Purpose of this document

  • To assist future Committees in the production of a constitution that outlines their duties, responsibilities, and guidances which members are expected to abide by.
  • To provide the Athletic Union with details about the Mountaineering Club.

Contents

About as exciting as watching paint dry
Like watching paint dry.
  1. Name of the Club
  2. Aims and Objectives of the Club
  3. Membership of the Club
  4. Management of the Club
  5. Club Subscriptions and Finance
  6. Club Officials
  7. Duties of Club Officials
  8. Rules of the Club
  9. Amendments to the Club Constitution

Constitution

  1. Name of the Club
    1. The Club’s name shall be the Newcastle University Mountaineering Club. It will be referred to henceforth as the ‘Club’.
    2. Those chosen to collectively represent the ‘Club’ shall be referred to as the ‘Committee’.
  2. Aims and Objectives of the Club
    1. The aims and objectives of the Club are to promote the interests of climbing and mountaineering amongst members of the Club.
    2. To provide an opportunity for members of the Club to meet and participate in climbing and mountaineering activities together
    3. To act on behalf of and in the interests of the Club members.
    4. To promote awareness of the need to maintain access, conservation and protection of the cliff and mountain environment.
    5. To assist in the safe education and introduction of students to mountaineering and climbing through the use of courses and experienced members.
  3. Membership of the Club
    1. Membership of the Club will be open to all members of the Union of Newcastle Upon Tyne University in accordance with the Union Constitution.
    2. Membership of the Club, in addition to point 3.1, will be open to individuals who recognise the potential dangers of climbing and mountaineering. Members shall be aware of these risks, and agree to be responsible for their own actions.
    3. Club membership is not open to minors (unless written parental consent is obtained).
  4. Management of the Club
    1. Management of the Club will be entrusted to the Club Committee. (see point 6)
  5. Club Subscriptions and Finance
    1. An annual membership fee is required from all Club members. The Committee, who are also responsible for its collection, determines this fee.
    2. Student Union members shall receive no payment from the Club, except in legitimate expenses occurred in connection with the Club business.
  6. Club Officials
    1. An executive Committee will conduct the Club’s administration. This will not operate in an autonomous manner, but will satisfy all Club members.
    2. The democratically elected Committee will consist of:
      1. President
      2. Secretary
      3. Treasurer
      4. Equipment Officer (Gear Secretary)
      5. Social Secretary (x2)
      6. Publicity/ Web Page Editor
      7. Journal Officer
      8. Clothing, Merchandise and Sponsorship Secretary
    3. All of the Committee shall be full time members of the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne Union of Students.
    4. Each Committee shall serve one complete academic year.
  7. Duties of Club Officials
    1. The Club President is responsible for:
      1. Ensuring that all Club members read and understand the safety policy. They must also sign to acknowledge this.
      2. Ensuring that Club policies are adhered to.
      3. Ensuring the Club Committee contains officers named in 6.2.
      4. Maintaining the Club Safety Policy, and ensuring that all members on trips have read the policy, and signed to confirm this.
      5. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    2. The Club Secretary is responsible for:
      1. Administration of the Club.
      2. Providing a full and detailed list of Club members to the AU President.
      3. Providing secretarial support to the Club Committee and issuing the minutes of meetings to Club members.
      4. Ensuring affiliation to the relevant national governing body (British Mountaineering Council (BMC).
      5. Administering the Club’s insurance policies.
      6. Compiling introductory material for new members in conjunction with the Club Committee.
      7. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    3. The Treasurer is responsible for:
      1. Administering the Club’s finances.
      2. Producing the club’s annual budget.
      3. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    4. The Equipment Officer is responsible for:
      1. Producing an annual inventory of the Club equipment and filing a copy of this document.
      2. Storing and maintaining all equipment in accordance with the manufacturers and Club guidelines.
      3. Keeping accurate records of all safety checks in an Equipment Log Book.
      4. Recording information regarding equipment failure of damage in the above-mentioned book.
      5. Recording the whereabouts of all equipment in the Equipment Log Book, and ensuring that returned equipment, intended for further use, has been returned in a satisfactory condition.
      6. Ensuring that Club Equipment is not misused, and is only used for the intended purpose.
      7. Ensuring that Club Equipment is not normally loaned for personal use, with the exception of Club trips. (Exceptions also made at the discretion of the AU President.)
      8. Ensuring Club Equipment is returned promptly to its place of storage.
      9. Preventing the use of deemed unsafe equipment, and arranging the disposal of such equipment.
      10. Advising the Club on equipment purchases.
      11. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    5. The Social Secretaries are responsible for:
      1. Overall organisation of all social events.
      2. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    6. The Publicity/ Web Page Editor is responsible for:
      1. The maintenance of the Web Page (www.numc.co.uk).
      2. Publicising Club events on the Club notice board.
      3. Wider advertisement and image upkeep of the Club.
      4. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    7. The Journal Officers are responsible for:
      1. The production of the annual Club journal.
      2. Selling the above journal.
      3. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
    8. The Clothing, Merchandise and Sponsorship Secretary is responsible for:
      1. Organising sponsorship.
      2. Designing, ordering and distributing club clothing and merchandise.
      3. Any other duties as agreed by the Committee.
  8. Rules of the Club
    1. The Committee shall have the power to set Club rules, in accordance with the Club Constitution, and as set out by the BMC.
  9. Amendments to the Club Constitution
    1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority. Notice of any amendment must be delivered to the Secretary and announced at the next AGM.

Constitution written by James ‘Godfather of soul’ Brown, September 1998
Revised by Ellie Read, September 2000
Revised by Tom Shaw, September 2005
Revised by David Wilberforce, September 2006
Revised by Christine Hall, September 2011