Texins Outdoor Club Charter
ARTICLE 1
NAME, PURPOSE, OBJECTIVE
SECTION 1.1 (Name)
The name of this club shall be the Texins Outdoor Club.
SECTION 1.2 (Purpose)
The Texins Outdoor Club is organized primarily to provide a medium for people to participate in hiking and backpacking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities with a great deal of fun and safety.
SECTION 1.3 (Objective)
The Texins Outdoor Club shall strive to promote a better appreciation of nature, teach wilderness ethics, and promote safety by the following manner:
1.3.1 All members shall be instructed to observe and obey proper wilderness behavior in accordance with the Leave No Trace principles, as set forth by Leave No Trace, Inc., a non-profit educational corporation authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote the Leave No Trace educational message. A copy of this document will be supplied to all new members and a copy will be kept for access at anytime by members at http://www.outdoorclub.org/LNT/LNT Principles.htm.
1.3.2 Beginning Backpackers/Hikers: by providing class instruction plus organizing weekend backpacking trips and hikes with experienced club members over terrain deemed to be of suitable trail length and conditions for the novice. These trips will be scheduled in the spring and fall months, and will be in the state(s) of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
1.3.3 Intermediate/Advanced Backpackers/Hikers: by providing instruction plus trips at a higher level of expertise.
1.3.4 Beginning Rock Climbers: by providing class instruction plus organizing day climbs with experienced climbers.
1.3.5 Intermediate/Advanced Rock Climbers: by providing instruction plus events at a higher level of expertise.
1.3.6 Beginning Mountain Biking: by providing class instruction plus organizing day rides with experienced mountain bicyclists.
1.3.7 Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Biking: by providing instruction plus events at a higher level of expertise.
1.3.8 Beginning Kayakers and Canoeists: by providing class instruction plus organizing weekend training by experienced club members on water conditions deemed appropriate for novice paddlers. There shall be a training class offered at least once per month, weather permitting.
1.3.9 Intermediate/Advanced Kayakers and Canoeists: by providing instruction and trips at a higher level of expertise.
1.3.10 Organize extended trips to locations across the North American Continent and other countries.
1.3.11 Training and sport competitions on climbing wall.
1.3.12 Opportunity for backpackers, hikers, and climbers of similar abilities to meet and enhance performance.
1.3.13 Safety and rescue training for members.
1.3.14 Be a representative body to the uninformed public and assist in resolving access issues.
1.3.15 Maintain a library of magazines, books & videos on Hiking, Backpacking, Paddling, Mountain Biking, and Rock Climbing.
ARTICLE 2
MEETINGS
SECTION 2.1 (Regular)
Regular meetings of the general membership shall be held on a monthly basis, at a time, date, and location selected by the Executive Committee. This meeting will be considered a Regular Club Meeting, to conduct routine club business. The meeting time, date, and location will be communicated in the "Calendar of Events" page on the website. A concise recap of the minutes from each months meetings shall be displayed on the Texins Outdoor Club "Calendar of Events" page, and archived after a one year period.
SECTION 2.2 (Notice)
Members shall be informed of all meetings of the Outdoor Club by email, phone, in person, and/or on the Texins Outdoor Club "Calendar of Events" page.
SECTION 2.3 (Quorum)
At all club meetings, 50% of the elected officers and 10% of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, provided all members have been notified, in advance, of the meeting time and place.
SECTION 2.4 (Voting)
All decisions shall be determined by the majority of members present at each meeting, provided all members have been notified, in advance, of the meeting time and place.
ARTICLE 3
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
SECTION 3.1 Executive Committee and Officer Positions
3.1.1 The Executive Committee shall be composed of, at a minimum, the following officers: President, Vice Presidents, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee may create other officer roles and appoint officers for those positions as deemed necessary or put the positions to a vote of the club members. The Executive Committee shall be elected for a one-year term during the last quarter of each calendar year.
3.1.2 The Club Officers shall be composed of positions deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Officers can be elected at any time during the calendar year to complete that years duties.
SECTION 3.2 Duties of the Executive Committee are as follows:
3.2.1 President: The President’s mission shall be to provide leadership and generally improve the club. The President shall preside over all meetings and helps coordinate all matters brought before the club. The President shall notify club members of meetings and agenda. The President shall act as ambassador for the club and liaison between the Texins Board of Directors and club members.
3.2.2 Vice President: The Vice President shall be in charge of communication between the officers and membership in the form of email notifications of upcoming events. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in absence of the President and assist in all club activities.
3.2.3 Program Vice Presidents (Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Paddling, and Backpacking): The Program Vice Presidents shall be present at all club meetings to advise club members on upcoming events as well as recap past events. The Program Vice Presidents shall preside at meetings in absence of the President and Vice President and assist in all club activities. The Program Vice Presidents shall perform the following duties over their program: Conduct beginner classes; Promote a keen awareness of safety; Develop and organize instruction on safe practices; Becomes a certified trainer or expert then conduct training courses for our members; Plan and coordinate several events each year, catering to all levels of the sport; Evaluate equipment needs for our membership and submit annual equipment requests; Work with the Equipment Officer to maintain club equipment in good working condition; Work with Membership Officer to obtain medical information and emergency contacts for each participant of an events.
3.2.4 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain financial records of the club. The Treasurer shall provide a treasurer report at each monthly meeting. Good working knowledge of MS Excel is required.
ARTICLE 4
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 4.1 (Eligibility)
Membership in the Texins Outdoor Club is open to everyone. The club must maintain 75% of the membership to be held by employees, contractors, former employees, or retirees (and their family members) of Texas Instruments, MEMC Southwest (Sherman), Photronics (Allen), DSC Communications, Sterling Software, Air Liquide (TI Dallas Expressway site), Raytheon (North Texas Area), TriQuint, or Micron Technology.
SECTION 4.2 (Resignation, Suspension, and Termination of Members)
A member may resign from the club at any time, but payment of club dues will not be refunded. Failure of any member to comply with the policies in sections 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 may result in involuntary suspension or termination of membership by the consensus of the club officers or by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the membership quorum present at a regular club meeting. A member whose membership has been terminated may not reapply for membership, and dues will not be refunded.
SECTION 4.3 (Trip Organizer)
4.3.1 Any member of the club can organize a trip.
4.3.2 The Trip Organizer must submit a complete itinerary to the club members, with enough advance notice for planning, which is to include the price of the trip, due dates for payments, and if any portion of the deposit is non-refundable, expertise/experience level required, prerequisites for the trip (i.e. beginner class completion, physical fitness, map reading proficiency, certifications, etc.) total number of people allowed to participate on the trip, dates, required and/or suggested equipment list, and Trip Organizer contact information.
4.3.3 It is at the Trip Organizer’s discretion if they would like to schedule a planning meeting of interested members to finalize specifics of the trip.
4.3.4 In the event of changes to the planned itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather, delays, reroute requirements, etc.) the Trip Organizer shall make all changes to the plan as they deem necessary. It is at the Trip Organizer’s discretion to take a vote on these changes.
4.3.5 It is the Trip Organizer’s responsibility to set departure times.
4.3.6 The Trip Organizer has the final word on decisions affecting the group for purposes of safety and the well being of the group as a whole.
4.3.7 No member under the age of 18 can participate on a trip, without their legal guardian in attendance.
4.3.8 It is the responsibility of the Trip Organizer to inform the group of any changes to the published plan (i.e. departure times, group splitting into smaller sub-groups, and sub-group co-organizers).
4.3.9 It is at the Trip Organizer’s discretion to designate a “front door” and “back door” person for the group. The front door person always stays at the front of the group and the back door person is to stay at the back of the group when on trips. Whenever possible these two people should stay in contact.
4.3.10 It is the Trip Organizer’s responsibility to distribute a list of participants’ names, map or written description of the route, and driving directions to each participant.
SECTION 4.4 (Trip Participant)
4.4.1 Any member of the club can participate on a trip if they are 18 or over or with a legal guardian over 18.
4.4.2 It is the responsibility of the club member to know their limitations, experience level, expertise, physical fitness, and if any prerequisites required for a trip have been met. If the group is planning to do an activity the participant doesn’t feel they are ready for physically or mentally, they are to let the Trip Organizer know.
4.4.3 It is the responsibility of the club member to read the entire itinerary of a trip and sign up only if you are willing to accept all of the conditions set forth by the Trip Organizer as well as those not published as unforeseen. Participants are welcome to make suggestions (for the good of the group) to the Trip Organizer.
4.4.4 All club trips are group events and therefore require each member to consider the well being of the group as a whole.
4.4.5 All members of the Texins Outdoor Club represent our organization when participating in club events. It is expected that members be courteous to the people we come in contact with (i.e. outfitters, rangers, restaurant & hotel staff, etc.)
4.4.6 All members are expected to be proactive regarding trip information provided by the trip organizer. The participants need to know the trip plan, become familiar with the map or written route, identify the trail markers, be aware of and observe time restrictions, understand food storage rules, obtain a food storage container if required, and view wildlife and terrain videos when offered. When possible, the participants of a trip should visit the ranger station to learn how to be safe, ask questions, and know the people in their group.
4.4.7 Participants are responsible for ensuring they have all necessary gear for a trip. A list of suggested/required equipment will be provided by the Trip Organizer. A complete list of club equipment, available for rent, is published on the website.
4.4.8 Participants are expected to stay with the group. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Trip Organizer. Participants should inform the Trip Organizer of your intended plan, and expected return time. The Trip Organizer will consider the well being of the group as a whole when considering your request.
4.4.9 All club members are required to follow the Leave No Trace principles. If participants are not sure of what the best practice is in a situation, they should ask the Trip Organizer or another member of the club. The Leave No Trace principles are available on the website at http://www.outdoorclub.org/LNT/LNT Principles.htm.
SECTION 4.5 (Drugs, Alcohol, & Firearms Policy)
4.5.1 The Texins Outdoor Club has a zero tolerance policy on the use of illegal drugs at any club event.
4.5.2 The Texins Outdoor Club does not allow the consumption of alcohol on club outings where alcohol is prohibited by law.
4.5.3 The excessive use of alcohol at a club event (where alcohol is permitted) resulting in behavior that others in the group find offensive is not permitted.
4.5.4 No firearms are allowed at club events.
ARTICLE 5
OPERATING FUNDS
SECTION 5.1 (Dues)
There shall be a annual charge assessed for all individual and family memberships determind by the elected officers.
SECTION 5.2 (Fees)
Fees may be assessed for instructional classes, club equipment rentals, competitions, use of climbing wall and other activities as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or general membership.
SECTION 5.3 (Use)
The funds of the Texins Outdoor Club shall be used as authorized by the Executive Committee or by the general membership. A monthly report of all income and expenses shall be given by the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 6
LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
SECTION 6.1
Membership in the Texins Outdoor Club shall be publicized through the use of the flyers, brochures, word of mouth, and by invitation during club activities.
SECTION 6.2
The Texins Association shall have the right to forbid the club from participating in events if deemed improper by corporate standards.
SECTION 6.3
All revisions to the club charter must be submitted to the Texins Board of Directors for review and approval.
