Desert Trails Hiking Club leads hikes in and around the Coachella Valley

Name:

The name of the club is Desert Trails Hiking Club.

Purpose:

The purpose of Desert Trails Hiking Club (hereinafter referred to as "Club") is to enjoy and promote hiking throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond, in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie.

Membership:

Membership in the Club is granted on a yearly basis to anyone who fills out an application, signs a waiver of liability, and pays dues. The anniversary of membership is from date of application. Membership status entitles a member to participate in hikes upon agreement of the hike leader and to attend the social activities. Members are responsible for following the guidelines laid out by the hike leader, for refraining from soliciting other members for business, and for maintaining decorum at social gatherings.

Direction:

The Club shall be guided by the Coordinating Council (CC), which was established in January, 2004. The CC will establish guidelines and make policy decisions consistent with the master strategy and available resources.

Master Strategy:

The Desert Trails Hiking Club will provide for and insure continued not for profit operation in support of approximately four hundred members in the local area. The club CC will schedule a variety of easy, moderate and strenuous hikes including out of town hiking trips. All hikes will be led by trained hike leaders during the hiking season of October through June each year. The CC shall also schedule a variety of monthly socials and several appreciation events. In addition, the club shall participate in and support organizations in efforts that pertain to trail access, improvement and use.

Coordinating Council (CC) Responsibilities:

The CC is also responsible for the following specific actions:

1. Establishing and maintaining a system for assessing, collecting, recording, and depositing dues payments in a recognized banking establishment,

2. Establishing and maintaining a system to receive and pay bills,

3. Maintaining a bank account and a cash balance approximately equivalent to a year’s operating expenses,

4. Adopting an annual budget,

5. Conducting an annual audit,

6. Maintaining liability insurance at appropriate limits,

7. Establishing and maintaining a system of communication with members which will include a mailing address, website, and open dialogue with members, and may include periodic surveys as the need arises,

8. Creating and communicating the hike schedule,

9. Encouraging participation in Club events,

10. Offering suitable social activities for the membership,

11. Establishing a program to select, train, reward, and recognize hike leaders,

12. Assuring compliance with trail closures and restrictions,

13. Provide input to issues impacting trail closure, development, and usage,

14. Establishing committees and guidelines as deemed necessary for the orderly management of the Club, and

15. Assuring that records are maintained in an orderly manner for a time deemed appropriate.

16. Establishing and reviewing annual goals which are consistent with the master strategy and budget and which relate to

Growth of the club
Variety of hikes
Hike leader recruitment and retention
Hike difficulty
Social functions
Out of town trips
Trail use and improvement

Coordinating Council (CC) Organization:

The CC shall have a minimum of seven members and a maximum of nine members. The Board of the Club evolved into a Coordinating Council with rotating chair to lead the three meetings held each year. The heads of the Hike Leaders Committee, Website Committee, and Social Committee shall be CC members. Others shall be at-large members of the CC. The CC will meet at least quarterly and may meet more frequently. A quorum is five members. CC members are expected to attend every meeting. If a CC member is consistently absent, his or her position shall be considered vacated. The existing CC members shall select a new member. Committee heads and officers shall be selected by consensus of the CC members. If a consensus is unattainable, there shall be a vote of the members present with a simple majority prevailing. The CC will establish a method of assuring both continuity and freshness in its composition and leadership. In general, the CC President shall serve a two-year term and may be re-selected up to two terms. The CC may augment these bylaws by keeping a record of decisions, policies, and guidelines for future reference. The CC may change the bylaws by consensus or, if not attainable, by majority vote.

These bylaws are adopted by motion of the Club Board on March 2, 2005 and amended to reflect the wishes of a majority of Club members, after the 2011 retreat to reflect on the past 10 years of operation, by The Board in 2010.

Mary Barlow, Secretary

Revised and approved by CC 02/21/12


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	DESERT TRAIL HIKING CLUB Bylaws [Updated Feb 21, 2012] Name: The name of the club is Desert Trails Hiking Club. Purpose: The purpose of Desert Trails Hiking Club (hereinafter referred to as "Club") is to enjoy and promote hiking throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond, in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie. Membership: Membership in the Club is granted on a yearly basis to anyone who fills out an application, signs a waiver of liability, and pays dues. The anniversary of membership is from date of application. Membership status entitles a member to participate in hikes upon agreement of the hike leader and to attend the social activities. Members are responsible for following the guidelines laid out by the hike leader, for refraining from soliciting other members for business, and for maintaining decorum at social gatherings. Direction: The Club shall be guided by the Coordinating Council (CC), which was established in January, 2004. The CC will establish guidelines and make policy decisions consistent with the master strategy and available resources. Master Strategy: The Desert Trails Hiking Club will provide for and insure continued not for profit operation in support of approximately four hundred members in the local area. The club CC will schedule a variety of easy, moderate and strenuous hikes including out of town hiking trips. All hikes will be led by trained hike leaders during the hiking season of October through June each year. The CC shall also schedule a variety of monthly socials and several appreciation events. In addition, the club shall participate in and support organizations in efforts that pertain to trail access, improvement and use. Coordinating Council (CC) Responsibilities: The CC is also responsible for the following specific actions: 1. Establishing and maintaining a system for assessing, collecting, recording, and depositing dues payments in a recognized banking establishment, 2. Establishing and maintaining a system to receive and pay bills, 3. Maintaining a bank account and a cash balance approximately equivalent to a year’s operating expenses, 4. Adopting an annual budget, 5. Conducting an annual audit, 6. Maintaining liability insurance at appropriate limits, 7. Establishing and maintaining a system of communication with members which will include a mailing address, website, and open dialogue with members, and may include periodic surveys as the need arises, 8. Creating and communicating the hike schedule, 9. Encouraging participation in Club events, 10. Offering suitable social activities for the membership, 11. Establishing a program to select, train, reward, and recognize hike leaders, 12. Assuring compliance with trail closures and restrictions, 13. Provide input to issues impacting trail closure, development, and usage, 14. Establishing committees and guidelines as deemed necessary for the orderly management of the Club, and 15. Assuring that records are maintained in an orderly manner for a time deemed appropriate. 16. Establishing and reviewing annual goals which are consistent with the master strategy and budget and which relate to Growth of the club Variety of hikes Hike leader recruitment and retention Hike difficulty Social functions Out of town trips Trail use and improvement Coordinating Council (CC) Organization: The CC shall have a minimum of seven members and a maximum of nine members. The Board of the Club evolved into a Coordinating Council with rotating chair to lead the three meetings held each year. The heads of the Hike Leaders Committee, Website Committee, and Social Committee shall be CC members. Others shall be at-large members of the CC. The CC will meet at least quarterly and may meet more frequently. A quorum is five members. CC members are expected to attend every meeting. If a CC member is consistently absent, his or her position shall be considered vacated. The existing CC members shall select a new member. Committee heads and officers shall be selected by consensus of the CC members. If a consensus is unattainable, there shall be a vote of the members present with a simple majority prevailing. The CC will establish a method of assuring both continuity and freshness in its composition and leadership. In general, the CC President shall serve a two-year term and may be re-selected up to two terms. The CC may augment these bylaws by keeping a record of decisions, policies, and guidelines for future reference. The CC may change the bylaws by consensus or, if not attainable, by majority vote. These bylaws are adopted by motion of the Club Board on March 2, 2005 and amended to reflect the wishes of a majority of Club members, after the 2011 retreat to reflect on the past 10 years of operation, by The Board in 2010. Mary Barlow, Secretary Revised and approved by CC 02/21/12 \| Club History \| Club Bylaws \| Club Guidelines \| Club Goals \| Coordinating Council Members \| Coordinating Council Bios \| Volunteering \| \| Breaking News \| About Us \| \| Return Home \| Newsletter Spring 2012 \| Hike Schedule \| Socials \| Photo Gallery \| Hike Leader Page \| Getaway \| Great Links/Resources \| Contact Us \|