Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung …

           Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung
               Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
                                       Visitor's Guide


1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung !
This little guide should help you to become familiar with your new colleagues, with the
institute, the living quarters and the German way of life.

Please note that the primary contact person in all questions is the colleague who invited
you and with whom you made the arrangements for your stay (called `host' in the
following). He will introduce you also to his secretary which you may contact if your host is
absent.

We always appreciate suggestions to improve this guide. So if you have specific details which
you think should be included, please tell your host.

An interna l newsletter, the `Instituts-Informationen' (abbreviated II) is issued weekly.
Although it is mainly written in German it often contains important information in English for
our guests. An important source of information is also the institute's home page
http://www.linmpi.mpg.de which you can access from any computer.


2. ON ARRIVAL (Bei der Ankunft)

As the department in which you will be working would like to welcome you, it is considerate,
if possible, not to arrive at night or during a weekend. If this cannot be avoided, let your host
know in time so that alternative arrangements can be made.
It is advisable to have the date on which you would wish to move into your apartment,
confirmed by the Institute to avoid misunderstandings upon your arrival. It is equally
important to find out beforehand with whom the key to your apartment will be left - especially
should you plan to arrive after hours! Try and make personal contact with this person before
your arrival.
You also need to bear in mind that shops in the immediate Lindau region normally close for
the weekend at 12:00 or at best at 14:00 on Saturdays. Weekdays few shops are open after
18:00 - the Pennymarkt in Lindau and the Rewe in Katlenburg are open till 20:00. Shops in
Lindau often close for the day at 13:00 on Wednesdays. Should you therefore plan to arrive
when the shops are closed, you need to make the necessary provision where food, etc. is
concerned, i.e. if needs be ask someone to do some basic shopping for you which you can pay
for after your arrival.

After arrival your host will take you to Frau Fahlbusch (office A1 25; telephone 426). She is
very experienced in helping our visitors to get started. Items to take care of are:

·   Preparing a checklist
·   Organise medical aid
·   Opening a bank account

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·   Getting a security card for the institute's main entrance
·   Getting the keys for your apartment
·   Register at the local authorities (Gemeinde Katlenburg-Lindau)
·   Register at the Alien's Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
·   Getting some money in advance, if necessary

Please have your passport ready for these activities.

Your host is also responsible to reserve an office space for you. He will show it to you on
arrival. He will also take you to the computer center to open the necessary accounts on the
different computers/workstations in our network. Your host may also introduce you to the
directors and the other colleagues.

All details concerning your scientific work will also be arranged with your host. These also
include publications and business trips (e.g. to conferences).

For the scientific projects of the institute please look into the institute's WWW-pages.

2.1 Leaving (Abfahrt)

Before your departure please take care of the checklist, which is attached to your leasing
contract. Please have each item signed off and return the list to the Institute's Administration
Offices two working days before your due departure date. At your arrival you will have paid a
deposit for the final cleaning of your apartment.

3. THE INSTITUTE BUILDING COMPLEX (Die Institutsgebäude)
The Institute complex consists of four major buildings which are connected by corridors.

3.1 Building A
Main Entrance
The door is open between 06:00 and 18:00 on weekdays. After hours and weekend access is
possible only when in possession of a security card.
Switchboard and Reception
The reception staff members are Frau Heitkamp (8:00 - 12:30) and Frau I. Reuter (12:25 -
16:25) telephone 91 and their hours are from 08:00 till 16:25. The Institute´s general fax
machine is housed beside the receptionists´ cubicle in front of the stationary room.
When sending a private fax, dial 8 + your security pin number for an outside line. For a
business fax, dial 0 for an outside line.
Ask the receptionist if you need he lp with regards to stationary. Only some of the more
commonly used items are housed in the reception area, others in the goods receiving area and
still others, more specialised items such as transparencies, with designated people. The
receptionists will in any case be able to point you in the right direction.
The garderobe and public toilets are situated to the right of the reception on the way to the
canteen area.




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Administration Offices
   ·   The administrative manager is Herr Poprawa (office A0 4; telephone 287/288)
   ·   The deputy administrative manager and chief accountant is Frau Macke (office A0 4c;
       telephone 285).
   ·   Herr Bethe and Frau Komossa (office A0 4a; telephone 223/286) are responsible for
       among other things the receiving of payments, the accounting of business travel, the
       administration regarding accommodation within the Wohngemeinschaft.
   ·   Frau Neu and Frau Deisel (office A0 4; telephone 288) are responsible for the
       personnel office.
   ·   Frau Schreiber (office A0 3; telephone 272) is the Institute's internal travel agent.
   ·   Frau Heinemeier (telephone 203) and Frau Werner (telephone 284), both in office
       A0 1 form the accountancy department
Lift (Aufzug)
Opposite the administration offices is a lift. It should for obvious reasons not be used during
any type of emergency situation.
Auditorium and Seminar Room
Guest talks are from time to time organised to take place here as well as the regular T-
Seminare. Notices of any events appear on the Schwarzes Brett and in the Institute weekly
info sheet, the II.
Schwarzes Brett
General news, news about guests, colloquia and other activities are announced here.
Library
The library staff members are Frau Kraeter and Frau Meusel, telephone 402.
Current journals and magazines are kept in the main room. These are unbound and may be
viewed and copied in the library but may not be removed. Older, bound copies of journals and
magazines are kept in either the main room of the library or in the cellar. These may be
borrowed by filling in your name, office number and the date on the large index card found in
the volume of magazines or journals and placing it where the volume was.
Reference books are catalogued and housed in the room adjacent to the main library room.
Each book has an index card in the inside cover. If you want to borrow a book, you again fill
in your name, office number and date and place the card in the box set aside for this purpose.
You may ask the librarians for a list of what is available, ask them to search for something
specific and even apply for a specific book or journal, etc. to be purchased. A computer
assisted bibliography programme is available and accessible to all employees.
The borrowing time of library material is not limited in any way but consideration is
definitely the key word. If you are no longer using a book, magazine or journal, you should
return it at your earliest convenience. To return library material, you simply place the item on
the shelf next to the photocopier and the librarians will file it.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE RETURNED ALL THE BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND
JOURNALS YOU HAVE BORROWED FROM THE LIBRARY BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
The Lobby
This is embellished with a picture gallery and some displayed hardware illustrating the
Institute's work.




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Photocopy Machine
Next to the machine lies a folder with lists which should be filled in each and every time you
make use of the photocopier for personal uses.
3.2 Building K - Canteen

Canteen
The chef cook is Herr Kohlrautz (telephone 474). Breakfast, sandwiches and rolls are
obtainable from 9:30 - 10:00 and lunches from 12:00 - 13:00.
The daily Lunch of the Day Stammgericht menu appears on the notice board next to the so
called Schwarzes Brett at the entrance to the Institute. Tickets for these meals are available at
the reception before 10:00. The meals can be collected in the canteen from 12:00 onwards and
you pay when you collect. The cost is around  2,50 to  2,70.
A fresh salad bar offering three sizes of salads (cost ranges between  1,10 and  2,10) is
available as well as soup (Suppe), sausages (Bratwurst), occasionally meatballs (Bouletten),
yoghurts, salads and drinks and desert. The drinks, coffee and sweet vending machines
situated at the canteen are operational at all times.
It is important to note that you will be required to pay for all meals you have ordered, whether
you have actually collected them or not.
Vending Machines
Sweets, cold drinks, beer, coffee, rolls, yoghurt, confectionary. Machines are automatic. If
you experience a problem, contact the canteen.
General Notice Board
Employees are able to place notices of general interest here. These might include forthcoming
attractions of a club they belong to, notice of a car they might want to sell, request for
accommodation, etc., etc.
Sauna

The booking list and key is kept in the cupboard next to the public toilets. The sauna itself is
situated underneath the canteen area and can be reached by means of the stair case leading
down from the reading room.
Reading Room
A number of newspapers, German and English, as well as some news magazines are laid out
here for the convenience of the employees. They are not to be removed from the reading area
and should be kept in order.
Conference Room
Used for small conferences and discussion groups.
Bar
Only used on special occasions.

3.3 Building S - Laboratories, Design & Computer
Reached from the main lobby by turning left from the main ent rance and turning left again
through a small corridor. One of the photocopiers is housed here. The same procedure as
outlined above needs to be followed when making personal copies. The Drawing Office is
headed by Herr Chares (office S0 10; telephone 319); the computer section and the laboratory
by Dr. Pardowitz (office S0 19; telephone 301/302). A computer operator is available
weekdays till 17h and the facilities are accessible to all. If you experience a PC-problem

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during the day, you can use the bleeper number 94330 + your extension and someone will
return your call. The computer department has also instituted special pages within the
institute's WWW-pages.
3.4 Building W - Workshops
This is where the workshop section (headed by Herr Thiel, office W0 6; telephone 381/245) is
housed along with the galvanic facility, the precision tool makers shop, the locksmith shop,
the general service office and the telephone service office which is headed by Herr Hilz
(office W0 9; telephone 200).
3.5 Building L - Laboratories (Elec. & Chem.)
This is the main laboratory building.
Beware of clean room and testing sections. Rather always ask permission to enter.
3.6 Building R - Apprentices
Situated 100m north, this is the working place of the apprentices under supervision of Herr
Güll (telephone 202).
3.7 Building F - Garage
This houses the institute car fleet and has the required maintenance facilities for its upkeep.
3.8 Facilities
It is important to note that the Institute has no Apple McIntosh computer facilities. Most other
computer types can be accommodated though.
The Institute's facilities further include:
     · Heavy Ion Accelerator (up to 400keV)
     · Plasma Chamber (protons up to 20 keV)
     · Vibrations Test Facility (only sinusoidal)
     · Thermal Vacuum Chambers
     · Thermal Chambers
     · Clean Rooms (one of the best facilities of its kind in Europe)

3.9 Heads of the Various Facilities (Abteilungsleiter)

   Technical Manager: Dr. Pardowitz (telephone 301/302)
   Computing Center and Programmers: Dr. Pardowitz (telephone 301/302)

   Electronic Laboratory: Dr. Pardowitz (telephone 301/302)

   Workshop, Buildings and Grounds: Herr Thiel (telephone 381),
   Herr Heise (telephone 492)
   Drawing Bureau: Herr Chares (telephone 319)
   Administration and General Services: Herr Poprawa (telephone 287/288)




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4. BUREAUCRATIC DETAILS
4.1 Your Contract (Vertrag)
You will sign your work contract at your arrival with Herr Poprawa and/or your host. Any
points which are unclear can be discussed at this time. The conditions of your stay should be
negotiated before your arrival with your host.
The contract is seen to be binding on both sides for the length of time stated therein. There is
often an extension clause included in the document stating that your contract could be
extended for a further year for a maximum of "x" years. Towards the end of your initial
contract period you will be notified as to whether your contract will be renewed or not. You
are, of course, free to broach the matter with your host and/or the administrative manager.
If your contract is not to be extended, you will be expected to vacate your apartment/flat in
the Wohngemeinschaft as soon as possible after the conclusion of your contractual period
unless other arrangements have been made.
It is important to realise that your residence and work permits are generally linked to your
contract begin valid. Once your contractual period is at an end, these permits automatically
become invalid.
If you are unsure about any of the details regarding your contract, speak to either your host or
Herr Poprawa.
4.2 Your Work Permit (Arbeitserlaubnis)
Non-Germans are not allowed to work in Germany without a valid work permit having been
issued. The Institute will complete the applications on your behalf. The Institute generally
organises most of the bureaucratic paper work regarding the stay of the guests automatically
but the onus still always remains on the shoulders of the guests to ensure that permits are
renewed in time, etc.
4.3 Acknowledgment (Anerkennung) of Your Qualifications
The Max Planck Society acknowledges degrees obtained at foreign universities. Outside
organisations including universities might require you to have your qualifications converted to
German equivalents. This tends to be time consuming and at times difficult as it has to be
done through the Ministery of Science and Research (Wissenschaft und Forschung) of
Niedersachsen. Your application will involve a high volume of paper work and proof of your
whole educational history; it is also costly. (Consequently the tip regarding bringing original
or verified copies of documents along.)


5. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PREREQUISITES
5.1 Hours
The official working week in the Institute prescribes 38.5 hours. The Institute follows a flexi-
time policy which means that employees can decide which hours are most convenient to their
individual circumstances although they are expected to be present during the peak hours
between 09:00 and 15:00.
Certain members of staff are required to keep a record of their hours. Guests and scientific
staff members are exempted and consequently a trust situation exists which should under no
circumstances be abused. Overtime facilities do not exist for scientists and no overtime claims
can be made.
If you need to take time off for whatever reason, you need to ask the permission of your host
beforehand and make sure that your secretary knows you will be absent.


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5.2 Holidays (Feiertage)
All general public holidays for Germany as listed in any official calender, are adhered to by
the Institute. These do not always include the catholic holidays which are adhered to in
Lindau but not elsewhere in the immediate vicinity. For a list of the general holidays ask your
secretary. Additional holidays for Institute employees are the Tuesdays after Easter and Whit
Monday and the Fridays after Corpus Christi and Ascension Day. These days are not regarded
as holidays elsewhere.
With regards to access to the Institute, after hours rules apply.
5.3 Leave Regulations
In Germany a saying has it that there are only three reasons for not being at work. These are
being on a business trip, being ill and being on leave.
If you are ill, notify your secretary that you will not be in the office. You are allowed to be
absent for three working days witho ut submitting a medical certificate. Thereafter you will be
required to do so.
Normally employees are required to have been in the employ of the Institute for six months
before they are allowed to apply for leave. This ruling is normally waived where guests and
stipends are concerned. The number of annual leave days due to you will be stated in your
work contract.
For any out of the ordinary arrangements, you need to speak to your host and the
administrative manager. Ensure that you have notified your secretary that you will be on leave
and if possible leave a contact number with either your secretary or a friend. All leave of any
calendar year needs to be taken before the 1st of July of the following year, or the days are
lost.
You will be handed a leave card (Urlaubskarte) with your particulars and the number of days´
leave allotted to you on the front and space for you to state when you would like to take leave,
on the back. Your choice(s) need to be signed and approved by your superior or host and
submitted to the administration well in advance.
5.4 Betriebsausflug
The Institute has a tradition of an annual work excursion (Betriebsausflug) which is widely
publicised in the Institute's newsletter, on posters in the foyer, etc. The day is regarded as a
normal work day and should you decide not to participate in the excursion planned by the
Institute or by your group in particular, you will be expected to either work in your office or
take a day's leave.
Guests are, however, strongly urged to participate in these events as it provides them with the
opportunity to get to know their colleagues better and follows the principle that the Institute
does not invite international guests to merely work with them but also to get to know them
socially.
5.5 Security Card (Sicherheitskarte)
Your secretary will help you to apply for a security card if your work would require you to be
in your office after hours on weekdays and/or during the weekends. Normally you will be
given a card for the front door only unless your work requires you to have access to any of the
other entrances as well. Each card is linked to an individual Personal Identification Number
(PIN) and is intended for the personal use of employees only.
To gain access with the card, type your security PIN number into the electronic reader
situated to the right of the front door to the Institute; place your card in the gap of the reader;
remove your card; and, when you hear a light click sound, push open the front door. You are
for obvious reasons required to pull the door closed behind you.
If you should either have forgotten your number or have lost your card, contact Frau Hartung,
W0 6a, telephone 245 as soon as possible. If you need to have access to the Institute in the

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meantime, you may ring for the watchman. (The bell is situated to the right of the electronic
card reader.)
5.6 Office Space
According to the Institute Regulations of 1988, the following points apply:
    · Employees are to accept responsibility for the proper care of all Institute equipment
        and office space allocated to them and to report defects and damage immediately to
        either the administration or the caretaker
    · Work in laboratories and workshops after hours are allowed only with the express
        permission of the responsible departmental head(s)
    · Employees are not allowed to complete private jobs on the Institute premises
    · Institute equipment, instruments and tools are not allowed to be used for private uses
        without the express permission of the responsible person(s)
    · Dangerous work after hours is only permissable with the permission of the responsible
        departmental head(s) and with the proper attention to accident prevention regulations
Office space as such is generally at a premium and the chances are excellent that you will be
required to share an office with a colleague.
5.7 Utilisation of Facilities
If you are unsure as to whether a facility is accessible to you or not, it is at all times safer to
ask. It again goes without saying that all facilities should be used with care and responsibility.
5.8 Office Equipment
All reasonable requests regarding utensils can be directed to your host and/or secretary. Your
secretary will be able to help you with stationary. For larger or out of the ordinary requests,
you may be asked to motivate your need.

6. ACCOMODATION

6.1 Organisation of the living quarters

As the apartment blocks used to be office blocks, there is no real pattern to the individual
units.
The Weißes Haus
The club communal rooms, toilets and bicycle repair rooms are housed in the cellar along
with the laundry room and communal freezer for the Weißes Haus. Some of the other rooms
can be hired. (Contact Herr Bethe, A 4c, telephone 223/272 w.r.t. availability.) Outside the
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club room there is an internal phone (extension 216).
Living units W0.1, W0.2 and W0.3 are situated on the ground floor; units W1.1, W1.2 and
W1.3 on the first floor and units W2.1, W2.2, W2.3, W2.4 and W2.5 along with the
communal kitchen and communal freezer for the apartments on this floor are situated on the
second floor.
The Giebelhaus
Besides the laundry room and the communal freezer for the Giebelhaus which are situated in
the cellar, there are some rooms which can be hired. (Contact Herr Bethe, A0 4c, telephone
223/272 w.r.t. availability.)
Living units G0.1, G0.2 and G0.3 are situated on the ground floor; units G1.1, G1.2 and G1.3
on the first floor and units G2.1, G2.2, G2.3, G2.4 and G2.5 are situated on the second floor.
On the second floor there is an internal telephone (extension 225).


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The Axford Haus (Wohnhaus I)
The cellar contains a laundry room and a storage room.
On the ground floor, the apartments WH01 and WH02 are located. They share a communal
kitchen and have the use of the top compartment in the Giebelhaus communal freezer.
Unit WHI-1 is situated on the first floor and unit WHI-2 on the second.
Kantine Süd
This unit is situated underneath the canteen and next door to the caretaker.

Appendix A contains a table stating the size of the rooms and the number of beds of the
respective apartments/flats.

6.2 Rent

The rent charged is based on size per m2 and the number of tenants. A distinction is
consequently made in the classification of the various living units. The units W0.1, W0.2
W0.3, W1.1, W1.2, W1.3, G0.1, G0.2, G1.2 and WH 1 are classed as fla ts (Wohnungen) and
the remaining units (W2.1 - W2.5, G0.3, G1.1, G1.3, G2.1 - G2.6, WH01, WH02 and WH2)
are classed as apartments. The Kantine Süd apartment is generally classed seperately. The rent
per m2 is approximately  3,36 for flats,  3,62 for apartments and  2,99 for Kantine Süd.

Your rent payment will include services such as the hiring and licensing fee for your
television set, and where applicable the fee for the cleaning of your apartment and the hire of
a garage and/or cellar room. The amount will be fixed at the beginning of your stay and you
will receive a written account including all relevant details at the end of your first month at
the Institute. Thereafter you are expected to pay the same amount monthly without any further
written reminders. Should any of the charges change for whatever reason, a new, updated
account will be delivered to you in your office.
Other services such as your telephone and where applicable use of the sauna and private faxes
and photocopying, will be charged for separately and you will receive regular written
accounts for the amounts due. It is important to note that the accounts for the use of the sauna,
private faxes and photocopying are normally issued every three months. You are therefore
required to ensure that ALL your accounts have been paid before the end of your stay at the
Institute. For shorter periods of occupation (i.e. less than a full calendar month), the amount of
rent due is normally calculated on a different scale. Discuss the matter with your host or
designated secretary to find out the specifics.
All accounts can be paid in one amount and either in cash to Herr Bethe, A0 4c, telephone
223/272 or be transferred into the Institute Account: Deutsche Bank Göttingen; Account
Number 11 54 400; BLZ 260 700 72. Accounts should be paid before the 15th of the month.
(The BLZ code referred to above refers to the branch number of the bank or the socalled
Bankleitzahl.)
Should you have guests (whether one or more) staying with you in your apartment for longer
than two weeks, you are expected to notify Herr Bethe, A0 4c, telephone 223/272 NO LATER
THAN ON THE DAY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE GUEST(S) as many of the overhead
costs are calculated per person living in a unit.
The checklist of contents of your living unit will be handed to you when you visit Herr Deisel,
Kantine Süd, bleeper number 94120 + (your extension number) and should be completed
within 48 hours of your arrival. It lists the items which should be present in your
apartment/flat. Should one or more of these items not be present or not in good working
order/condition, it is imperative that you state this on the checklist as you are accepting
responsibility for the proper maintenance of your apartment/flat. Damages will be charged for

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towards the end of your stay. Should you have any questions, contact Herr Deisel or one of
your neighbours for advice. Once completed, ha nd the checklist to Herr Deisel. He will give
you a copy which you should file here for future reference.

6.3 General Rules
Storage of Bicycles (Fahrrad abstellen)
BICYCLES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE HALLWAYS AND ENTRANCES TO THE
APARTMENT BLOCKS AS THEY MAY CAUSE A SECURITY HAZARD IN THE
EVENT OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS SUCH AS FIRE. THE INSTITUTE
PERSONNEL HAS THE RIGHT TO REMOVE SUCH BICYCLES WITHOUT FURTHER
NOTICE.
There is an open bicycle shed in front of the Weißes Haus; they can be stored in the cellars of
the apartment blocks (care should be taken that the cellar walls are not damaged or dirtied) or
they can be stored in the garage attached to Axford Haus (care should be taken that the door is
kept closed). For your own protection, bicycles should always be kept locked, ideally fixed to
a pole etc., as it has happened on a number of occasions that bicycles have been stolen from
the premises.
Prams and other such items should for the same reasons also not be stored in the hallways and
corridors. If you are unable to keep these items in your apartment, store them in the
communal storage areas in the cellars.
Care of your Apartment
Each tenant accepts responsibility for the proper care and upkeep of his/her apartment. You
should ensure that the wall, bathroom (and kitchen where applicable), floor/carpet and
furniture surfaces are kept clean and unblemished. Your apartment should be aired (fresh air
let in) at least once a day - even in winter - to avoid a stuffy smell in the apartment.
Pieces of food should not be rinsed down the wash basins or toilets. Should it seem as if a
drain in your apartment is blocked and you cannot solve the problem yourself, call for help as
soon as possible to facilitate easy repair.
German style bowl toilets, pedestal hand basins (have in exceptional cases been confused with
a pissoir, but please don't), baths and/or cubicle showers are installed in the bathrooms. As it
is appreciated that different styles of bathroom furnishings are used all over the world, it is
again up to you to ensure that you ask someone should you be unsure as to the purpose of an
item.

Communal Areas (Gemeinschaftsfläche)
Keep these clean and tidy at all times. It is up to each tenant who makes use of these areas to
maintain them. Should something need attention and you cannot solve the problem yourself,
report it to the appropriate person.
The Garden (Garten)
The gardens are cared for by the team of Institute gardeners. As the area of lawns which they
have to tend is extremely large, it helps them if tenants refrain from leaving especially metal
objects lying on the grass as these can damage the mowers.
Garden Furniture (Gartenmöbel)
The Institute erected a matching table with two benches in the garden between Giebel and
Weißes Haus. Common sense where the proper use of these is concerned should go without
saying.


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A sandpit is situated next to the garden furniture. For obvious reasons no sharp objects should
be left in or close to the pit and the sand should be kept as clean as possible.
Large garden tables and matching long garden benches are housed in the cellar of the Weißes
House and can be used outside by the tenants during the warmer months. The care of these
pieces of furniture is the responsibility of the tenants. They should under no circumstances be
left outside after use, especially in the rain.
A communal grill unit is housed in the cellar of the Weißes Haus. This should be replaced in
the cellar and cleaned thoroughly after each use.
Home Improvements in Your Apartment (Eigenes Einrichten)
All improvements and/or changes to the living units and communal areas should first be
discussed with and approved by the Institute Maintenance Department.
Keys (Schlüssel)
ENQUIRIES : HERR BETHE, A0 4c, TELEPHONE 223/272
The keys used for the apartments and flats are of a special security type and cost  15 each.
Where more than one person live in an apartment, two keys can be obtained. If you should
lose your key(s), you will be charged replacement costs. All keys must be returned at your
departure. If you should depart after hours, ask a colleague or a neighbour whether you can
hand your keys to them to return on your behalf. If this is the case, you will be expected to
advise Herr Bethe, A0 4c, telephone 223/272 accordingly.
Noise (Lärm)
After 22:00 noise should be kept to a minimum and consideration is the key word in all other
instances.
Parking (Parken)
The loading bays in front of the Weißes Haus and Giebelhaus are intended for loading and
emergency purposes only and ve hicles should be removed as soon as possible. Tenants have
free access to the demarcated parking bays between Axford Haus and Giebelhaus and in front
of the Weißes Haus. These parking bays are, however, not booked and tenants share these
with the employees of the firms occupying the office blocks. It is not allowed to park vehicles
which have been deregistered in these areas nor for people who do not live in the
Wohngemeinschaft to park their vehicles there for longer periods of time without permission.
There are six lock-up garages available for hire at  20 per month. Should you be interested in
placing your name on the waiting list, contact Herr Bethe, A0 4c, telephone 223/272.
Plants (Pflanzen)
There is no ruling against the placing of plants in the communal areas - or within your
apartment, for that matter - but whoever does so, has to accept full responsibility for their
upkeep and should clean the area if the plants drop leaves, etc. Plants will not be allowed in
areas where they restrict traffic, especially where this could cause a security risk, and where
they could be overturned by playing children. Should you go away for a longer period, ask
one of your neighbours to look after your plants. It goes without saying that you should make
arrangements for your plants when you move out of the community and cannot take them
with you. DO NOT SIMPLY LEAVE THEM BEHIND FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE
CARE OF WITHOUT ASKING.

Wild Animals (Wilde Tiere)
The Wohngemeinschaft lies surrounded by forests and farm fields. It is, therefore, only to be
expected that some of the animals and creatures - such as hedgehogs, toads and field mice -


                                                                                            11
might from time to time stray into the Wohngemeinschaft living area. There are no dangerous
animals in our area.

Complaints (Beschwerden), Requests (Bitten), Questions (Fragen)
If you are unsure as to how to go about directing your complaint, ask your host for help. It is
often a good idea to hand in your complaint in writing.
Requests could include any number of possibilities such as an oven-proof baking form, an
extra chair in the apartment, a reading lamp, etc. Most requests pertaining to the contents of
the living units, w ould be directed to Herr Deisel. For others, you need to refer to your
checklist to find the most likely person to speak to or ask your designated secretary or your
neighbours. Tenants have in the past found that the Institute personnel have been more than
forthcoming when approached with reasonable requests but it should still be noted that all
requests cannot be fulfilled, and often not immediately.
Always refer back to the checklist you completed on your arrival to find the appropriate
person to ask. If you are still unsure, ask one of your neighbours or your host.


6.4 Further Facilities
Electricity, Water and Heating
ENQUIRIES: HERR HEISE, BLEEPER NUMBER 94210 + (YOUR EXTENSION
NUMBER)
Electricity (Elektrizität)
220 Volt alternate current is used. Wall plugs are compatible with most European systems.
Your electricity consumption is read off regularly and your account will be included in your
monthly rental account.
Water (Wasser)
Tap water in whole Germany is very carefully supervised and it is therefore very safe for
drinking. The local drinking water is high in calcium content and appliances such as kettles,
coffee machines and irons as well as bathroom and kitchen surfaces and taps, shower heads
etc. will have to be decalcified from time to time. There are several products
(Entkalkungsmittel) readily available in general supermarket stores for this purpose, normally
housed amongst the household cleaning products.
Hot water to the various units are supplied by communal water heaters (geysers) housed in the
cellars. The availability of warm water will, therefore, always depend on how many people
have made use of it at any given time.
A flat fee is charged for water consumption dependent on the number of persons staying
within the apartment.
Once a year, the Institute conducts a settlement of the accounts and those tenants who stay
longer than a year will either receive a refund or be required to pay in the difference still due.
Guests who stay less than a year, pay the flat fee only.
The payment for your water used, is included in your monthly rental payment.
Heating (Heizung)
Heating for the entire Institute complex is switched on and off centrally but most units can be
regulated individually by turning the control knob to the desired setting (1 = lowest setting
and 5 = highest setting).
                                                                        2
A flat fee is charged for the heating as well and is calculated per m . The payment for the
amount of heating used, is included in yo ur monthly rental payment.



                                                                                               12
Freezer (Tiefkühlschrank)
Each living unit, except the Kantine Süd apartment, has an allocated space within the
communal freezers situated in the cellars of the Weißes Haus and Giebelhaus. The Kantine
Süd unit has been fitted with its own freezer unit. A diagram on each freezer shows the
allocation of the drawers. The care of the freezers (including the defrosting thereof) is the
responsibility of the tenants who make use of the facility. The doors should for obvious
reasons not be left open for longer than absolutely necessary. Hot and luke warm foodstuffs
should at all times first be allowed to cool to room temperature before being placed in the
freezer. If you spill or mess something, clean it up immediately.
Don't throw ANY foodstuffs in the waste paper basket placed next to the drier and washing
machine in the Weißes Haus, as it is not cleared that regularly.
Some Tips for Tenants who have not Used a Freezer Before
   ·  Freeze foods in portions which can be consumed in one sitting as you cannot re-freeze
      something in the same state once it has been thawed (it is a health hazard to do so) and
      it is extremely difficult portioning food once it has been frozen
   · Use sturdy freezer bags or containers, especially for liquids or foods with sauces, to
      prevent any spillage (Should any spillage occur, clean immediately)
   · Ask your neighbours for directions on the preparation of foods to be frozen
   · Most grocery shops offer a selection of pre- frozen foods which can be stored in the
      freezer in their packaging
   · Take into consideration the maximum time food can be stored in the freezer. If you are
      unsure about this, ask your neighbours
Laundry (Wäsche)
The Institute has a central laundry facility housed within the Institute complex as well as
communal washing machines and driers situated in the cellars of the respective apartment
blocks. If you live in an apartment or have made arrangements for your flat to be cleaned,
your linen, towels, etc. will be laundered for you by the Institute laundry staff in the central
facility or where applicable be cleaned and ironed professionally elsewhere.
If your flat is not cleaned, you are responsible for the maintenance of your linen etc. All other
(personal) laundry is the responsibility of the tenants and can be done in the communal
laundry rooms.
The cleaning of the laundry rooms is the responsibility of the tenants and work parties might
have to be organised by the tenants from time to time to give it an once-over. It is important to
accept responsibility and clean out the waste paper baskets in the laundry rooms as soon as
they are full.
Reporting Defects
Should you notice any defects in the running of the appliances, call Herr Deisel, Kantine Süd,
bleeper number 94120 + (your extension number) as soon as possible. Ask one of your
neighbours to help you if necessary. DO NOT SIMPLY IGNORE THE FAULT. Use your
common sense and do whatever you can to alleviate the problem until Herr Deisel can see to
it.
Wash (Waschen)
There are detailed directions on how to use the washing machines (Waschmaschine) fixed to
the wall above the machines and are enclosed in your checklist package. Should these not be
clear to you, ask a neighbour for help.
Some tips on using the machines :
    · Items which might not be colourfast, sho uld be washed separately at a low
        temperature (no higher than 40o )
                                                                                              13
   ·   Pure wool items should rather be washed by hand or by choosing the programmes for
       delicate/wool items
   ·   Fine items such as those with delicate elastic or lace, should be washed at low
       temperatures - preferably choosing the programmes designed for delicate wear - or
       washed by hand
   ·   Remove all coins and other loose items from the pockets as well as tissues and pieces
       of paper as these could damage and/or clog the machines
   ·   Never wash heavy items such as down articles in the machines as the weight damages
       the suspension and bearings
   ·   Decide on your desired setting BEFORE you switch on the machine
   ·   The loading door of the machine cannot be opened once the programme has been
       started and should never be forced
   ·   The loading door remains locked for a short time after the completion of the
       programme and releases with a click sound
   ·   The machines are automatic and will wash, rinse and spin dry all as part of a single
       programme, unless exceptional programmes (mainly those designed for delicate wear)
       have been chosen
   ·   When you remove your washing, make sure you remove everything
   ·   Should you find a previous user has not removed all his/her washing, place the
       remaining items in clear sight on one of the work surfaces or in the basket which had
       been left in front of the machine
   ·   The machines are at all times used on a first come first served basis. Should you not be
       able to collect your washing at the end of the cycle, leave a laundry basket (or other
       suitable receptacle) in front of the machine so that your washing can be removed
       easily by the next user
   ·   Should you not be able to wait until the end of a cycle to insert your washing yourself,
       leave your washing in a laundry basket or suitable receptacle with your washing
       powder and softener (if applicable) with written instructions as to your required
       programme and temperature and the current user will insert your washing on your
       behalf when removing his/her washing
   ·   DO NOT ADVANCE THE PROGRAMME TO WHICH THE MACHINE HAS
       BEEN SET, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH IN A HURRY YOU MIGHT BE :
       besides possibly damaging the machines, it is hardly considerate to your fellow tenants
       should their washing still be in the machine! The same obviously applies to changing
       temperature and programme settings
   ·   Every user of the machine is responsible for the care of the appliance. This involves
       the regular cleaning of the draining pump and the cleaning of the washing powder
       receptacle as well as the continual cleaning of the machine surfaces
   ·   Try and remove your washing as soon as possible from the laundries as space is at a
       premium
Dry (Trocknen)
There are detailed directions on how to use the driers (Trockners) fixed to the wall above the
driers and are enclosed in your checklist package. Should these not be clear to you, ask a
neighbour for help.
Some tips on using the driers:
    · Very fine items, items with delicate elastic or lace and wool items should not be dried
        in the driers or only with one of the delicate wear programme cycles
    · When you remove your washing, make sure you remove everything



                                                                                            14
   ·  Should you find a previous user has not removed all his/her washing, place the
      remaining items in clear sight on one of the work surfaces or in the basket which had
      been left in front of the machine - preferably folded up to prevent the clothes creasing
   · The driers are at all times used on a first come first served basis. Should you not be
      able to collect your washing at the end of the cycle, leave a laundry basket or other
      suitable receptacle in front of the drier so that your washing can be removed easily by
      the next user
   · Should you not be able to wait until the end of a cycle to insert your washing yourself,
      leave your washing in a laundry basket or other suitable receptacle and the current
      user will insert your washing on your behalf when removing his/her washing
   · Every user of the drier is responsible for the care of the appliance. This involves the
      cleaning of the fibre sieve after each drying cycle as well as the continual cleaning of
      the drier surfaces
Hang (Aufhängen)
Should you not wish to machine dry your washing, a revolving wind-drier is situated between
Giebel and Weißes Haus. There are also communal washing lines in the Giebelhaus laundry
room. Should you decide to make use of these, remove your washing as soon as possible after
it has dried.
Sauna
ENQUIRIES : HERR DEISEL, KANTINE SÜD, BLEEPER NUMBER 94120 + (                            YOUR
EXTENSION NUMBER)
The sauna is housed below the canteen area in the Institute complex and tenants and
employees of the Institute are able to make use of this facility at  1,50 (for non-employees 
2,50) per person per visit. To book a time, enter your name in the sauna reservation book kept
in the cupboard near the public toilets on the way to the canteen in the Institute complex. The
key to the sauna can also be collected from - and returned to - this point. An account will be
delivered to your office for your use of the sauna and can be paid along with all your other
payments to the Institute.
The sauna can comfortably seat five people and offers a hot room, a cold room with deep bath
(no longer in use) and shower, a rest room with benches and table, wall plugs for hair driers (a
fixed hair drier is also available) and a toilet. The sauna should be switched on to the required
temperature some 60 minutes beforehand. Should you be unsure as to how to do this, ask a
neighbour to help you.
Storage Space (Lagerplatz)
ENQUIRIES : HERR DEISEL, KANTINE SÜD, BLEEPER NUMBER 94120 + (                      YOUR
EXTENSION NUMBER)
The communal cellars of the apartment blocks offer free storage space for items such as
seasonal tyres, packing cases, bicycles, etc. All items should be marked clearly with the
owner's name, living unit and extension numbers to prevent any misunderstandings. Items
should never be left in such a way as to cause a nuisance or a hazard and should be kept in
order.
Telephone (Telefon)
All units have access to individual telephones each with its own extension number. Lists with
an update of all the Institute extension numbers are distributed from time to time to the
various offices. You should have received a current copy in your checklist package. As this
guide is included in the World Wide Web system and the internal list is updated as part of the
guide, you can also double-check accuracy yourself.


                                                                                              15
Refer to the table below for directions on how to make full use of all the telephone functions
available to you. Local area telephone directories are available from Frau Heitkamp,
reception, telephone 91 (mornings only) and larger area directories can be bought at any post
office. Some directories of the larger centres in Germany can be borrowed from the reception
- BUT ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED.
The communal telephone on the second floor of the Giebel Haus and in the cellar of the
Giebel- and Weißes Haus can only be used to dial internal numbers and to receive calls.
All calls are individually noted on the account which you will receive monthly. The living
unit extensions are linked to the main Institute exchange and consequently calls to other
Institute extensions (including to all Wohngemeinschaft extensions) are free of charge. For
the same reason, you would have to dial a prefix before dialing a non-Institute number. You
have a choice of dialing 0 (for business calls) and 8 (for personal calls).
Whenever you dial from your apartment, you should use the prefix 8. In other words, should
you need to make a business call, you have to do it from your office.
All non-Institute calls are measured in terms of units, each costing  ...... but allowing more
or less time for each unit depending on the distance and time of the call. The time of the call
makes a significant difference where local calls and calls within Germany and to
neighbouring and/or EC countries are concerned. The peak or more expensive periods last
from 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and the slow or less expensive periods from 18:00 to 08:00
on weekdays and all the time during weekends and public holidays.
Telecommunication Facilities
With a computer modem you are able to make use of the German Telecommunication
network which will enable you to do computer banking, tele-shopping, utilise various
information facilities and log into the Institute computer system. You can also speak to Dr.
Pardowitz, S0 19, telephone 301/302 for further advice on how to implement this.
Television (Fernsehen)
HERR DEISEL, KANTINE SÜD, BLEEPER NUMBER 94120 + (                        YOUR EXTENSION
NUMBER)
Each apartment is supplied with its own television set. Rental of  13,27 for the monthly,
compulsory licence fee are included in your monthly rent account.
The Institute installed a satellite television reception dish which services the three apartment
blocks and a separate installation for the Kantine Süd unit. This m     eans there are usually a
selection of up to 14 channels available. The menu of available channels change from time to
time. The most current selection is included in your checklist package
Most TVs in the flats should already be set up correctly, but there may be changes to the
channel selection from time to time. Some of the Channels are in english (CNN and
EUROSPORT) while there are some programs on the public TV stations (ARD, ZDF and the
socalled 3rd Programme, in our case N3, normally on channels 1, 2, and 3 on your set,
respectively) which can broadcast dual-sound. This means that one stereo channel carries the
dubbed german soundtrack and the other the original language soundtrack. Any TV guide
which you can buy at a magazine stand will indicate next to the program by symbols if the
program is in black&white, stereo or dual sound.
Video Recorders (Videorekorder)
The Institute administration has bought the community a video recorder which is housed in
the club room. For obvious reasons, it may under no circumstances be removed from the club
room. Video evenings are from time to time arranged by the community where videos of
special interest or language groupings are shown.



                                                                                             16
Radio (Rundfunk)
The living units are not supplied with radios. Should you have one or decide to buy one in
Germany, you are required by law to obtain a licence for every radio set - including the one
you might have in your car - from the Post Office.

6.5 SERVICES (Dienste)
Bedding and Towels (Bettwäsche und Handtücher)
These are provided by the Institute and are - should your living unit be serviced - laundered
by the Institute. Three sets of bed linen (consisting of a fitted sheet which encloses the
mattress directly, a duvet cover which encloses the duvet directly and pillow cases which
cover the pillows directly) are provided per bed. Blankets are readily available on request
from either the cleaning ladies or Herr Deisel when not supplied. Three hand towels and one
bath towel per person are supplied.
Cleaning (Putzen)
ENQUIRIES : HERR DEISEL, KANTINE SÜD, BLEEPER NUMBER 94120 + (                           YOUR
EXTENSION NUMBER)
The Institute contracts a cleaning firm to clean the communal hallways and corridors. The
cleaners will also from time to time clean the other communal areas but these areas remain the
responsibility of the tenants who make use of them.
If you live in an apartment, i.e. in any of the units on the second floors of the Weißes Haus
and Giebel Haus; in the apartments 0.3, 1.1 or 1.3 in Giebel Haus or the attic apartment in
Axford Haus, your apartment will be cleaned by the contracted firm, whether you have
requested it or not. Bedding will be changed and cleaned every three weeks.
(Because of the rather erratic housekeeping habits of some single tenants in the past, the
Institute has decided to have these apartments professionally cleaned, whether the current
tenant would like it or not.)
As the cleaning ladies have a set, limited time at their disposal to complete the cleaning, they
need to be able to enter and clean your apartment at no later than 09:00 or 09:30 depending on
the building you live in. You will, therefore, have to ensure that you are awake and either
ready to receive them or that you have already left your apartme nt by that time.
Should you live in any of the other units and wish to have your flat cleaned, contact Herr
Deisel to arrange this. Contact Herr Bethe, Ao4c, telephone 223/272 for the individual cost
involved.
Globes/ Light Bulbs (Glühbirnen)
German light fittings are generally of the screw-on type - in fact, bayonet fittings are difficult
to obtain and globes almost impossible. There is a small stock of spare screw-on globes
available in the storage cupboard in the club room; otherwise also obtainable from one of the
electricians housed in the Heizhaus.
The globes are free of charge but you would - for obvious reasons - be expected to fit them
yourself. Should you have a problem with this, ask a neighbour to help you. The Institute
does, however, prefer to have neon lightbulbs changed by one of the Institute electricians.
Contact Herr Heise, bleeper number 94210 + (your extension number) if you need to have this
done.
Delivery of Mail (Postlieferung)
All mail directed to tenants is distributed to the offices in the Institute complex regardless of
whether the postal or street address appears on the envelope. The reason for this is the rapid
change-over of tenants and that the mail for past tenants can more readily be re-directed from


                                                                                               17
within the Institute complex. (Ensure that you leave a forwarding address at your departure to
ease the re-directing).
When you arrive, ensure that the internal postman is aware of all addressee names which
might appear on your mail. This is especially important for multi- name families.


6.6 Rubbish (Müll)

Collection of Rubbish (Müllabholtermine)
The local authorities publish an annual schedule of collection dates for the various types of
waste. You should have received a current copy in your checklist package. Organic refuse is
collected once a week; household rubbish once every two weeks; glass, paper and cardboard
once a month; and recycleables when the communal container is full.
Sorting (Sortieren)
Your household rubbish should be sorted into a) glass (Altglas); b) clean sheets of paper (ie.
not dirtied with food, etc.) such as newspapers and magazines and cardboard (including
boxes)(Altpapier); c) organic rubbish such as vegetable peels etc (Organischer Mll); d)
packaging etc. which can be recycled (the so-called Grüne Punkt articles including plastics,
metals and small and/or crumpled pieces of clean paper : Wiederverwertbarer Mll or,
colloquocally, Gelbe Scke)and e) all other bits and pieces (Sonstiger Haushaltsmüll).
Storage (Lagerung)
To facilitate the division of the various kinds of rubbish, separate storage points and
containers have been organised and tenants are requested to follow the instructions below
meticulously.
Glass (Altglas)
Each apartment is supplied with a container (a grey plastic basket) for the purpose of storing
glass. These containers should be kept within the living units until the official collection date.
On the due collection dates, the containers with glass can be placed next to the large grey flip-
top refuse containers. (Please remove these containers again once they have been emptied!)
If you leave the Wohngemeinschaft before the next collection date, arrange with one of your
neighbours to put your glass refuse out along with theirs. DO NOT SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR
GLASS ARTICLES STANDING SOMEWHERE IN THE HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL
DISPOSE OF THEM FOR YOU. The same applies should you be away on holiday or a
business trip.
No glass should be included with the recycleables as the recycleables are collected in plastic
bags and glass shards could cut the hands of the refuse collectors. Seeing as glass is only
collected once a month, the items should be at least rinsed out before being placed in the grey
basket to prevent unsavoury smells.
Paper and Cardboard (Altpapier)
All paper and cardboard should be stored in the living units or in the cellars until the official
collection date when they can be placed next to the grey flip-top refuse containers. Tenants
are requested not to leave these items outside before these dates as they could be blown away
by the wind or be damaged by rain or snow. For the same reason, paper sheets such as
newspapers should be weighted down when put out for collection.
Organic Rubbish (Organischer Müll)
Each apartment is provided with a silver bin in which the organic refuse can be stored
temporarily. Organic refuse can be deposited in the black refuse container between Giebel and
Axford Haus or in the container situated at the entrance to the Gelbes Haus opposite Giebel

                                                                                               18
Haus. It is for obvious reasons advisable not to keep organic refuse in your apartment for too
long.
To facilitate the easy cleaning of your silver refuse bin, you could use plastic bin liners. These
are, however, not organic and when transferring your organic refuse to the black containers,
you should empty the bin liners and dispose of these separately, i.e. in the grey flip-top refuse
container.
(IT DEFEATS THE WHOLE OBJECT OF COLLECTING ORGANIC REFUSE
SEPARATELY, IF THE ORGANIC REFUSE IS DISPOSED OF IN A PLASTIC
COVERING!)
Recycleables (Wiederverwertbarer Müll)
Each kitchen is provided with a holder for the yellow bags (Gelbe Säcke) provided by the
local municipality for the storage and disposal of recycleable rubbish. Tenants are requested
to never place glass in these bags as the shards may cut the hands of the refuse collectors.
The bags are available free of charge from the local authority (Gemeindeverwaltung), Room
10, Bahnhofstraße, Katlenburg. There is also a small stock in the club room which has to be
replenished by a member of the community and they are also available on request from the
refuse collection truck drivers.
(It is important to note that these bags should not be used for any purpose other than the
disposal of recyclable refuse, i.e. don't use these bags to collect your normal household refuse.
The municipality can refuse to empty ordinary household refuse bins if they contain yellow
bags.)
The bags should be placed in the large orange container situated in the parking area in front of
the Weißes Haus. They should not be placed anywhere else. As these bags are collected only
once the container is full, tenants are required to rinse all tins, plastic containers, etc. before
placing them in the bags to prevent unpleasant smells.
Other Household Rubbish (Sonstiger Haushaltsmüll)
Each kitchen is provided with a bin for this purpose. Because of new legislation, each
household is allowed only 20 liter of rubbish (excluding the abovementioned types of refuse)
per week. It is imperative to keep the volume down as excesses will be charged for. It is
advisable to make use of bin liners (available in all supermarkets). Should something have
leaked into the bin itself, clean it immediately for the sake of hygiene and to prevent
unpleasant smells. These bins can be emptied in the grey flip-top refuse containers situated
respectively between Axford and Giebel Haus and in front of the Weißes Haus. Care should
be taken when emptying the bins and any spillage should be cleaned up immediately.
Dangerous Waste (Giftmüll)
Dangerous waste such as batteries which still contain a charge, broken thermometers, etc.
should not be included in any of the abovementioned waste receptacles, but be disposed of
separately. Batteries can be taken to the collection point at the Institute, situated on the right
next to the entrance to the laboratory building opposite Room Lo12.
Care should obviously be taken in the disposal of hazardous substances and it is advisable to
contact Herr Thiel, Wo6, telephone 381/245/ bleeper number 94320 + (your extension
number) or Herr Heise, bleeper number 94210 + (your extension number) for help and advice
if, for example, a thermometer has broken in your apartment and some of the mercury has
spilled. On the refuse calendar certain dates have been set aside for the collection of
hazardous substances. These substances can be brought to a collection truck which is parked
on the Lindau market place on the designated dates.




                                                                                                19
Clothing, Toys, etc (Kleider, Spielzeug, usw.)
There are various welfare organisations who from time to time advertise collection points for
old clothes and toys. Collection of mainly clothes by commercial companies are normally
advertised through leaflets.


6.7 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (Gemeinsame Aktivitäten)

Information and General Interest
Shelves have been erected in front of the Club Room where various bits and pieces of
information, brochures, maps of the area, timetables and anything of general interest to the
community are displayed. Tenants are encouraged to add to the collection. There is also a pin-
board and a light. Newspapers are placed there from time to time and tenants often place their
old magazines there so that other tenants can also have the use of them. This area should be
kept tidy at all times by the tenants who make use of it. Once you have finished, switch off the
light.
Basketball
A basketball ring has been donated to the community and is erected outside the Weißes Haus
and the ball is housed within the club room. The ball should at all times be returned to the
club room immediately after use and never be left outside. Tenants should be aware that the
ring is placed in such a way that the playing area remains on a portion of the street and that
due care should always be taken, especially where small children are concerned.
15.2 Club Room (Klubraum)
The Legal Alien's Club rooms are housed in the cellar of the Weißes Haus. The keys are kept
by an appointed member of the community. The rooms can be used for parties, communal
festivities and/or meetings as long as the repsonsible parties ensure the rooms are left in good
order.
Library (Bücherei)
A selection of books - left to the community by previous tenants and friends of the
community - is housed in the multi-purpose room and is available to all. The library operates
and depends on honesty and consideration. Books should always be replaced properly and the
library area should be kept tidy at all times. All further donations of books are obviously
welcomed.
Communal Room (Gemeinschaftsraum)
The multi-purpose room is situated adjacent to the club room and is kept deliberately as bare
as possible of furnishings to facilitate as many uses as possible. The communal library is
situated here. A black board has also been fixed to the wall as foreign language courses -
organised by one or more tenants - have taken place here. As with all other communal
facilities, the Wohngemeinschaft has to accept own responsibility for the maintenance and
upkeep thereof.
Communal Parties (Gemeinschaftliche Feiern)
There could be any number of grounds for a communal party. It might be someone's birthday,
a long-standing resident might be leaving the Wohngemeinschaft, someone might have
decided to organise a communal Easter or Christmas or whatever party or it might even
simply be excellent weather and someone might have decided to organise a get-together
outside.



                                                                                             20
If the party is communal - this fact will be advertised through the normal channels, usually by
means of electronic mail - everyone is welcome. You would normally be told what you are
expected to bring in the line of food and/or drink.
If you would like to organise a party and are unsure as to what is required, speak to your
neighbours. All participants are of course expected to help clean up at the end of the party and
remember - the garden furniture and grill are not to be le ft outside.
Piano (Klavier)
The community acquired a piano which stands in the Club Room. It goes without saying that
all who make use of this facility should treat it as they would their own, i.e. lovingly!
far paid for amongst others the spot lights, piano and the music centre used in the club room.)
Slide Shows (Dia-Veranstaltungen)
Anyone can arrange to have a slide show. Are you planning a trip to some picturesque and/or
interesting spot? Consider taking some slides in view of a future slide show. Or you might
already have some slides available. Slide shows also provide an excellent opportunity to
involve non-residents in the communal activities and some widely popular shows have been
organised in the past.
Table Tennis (Tischten