Policies

Policy Guide

— Adopted July 29, 2018 —

NAME – The name is “The Angora Hiking Club”. It is located in Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon, and has been an active hiking club since 1920.
PURPOSE – The Angora Hiking Club is dedicated to encourage walking, hiking, and other outdoor activities with a focus on building health and camaraderie.
MEMBERSHIP – To become a member of the Angora Hiking Club, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, complete an application form and pay the annual membership fee as established by the Club’s Board. Renewal fees are due in January. A Club member in good standing will complete at least 2 club-sponsored walks/hikes each year. (Exceptions may be made for senior members.) Members are expected to participate in less glamorous Club duties such as serving as a Board or special committee member at least for one year in five or provide other support such as planning or leading hikes or social events such as potlucks.
HIKE LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES – Hike leaders are volunteers under the direction of the Chief Guide. Each hike leader should guide the hike in a mature and responsible manner.

Get and return First Aid kit and Club’s magnetic car sign from the Chief Guide.
Be familiar with the hike prior to the event and stay aware of road access and weather.
Be available by phone or email to address pre-hike questions.
Meet the participants at the assigned time and place. Hike leader or other designated person will wait at least 5 minutes after scheduled hike departure time before leaving scheduled departure location.
Ensure that all participants sign-in on the waiver form.
Assign a “rear guard” or “sweep” who will monitor the trailing end of the hiking group for stragglers.
Complete the hike summary on the back of the waiver form.
Submit photos taken on the hike to the Club’s Historian.
Notify the Club’s Chief Guide at least 10 days in advance if there is a change of time, meeting place, or coordinator of the event and the Chief Guide will notify The Astorian “Community Highlights” editor.
In the event a hike leader must cancel a hike or cannot lead a hike, the leader must notify the Chief Guide and the President immediately so that a substitute leader may be assigned.
If the Chief Guide and/or President agree that the hike must be canceled, the hike leader or a designated substitute shall go to the start point to notify participants. In addition, an email announcement will be issued and the Club’s website will post the cancellation.

LIABILITY – The Club, it’s Officers, and Board of Directors shall not be liable for any injury suffered by any hike participant. Each participant shall sign a waiver of liability prior to the start of an event. All participants in Club activity shall be under the direction of the coordinator of that activity. For safety reasons no dogs are allowed on hikes. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 18.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS – The Board is based on the 7‑member model originally created for the Club, with the following adjustments:

President is the non-voting tiebreaker and assumes all the duties as usual per role (i.e. leads meetings).
Vice-President assumes the President’s role if the President is not available.
Treasurer handles Club dues and expenses, advises Club on expenses and income. On receipt of new membership dues, sends the hike schedule and Club Policy “packet”.
Secretary records meeting minutes and maintains membership roster. Provides dues to Treasurer.
Chief Guide leads annual planning meeting for the year’s hike schedule. Provides guidance to hike leaders on ‘rules of the road’, including First Aid Kits, the role of “rear guard” or ‘sweep’, presence of children, dogs, and so on. Teach hike leaders to set a pace, discuss breaks at the start of a hike, and other relevant topics. Assist hike leaders to update, cancel a hike, or find a replacement leader during the year. Works closely with the media/publications director.
Historian continues the preservation and upkeep of historic Club records, photos, and histories.
Board members attend four Board meetings a year.
The Board employs Roberts Rules of Order to maintain order.
Officers and Board positions are elected annually by the membership at the Fall Meeting & Potluck. Terms are January to December.

Annual Dues are currently $10 per year and are due by February 15 to be included in the directory for the year.

To ensure the privacy of member emails, blind copy should be used in all “mass mailings”.
New people joining in the last quarter of any year get the new year at no additional dues cost.
Participants going on a hike should contact the hike leader and sign-in with that person at least 24 hours in advance.