We often get questions about what it entails to be a Committee Member.
This article sets out the basics, if you have any questions please get in touch with the President or anyone on the Committee.
What does it involve?
- Committee Meetings – The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of every month, from 5.45-7pm. Meetings are used to set direction for the Club and make decisions on Club operations and funds. Additional meetings are sometimes needed if a specific matter needs a more fulsome conversation, this can happen once or twice a year.
- Role-specific tasks – This nature of the work varies with each role, and there is flexibility on the projects you progress so they match your interests. Each Officer is responsible for their area, however it does not mean they do everything. Where possible Officers are encouraged to delegate BAU tasks to other volunteers. Key responsibilities and information about each Committee role is available on the Committee page.
- Maintain relationships – Officers work closely with other Club members and volunteers. There are also (optional) opportunities to work with other members of the outdoor community e.g. local Clubs, FMC, RMCA, GWBN etc. This is mostly managed by emails, but can also occur through ad-hoc meetings as needed.
What does it take?
- Open to all Members – It is important that the Committee represents the diverse views of our membership. Everyone is encouraged to join the Committee, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or experience. Whether you joined the Club this year or a few decades ago, you are welcome at the Committee table.
- Skills needed – If you’re passionate about tramping or the lodge and want to give back to the club, you already have the basics to make a meaningful contribution and be successful on the Committee. Relevant expertise is always welcome, but with the exception of the Treasurer and Chief Guide roles, you don’t actually need specialist skills or a lot of tramping experience to sit on the Committee.
- Time Commitment – Varies with the role and time of year. Most weeks would average 1-2h, sometimes less and sometimes more. Occasionallya few more hours if there is a big deadline (e.g. Trip Schedule publication, Annual Reports…). While some tasks are time sensitive, most things can be moved around and there is flexibility to fit your schedule, take some weeks ‘off’ etc. We also work with other volunteers outside the Committee to get help and spread the load.
Why do it?
- Be part of a community, make new friends.
Being closely involved with the workings of the Club is the best way to meet people who are equally passionate about tramping and the outdoors, both within and outside the Committee. It’s a great way to connect with others in a meaningful way and built long lasting friendships across the Club. Members who volunteer are there for a reason: they are motivated and want to give back, it’s an exciting thing to be part of. - A sense of purpose, making a difference.
Being on the Committee gives you the opportunity to drive the changes you are interested in, and to leave things in a better place than they were before. Everyone brings a different perspective to their role, and there is no shortage of ideas and new things to do. Everything works, but there are a lot of things that could work better than they currently do. Being on the Committee is an opportunity to strengthen who we are and what we do as a Club. - Acquire valuable skills and experience.
Joining the Committee might give you opportunities that could benefit you in a professional environment. Whether it’s project or time management, influencing decisions, providing strategic direction, the ability to work through others… Needless to say, being on the Committee is a good way to develop tangible skills that will be useful beyond the workings of the Club.
Find out more
- A summary of responsibilities and position descriptions are available here.
- Get in touch with the President or anyone on the Committee, to discuss what a specific role would entail.
- Ask to come along to a Committee meeting to get a flavour of what is involved.
I want to help, just not on the Committee
Informal support for a Committee member
If you are interested in learning more about what the Committee is doing and supporting its work, there might be opportunities to be paired up with a Committee member to help with ongoing or ad-hoc tasks. This can also be a good opportunity to test whether you would be interested in taking a Committee role in the future without committing to responsibilities. Some examples include:
- Organising one or two club nights, to support the Liaison Officer
- Helping put together the new trip schedule, to support the Chief Guide
- Ongoing assistance with refunds or checking trip fees, to help the Treasurer
Other ways to help
We always need help, including outside the Committee! You can take a few easy steps to contribute:
- Update your profile in Hello Club and to confirm what you want to help with:
Log in > Click on the Menu (upper left corner) > Profile > Member Details > Club > Volunteering, - Check out Regular Volunteers page to find out about ongoing volunteer roles and descriptions,
- Check out the Volunteering page to find out about ad hoc ways to support the club,
- Get in touch with anyone on the Committee to offer your help.