Effective February 1, 2016
Cowork Frederick, a DBA under Ferguson Holdings, LLC, was created to foster and support a coworking community in Frederick, MD. This policy statement applies to the use of Cowork Frederick by members and non-members alike.
- Be considerate. Treat others with respect and kindness. Consider your surroundings and use an appropriate level of voice (and language). Use headphones. Turn off/down the sound on your phone, computer, or other gadget. Book a meeting room for extended conversations. Clean up after yourself. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. In other words, be considerate.
- Pitch in. We operate with a skeleton staff to keep costs – and your fees – down. Being a member of Cowork Frederick is like living with roommates. We all contribute toward the cost of keeping a roof over our heads and utilities on. We also help keep the place going. Make coffee in the morning. Empty the dishwasher. Help with posted opening and closing procedures. Donate a ream of paper if you print a lot. Replace empty toilet paper rolls. Water the plants. See a need? Pitch in.
- Share. Sharing is at the heart of coworking. We share equipment, space, utilities, ideas and effort. Sharing makes better use of resources and together we can be smarter, stronger and more successful. Don’t monopolize. Look for opportunities to share/include others rather than to own/isolate. Be a good sharer.
- Bring it. Cowork Frederick is more than a place to work; it’s a community. This is YOUR community and YOU have the power to make it great. Use it. Voice your ideas. Work with us to act on them. Organize events. Connect with others. Participate. Bring it.
- Be “green”. Cowork Frederick was founded with the intent to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Do you part. Conserve. Recycle. Don’t leave water running. Turn out lights when you leave a room. Print on both sides of paper. Bring a sweater in winter months. You know, be “green”.
- Use (only) what you pay for. Use Cowork Frederick to the full extent of the agreement you have with us (e.g., membership, meeting room reservation). If you need more, let us know. Get a Day Pass for an extra day or guest who comes in to work with you. Tell us if your meeting runs long. Membership and meeting room information, subject to change, is on the Cowork Frederick website.
- Avoid doing bad, annoying or otherwise not-OK things like:
- Pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming
- Defaming, abusing, harassing, or threatening others
- Pitching or promoting your business (or your kid’s fund raiser) to others trying to work
- Posting or distributing inappropriate, profane, defamatory, or indecent materials or information
- Protect your interests and your stuff. We recommend you have insurance, appropriate to your business, to cover liability, loss, theft, damage and the like. Our insurance does not protect you or your business. If you bring (and possibly leave) your bicycle, computer, coffee mug, paperwork, or anything else to Cowork Frederick, it’s your job to secure it.
- Mind your own business. We coworkers work in close proximity to others. Keeping your information or that of your customers private is up to you. Take adequate precautions and lock or turn off your computer, secure your phone, files, papers and other matters that may contain information you don’t want to share. On the flip side, don’t snoop in other people’s materials, read through papers left on printers, or otherwise dig through other people’s belongings.
- Keep Cowork Frederick safe. Don’t do foolish and dangerous things like play with matches, run with scissors, or do chemistry experiments with cleaning solutions. Wash your hands. Throw away food that has gone bad. Clean up spills. Let us know if a light bulb is out, a door or window is not latching properly, or you see anything that needs repair. Keep our network safe, too. Don’t upload or use files that contain viruses, malware, etc. that may damage the network, computers, or other equipment of Cowork Frederick or its members.
- Make this your workplace, not your home. Yes, we really do have to say it. Tempting as it might be, with amenities such as a sofa, shower, and refrigerator, you cannot make 122 E Patrick Street your home. Cowork Frederick is for business use only. Work here (only).
- Own up to messing up. Should any action or inaction on your part or the part of your guest(s) cause harm or damage to Cowork Frederick or any of its members or guests, own up to it and cover any related costs.
- Consume alcohol, food, or anything else you choose responsibly and at your own risk. Cowork Frederick is not in the business of serving food or drink. If such food or drink exists and you choose to partake, you do so at your own discretion and risk. Cowork Frederick, its members, Glen Ferguson, Julia Ferguson, and/or Ferguson Holdings LLC has no liability for illness, accidents, or any bad thing that results from your consumption of any substance of any kind.
- Hold each other accountable. These policies are shared with every member, Day Pass user and meeting room renter. They are posted on our website and in the workspace. We should all know what they are. If someone forgets, remind him/her (with respect, like you would want). Also – it’s your responsibility make sure your guests adhere to these policies and generally behave themselves.
- Keep up with changes. Cowork Frederick will evolve over time and so will these policies. A current version is on the Cowork Frederick website and in the workspace and we will send a note via group email when there’s been a change. It’s your responsibility to periodically read and adhere to current policies. If there’s anything you don’t understand about them, ask. We’re here to help.