Glenwalk Terms & Conditions
SECTION A – RULES OF THE CLUB
1. Guidelines for Members of “Glenwalk”
1.1 Mountaineering (including hillwalking, climbing and rambling) is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks. People who take part in our Club activities do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and involvement. If you apply to join the Club you agree that you wish to take part in the activities despite these risks.
1.2 The Club does not insure members or committee members and does not carry its own public liability insurance. Members should consider obtaining their own insurance and/or should consider the insurance that they can rely upon by virtue of their membership of Mountaineering Ireland.
1.3 Glenwalk is affiliated to Mountaineering Ireland, which is the national governing body for the hillwalking and mountaineering in Ireland. When members join Glenwalk they also join Mountaineering Ireland and have a separate contract and relationship with Mountaineering Ireland. Please refer to Section D below for details about a Glenwalk’s member’s relationship with Mountaineering Ireland and the insurance benefits which Mountaineering Ireland offers its member, including Glenwalk members.
1.4 A leader is a member appointed by the Club or a group of members on a walk to organise and manage the walk on behalf of the Club. All members have a duty of responsibility towards the leader and the group as a whole. This means that each member must not do anything to undermine the authority of the leader nor the safety of the group.
1.5 Listen carefully at the walk start to the address and instructions given by the leader where the walks are described. It is each member’s individual responsibility to should select a walk that matches your ability and fitness level on the day. If in doubt err on the side of caution.
2. It is irresponsible to go on a walk if you are unwell or injured. If you are not in a fit enough condition to do a walk you must not take part. If you start a walk it is a representation to the Club that you are physically fit and there is no health or other reason why you should not participate in the walk that you have chosen.
2.1 Insofar as is possible the group should stay reasonably close together while walking.
2.2 If a walker insists on leaving their group during a walk they must inform the leader. It is vital that the walker later contacts the leader on their safe arrival back at the walk start or in the pub. Failure to do so could entail calling out Mountain Rescue. (Tel.: 112)
2.3 If a walker is unable to continue for whatever reason then the walker must tell the leader and explain to the leader the reason for being unable to continue, the leader will appoint someone of sufficient ability and properly equipped with map etc. to return with them to the walk start.
2.4 Any independent decision to leave the group (i.e. not a decision agreed to by the leader) is the walker’s own decision and the Club is not responsible for anything that happens to the walker upon leaving the group.
2.5 A walker must leave the walk if requested to do so by the leader. The leader will appoint someone to accompany them if the leader deems it necessary, e.g. if a considerable distance has been covered since the walk start.
2.6 If a walker wishes to stop (e.g. to put on leggings etc.) while the main group is walking they must inform the leader or back marker. The back marker is a member that the leader appoints to walk at the very back of the group to keep the group together and he or she carries out that role on behalf of the Club. The leader will then decide if it is necessary/appropriate to stop the group.
2.7 Walkers must follow all reasonable instructions from the leader or back marker. Bear in mind that the leaders and or back markers are all volunteers and should be respected as such.
2.8 The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not adequately equipped (see next point) or anyone who in the leader’s opinion is unfit to walk from joining the walk and he makes that decision on behalf of the Club. The leader has the right to extend, curtail or alter the route from that described at the walk start. The leader sets the pace of the hike and walkers are expected to follow this pace, assuming that the pace set is reasonable for the walk level.
2.9 It is each member’s individual responsibility to ensure that he or she is adequately equipped having regards to the walk planned and also the environmental conditions, i.e. sturdy boots with ankle support, raingear, hat, gloves, scarf, hot drink (an unbreakable flask is advisable) and appropriate food. Members are also recommended to use gaiters, a balaclava and a walking stick, and to bring or wear a spare fleece. Please see Section D.18 below
2.10 A walker is responsible for keeping their own property safe on a walk or travelling to a walk.
2.11 All walkers should have a torch with a battery, a back up battery and spare bulb.
2.12 All walkers should have a whistle, which should be used to attract attention. Bear in mind that whistles can only be heard over a short distance.
2.13 Whistle: 6 blasts per minute in rapid succession indicates distress, 3 per minute to respond.
2.14 All walkers should have a backpack with adequate food and drink for a day on the hills.
2.15 It is recommended that walkers purchase an Ordnance Survey (OS) map Sheet 56 (laminated) of the Discovery Series. It will be useful for finding the walk start.
2.16 All walkers should learn how to read a 6 figure OS grid reference number. Most of the walk starting points are given as grid references.
2.17 All walkers should have a watch and should also familiarise themselves with the latest weather forecast.
2.18 All walkers should bring a mobile phone with them, preferably with GPS. Phones should have “ICE” contacts with details of who to phone in the case of an emergency.
2.19 Note that in an emergency a Text Message/SMS may get through where when a phone call won’t.
3. Glenwalk Complaints Procedures
3.1 Please click here for more information.
4. Glenwalk Privacy Policy
4.1 This forms part of your Agreement with the Club. Please click here for more details.
SECTION B THE GLENWALK HILLWALKING CLUB CONSTITUTION
1. “GLENWALK” CONSTITUTION
1.1 NAME AND ADDRESS
1.2 The name of the Club shall be “GLENWALK” Hereinafter referred to as “the Club”.
1.3 The address of the Club shall be: info@glenwalk.com and the address of the current club Secretary.
2. OBJECTIVES AND ETHOS OF THE CLUB
2.1 To bring people together through the various club activities of hillwalking, mountaineering and social events. The club’s ethos and guiding principles are kindness, care and respect for the individual.
2.2 To act on behalf of and in the interests of Club members.
2.3 To promote awareness of the need to maintain access, to promote conservation and protection of the mountain environment.
2.4 To support the work and activities of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland.
3. MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB
3.1 Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons over the age of 18 hereinafter referred to as “the Membership”.
3.2 Admission of new members shall be at the discretion of the Committee. Prospective members may apply, to the Applications Secretary, to be considered for membership at any Committee meeting. A candidate for membership shall be admitted by a simple majority of the Committee. In case of a tie the Chair has the casting vote.
3.3 Membership of the Club shall only be open to individuals who recognise that climbing, hillwalking 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. Members must also accept that notwithstanding the social nature of the Club hillwalking is a sport that requires a certain level of fitness.
3.4 All members must accept and adhere to the Club “Guidelines for Members”.
3.5 All non-members who participate in activities organised by the Club shall be regarded as Temporary Members for the duration of such activities. Such Temporary Members shall not be qualified to be officers or members of the Committee or to vote as members or to claim any share in the property of the Club upon its dissolution.
3.6 The club may elect Lifetime Honorary Members at the AGM. A Lifetime Honorary Member will first have to be nominated by the committee for election at an Annual General Meeting, the committee having been satisfied that the person has rendered outstanding service to the club over a period of at least 5 years. A lifetime Honorary Member will be a full member of the club, but shall not be liable to pay membership subscriptions.
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”, which shall be composed of the Officers of the Club, as detailed below.
4.2 Subcommittees may be appointed, from time to time, where necessary to aid the Committee in the running of the club.
5. OFFICERS OF THE CLUB
5.1 Election of Officers: Nominations, accompanied by proposer and seconder, to be forwarded to club Chairperson at least 14 days before the AGM. The list of candidates shall then be emailed to the members. Voting shall be carried out by secret ballot at the AGM. Members unable to attend may vote by proxy, ie. postal or e mail. The Chairperson shall keep a record of proxies received and ballot papers distributed to members. Proxy votes to be sent to the Chairperson at least 48 hours before the AGM. Election shall be by simple majority. If a candidate is unopposed they shall be deemed elected. Up to 7 club members can be elected to the Committee at AGM.
5.2 The Officers of the Club at their first meeting after the AGM shall elect a Chairperson by simple majority. The post of Chairperson may be rotated at any time during the year by agreement of the majority of the Club Officers.
5.3 At the first meeting after the AGM the Club Officers shall, by common agreement, be allocated the various tasks deemed necessary for the efficient management of the Club throughout the year. These posts may alter or rotate at any time during the year.
5.4 The Officers of the Club shall have the power to co-opt additional members onto the Committee with full voting rights. This to be decided by simple majority at a Committee meeting.
5.5 An Officer shall serve until they resign or are replaced by election at the AGM or EGM.
6. COMMITTEE OF THE CLUB
6.1 The Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Club and any members co-opted by the Committee.
6.2 The Committee shall nominate a representative (or representatives) of the Club to attend Mountaineering Ireland Council meetings and represent the views of the Membership and vote on behalf of the Club.
6.3 All decisions of the Committee shall by made by a simple majority. All the elected members of the Committee shall have one vote on every question and in the case of equality, the Chair or other member presiding at the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
6.4 A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be at least half of the Committee members.
6.5 In addition to the AGM the Committee shall hold a minimum of four meetings each club year.
7. GENERAL MEETINGS
7.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be each year held on any day in the months of January or February the date of which will be agreed by the Committee.
7.2 Notice of every General Meeting shall be given to every member of the Club, by e-mail at least 28 days before the meeting. Items for inclusion in the agenda of the General Meeting must be submitted to the Chairperson not less than 14 days before the meeting. Such items shall then be immediately emailed to the members.
7.3 The quorum for all General Meetings of members qualified to vote shall be twenty. Should there not be a quorum present within half an hour of the time of the meeting, it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, and if, at such adjourned meeting, a quorum is not present within fifteen minutes from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the voting members present shall be a quorum for that meeting.
7.4 Every member present shall be entitled to one vote upon every motion and, in the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
7.5 Voting on all issues at General Meetings, other than the election of Officers, shall be by show of hands or otherwise as the Chairman may direct. Each issue shall be determined by simple majority unless otherwise stated.
7.6 Upon direction of the Committee, or upon a requisition signed by at least 20 members stating distinctly the purpose for which the meeting is desired, the Club Secretary shall call an EGM, to be held in not less than 28 days of receipt of such direction or requisition. Notice shall be given, by e-mail, to all members eligible to attend not less than 21 days before the meeting is to be held. These notice provisions may be relaxed by a majority vote at a General Meeting to whatever notice periods the majority may deem appropriate.
8. CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS
8.1 The Committee shall have the power to set membership subscription levels for the Club.
8.2 The annual subscription of all members shall be due and payable on the first of November each year.
8.3 Payment of all subscriptions shall be made to the Club by whatever manner the Committee may from time to time direct.
9. RULES OF THE CLUB
9.1 The Committee may from time to time make, repeal and amend Club rules (not inconsistent with this constitution) as they think necessary for the management and the well being of the Club.
9.2 All members shall abide by the Club “Guidelines for Members”.
9.3 When members use club equipment they do so entirely at their own risk.
9.4 It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that the details submitted on their Application Form are correct and that they have a correctly functioning Email address. Where an Email address is unavailable or temporarily out of use it is that member’s responsibility to find alternative means of acquiring club information.
10. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
10.1 If in the opinion of the Committee, the conduct of any member of the Club shall warrant such a course, it shall have the power to immediately suspend such member, and to request an explanation for such conduct. Should an explanation not be forthcoming within two weeks or should an explanation not prove satisfactory, the Committee may call upon such member to resign and may, if such resignation is not forthcoming, expel such member from the Club.
10.2 The Committee shall demand of any member who shall wilfully or recklessly damage any property of the Club to make good at the member’s own expense any injury or loss occasioned by such member’s action.
11. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CLUB
11.1 This Constitution may be added to, repealed or amended by a resolution at any General Meeting provided such resolution is passed by at least a two thirds majority. Notice of any proposed amendment must be delivered to the Secretary at least 21 days prior to the AGM and 28 days prior to an EGM in order to facilitate communication of the amendment to the members within the requisite notice periods.
12. DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB
12.1 If at any General Meeting a resolution for the dissolution of the Club shall be passed by a majority of the members present and at an EGM held not less than six weeks thereafter (of which not less than four weeks notice shall be given to each member), the Committee shall thereupon, or at such future date as shall be specified, proceed to realise the property of the Club and after discharge of all liabilities shall donate the balance to the Irish Mountain Rescue Association or if this is not possible, then the balance shall be donated to any local Mountain Rescue Team.
SECTION C – MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
13. General
13.1 Please note that no matter when you join, your membership expires on 31st October. Refund Policy: In exceptional circumstances, a membership refund may be given at the discretion of the Committee. Any application for a refund should be made in writing and the reasons for the application given.
13.2 Where the Glenwalk Website contains links to other sites, advertisements and /or resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only. We have no control over the contents of those sites, advertisements, resources or the third parties that provide them, and the Club accepts no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them. The display of such inks to other sites, advertisements and /or resources does not in any way imply a recommendation or endorsement by the Club of the relevant advertiser, its products or services or any such linked website.
13.3 The Club is managed by a voluntary Committee (max 7 members) who are elected at the AGM in September. Any act that a Committee member takes in connection with the Club is done on behalf of the Club and not in his/her personal capacity.
13.4 To the extent permitted by law, you agree that neither you, or anyone associated or connected with you will make any claim against a leader, back marker or Committee member in their personal capacity in respect of any injury suffered by you or any damage to any of your property regardless of how the injury or damage occurs.
13.5 To the extent permitted by law, the Club expressly excludes all conditions, warranties and other terms which might otherwise be implied by statute, common law or the law of equity. To the extent permitted by law, the Club expressly excludes any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage incurred by a member in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation any liability for loss of income for any other loss or damage of any kind, however arising and whether caused by tort (including negligence), breach of contract or otherwise, even if foreseeable, provided that this condition shall not prevent claims arising from the Club’s negligence, fraud nor any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law. This shall not affect your statutory rights.
13.6 All members must be over 18 years of age when applying for membership.
13.7 You may start walking with us as soon as you get confirmation by email that you application for membership is accepted. The Club walks will be listed on the website under “Calendar”. Non members cannot join walks organised by the Club.
13.8 We don’t issue “Glenwalk” membership cards, however you will receive a Mountaineering Ireland membership card from the Mountaineering Ireland about 2 to 3 months after joining. As the Club name will be on the Mountaineering Ireland card we generally accept this as evidence of your membership of the Club. Bring the card with you on walks. Do not give your card to any one else under any circumstances. You are responsible for any use of your card by a person.
13.9 Members pay online on the part of the Glenwalk Website operated by Realex by using of laser card (debit card) or by specified credit card. We use Realex to assist with our payments. When you pay online on Glenwalk Website you instruct Realex to effect your payment online. The Glenwalk Website does not record your credit card details and none of the Glenwalk committee members will be able to see your credit card details. If you do not have a laser card (debit card) or credit card, 3V vouchers (prepaid VISA numbers) can be used. These can be purchased by anyone who has the use of a mobile phone and an email address throughwww.3v.ie .
13.10 Please see www.realex.ie and www.3v.ie for the terms and conditions that apply when you process payment in this ways. We are not responsible or liable for your use of Realex, 3V or any other payment processor that you choose to use to pay for your membership application or for any Glenwalk trip.
13.11 You warrant that any information that you give to Glenwalk when applying for membership is true and complete.
13.12 This website is used to inform you of walks and events as well as general Club information. Email will be used to keep you up-to-date on Club activities. Please note that HOTMAIL accounts can be very problematic and if your mail box is full it will reject emails from us without even having the courtesy to tell you!! You must also set up your HOTMAIL Account to accept Group Mails from Glenwalk (Go to Home Page and click on Membership Application for details on how to do this). Another problem we have encountered is that some companies block group mails as they identify it as Spam. So if you are using your company’s email system check to see what restrictions they impose. (Though the IT guys will often deny blocking group mails at first!)
14. MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONS
14.1 All members must read and abide by the Club Constitution and Guidelines, and this Agreement.
15. Alternative Walks and other Events
15.1 From time to time various members organise walks/events on alternative days during the week/weekend. Please note that as these are NOT official “Glenwalk” activities the Club accepts no responsibility or liability for them. Examples of such walks are walks on alternate Sundays; Saturday Walks; Wednesday Walks organised during the Summer etc. These and other events are usually e-mailed by the organiser to the Chairman who then forwards them to you on behalf of the organiser[2]. There are NO CAR POOLS for alternative walks.
16. SOCIAL
16.1 Club members organise various social events throughout the year such as the Xmas party, Barbecue, Mulled Wine Walk etc. These events will be advertised on the website and you will also be sent emails informing you of the details. We also meet with our friends of Glenans Sailing on the last Wednesday of every month in Doheny and Nesbitt’s, Baggot Street (upstairs). Please note that as these are NOT official “Glenwalk” activities the Club accepts no responsibility or liability for them. These and other events are usually e-mailed by the organiser to the Chairman who then forwards them to you on behalf of the organiser[3].
17. CLUB EQUIPMENT
17.1 The Club has a pool of camping gear and climbing gear for use by its members. Please contact the Committee for details. Note that all equipment is used entirely at the member’s risk and that the Club accepts no responsibility or liability for faulty equipment or for any accident that may occur while using this equipment. Please examine equipment carefully before use to ensure it’s not faulty.
SECTION D – MEMBERSHIP OF MOUNTAINEERING IRELAND AND INSURANCE
18. MOUNTAINEERING IRELAND
18.1 Glenwalk is affiliated to Mountaineering Ireland, which is the national governing body for the hillwalking and mountaineering community in Ireland. When members join Glenwalk they also separately join Mountaineering Ireland and have a separate contract and relationship with Mountaineering Ireland. Please refer to www.mountaineering.ie.
18.2 By virtue of your membership of Mountaineering Ireland only, not of Glenwalk, members benefit from insurance cover obtained by Mountaineering Ireland and for further information in relation to insurance members should contact Mountaineering Ireland. For the purposes of Mountaineering Ireland’s insurance, Mountaineering Ireland has informed Glenwalk that its members cannot rely on the scrambling/rock climbing component of its insurance.
18.3 All members of Mountaineering Ireland will receive a Mountaineering Ireland membership card, issued by Mountaineering Ireland. Note: there are NO membership cards for “Glenwalk”
18.4 As an agent for Mountaineering Ireland we will provide you with updates that Mountaineering Ireland ask us to pass on to you via the Glenwalk Email Distribution List.
18.5 Where this Agreement contains links to Mountaineering Ireland these links are provided for your information only. Glenwalk has no control in relation to your agreement with Mountaineering Ireland and accepts no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your contract with Mountaineering Ireland.
18.6 Mountaineering Ireland will issue you with a card dealing with your membership of Mountaineering Ireland within two or three months of you becoming a member of the Club. If you are concerned about a delay in receiving your Mountaineering Ireland card please contact the Mountaineering Ireland at www.mountaineering.ie
18.7 The period of membership of Mountaineering Ireland is the same as the membership of the Club (November 1st to October 31st each year).
18.8 All members of Mountaineering Ireland will receive the Mountain Log hill walking magazine, issued by Mountaineering Ireland (3 editions).
18.9 If you are already an Individual Member of Mountaineering Ireland you may have to rejoin Mountaineering Ireland through Glenwalk. This is because the dates of Individual Mountaineering Ireland Membership are rarely concurrent with those of Glenwalk Membership and you might therefore not be insured. Please contact Mountaineering Ireland if you have any questions or for confirmation of this information.