Club Rules   
 

CLUB RULES: 

MCSA South Cape: - Constitution:    South Cape Section Constitution

Members Code of Conduct: 

As members of the Mountain Club of South Africa, you are requested to abide by the rulings set out here. As mountaineering and hiking increases in popularity it is essential that the actions of our members be beyond reproach. Failure to abide by the contents of the code will seriously curtail our privileges. The following are guidelines to acceptable behaviour:

 1.         DISCIPLINE:

The meet leader carries the prime responsibility and those with him must submit to his direction and stay close, unless expressly    permitted to deviate.

2.         EQUIPMENT:

All persons attending meets must be adequately equipped according to the nature of the undertaking and in case of doubt must       take steps to find out what is required. The leader is entitled and obliged to refuse to take anyone who is insufficiently equipped, as such persons are a danger to themselves and others.

3.         NUMBERS:

There are limits to the number of persons that can reasonably attend various meets at any one time. These limits are governed by transport facilities, sleeping accommodation, landowners’ feelings, Nature Conservation, SAFCOL and Forestry regulations. Therefore book early or risk refusal. Do not turn up unexpectedly and hope to be included.

4.         BASIC RULES:

a.  All Nature Conservation, SAFCOL, etc rules and regulations are to be strictly complied with.

b.  No fires except with consent of the meet leader and, if allowed, to be carefully watched and fully extinguished on leaving. Traces should be obliterated except at recognised campsites.

c.  No litter of any kind to be left or dumped - everything of this nature to be taken home or to the nearest litter bin.

d.  Sanitation. In the interests of hygiene all signs of your toilet must be buried. Keep away from watercourses.

e.  No pollution of water, by soap, detergents or toothpaste.

f.   No damage or collection of flora or fauna. Fences, dams and other farm equipment to be treated with utmost respect. Rock art and other archaeological remains are not to be disturbed in any way.

g.    Do not sample produce from orchards.

h.    Membership cards to be carried on meets at all times. Show your card to land-owners, managers, etc, as part of introducing yourself.

5.  PRESERVATION OF UNSPOILT AREAS AND ROCK ART PAINTING SITES:

Members should not be instrumental in publicising information concerning such areas and should be most discreet about the location of these areas.

6.  ACCESS TO MOUNTAIN LAND:

It is obligatory for members to be very circumspect in their attitude towards the properties that we traverse. The Section is dependent on the goodwill of landowners, Nature Conservation, National Parks, SAFCOL and farmers for access to chosen areas, and nothing should ever be done to undermine the respect that we have earned over the years.

Guidelines for Meet Leaders:

Experienced members of the club are encouraged to share their expertise by offering their services as Meet Leaders.  The Meets Convenor on the committee gives guidance to these volunteer leaders on the sort of outings that are most suitable and of the meet requirements as listed below: 

1.             All meets on offer must have been graded according to guidelines drawn up by the committee and as refined from time to time.

2.             A Meet Leader is expected to be familiar with the route he plans to follow and of all access requirements for the area.  He is always encouraged to conduct a recce beforehand.

3.             Prior to the outing,  either at a Thursday evening club-social, or by email or telephone to those who booked a place, he should give a briefing to confirm travel arrangements, meeting times, access charges and the equipment required.

4.             Before leaving, he should receive the First Aid kit for the outing to be returned after the trip.

5.             All who join an official meet do so on the understanding that they accept the leadership of the organiser and are expected to respect his judgement and to contribute positively where needed.  The Meet Leader in his turn must refuse admittance to his outing to anybody whom he feels is not up to the demands of the trip or else is inadequately equipped.

6.             At the beginning of the meet, he must collect whatever access fees are due by members and the meet fees due by visitors.

7.             As soon after the completion of a meet as possible,  the Meet Leader is expected to return to the secretary a report on his outing in which he records all who were present and details of such useful information regarding access arrangements and other matters which can be used to update the access database. He must also return the First Aid kit and whatever moneys collected.

Guidelines for meets:

            All meets are graded as follows:

Easy  -          Suitable as a family outing.

Moderate -   Full day for fit hikers with day packs.

Strenuous -  Experienced hikers with a full overnight pack. 

Very Strenuous -  No beginners.

Members or their guests wishing to attend meets must let the leader know not later than the Thursday evening before the outing.  N.B.  Telephone the leader if you are unable to meet with him personally before the outing. 

            Wherever possible, shared transport will be used and those accepting lifts are expected to contribute towards fuel consumed on the trip,  based on the following guidelines:

i)  The driver/owner to depart with a full fuel tank.

ii)  On return, the driver/owner to refill the tank to determine the cost of fuel used.

iii) The fuel cost to be divided equally among all passengers.

(Driver/owner is excluded from this calculation as he carries all of the other wear and tear costs.)

iv)  As far as possible, seats to be filled to their legal capacity.

            Visitors are welcome on all meets if properly equipped,  but should be introduced and be the guests of members who are expected to assist them. The guest fee must be paid on arrival.

Since mountain climbing has its risks,  all who join in Mountain Club meets do so entirely at their own risk.  By joining a meet,  they place themselves fully under the direction of the leader.  For example,  no sub-parties may be formed or alternative routes followed without the leader’s knowledge.  Those who wish to operate independently, can arrange their own meets.

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Last modified: February, 2007