnight accommodation for people who have travelled to London to attend events at the rampART or other similar activities elsewhere in London. The crash space is available on the following terms.

Out of town guests

• Subject to prior agreement, accomodation may be provided for individuals

or groups visiting london - they would normally be expected to have some kind of referral.

• This is not a homeless hostel and our policy is not to provide crash

space for people who are currently homeless.

• Unless by prior agreement with large groups, crash space is limited to

the one room assigned to the purpose.

• Length of stay must be agreed in advance AND the maximum stay is ten

days within any calender month.

• The accommodation room remains communal and does not becomes the

property of any single person just because they happen to be using it at for a period of time.

• Personal possesions, bedding and any other ‘mess’ must be cleared away

by midday so that the room is available for use for the rest of the day. In the evening, meeting etc which may use the rooms have priority over use of the space.

• Guest are expected (without messing up their own plans) to get involved

in the project and contribute in some way.