California Mountaineering Club

POLICY SUPPLEMENT AND CHECKLIST FOR
TRIP LEADERS/ORGANIZERS

To make sure that we adhere to CMC policies on Club trips, trip leaders are asked to follow these steps.

I. PRIOR TO THE TRIP

A. When considering applicants for participation in the trip, remember that you have the right to determine who may participate based on the skills and experience of the applicants and the following simple rules.

B. All trip participants must be CMC members (regular or provisional) or the guest (who is 18 years of age or older) of a regular member. To be a participant, a guest must:

1. Be approved by the leader.
2. Have signed a waiver.
3. Be sponsored by a regular member present on the outing.
4. Can participate on only two club outings.

5. Guests will not exceed the number of regular members on the trip.

C. Given the requirement that applicants for membership require approval of the Board of Directors, guests may not join the Club at the trailhead. However, interested guests should be encouraged to apply for membership.

D. Use a current CMC membership list (see a recent Membership Directory or Newsletter or contact the Secretary) to verify the membership status of all trip applicants.

II. TRIP CANCELLATIONS

Please see the CMC Trip Cancellation Policy dated Sep. 2, 2004.

III. AT THE START OF THE TRIP

A. Be sure that every participant signs the Club Trip Sign-Up Sheet.

B. Have all guests complete a waiver at the trailhead.

C. Have a short meeting of all participants. At this meeting you should:

1. Introduce the leader(s).
2. Have a round of introductions of the other participants.
3. Explain the objectives and itinerary of the trip.
4. Designate times and places of regrouping in case people get spread out.

IV. DURING THE TRIP

A. Remember you have complete authority over the conduct of the outing. Participants who elect to deviate from the itinerary must sign out on the Trip Sign-Up Sheet.

B. Be certain there is a regular member in charge of and monitoring all technical climbing activities, such as belayed climbing and rappelling.

V. AFTER THE TRIP

A. Send the completed Trip Sign-Up Sheet and any guest waivers to the Club Outings Coordinator.

B. Write up the trip and send it to the Newsletter Editor for inclusion in the next newsletter.

C. After completing the previous step, request reimbursement for all campground and permit fees from the Club Treasurer.

VI. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

A. Contact the sheriff of the county in which the emergency exists, or, if in a National Park, contact the Park Ranger.

B. Contact the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team (SMSR) at 626-355-1414 (24-hour number) and ask to speak to a Team Operations Leader. SMSR is always available to provide search and rescue coordination.

Revised: September 2, 2004

Revised: August 30, 2008

Revised: December 11, 2008

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