Club and Associate Membership

Transcription

1 B RITISH M OUNTAINEERING C OUNCIL Burton Road Tel: Manchester M20 2BB Fax: office@thebmc.co.uk Club and Associate Membership Page 1 Contents 2 Invitation Letter 3 Club Membership Benefits 4 Associate Membership Benefits 5 Memorandum of Association of British Mountaineering Council 6 & 7 Outline of Club Constitution and Rules 8 Civil Liability Insurance 9 BMC Area Committees 11 Club Membership Application Form 12 Associate Membership Application Form 13 BMC Member Discounts 1

2 Invitation Letter Dear Secretary Thank you for expressing an interest in affiliating your group to the BMC. Membership of the Council consists of Individual, Club and Associate members. BMC Mission Statement The BMC promotes the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers and the freedom to enjoy their activities. Through a democratic structure the BMC will: Negotiate access improvements and promote cliff and mountain conservation Promote and advise on good practice, facilities, training and equipment Support events and specialist programmes including youth and excellence Provide services and information for members BMC Participation Statement The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. BMC Funding and Structure The BMC is a democratic body controlled by its membership through an elected Management Committee, a network of area meetings and elected area representatives. It is a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital. BMC Management Committee New club applications are subject to approval by the management committee. The dates for the 2004 management meetings are as follows: 11 February April June October December 2005 If you need any assistance with your application please contact either the undersigned or Jim Krawiecki on , alternatively your query to members@the.bmc.co.uk Yours sincerely Arun Patel BMC Member Services Administrator 2

3 Club Member Benefits Applications for club membership are welcomed from groups who fulfil the criteria as specified in Article 5.2 of the Memorandum of Association of the BMC. Applications must be submitted to the Committee of Management for approval. Club membership runs from 1st January each year. However, in the case of educational establishments, we can offer affiliation from 1st October to the 30th September the following year. Liability Insurance All club members whose names and addresses we hold benefit from 5,000,000 liability insurance world-wide. Annual Summit Magazine Providing names and addresses of club members are provided. Access to BMC Mountain Huts You may advertise your club hut on the BMC hut list, and make use of other affiliated club huts. Access to BMC Travel and Activity Insurance Specialist travel insurance cover. The most comprehensive travel and activity insurance around - at the lowest price and free from unreasonable restrictions. BMC Area Committee Meetings Take an active part in the work of the BMC by attending Area Committee meetings and exercising your clubs right to vote on issues raised. Discounts on: Publications and info service packs Reciprocal Rights card for Alpine Huts Access to: Mountain Leader Award Registration Single Pitch Award Registration Walking Group Leader Award Registration The BMC Members Information Service Expert advice from BMC specialist officers The full range of benefits are contained in the BMC Members Handbook 3

4 Associate Membership Benefits Associate membership can include schools, climbing walls, outdoor centres, retailers etc. We ask that you give details on the application form of your activities and to which category your group belongs. This enables us to contact specific categories with information relevant to them. NB. Associate members do not qualify for liability insurance and voting rights. 4 copies of Summit magazine and 12 copies Climb magazine per year Exclusive insert opportunities in BMC club mailings The BMC mails its member clubs (currently over 350) with information on a regular basis. Discounts on bulk purchases BMC publications and videos. See BMC website for choice of products at Associate membership entry to appear on BMC web site. Including a hyperlink to your own site if required. BMC member logo Available for you to use in your advertising material. Free Guidance Notes on BMC child protection policy Download from Regular mailings Including updates on events, sponsorship opportunities, Access updates and other relevant information. U.K.Emergency Services All employees of U.K.Emergency Services who are Associate Members are entitled to purchase BMC travel insurance and enjoy other benefits. This includes Police, Fire, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue, St. John s ambulance. Membership Benefits for 10 full time employees of Associate members including discounts on: Publications and info service packs Annual subscription to Climb, Trail, Country Walking and Climber magazine Access to: BMC travel activity insurance for limited number of direct employees Club Huts Reciprocal Rights Card for Alpine Huts Mountain Leader Award Registration Single Pitch Award Registration Walking Group Leader Award Registration The BMC Information Service Expert advice from BMC specialist officers Further details of our work and services are contained in the BMC Members Handbook Group Insurance Associate members who are responsible for taking groups out on activities are allowed to purchase group travel and activity insurance from the BMC for those groups without the need for each group member to be an individual member of the BMC. 4

5 Memorandum of Association of the BMC 5.2 Club Membership a) A club or other association (hereinafter referred to as 'club') shall be eligible for Club Membership of the Council if; i) its principal object is climbing mountaineering or hill walking and ii) its headquarters are in Great Britain and iii) it is controlled by its own members or in the opinion of the Management Committee its admission would be in the best interests of the Council notwithstanding that it fails to meet one or more of the foregoing criteria. b) Any club wishing to apply for Club Membership of the Council shall nominate a member of that club to make application to the Council on behalf of that club and on acceptance as a Member of the Council that person shall be designated a Club Member and that person shall thereupon be entitled to exercise all the rights of membership of the Council on behalf of that club until such time as that person shall be replaced and a new representative nominated by that club to be Club Member in his place and the Council shall accept as valid and binding evidence of such nomination a letter signed by the President or Chairman of that club and countersigned by the Secretary of that club. c) A Club Member of the Council shall file with the Council returns stating the number of members of that club and such other information as the Council may from time to time require and at such times and for such periods as the Council may from time to time require and shall pay a membership fee calculated by reference to the total number of members of that club whereupon the club and its members shall be entitled to the privileges and services from time to time provided to Club Members. 5.3 Associate Membership a) Any company organisation club association or business wishing to be affiliated to the Council but not being eligible for Full Membership shall be entitled to apply for Associate Membership on complying with such requirements as are from time to time specified by the Management Committee in Regulations appertaining thereto and payment of the appropriate membership fee but shall not be entitled to the privileges and services available to Full Members save any that are from time to time specified by the Management Committee in Regulations appertaining thereto Any partnership or unincorporated association wishing to apply for Associate Membership shall nominate a member of that partnership or unincorporated association to make application to the Council on behalf of that partnership or unincorporated association and on acceptance as a Member of the Council that person shall be designated an Associate Member and shall thereupon be entitled to exercise all the rights of membership of the Council on behalf of that partnership or unincorporated association until such time as that person shall be replaced by a new representative nominated by that partnership or unincorporated association to be Associate Member in his place and the Council shall accept as valid and binding evidence of such nomination a letter signed by any two partners of that partnership or by the President or Chairman of that unincorporated association and countersigned by the Secretary of that unincorporated association. 5

6 BMC Outline Club Constitution and Rules The following is an outline draft constitution for forming a mountaineering club. Italics have been used to indicate options that should be decided before finalising the constitution. Additionally clubs that are organised within a student union or employer may have to have clauses of rules that are specified by the union or employer. 1. Name 1.1 The name of the Club shall be the Hereinafter referred to as "the Club". 2. Objectives of the Club 2.1 To promote the interests of climbing and mountaineering amongst members of the Club. 2.2 To provide an opportunity for members of the Club to meet and participate in climbing and mountaineering activities together. 2.3 To act on behalf of and in the interests of Club members. 2.4 To promote awareness of the need to maintain access, conservation and protection of the cliff and mountain environment. 2.5 To take part in the work and activities of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI)/British Mountaineering Council (BMC). 3. Membership of the Club 3.1 Membership of the Club shall only be open to (specify here if members shall be members of a particular college, employees of..., nominated by existing Club members, etc.) hereinafter referred to as "the Membership". 3.2 In addition to 3.1 above membership of the Club shall only be open to individuals who recognise that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Members shall be aware of and accept these risks and agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement. 3.3 Club Membership is not open to minors (unless written parental consent is obtained). 4. Management of the Club 4.1 The Management of the Club shall be entrusted to the Club Committee, hereinafter referred to as "the Committee". 5. Officers of the Club 5.1 The elected Officers of the Club shall be the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer (other officers might include Access Representative, Journal Editor, Hut Custodian, Meets or Equipment Officer, etc.), hereinafter referred to as "the Officers". A Youth Coordinator is also required if under 18 members are not accompanied by a parent.( See p.7 item 8 Child Protection Policy) 5.2 Voting for the election of Officers shall take place at the AGM 5.3 No Officer shall serve for a term longer than three years (or another suitable term, or reelected each year, etc.). 6. Committee of the Club 6.1 The President of the Club will normally preside at and chair all meetings of the Committee (or Club) and shall be responsible for reporting to the Membership at the Club's AGM. 6

7 6.2 The Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Club (plus a number of elected members from the Club Membership if desired). 6.3 The Committee shall nominate a representative (or representatives) of the Club to attend MCI Council Meetings/BMC Area meetings and represent the views of the Membership and shall nominate the President (or a representative) to attend the MCI/BMC AGM and vote on behalf of the Club. 6.4 The Club Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence relating to Club affairs and for announcing Committee meetings, and the production and distribution of minutes from those meetings. The Secretary shall also be responsible for announcing the AGM and shall give at least 30 clear days notice of such a meeting and its agenda. Items for inclusion should be submitted at least 45 days prior to the AGM.The Secretary shall keep records about the Membership of the Club and shall report to the MCI/BMC the size of the Membership. 6.5 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of subscriptions and will account for any other income and expenditure made on behalf of the Club. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the payment of the membership subscription to the BMC/MCI and the Insurance premium if this option is taken up. 6.6 The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional non-voting members. 6.7 A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be half of the elected voting members. In addition to the AGM the Committee (or Club) shall hold at least four (or another suitable number) meetings each year. 7. Club Subscriptions 7.1 The Committee shall have the power to set membership subscription levels for the Club on an annual basis. 8. Child-Protection Policy 8.1 Clubs that have under 18 s club members must adopt and comply with the BMC Child Protection Policy. This can be viewed at 9. Rules of the Club 9.1 The Committee shall have the power to set Club rules. Such rules shall be in accordance with the articles of the Club's Constitution and the policies of the BMC. (Such rules might include for example: Club Members shall sign for club equipment that they undertake to use it entirely at their own risk, on winter meets Club Members shall leave a basic route plan with the meet organiser, etc.) 10. Amendments to the Constitution of the Club 10.1 This Constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority. Notice of any amendment must be delivered to the Secretary at least 45 days prior to the AGM. 11. Dissolution of the Club 11.1 The Club can be dissolved by two-thirds majority vote carried out in accordance with Article 9 whereupon the Committee will arrange to discharge any assets equally amongst the Members (or donated to Charity, MCI Environmental Defence Fund, Mountain Rescue etc.). Any liabilities at the time of dissolution shall be the joint responsibility of all Members. 7

8 Civil Liability Insurance Summary of Cover Only Applicable for Club Membership The Policy The policy covers you for any claim made against you, for any civil liability arising in connection with mountaineering, club or club related activities. The cover operates worldwide and there is no excess applicable. 5 Million Civil Liability The limit of indemnity in respect of any claim made during the period of insurance is 5 Million for any one event, including claims arising from breach of professional duty with the exception that, in respect of goods sold or supplied (products) claims, the limit of indemnity applies to an aggregate of all events during any one period of insurance. The Club and the Committee The club and its Committee are insured for any event or activity, social, business or sporting that they organise and in which they participate. Individual club members are insured for any Club activity and as an individual for Climbing, Hill-Walking and Mountaineering (including Ski- Mountaineering) Important Note Please note, that there are separate representative bodies for skiing, mountain biking and caving and it is not the intention of the BMC to include these mainline activities within its remit. The cover does not apply to professional instructors, guides etc. working with non-members. Qualified Instructors Club members who are qualified instructors who are acting professionally when taking groups out or giving instruction are NOT covered by BMC civil liability insurance. Such people should be covered by their own independent professional liability insurance. Master Policy This is a brief outline of the policy held at the BMC. Copies of which are available for a charge of

9 BMC Area Committees The Role & Work of Area Committees The nine Area Committees in England and the Committee for Wales are the local forums for discussion and debate about any matter affecting the many aspects of the mountaineering world. Access problems and conservation issues often form major items of meetings (each Committee has at least one voluntary Access Officer) but matters such as training, huts, equipment, climbing walls, accidents and insurance are often also discussed. The Committees form the democratic base of the BMC; each elects two representatives to the BMC's central policy-making Committee of Management; thereby information is fed from a local level to keep the BMC abreast of developments and opinion and working in the best interests of climbers and hillwalkers. The work of the BMC as a whole, particularly the effectiveness of local initiatives and action, depends to a large extent on the strength of the Area Committees, which means the widespread support and participation by clubs and individuals is essential. Representation by Clubs The BMC Articles of Association allow a member club of under 150 members to nominate two persons to represent the club on BMC Area Committees. This entitlement increases by one representative for every 75 members to a maximum of 9. Members Number of Area Committees on which representation is allowed Not exceeding and above 9 Each club may nominate the different Area Committee on which it wishes to be represented according to the above schedule. It is the club representative who receives the Committee papers, agendas and minutes direct from the BMC office. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the representative to report to the club matters of interest or importance, and to bring forward to the BMC Committee any matters the club wishes to have raised. The onus is on both the Club Secretary and the representative to inform the BMC office in Manchester of any change of address and/or name of the representative. Attendance by Individual Members Any individual member of the BMC may attend the meetings of the Area Committee of his/her choice. A member wishing to attend may find out the date and venue of forthcoming meetings by contacting the BMC office, which can also provide the names and addresses of Area Committee Secretaries, and place the member's name on the circulation list for the Committee papers, agendas and minutes. A guide to the venue and timing of meetings Forthcoming Area Committee meetings are listed on our website, in Summit Magazine and the BMC news pages of 'High' magazine. Please contact the office for detailed information on: Scotland The policy making body is the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, a separate organisation with which the BMC maintains close links. They can be contacted by telephoning

10 Club Membership Application Form 2006 NAME OF CLUB... Name of Club Representative. (Full name and address of the person to be admitted to membership of the BMC as the representative of the Club, normally the Club Secretary.) Daytime Telephone number E mail... Address Post Code... Date of Club Formation... Number of Members... Members Entrance Fee..Members Annual Subscription (Club fees should be sufficient to cover the cost of BMC affiliation fees and also the running costs of the club) I agree to abide by the rules of the BMC contained or referred to in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a copy is available for inspection at the BMC offices without charge. (Copies are available upon request, for a small charge.) In the event of the BMC being wound up whilst I am a member or within 1 year of my ceasing to be a member I agree to contribute a sum not exceeding one pound for every member of my Club as recorded in the last preceding certificate of the number of members supplied to the BMC. Signed (by the Representative)... Dated... Child Protection Policy Under 18 s Clubs that have members who are under 18 years of age must adopt and comply with the BMC Child Protection Policy. This states that a club needs to appoint a Child Protection Officer who has undergone a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau check via the BMC. Relevant forms are available from the BMC. Alternatively under 18 members should be accompanied by their parent/s at all times. The policy can be viewed at All applications should include the following documents:- Club Rules Last Balance Sheet List of members names Club Constitution Last Annual Report and addresses Payment *CRB clearance (if appropriate) Tick appropriate category Club Membership for 20 members, 8.75 for each member thereafter. ( 6.00 reduced membership fees for under 18s and full time students.) Student Club Membership for 20 members, 5.75 for each member thereafter. Total BMC Subscription The completed form, together with information requested and cheque made payable to the BMC, should be forwarded to Arun Patel, Membership Administrator, at the above address. Please note Clubs will only benefit from the Civil Liability Insurance when its application has been formally accepted by the BMC Management Committee. 10

11 Associate Membership Application Form 2006 Associate Details Name of Association Full Name and Address of the person to be admitted to membership of the BMC as the representative of the Association (normally the Chairman, President, Partner or Secretary) if not a Limited Company. Please note that it is not possible in law for a club which is not a company to be a member itself. Name of Representative/Company Secretary... Address Post Code... Daytime Telephone No:... E Mail:. Summary of Association Activities:... Tick Appropriate Category Youth i.e. schools, Scout Groups Other Activity Groups/Clubs National Bodies Local Authorities/Councils Mountain Rescue Groups Climbing Walls Outdoor Activity/Training Centres & Other - Please Specify Holiday/Expedition Organisers... Retail/Manufacturer On behalf of the above Association I wish to join the BMC for 2005 and enclose a cheque for ( VAT). I understand that membership runs from January to December. I agree to abide by the rules of the BMC contained or referred to in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a copy is available for inspection at the BMC offices without charge. (Copies are available upon request, for a small charge.) Signed (by the Representative).. Date. 11