Where does the Club go?

We regularly go to Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Peak District and the Lakes as well as on local day trips.  Everything is catered for from Saturdays at Swanage to weeks in the Alps.

What activities do members do?

The Club promotes all mountain-based activities, from climbing and mountaineering to caving, orienteering and mountain biking.  The Club does not organise activities on meets, but brings together like-minded individuals.

How do I find out when and where the meets are?

The meets list is published throughout the year and contains details of dates and locations of meets and the name of the meet steward.  You can find it posted in the display cabinet at the wall - or click the ‘Club Meets’ button

How do I sign up to a meet?

You will need to make contact with the Meet Steward to book on a meet. You can join by emailing the meet steward via the link on the meets pages. You will also be able to discuss the meet on the dedicated meet thread.  You should book well in advance to secure a place.
 

How does a meet work?

• Once you are booked on, the Meet Steward will advise you, approx one week before the meet, of the transport arrangements.  We would normally travel Friday evening after work and return Sunday evening.  We try to car share as much as possible to reduce our environmental impact and keeps costs down (Approx £20-£30 per person)
   
• If we are staying in a hut you will need to bring a sleeping bag along with your outdoor gear.  All huts have a kitchen so you can cook a meal for yourself. People normally cook in their car groups, or someone volunteers to make a communal meal for a couple of pounds per person. If there is a nearby pub, some people eat dinner there.
   
• We normally use huts in the winter and camp in the summer – so don’t forget your tent!
   
• The Meet Steward will endeavour to ensure no-one is ‘left out’ - although this may not be always possible due to differences in abilities and the activity involved.
   
• Hut fees are approx £12-16 for the weekend and must be paid by cheque by the last day of the meet.
   
• Everyone helps to clean the hut before we leave!
   
• And finally – you are reminded that you are responsible for your own safety at all times.
   
• Late cancellations on meet bookings are a logistical nightmare for the Meet Steward.  Make their job easier by making sure that if you book on a meet, you do so with the right intentions.  Cancellations within two weeks of the meet may incur hut and transport costs at the Meet Steward & Meet Secretary’s discretion.
  Contact the meet steward about your plans as far in advance as possible.

Meets Stewards

Meets Stewards volunteer to help run meet(s) for the Club. They ensure that meets are friendly and efficiently run and that members feel included. Meet Stewards organise lifts and PUBLICISE their meet.

The Meets Secretary organises the basic meets list, plus he/she are your first point of contact with problems/ queries.

Role: -

• Publicise Meet through the Rats Forum by mass email (Talk to John Wellbelove), the newsletter and at the wall.  Don’t just use emails – talking is better!
• Take bookings for meet and arrange transport between members. Finalise this on the last Tuesday before the meet.
• If at a hut, take hut fees during the weekend and give to treasurer (Andy Hunt) after meet.
• On hut meets be responsible for keys and leaving hut in a reasonable state (i.e. as you found it).
• Try to be the first on site (hut or campsite), if not possible then nominate someone else to be.
• If the meet is particularly suitable for beginners, please publicise this.
• Try to facilitate a happy atmosphere on the meet, make sure members are included where possible and are appropriately set up for activities. Remember the Club is a facilitator not an organiser.
• Encourage new Non-Memebers to join after an introductory meet.  Download some membership forms from the Club Website and bring them with you.
• Most importantly: Have fun yourself and don’t stress!

Any questions ask the committee, you are doing the club a huge favour and we appreciate it!

Note:-

This role is completely voluntary and the above is a guide the club feels is appropriate for Meet Stewards to follow