Toronto Outdoor Club - Rules and Waiver

1. CLUB REPRESENTATIVE'S AUTHORITY
   Members and guests (Participants) must recognize the authority of the trip coordinator(s)/organizer(s)/officer(s) (Club Representatives) and follow any additional rules they set up for Calgary Outdoor Club (Club) events/outings/activities (Event) - especially if the additional rules involve your safety. Events can be cancelled or modified at the discretion of the Club Representative (for lack of interest, inclement weather or having a personal conflict with the Event). The TOC will attempt to replace a Club Representative on an Event should they be unable to attend and inform the Club in a timely manner. Club Representatives have the authority to:
   1. Remove or reject any person from participation if they are not in condition for the Event. This is a safety issue and also helps assure the enjoyment of the other Participants.
   2. Participants are expected to stay together on both the trip to and during the Event. The Club Representative will adjust the pace of the Event to meet everyone's needs.
   3. Participants are expected to commit to the entire Event. The Club Representative cannot do their job if some Participants only go partway through the Event and then return on their own.
   4. If there is an emergency and/or injury, the Club Representative will terminate the Event or let someone help the injured back to transportation or medics. The volunteer will be required to be familiar with the way back.
   
   
2. BEHAVIOR
   Remember that you are representing the TOC while participating in any TOC event! Please conduct yourself in such a way as not to detract from the enjoyment of the other Participants (at all times). You may be removed or excluded from the Event should your behaviour warrant such an action. Note that we encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in TOC events.
   
   
3. CANCELLATION POLICY
   
   The Toronto Outdoor Club Cancellation Policy has been designed out of consideration for event attendees and coordinators, to ensure that we avoid the following as often as possible:
   - Event "no shows" who prevent members on the waiting list from attending an event.
   - Event coordinators and attendees being left to waste time waiting for those "no shows".
4. - Unnecessary last-minute drop-outs which result in people from the waiting list not being able to get onto the event.
   
   Policy:
   • To cancel out of an event after the registration cut-off, you cannot delete your own registration from the web site. You must phone the coordinator and follow up with an e-mail to confirm.
   • If you cancel out of an event within 24 hours of the carpool/meeting time, you must phone the event coordinator at least 2 hours in advance of that carpool/meeting time. If you don't, you may be recorded as a "no show" at the coordinator's discretion.
   • If you are more than ten minutes late for a carpool or meeting place, you may be recorded as a "no show" at the coordinator's discretion. If you are uncertain as to where you're supposed to meet, make sure you ask the coordinator for clarification prior to the day of the event.
   • If a person has two or more "no shows" in a year, their spot on future events cannot be guaranteed. The event coordinator may, at their discretion, move that person from the sign up list to the bottom of the event waiting list.
   • If a person has two or more "no shows" in a year, and they put themselves on the waiting list for an event, other members on the waiting list may be added to the event first at the discretion of the event coordinator.
   • If a person has five or more "no shows" in a year, they will receive a warning e-mail and may be removed from the club at the discretion of the club officers.
   • Event attendees are responsible for having a valid e-mail address and for checking their e-mail prior to an event.
   • Event coordinators will be responsible for phoning anyone added from the waiting list within 24 hours of carpool/meeting time; otherwise, a "no show" cannot be logged against any person.
   • Event coordinators will attempt to send out a reminder e-mail within 24 to 48 hours of the carpool/meeting time; HOWEVER, it is the responsibility of each attendee to be aware of their events and abide by the cancellation policy.
   
   This policy is not designed to punish people, but only to be fair to all concerned parties. To that end, event coordinators may be convinced to reverse a "no show" flag if they are contacted within a reasonable period of time after the event and made aware of extenuating circumstances. This will be up to the discretion of the coordinator and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
   
   As well, exceptions may be made to this standard cancellation policy for any event. If there are exceptions to the policy, they will be stated as part of the event details. Make sure you read the event details carefully.
   
   
5. ALCOHOL
   The TOC encourages responsible drinking. Some Events may allow for the purchase and/or consumption of alcohol. We simply ask that you do not overdo it. By consuming alcohol, you give permission to allow Club Representatives to find alternative ways to transport you home/get you to the remainder of the Event or exclude you from the remainder of the Event.
   
   
6. DOGS
   Dogs are permitted on SOME Events. This is at the discretion of the Club Representative and whether the area in which the Event occurs permits them. Please see a specific Event’s details to see if dogs are permitted. You must also register your dog on an Event that permits them, so that the trip coordinator can make sure that too many are not coming along. Your dog will need to be trained to stay with the group and/or be on a leash at all times.
   Hiking With Your Dog: All the Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks, at this time, allow dogs in the backcountry with the stipulation that they be physically restrained the entire time. Dogs in the backcountry are a danger to themselves. For example, they're likely to be spiked by porcupines that prowl campgrounds at night. Even worse, they can endanger their owners and other hikers because dogs infuriate bears. If a dog runs off, it might lead a bear back with it. If you must hike with a dog, never unleash it.
   
   
7. CHILDREN
   Children are permitted on SOME Events. This is at the discretion of the Club Representative. Please see a specific Event’s details to see if children are permitted. The TOC mainly caters to adults and does not want to be liable for a child's injuries on a risky Event.
   
   
8. PHOTOGRAPHY
   All Participants are encouraged to document the Event; however we stress you take extra measures to protect your equipment from undergoing damage. Also note that, during the Event, Club Representatives may be taking photos for use on the web site, in newsletters or other promotional materials. By participating in a Club Event, you are granting the Club permission to reuse these photos of you in such a manner.
   
   
9. LEAVE NO TRACE
   When participating in an Adventure Sport, we ask that you leave a clean trail and unlittered camp. We encourage you to clean up after others that have come before you, as much as you can. This allows others to enjoy the trail and camp, as you did.
   1. Stay on the trail. Do not create shortcuts. Shortcuts can cause erosion and damages the trail and trail environment. (Report any fallen trees or misuse of the trails to the club President, Jenn Pammett).
   2. Carry out all litter. Leave the campsite and trail cleaner than you found it. If there is preexisting litter, please dispose or take with you as much as you can.
   3. Do not remove and take with you pieces of nature that you may encounter on the trail. Club Representatives may ask you to surrender such items and/or return them to where you found them.
   4. Protect water sources. Do not use soap in streams/lakes. Wash yourself, utensils, and clothes away from all water sources.
   5. Bury human waste. Where privies are not available, dig a "cathole" at least 6 inches deep and cover afterward. You should be at least 100 yards from any water source or camping area. Do not leave toilet paper above ground.
   6. Sterilize all drinking water. Treat water with iodine tablets, filter or boil before consuming.
   7. Take care with food. Animals frequent camp/picnic areas. If staying overnight, hang food at least 10 feet above ground and away from the trunk of the tree. Leaving food in your automobile is fine, if possible. Also, never leave smelly products (like toothpaste) in your tent.
   8. Be careful with fires. Use campstoves for cooking. Use only downed wood for campfires and keep them small. Never leave a fire unattended and always extinguish them with water. Some areas have fire bans along the trail, so be sure to check before starting a fire.
   
   
10. FIRST AID
    Event Attendees are responsible for their own First Aid care and are encouraged to carry a first aid kit, and have first aid training.
    
    
11. WILDLIFE
    Treat wildlife with respect. Always observe from a safe distance. The TOC does not encourage or condone approaching wild animals or attempting to feed them.
    
    
12. FIREARMS/WEAPONS
    Firearms/weapons are prohibited on all Events.
    
    
13. EVENT CRASHING POLICY
    Event Crashing means attending (or attempting to attend) a club event that you are not registered for. Showing up at a club event, meeting spot, or carpool location with the intention or hope of attending without being on the official sign-up list (or having prior clearance from the event coordinator) is against club policy. Our event sizes are restricted for a number of reasons, and it is not fair to the event coordinator to show up and ask to attend (putting them, and the group, in an awkward position), nor to any members who may still be on the waiting list who would have liked to attend.
    
    Of course, many of our events take place in public venues, accessible to anyone. If you happen to be in the same place as one of our events, this in itself does not constitute crashing, however, integrating into the event group and participating as a member of the group does. If you are simply participating in the same activity at the same place/time as a group, be sure to participate on your own rather than attempting to integrate with the club group.
    
    Crashing a club event may result in a warning from the club executive, and a second incident may result in a three-month-suspension of your club membership.