Member Agency Agreement
Membership Agreement & Tool Use Policy
1. Member Agency must be a not-for-profit community service organization, organized volunteer groups, government agencies, public or non-profit schools, faith based institutions or other registered charity to borrow tools from Chicago Community Tools (“CCT”). Proof of non-profit status will be required.
2. Member Agency is asked to voluntarily donate an annual membership fee of $50. We want CCT to be accessible to all charitable organizations and community members doing good with our tools so please inquire about alternative ways to become a member. Membership Fee donations are strictly voluntary and are not required for approval of membership.
3. Prior to borrowing tools, all Member Agencies must:
(a) create an account at chicagotools.myturn.com
(b) sign the Liability Waiver
(c) sign this Membership Agreement & Tool Use Policy form
(d) provide names and photos (selfies are fine) of all your member designates who will be picking up or dropping off tool orders
(e) upload or email copy of your FEIN and 501(c)(3) documents to membership@chicagocommunitytools.org
4. CCT staff is available to assist in explaining basic operation of tools. However, by taking possession of any item, the Member Agency is certifying that they are capable of using that item in a safe and proper manner and agrees to only use the item for its intended purpose.
5. Only the Member Agency and its designates are authorized to use CCT tools. The Member Agency shall not permit the use of items checked out to Member Agency by any other person(s) or organization(s) unless by the express permission of CCT.
6. The member may be responsible for providing any “accessories” necessary. For example we will not routinely supply sandpaper for sanders or screws with drills etc. We will do our best to have a variety of drill bits, routers bits, etc available and keep sharp blades in the saws. We kindly request if you put a lot of wear on an item such as a bit or a blade you consider replacing it or making a small donation so we can keep the tools available for the community.
7. Tool pickup and drop off appointment dates/times must be scheduled in advance with CCT staff. All tools borrowed are to be picked up and returned to CCT on the scheduled appointment pickup and drop off due dates/times. We request you try to return the item as close to the time scheduled as possible, to minimize our costs and for the tools to be available for other projects. Missed appointment times may be subject to a $10 fee in addition to any other assessments.
8. If tools are returned late, the Member Agency will be responsible for a late fee. This late fee will be 150% of the tool handling fees weekly rate prorated per day, every day until the tool is returned. Tool handling fees are 8% of the retail value of the tools per week and the Late Fees are 12% per week assessed at a daily rate (weekly Late Fee / 7 = daily Late Fee). Late fees are capped at the full replacement cost of the tools plus a $10 per tool administrative fee. CCT may replace severely delinquent tools after member notification attempts have failed, holding the Member Agency responsible for the full replacement cost plus a $10 administrative fee. Fees must be paid in full before borrowing additional items.
9. CCT reserves the right to use appropriate steps to retrieve delinquent tools or unpaid fines and fees, including the use of a collection agency and/or legal action and assess the delinquent Member with the cost of any such action. CCT also reserves the right to forgive fees due to special circumstances.
10. All tools will be rented on a first come basis. CCT reserves the right to make some tools unavailable on certain dates in order to support large community events.
11. The Member Agency agrees that CCT is not responsible for any manufacturing defects in quality of workmanship or materials inherent in any borrowed tools.
12. The Member Agency agrees that if any borrowed tool becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, he or she must immediately discontinue use of the tool and notify CCT of the issue on return, if not earlier.
13. All tools are to be returned in the same (or better) condition as they were issued, barring normal wear and tear. All tools must be returned CLEAN. The Member Agency agrees to pay for the loss of or damage to any item and further agrees to accept CCT’s assessment of condition of items and to further agree to CCT’s assessment of fair restitution for damage, dirtiness, delinquency, and/or loss of items in part or in total. This restitution amount can equal the full replacement cost of the item plus a $10 administrative fee.
14. CCT reserves the right to refuse the loan of any item at its discretion.
15. I affirm that the use of the CCT tools and any provided materials or equipment are strictly for charitable and volunteer activities of my organization, that CCT tools are not being used for services provided to any recipient for compensation or remuneration.
16. I affirm that I am authorized by my organization enter into this agreement and that the information that I provided on the Member Agency Application is current, true, and correct. I understand that this information may be subject to verification.
17. I further state I understand that failure to comply with any of these above-mentioned items may result in revocation of my organization’s membership. I have read and signed a Liability Waiver and Indemnification form, relinquishing any and all claims against Chicago Community Tools, Life Quilt Foundation, NFP, its directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers.
By checking here, you are consenting to the use of your electronic signature in lieu of an original signature on paper. You have the right to request that you sign a paper copy instead. By checking here, you are waiving that right. After consent, you may, upon written request to us, obtain a paper copy of an electronic record or you can access to view and print the online copy of the agreements under your Account/User Agreements menu. No fee will be charged for such copy and no special hardware or software is required to view it. Your agreement to use an electronic signature with us for any document will continue until such time as you notify us in writing that you no longer wish to use an electronic signature. There is no penalty for withdrawing your consent. You should always make sure that we have a current email address in order to contact you regarding any changes, if necessary.