Club rules

Club Rules

Management of the Club 

The Club is managed by a committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. Any paid up member may seek election to the Committee. The Chair of the Committee shall be kept informed of all matters affecting the Club. These rules shall be kept under constant review.

A list of Committee Members and their contact details can be found on the Walks Programme, and www.derbynomads.co.uk.

Membership

• Membership shall be open to all regardless of their origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age with sufficient fitness to be able to undertake the planned walks.

• Membership will only be granted to persons aged 17 years or under on the condition that they will be accompanied on Club activities by a parent or guardian.  

• Prospective members shall be allowed three trial rambles before applying for membership.  

• Any person wishing to become a member must complete an Application form and forward it to the Membership Secretary with the Membership fee.  

• Subscriptions paid by Members joining on or after 1st January shall be valid until 31st March of the following year.  Memberships not renewed by 30th September shall be considered lapsed. 

• All members of the Club shall treat each other with respect.  

• Any member who behaves in a manner likely to bring discredit to the Club may only be expelled by a majority vote at either an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Member must be informed of the decision in writing. 

Conduct of Walks (and other activities)

• The Club will organise programmes of walks which will be made available to all Members.  

• Routes should not be altered after the programme has been compiled unless unavoidable.  

• Leaders must meet members at the time and place stated on the programme, or find another Club Member to do so. Members will be made aware of any change to the programme or the start point by email a minimum of 4 days in advance unless unavoidable.  

• Leaders must follow the guidance provided by the Club Committee.

• Leaders must be paid up members of the Club. 

• Walkers shall comply with the Countryside Code. Dogs shall be kept under close control. (See back of card)  

• Walkers must comply with the Club’s Child protection Policy which requires:  ‘That all members and visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or someone suitable “in loco parentis” on all walks and Club trips, and whose responsibility they will be’. 

• The person accompanying someone under age 18 must check that the child has suitable walking gear and any other requirement he or she may need during the walk, eg medication. They must also satisfy themselves that the walk is suitable for their child, as the Walk Leader / Club will not be responsible.

• Members and visitors taking part in Club activities do so entirely at their own risk. Neither the Club or its elected officers or leaders will accept responsibility for any personal accident or loss of property. Walkers are recommended to carry contact and medication details with them for reference in an emergency  

• Walkers must report any incidents involving third parties or their property to the walk leader, who will let a Committee member know without delay.  

• If during a Club walk a member requires the call out of any of the Emergency Services or hospital treatment then the walk leader or person observing the incident should submit a full account of it to the Chairman, Treasurer, and the person who required the services/treatment within a week or as soon as possible after the eventt. This shall be kept on file by the Club for a minimum of 7 years.  

• A walk leader has the authority of the Club to refuse persons who are not adequately equipped in his or her opinion to take part in a walk or other activity, and to insist on dogs being kept on a lead. 

Countryside Code – Close Control of Dogs

• By law you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. On most areas of open country and common land known as ‘access land’ between 1 March and 31 July, and all year round near farm animals you must keep your dog on a short lead.  

• You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths so long as it is under close control. But as a general rule keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on it’s obedience. By law farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.  

• If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead - don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.  

• Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife - eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents.  

• Always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly.  

• At certain times dogs may not be allowed on some areas of access land or may need to be kept on a lead. Follow any signs. JJG Apr 2019 Individual walk leaders may insist on dogs being kept on a lead.