Maryland Outdoor Club - Rules & Waiver

Rules & Waiver

By participating in any MOC activities, you automatically agree to follow our rules. These rules are current as of and are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

A MEMBER NOT ADHERING TO CLUB RULES WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP REVOKED WITHOUT WARNING. Remember, membership is free, and we can not tolerate, nor do we have time for "problematic members." This is for the safety and enjoyment of events for the majority.

The Maryland Outdoor Club encourages diversity within our organization, and we are accepting of all kinds of people, as long as you follow our simple rules.

CLUB REPRESENTATIVE'S AUTHORITY
Members and guests (Participants) must recognize the authority of the trip leader(s)/organizer(s)/officer(s) (Club Representatives) and follow any additional rules they set up for Maryland Outdoor Club (Club) events/outings/activities (Event) - especially if the additional rules involve your safety. Events can be cancelled or modified at the discretion of the Club Representative (for lack of interest, inclement weather, or having a personal conflict with the Event). The MOC will attempt to replace a Club Representative on an Event, should they be unable to make it, and inform the Club in a timely manner. Club Representatives have the authority to:
1. Remove or reject any person from participation if they are not in a condition for the Event. This is a safety factor, as well as assuring the enjoyment of the other Participants.
2. Participants are expected to stay together on both the trip to and during the Event. The Club Representative will adjust the pace of the Event to meet everyone's needs.
3. Participants are expected to commit to the entire Event. The Club Representative can not do their job if some Participants only go partway through the Event and then return on their own.
4. If there is an emergency and/or injury, the Club Representative will terminate the Event or let someone help the injured back to transportation or medics. The volunteer will be required to be familiar with the way back.
BEHAVIOR
Remember that you are representing the MOC while participating in any MOC event! Please conduct yourself in such a way as not to detract from the enjoyment of the other Participants (at all times). You may be removed or excluded from the Event should your behavior not be permitting.

Any member not being tolerant of another member's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and gender will have their membership revoked without warning.

Any member showing up to an event which they are not on the attendance list for will have their membership revoked without warning. The same goes for bringing dogs when dogs are not permitted, or bringing an unregistered guest. This is a liability issue AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED FOR ANY REASON.

Any member with excessive behavioral complaints will have their membership revoked without warning.

Any member falsifying information (or not providing information) on sign up will have their membership revoked without warning.

Any member with excessive "no show" reports for events which they are on the attendance list for will have their membership revoked without warning.
COMPLAINT POLICY
Complaint about a Volunteer/Event:
1. All Event Organizers are volunteers. You are welcome to take part in their activities, but you do so at your own risk. Only written complaints against an Event Organizer or MOC volunteer will be considered. They may be addressed to the MOC President. The focus of the complaint policy is on improvement rather than discipline.
Complaint about another Member:
The MOC strongly encourages members to deal with issues directly. If you are unable or unwilling to deal directly with the person (or persons) involved, please follow these guidelines:
1. Complaints must be sent to the MOC President via e-mail. Please include date(s), time(s), event(s), behavior(s), what your reactions/responses were, and any corroborating evidence (i.e., e-mails) or witnesses.
2. Complaints absolutely must come first-hand by the victim. No second- or third-hand information will be acted on or considered unless it is in corroboration with the original complaint.
3. Complaints must be serious. Harrassment (sexual or otherwise), violence, illegal activities, dangerous driving, etc., are valid complaints. Talking non-stop during carpool is not.
4. Complaints must be specific. Vague accusations of being "creepy" or "annoying" are not valid complaints. In the event of vague complaints, the club may choose to hold off action until more evidence is produced, or the perpetrator acts inappropriately again.
5. Complaints must stem from MOC activities. Actions of members interacting outside of MOC events, or who interact with members on an event without being signed up for that event themselves will not be reprimanded through the club.
6. Complaints must be timely. You must contact the MOC President within 48 hours of the event to make your complaint.
Please Note:
1. Although the complaint will be handled discreetly (i.e., we will not disclose your identity), MOC Officers cannot guarantee anonymity because when communicating the nature of the complaint to the perpetrator, it may be possible for them to deduce who the complaint originated with.
2. The MOC will not serve as a mediator for personal disputes.
3. The MOC may choose not provide details on how the situation is handled, only that a warning was sent, etc.
4. In the event of a first complaint against someone, they will likely receive a warning (unless the situation is very extreme). In the case that the club receives multiple complaints against the same person, their membership may be revoked.
5. In the event of retaliation (i.e., an attack via e-mail or phone) resulting from the complaint, the perpetrator's membership may be suspended/revoked without question.
FIREARMS/WEAPONS
Firearms/weapons are prohibited on all Events.
NARCOTICS
Illegal drugs and substances of any kind are prohibited on all Events.
ALCOHOL
The MOC encourages responsible drinking. Some Events may allow for the purchase and/or consumption of alcohol. We simply ask that you do not overdo it. By consuming alchol, you give permission to allow Club Representatives find alternative ways to transport you home/get you to the remainder of the Event or exclude you from the remainder of the Event.
DOGS
Dogs are permitted on SOME Events. This is at the discretion of the Club Representative and whether the area the Event occurs at permits it. Please see a specific Event's details, to see if dogs are permitted or not. You must also register your dog on an Event that permits them, so that the trip leader can make sure that too many are not coming along. Your dog will need to be trained to stay with the group and/or be on a leash at all times.
CHILDREN
Children are permitted on SOME Events. This is at the discretion of the Club Representative. Please see a specific Event's details, to see if children are permitted or not. The MOC mainly caters to adults and does not want to be liable for a child's injuries on a risky Event.
PHOTOGRAPHY
All Participants are encouraged to document the Event, however we stress you take extra measures to protect your equipment from undergoing damage. Also note that during the Event, Club Representatives may be taking photos for use on the web site, in newsletters, or other promotional materials. By participating in a Club Event, you are granting the Club permission to reuse these photos of you in such a manner.
LEAVE NO TRACE
When participating in an Adventure Sport, we ask that you leave a clean trail and unlittered camp. We encourage you to clean up after others that have come before you, as much as you can. This allows others to enjoy the trail and camp, as you did.
1. Stay on the trail. Do not create shortcuts. Shortcuts can cause erosion and damages the trail and trail environment. (Report any fallen trees or misuse of the trails to the club preservation coordinator).
2. Carry out all litter. Leave the campsite and trail cleaner than you found it. If there is preexisting litter, please dispose or take with you as much as you can.
3. Do not remove and take with you pieces of nature that you may encounter on the trail. Club Representatives may ask you to surrender such items and/or return them to where you took them.
4. Protect water sources. Do not use soap in streams/lakes. Wash yourself, utensils, and clothes away from all water sources.
5. Bury human waste. Where privies are not available, dig a "cathole" at least 6 inches deep and cover afterward. You should be at least 100 yards from any water source or camping area. Do not leave toilet paper above ground.
6. Sterilize all drinking water. Treat water with iodine tablets, a filter, or boil water before consuming.
7. Take care with food. Animals frequent camp/picnic areas. If staying overnight, hang food at least 10 feet above ground and away from the trunk of the tree. Leaving food in your automobile is fine, if possible. Also, never leave smelly products (like toothpaste) in your tent.
8. Be careful with fires. Use campstoves for cooking. Use only downed wood for campfires and keep them small. Never leave a fire unattended and always extinguish them with water. Some areas have fire bans along the trail, so be sure to check before starting a fire.
Any member caught abusing the parks we use, or club-owned equipment, will have their membership revoked without warning.

Also note that all Club Participants MUST sign the MOC waiver before participation is allowed in an Event.

Please see the MOC Tips & FAQs, should you need more information before joining us on an Event.

Maryland Outdoor Club, Inc. survives off the support of volunteers and donations.

Please note that the MOC waiver MUST be signed by each individual to allow participation in an event.

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