Category: Links Completed

April 2024 Update: Taieri Recreational Tramping Club 

Hi everyone, as mentioned at this week’s meet n greet, we have had recent Committee and Trip  Committee meetings, so this is a summary of what is happening. 

Welcome 

To Alison Kim and Sandy Webb who have had their membership approved which increases our  health and wellbeing capability considerably! We look forward to enjoying your company. 

From the Committee meeting 

1. Guests – First Outings – a reminder 

It is in the guidelines that it is the leaders’ responsibility for talking with guests to establish their  capability, medical history and expectations etc. From the Trip Organisation Guidelines:  “Leaders have the discretion as to who participates on the day.” If a member is inviting a guest  to attend, it is their responsibility to contact the leader of the trip so that there are no surprises  on the day. 

Note also, where there is the possibility of bad weather affecting the start of a trip it is not  always possible to get emails out in time on the day. The header to the printed Trip Programme  sets out the process but if in doubt pick up the phone and ring the trip leaders directly. 

2. Briefing Members on Trip Organisation Guidelines 

It was agreed that we should take five minutes or so every so often, to reinforce key aspects  from the guidelines. Ideally it would be done informally over lunch on walks. Watch this space. 

3. Locator Beacons 

It was noted that the third locator beacon is now with Phil Keene for use during track clearing if  needed. There are two separate issues to keep in mind with the beacons. The first is possession  and the second is contact people for emergencies and Jenni will check with the authorities as a  first step to confirm who is listed as contact points. 

4. Ramblers’ Formalisation? 

It was agreed that the status quo is working fine. Those who are wanting to shorten a walk  should communicate with the leaders and as long as there are two or more willing to go back,  then that is considered to be OK. If using separate transport, they should contact the leaders to  confirm they have left the area safely. 

5. Committee Members Standing for 2024/25 at the AGM. 

In terms of our constitution all positions need to be appointed each year and there is no set  term if elected to any position. Phil advised that he will be standing aside as President (and  would become Immediate Past President) and will continue to coordinate track clearing. John  would be happy to continue in the Vice-President’s role, as would Ross and Jenni in their  respective roles. Jay and Jan, after many years of service, will also be standing down, as will  Karen. Barbara, Pam, and Graeme S would be happy to be nominated again. 

6. Webteam 

Welcome and thanks to Graeme Souter for taking on this additional role. This brings the number  of Webteam members to five, headed by Ross Davies. They do a professional and important  function for the club. Many thanks.

7. Fuel Compensation for Track Clearing 

The Committee noted that around 140 hours of track clearing had been undertaken so far this  summer season. In the past, some money had been budgeted to pay members a  reimbursement for using their vehicles for track clearing. Phil moved that we formalise a fund to  compensate for those using their vehicles. This fund would be distributed in the form of gift  vouchers to help offset petrol costs, the value to each worked out at the discretion of the  President bas ed on the record of attendance. The budget for this year was set at $300. 

Trip Programme to 30 October 2024 

Following on from the committee meeting, the Trip Coordinators and teams have met and  developed the programme for the next six months and this can be printed from the website now  and/or accessed via Upcoming Trips on the home page. A reminder that the latter is always the  most current list as changes to the programme are noted there. Many thanks to everyone  involved in getting this completed so ably and quickly. 

Please have a look to see where your name appears and if you have any queries or concerns  speak to me or John and Jay as the Trip Convenors.  

We have revised the fuel reimbursement levels and note in some cases the gradings may  change following a recce by the trip leaders and a final route option determined. A confirmation  of the grade in the leaders trip report is always welcome as this helps with future trip programming. 

Note: 

1. the change to winter start times is on 5 June  

2. to diary the 3 July for the mid winter Tunnel Beach walk and lunch at the Concord Tavern  3. the AGM on 22 August at the Mosgiel-North Taieri Presbyterian Church, 11 Church St,  Mosgiel (behind Mitre 10). 

Photos for trip write ups 

Recently we have been approached and asked to remove a photo from a write up and this we  have been happy to do. The instance concerned a photo taken on a private property and we  need as a matter of courtesy to be aware of how we take and or use such photos. 

Finally 

More thanks to Anne and her team for the week at Kelvin Heights. Listening to folk talk about the  week plus looking at the photos made me pretty envious. 

Last update I said we should hopefully look forward to a warm and dryish summer, which we  have had, so why not wish the same for the next six months! 

Happy walking and talking 

Phil

Link to President’s Update information Library  for previous updates