TRIP LEADERSHIP POLICY
One of the best things about the Abnaki Ski Club is its informality; however, a growing number of the Club Members feel that our trips will be safer, and even more fun if more thought was given to the way trips are run. To that end, a Trip Leaders Workshop was held on April 4, 1992, from which the following observations were made. These observations should be understood by every Club Member.
Hazard Limits
A trip should not be sponsored by the Club if it presents hazards past a certain degree, best illustrated by example. Katahdin winter ascents and canoe trips to Isle au Haut are unacceptable. These types of trips require finely developed physical and technical abilities and involve relatively high levels of risk. Participation in such difficult trips should be by personal invitation only, not through a general mailing to all Club Members.
Degree of Leadership
The degree of leadership should correlate with the hazards involved. Things may be loose and free where danger is minimal (like a clambake) but, for safety, there must be much tighter control where dangers are greater (like a Katahdin hike, or whitewater canoeing.)
Leader Experience
A person who volunteers to lead a trip should be adequately familiar with the activity he or she is leading. This includes rules and regulations affecting the area being visited. The more potentially hazardous the trip, the more familiar he or she should be with the route, area, and other related factors.
Leader Responsibilities
Trip Leaders are responsible for developing the Trip Notice and Trip Report. The Trip Notice should contain location and route of the trip, meeting location and time, level of experience needed, clothing and equipment required, other safety considerations, and items of interest about the nature of the trip or the area to be visited. It is the Trip Leader?s right and duty to set rules relative to safety, equipment, and physical conditioning. The leader should know how many Members are going, their names, and telephone numbers so that last minute changes can be communicated. The Trip Leader is encouraged to communicate with all participants before the trip. Rules and considerations can be embellished in this manner. It should be noted that a rule is not just a suggestion. An imperative, (like ?Bring...?), may be interpreted by some as only a suggestion. It is better for the leader to make the difference clear by saying, ?you must...? or, ? ... is required.? Some trips may be facilitated by breaking into groups, (i.e., varying speeds on hikes). Each group formed by division of the main party should be assigned a group co-leader. This co-leader has the same responsibilities as the leader. The Leader becomes responsible for someone arriving late only when he or she catches up with the group. The Leader should be able to account for everyone throughout the duration of the trip. The Leader is responsible for making a decision to terminate or alter the trip if conditions warrant. After the trip, the Leader must make sure that all participants have returned to the end point designated by the Leader.