Receptionist - one who attempts to provide service to customers seeking out information. Typically…read morehas a friendly and helpful disposition. This is my understanding, broadly, of a receptionist or administrative assistant's duties and responsibilities if they frequently interface with the public, (though I know they have infinitely more tasks to accomplish than just greeting guests). This has never been my experience at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center - The Meeting House. I have interacted with the young lady sitting at the desk no less than 6 times, maybe as many as 10 in the past 4 years or so and her disposition 99.98% of the time has been really nasty. I do my best to be sympathetic, understanding or give people the benefit of the doubt, if I meet them for the first time and they seem grumpy, but if I speak with you upwards of 6 times over 4 years, different seasons, rain or shine and you are always pissed, perhaps you've sought out a career in the wrong lane. The attitude some businesses have toward customer service, perhaps, has evolved over the years, but I would still think there is modicum of courtesy that is expected of staff when they meet people who potentially may be interested in doing business with their establishment.
I don't know what the protocol is when you see the receptionist, but, typically, I don't like to just interrupt them and tell them what I want, or why I'm there because they're usually typing something that I'm assuming they need a reasonable degree of focus on, and I don't want to break their concentration. I could tell this receptionist was pissed, per her usual, so I just started talking as soon as I got to the desk. The space I was interested in was not available for the date I wanted which was no problem. I asked if I could look at one of the other rooms I could see from her desk. (I wasn't sure if it was being used). She said "Yes". When I walked over, I saw a room to the left of that room, which I couldn't see when I asked to see the first room, so I invited myself to look at that room to (there was no one in it). When I turned back around the corner, the receptionist shot me a look that could cut through a thousand tons of Philadelphia street on the coldest of December nights. She was in the middle of eating her lunch, and stopped, mid-chew, to try and stare me down as if I was trying to usurp her authority. I ignored the vibe and just asked if the 2 rooms were available to which she immediately retorted "I said no"....First of all, she didn't. Second of all, she needs to park all that attitude at the curb before she enters her place of business.
I understand being a receptionist may not always be the greatest position because you have to deal with whatever walks through your door, but if you can't be friendly, at least be professional. I understand that the objective of this house of worship is, by no means, solely to make money, but I would think, even a billionaire wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth if it took little to no effort to get it.
Anywho, there is another lovely place where, if you're looking to hold a smaller event, that could probably accommodate your needs. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Church is also located in Howard County. As I recall, they do rent by the hour and I don't think it's more than $70/h.
Seeing as I'm looking for a new venue to hold my event, I thought others may be to. I tried to include pictures of this venue below.