Code of Conduct

We expect all Members and participants to abide by our Code of Conduct at all times during their association with HAWOG.

If any Member has a concern regarding a participant's or Member's conduct, they should contact the Committee using the Comments email address. Committee Members will contact participants / Members to raise any issues regarding their conduct which have been brought to the Committee's attention.

The Committee reserves the right to exclude participants and Members who are in breach of the Code of Conduct from future HAWOG events.

Behaviour and Attitude

We expect everyone involved with our group to enjoy our events. We welcome people from all backgrounds to these events, and we expect participants to exercise judgement on the appropriate use of humour and language within the context of the event they are attending, and their co-participants. We insist on the following:

• You are responsible for managing your behaviour and attitude towards everyone involved with the group. Bad behaviour or attitude is unacceptable, so please consider how your words and actions make other people feel.
• Examples of unacceptable behaviour and attitude include aggression, shouting, lies, slander, racism, bullying, harassment, contempt, incivility, malicious rumours or gossip, excessive criticism or whingeing, inappropriate or excessive bad language, wasting Committee time, not respecting group rules or authority, bringing the group into disrepute, and failing to pay monies owed.
• If you have any issues or differences with a participant or Member please first try and resolve them in a civil manner. If you cannot resolve issues or differences then please inform the Committee in confidence. Reasonable evidence, witness or suspicion will be required for action.

Event Organisers

Event Organisers are expected to:

• Use the appropriate event forms to submit event details.
• Gain familiarity with the wealth of information on our website to help them plan events.
• Gain skills to help them organise an event and if required, take advantage of the support offered from experienced members.
• Maintain good communication with clear instructions and deadlines with all attendees, in particular for events that require pre booking.
• Ensure that all participants are made aware of group protocol regarding travel, and preferably help organise travel (i.e. provide contacts etc.).
• Refuse attendance by anyone not capable of completing their event without affecting others (i.e. delay or safety etc.).
• Submit a timely and comprehensive report of their Contributing event.

Walk Leaders

Walk leaders are expected to:

• Take responsibility for navigation on their route (take map and compass and know how to use them).
• Ensure attendees maintain sight of them and are able to complete the walk as stated.
• Wait at key decision or uncertain points on routes, or give clear instructions to attendees.
• With larger numbers of attendees, walk leaders should consider using the 'leader and back-stop' system, where the leader should stop every 15-20 minutes to let the back-stop catch up. If attendees are travelling at different speeds to the leader and/or others, affecting completion of the stated walk, then it is reasonable to ask some attendees (faster or slower) to separate providing it is safe to do so. 'Safe' means there being someone else willing to lead and another map and compass (unless safe route obvious). Leaders can allow known or suspected slower / faster attendees to attend providing they are prepared to travel independently (take map and compass and know how to use them).
• For more challenging or uncertain conditions, walk leaders should have a contact who is not attending the event who knows the intended route and times, and can alert the authorities if any issues arise.

Event Participants

Event Participants are expected to:

• Be aware of outdoor safety and to not endanger themselves or others.
• Have the required fitness, stamina, clothing, equipment, skills, experience, food, drink and motivation to complete all events they attend, without affecting others. In particular, some of our Amber events and many of our Red events involve activities that some participants many find hard due to distance, pace, ascent, technique etc. All participants of these events must ensure they are fully aware of what the event involves and only attend if they are prepared for it (check with organiser if unsure). Participants not able or willing to complete harder events should only attend if they can complete or divert from the route independently (for example by using a map and compass). Participants should not expect organisers or others to scale back events because they are unable to complete them.
• Ensure prompt payment of all monies owed and to respond to event organisers.

Car Sharers

Car Sharers are expected to:

• Inform the organiser and / or join our Facebook group and post there.
• Take responsibility for their travel arrangements and finding / contacting others.
• Be ready at agreed times and places, respect the driver's vehicle, thank the driver and offer and pay all monies required for share of costs. Participants arriving late or at the wrong place should not expect the driver to wait.
• Communicate early with the driver any changes or delays, and respect that the driver has final say over all arrangements.

Email Users

Email Users are expected to:

• Receive and read all HAWOG e-Newsletters and updates.
• Inform the team of changes or problems with their email communications. Unreliable email users (those who "don't" receive, read, understand, remember, respond etc.) may be denied the benefits of email but will still be responsible for maintaining communication and currency of information using alternative media (website, visit, phone) if they wish to remain involved with our group.
• Refrain from sending inappropriate or abusive messages, which will not be forwarded.
• Respond within reasonable time for obligations they are required to meet.

Members

Members are expected to:

• Understand that HAWOG is run on a voluntary basis, and treat Committee members with appropriate respect as volunteers.
• Respect group rules, protocol, culture and aims, and Committee decisions.
• Ensure prompt payment of all monies owed to our group and ensure prompt responses to Committee and other Members concerning group administration, governance or events.
• Take responsibility for meeting their obligations without expecting others to remind them.

Committee Members

Committee Members are expected to:

• Undertake their duties diligently and honestly.
• Abide by any resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting, and decisions confirmed by vote at Committee meetings.
• Communicate with participants and Members in a timely and polite fashion, by giving an initial response to all email enquiries within 48 hours.
• Manage all monies in the HAWOG account with due care and transparency, and ensure that monies are paid to event organisers as quickly as possible upon receipt of an invoice from the organiser or authenticated receipt from the accommodation provider.
• Organise and attend at least four Committee meetings per year, and write notes of the meetings to be made available to all Members upon request.
• Communicate regularly via email with Members, including advance notice of all social events and key decisions taken at Committee meetings.
• Organise and manage the Annual General Meeting held in October, and write notes of the meeting which are then published on the website.