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When we set out to find a permanent home for Berks County Community Foundation, we identified the need to create meeting space that would support our mission. We also wanted to share that space with the community both to maximize its utility and to encourage local groups to meet downtown in space that would be comfortable and supportive of their work.

The first floor of the building is dedicated as a "Community Conference Center" with great space for meetings. There is a multi purpose room that can be divided into two parts. The room can be configured in many ways, but to give you an idea, it will seat about 75 in a classroom configuration. The room will be equipped with powerpoint technology and has ample white board and push-pin space. The room divides with a movable divider, so it's very flexible.

There is also a small meeting room, that will be configured like a living room. This would be the perfect location for an interview (maybe a search committee would use it), or a small breakout from the larger room.

The centerpiece of the floor is a board room with all the technology you'd find in a Fortune 500 facility. There is built in projection technology, as well as advanced communications technology (though not two-way video for the moment). If a board is meeting and people need to join by phone, fixed microphones and speakers will provide a huge improvement over traditional (squawk box in the middle of the table) technology.

The lobby of the building provides room for gathering and /or a post-meeting reception. And there's a kitchen to support food service during the meetings.

And the best part is the price: For local public benefit organizations who want to use the space during the day, there is no charge for using the space during business hours. A modest charge will apply after hours to cover our cost of keeping the building open (unless a community foundation staff member is part of the group). The space is also available to for-profit groups at a fee.

To schedule a meeting in the building, contact Sally Ott at The Community Foundation at sallyo@bccf.org or 610-685-2223. We are accepting events beginning in mid-September.