WORKSPACE & MEMBER POLICY
Collaborate, grow, and create. 1909 is a place for people who make things happen - individually and together.
General Expectations for Members
Be a kind and respectful human.
Get involved! Stay active on slack, introduce yourself, show up to events. It’s proven that those who put in their time and energy get the most out of their memberships.
Speak up. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or ask questions.
We have made the space available for you 24/7 in order to pursue your dreams, please don’t take advantage. We know it’s cozy but please no sleepovers.
No intimidating, harassing, threatening, abusive, derogatory, discriminatory, demeaning speech or gossip is tolerated (online or in-person.)
Do not display flyers, brochures or business cards in the space. If you want to promote an upcoming event please give your flyer or brochure to our Community Manager who can add it to the Member bulletin board.
Clean up after yourself. We believe there should be a shared responsibility for taking care of our space.
Do not leave your items unattended in the space for extended periods of time.
Please leave everything how you found it. That includes any moved items or chairs.
Do not alter the interior design of the space. This includes adding or removing signs, posters, furniture, decor, photos, artwork, plants, personal property, or any misc. items etc.
Do not use the 1909 address unless you are signed up for a mailbox.
Please refrain from self-promotion. Build relationships, invest in others, and it will all come back around. Help other people build their thing, and they’ll help you build yours.
GUESTS –
Guests are welcome in the space if they are accompanied by a member at all times.
Guest check-in iPad: it is the member’s responsibility to inform their guests how to sign-in when they arrive at our lobby. Once guests check-in you will be notified via Slack.
It is the member’s duty to open the door for their guest and to walk them to the elevator once their visit has concluded.
Guests who are attending a meeting with a member in the member’s dedicated office or in the conference room do not need to obtain a guest pass.
Guests who are visiting the space and coworking with a member in the open work area must have a guest pass, which must be obtained by the member accompanying them in advance. Guest passes cost $25 per day and can be requested through the member portal.
Shared Space Reminders –
Workspace and member conduct policies are enforced 24/7.
When taking a phone/zoom call on your cell phone or laptop please always use your headphones. When scrolling through social media please mute your phone or use headphones. Speakerphones on any device are not allowed in workspace.
Please silence your cell phone while in the workspace.
Please keep your phone booth use to 1 hour max. Once you are done with your call, exit the booth so another member can hop in (just because you don’t see someone visibly waiting to use it, doesn’t mean they aren’t.) Phone booths are solely for phone/zoom calls - they are not meant to be your private workspace.
If you use the conference room, please clean up after yourself and erase all walls once you are done. Your number of available booking hours depends on your membership level but all bookings have a 2 hour daily maximum. If you are not going to use the time you booked, please go into the member portal to cancel that booking so that someone else can book it.
We have multiple waste bins around the space – please use them responsibly and clean up after yourselves accordingly.
Please empty all liquids/ice into the sink before tossing cups into waste bins.
If you see a full trash can, please proactively remove it, bring the bag to the 1st floor kitchen and place it in the marked “TRASH” bin. Don’t forget to add a new trash bag to the can.
While we provide a community printer for our members, please be respectful and mindful of what you’re printing. This is a resource we want to keep for our community but if you take advantage of it we won’t be able to provide it. (Ex: Go to FedEx for that 20+ page color presentation, ya’ll.)
Slack Etiquette –
Please don’t spam channels (i.e. posting the same thing in multiple channels or posting multiple times in a short time period.)
If you’re directing your message to a specific person or people, please direct message them in a private group message - posting in the channel is for when you want to reach the entire community at large.
Check out the different groups we’ve collectively created so you know where your posts will be best received (#advice, #gigs, #1909fitness, #wins, #events, etc.)
If you’re new to the community, introduce yourself in the #welcome channel and upload a profile photo so we can recognize you!
Engage authentically on Slack. Our organization values meaningful interactions over sales pitches. When using Slack, focus on providing value, building relationships, and fostering a sense of community. Avoid overly promotional messages and instead seek to understand others' needs, offer assistance, and exchange services organically. Let's cultivate an environment where genuine connections flourish, and where collaboration and mutual support are prioritized over sales tactics.
Safety and Security –
We take the safety and security of our members very seriously. For this reason– security cameras are placed throughout the open workplace. Our goal is to create a secure environment where everyone feels comfortable and protected.
All doors are to remain closed, secured, and locked at all times. Keycards must be used to gain access to the space.
Do not open the door for non-members. Guests should be instructed ahead of time to sign-in via the iPad (this will send a slack notification to their host of their arrival). Food deliveries can be left on the lobby table for members to collect.
There is signage in the lobby stating we do not allow walk-ins. All tours/meetings with 1909 staff need to be scheduled.
Keycards are never meant to be given to non-members. This will result in immediate termination of membership.
Please always keep your keycards on you so you can gain access to the space and not interrupt your fellow Members who are hard at work.
Please do not ever prop doors open. If you are expecting a guest, please be sure to be around to let them in when they arrive. Ask your guests to use our Envoy Guest Check-in system outside the elevator to let you know through slack that they have arrived.
There is no rooftop access (we know, we know...bummer) so please stay off the roof or it will land us in a boatload of trouble with insurance and our landlord. It’s not safe out there, folks!
Unacceptable Behavior –
We strive to cultivate a culture of collaboration and inspiration – and an environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone. We expect members to treat one another with respect and kindness, and we will not condone any behavior that disrupts this. Conduct that is deemed to be intimidating, harassing, threatening, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning will not be tolerated. This goes for conduct and speech in the physical and virtual 1909 space, at live events both onsite and offsite, in our online portal and networks, via email, text, and any other method of communication. This includes discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment.
Violating this policy may result in termination of membership and/or a temporary or permanent ban from 1909 without warning and without refund of prepaid fees. 1909 reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, the appropriate course of action for any member determined to be in violation of its policies.
If you have violated, or are suspected of violating a 1909 policy, a member of the 1909 team will contact you to discuss it. It is your responsibility to respond to any such inquiry promptly and to provide all information requested in connection with the inquiry. Failure to do so may result in a determination being made without your side of the story being heard.
If you are subject to or have witnessed unacceptable behavior, harassment, violation of a policy, or if you have any other concerns, please notify the 1909 team as soon as possible.
To view email directory, scroll down.
Policy on Smoking, Vaping, and Drugs in the 1909 Space –
In order to promote a healthy and comfortable environment for all members, we do not allow smoking, vaping, or the use of illegal drugs in our space. This includes all spaces in the 1909 building, including open workspaces, stairwells, restrooms, lobbies, and all common areas. This policy aims to ensure the well-being of everyone and maintain a civil and collegial environment.
Specifically, the use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or any similar devices for smoking/vaping, including the use of tobacco, nicotine, THC, or any other substances, is strictly prohibited on the premises. The use, possession, sale, or distribution of any illegal substances, including drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances, is strictly prohibited.
The closest preferred smoking/vaping areas are located in the open private parking lots on the East and West sides of the building. Members who wish to smoke or vape can use these designated areas.
Members found in violation of this policy are subject to immediate termination of their membership. We take this matter seriously to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all 1909 members and guests.
Consumption of Alcohol and Other Regulated Beverages –
To ensure the well-being and safety of everyone, we have implemented guidelines for the responsible consumption of alcohol and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) beverages on the 1909 premises.
All members are required to abide by the following:
Age Restriction: Consumption of alcohol and THC beverages is strictly limited to individuals who are 21 years of age or older. Proof of age may be required when consuming these substances on the premises.
Ingredient Verification: It is the responsibility of each member to thoroughly check the ingredients of any food or beverage, including alcoholic or THC-infused products, before consumption. We recommend reviewing the packaging, labels, or consulting with the provider to ensure awareness of the contents and potential allergens.
Responsible Consumption: Members consuming legally controlled alcoholic or THC-infused beverages are expected to do so responsibly and in moderation. Excessive or irresponsible consumption that affects productivity, safety, or disturbs fellow members is strictly prohibited. Any member or guest who is behaving in a way that is disruptive or unsafe to other members and guests will be asked to leave the premises.
Personal Responsibility: The responsibility for understanding the effects, potential risks, and legal implications associated with the consumption of alcohol and THC beverages rests solely with the member. It is essential for members and their guests to be knowledgeable about, and comply with, all relevant local laws and regulations.1909 assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the effects of any alcoholic and/or THC beverages consumed or used while on the 1909 premises.
Suspension or Termination: If a member's behavior, due to the effects of alcohol or THC (infused food or beverage) consumption, makes other members uncomfortable or disrupts the work environment, their 1909 membership may be subject to temporary or permanent suspension or termination, as applicable. We prioritize the well-being and comfort of all our members and reserve the sole and exclusive right to determine the appropriate action to be taken in response to a member’s disruptive behavior.
Reporting Concerns: If you become aware of any violation of this policy, please report it to the 1909 Team immediately via Member Services Claim form. We will handle such matters with discretion and take prompt action to address the issue.
CONTACTS –
Shana Ostrovitz, Executive Director – shana@weare1909.org
Danielle Casey, Co-Founder & Creative Director – danielle@weare1909.org
Monique Fabio, Development Director – monique@weare1909.org
Blanche Coté, Operations Manager – blanche@weare1909.org
Member Issues: please complete the Member Services Claim form
1909 Staff Issues: please report to Board Members via memberservices@weare1909.org
Board of Directors Issues: please report to shana@weare1909.org