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EVENT PARTICIPATION
- Participation in group activities is open to both full and prospective members.
- However, participation in group trips involving an overnight stay is limited to full members only to ensure they are covered by the group’s civil liability insurance.
- Full members are those who have paid their membership fee for the current membership year.
- Prospective members are those who have expressed interest in joining the group and who have not been a member in the past twelve months. The trial period is two months from the first activity in any one year.
- Child members are those persons under the age of 18 and must be, accompanied by, a parent or guardian at all times during any group event.
MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
- Members should show respect to other group members.
- Members should show respect to the countryside and follow The Countryside Code.
- Members should not bring the group into disrepute.
- Members should heed the instructions and advice of the event organiser.
- Members should come adequately equipped and clothed for an event.
- Members are responsible for choosing to participate in events within their capabilities and, if in doubt, should check with the event organiser prior to attending an event to ensure that it is suitable.
- Members participating in any activity must notify the organiser if they want to withdraw from an event early.
- Members should be able to maintain a reasonable pace that doesn’t affect the enjoyment or safety of the rest of the group.
- Members are responsible for keeping any dog they bring on a lead at all times and ensuring that it doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of others on the event.
- Members must not become unfit or unsafe for the activity through the consumption of alcohol or drugs prior to or during the activity.
ORGANISER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
- Events must be organised and run by a full adult member of the group.
- Organisers must undertake a risk assessment by consulting the appropriate online documents and Best Practice Guidance.
- Organisers must make participants aware of the demands of the event.
- Organisers must make reasonable adjustments to an event if circumstances require.
- Organisers should report any accidents, near-miss accidents or serious/potentially serious occurrences which may or did have adverse consequences for IOG Members or third parties during their event by downloading from our website the online “IOG Incident Report Form” and forwarding it to the Chair, Secretary and Training Officer.
- Organisers must ensure that any group equipment that they borrow is returned in a satisfactory condition.
FINANCE
- The Committee will consider applications for reimbursement of expenses associated with administration, operation, or management of the group.
- The group will not reimburse expenses incurred by activity organisers without prior approval of the Committee.
- No member should make profit from the group, except for professional services rendered with the prior approval of the Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS
- Membership details of full members of the group will be held electronically and in accordance with any data protection legislation.
- The group’s electronic mailing lists and social media should only be used to distribute messages for the running of the group, publicising events or other messages that promote the group’s object.
POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
- The Committee has the right to withdraw activities if they feel they are inappropriate.
- The Committee has the right to suspend or refuse membership as stated in the group’s Constitution if a member acts in breach of these rules or in a manner that is incompatible with the object of the group.
- The Committee has the right to enforce moderation or revoke the sending rights of any member if they feel they have abused the group’s mailing lists.