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Choosing a Public Event Space or Place to hold a Meeting

If you decide to call a public meeting, first consider that most cities or towns have rooms or auditoriums in libraries, schools or community centers for such a purpose. Government buildings are usually free, and you can call the "facilities management" office of the city or county government, or the mayor's office for information about rooms and auditoriums available for public use.

Many public meeting places have equipment you need, and there are other considerations besides equipment. Where in your community is there a central meeting place? Does it have adequate parking, and is it easy to find? Is it near public transportation? Most cities offer rooms or auditoriums that local groups can use free of charge. If you call for a street rally or demonstration, will it be a place where the public can see you?

Universities, colleges and other schools have facilities, including auditoriums, that students and faculty members can often use free of charge. Other nonprofit groups or churches will sometimes rent facilities at a reasonable rate. Hotels also have meeting rooms for rent.

If the weather is fair and predictable, a park is a good setting for a rally or member’s picnic.

Colleges and civic groups are full of opporutunities to link issues, and they often have access to places where you can co-host public events. Make links in your community!

To use a public building or school, you may be required to fill out paperwork. Politely ask, "Is there any paperwork?" You may be charged a small fee.

Very Important! Sometimes it requires an approved application to use certain spaces, and any permit(s) should be in hand before you begin to publicize the event. It could take several weeks to get an application approved, especially if it must be submitted to and approved by a council or governing body. If you're denied a permit, politely ask why. Appeal any unsupported denial immediately to higher authorities. Know your rights.

You should inspect the facility or area you plan to use. If it's a building, it should be clean and large enough to hold the audience you expect to attract -- looking full, not empty. I's better to err on the side of not having enough space as opposed to a small group, in a large room.

Make a list about what is good, and what isn’t great about the places you're contemplating.

Is it accessible to handicapped people with good parking, and in a convenient area where people you've invited can move with ease?

If you are planning a demonstration, is the public space visible? Will it require a permit? Again, is it an area convenient to your volunteers and visible?

You will need to publish preciset driving directions, and depending on your area, driving directions from a multitude of directions. You must also know bus routes and any other mass transit instructions. This information can be posted on community calendars. General but clear instructions should be published on any flyers, and for local newspaper event listings.

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