Guide lines for WALK LEADERS 

Leadership of walks or other related activities

 ·         A BOSQ walk or related activity must be led by an ordinary member of BOSQ or, in the case of a joint activity with another bushwalking club, by a member with equivalent membership status of that other club or, in the case of a joint outing or walk with a commercial operator, a guide employed by the operator. 

·         The leader of activity is the person who leads it at the time it is actually held.

 ·         The leader of the BOSQ activity has the sole discretion over who shall be accepted to attend or participate in it.

Guide for trip leaders.

 We want our walks to be really great. The following guide lists some of the things leaders might think about.

Well in advance of the proposed walk.

·         Gather information about the area – from books and/or the internet, from previous trips etc. Consider what might make the walk more interesting for participants – not only covering distance, gaining altitude, enjoying views, having a swim etc., but maybe the history of the area, landforms, trees, flowers, bird life etc. – according to the leader’s own interests.

·         Think about how long the walk will be and what time will it start – to avoid heat, cold, short days, fires, storms etc.

·         Decide on the best way for people to get to the walk.

·         If the land is privately owned, seek permission for a club walk and also to do a preliminary survey (recce).

·         Notify the Outings Secretary of the participants and date of the planned survey, so that the activity is covered by insurance.

If necessary do a recce/, consider vehicle transport access.

• Check the car speedo to measure distance from Brisbane.

• Talk to any landowners if relevant. Check if there is mobile/ GPS coverage.

• Check on water, toilets and other facilities, view points, swimming spots, morning tea and lunch stops, navigational and walking challenges  (e.g. rock hopping, cliff breaks, creek crossings, loose scree, scunge etc.), interesting areas for vegetation, birds etc.

• Estimate the time for sections of the walk and decide on minimum and maximum group size.

• Decide on what walkers need to be told to take on the walk.

• Check for ways to shorten the walk if there are any incidents during the walk and check on alternative venues in case of inclement weather on the day of the walk. Take notes and annotate maps, to use these as a guide on the actual club walk.

Prepare a Footnotes description of the walk, including type of walk, date, location, meeting place and time, car pooling place and time, expected finish time for the walk, driving distance to start of walk, along with Leader's name and phone No.

 Map name and scale, grading and difficulty of the walk, route description, availability of water. Include other factors that might limit who should participate, what to bring (e.g. amount of water, hat, sunscreen, gaiters or long pants, walking poles etc.

At the club meeting prior to the walk, speak to the group to market the walk. Collect the completed Outings Nomination Form that the Outings Secretary will put out. Keep this form near your phone at home, in case members ring to add their names or to cancel. Record all names and phone numbers of those attending. In the case of any newcomers, ascertain the level of expertise and fitness, familiarize them with the petrol money system and remind them to take first aid items, water and torch. Take care with visitors or probationary members on challenging trips. The leader may decline a nomination if the walker is considered to be unsuited to the planned activity owing to fitness or level of expertise. This refusal should be discussed with the Outings Secretary.

On the day of the walk and during the walk

·         Check the latest weather forecast. Advise the Outings Secretary if the trip is cancelled or changed.

·         Take the Outings Nomination Form and a copy of the phone contacts for Executive Committee members (p. 2 of Footnotes) in case the trip is delayed or there is an emergency.

·         Ensure that you have all required gear yourself, including pencil and paper, map and compass, mobile phone, GPS if desired, first aid materials and emergency equipment.

·         Arrive early. Be at the meeting point well before the walk departure time.

·         When all participants have arrived, ensure they have signed the Outings Nomination Form. Record the count of numbers.

·         Welcome participants and make introductions. Draw attention to the conditions of the walk, as listed on the Outings Nomination Form, including the requirement that the leader be notified of any serious medical problem.

·         Explain to the group what is planned for the walk – the route, timing, gear needed, safety and potential hazards and expectations. Invite questions.

·         Appoint a tail and tell the group whether you, as leader, will be walking at the front or will be further back. Instruct the front walkers about regrouping points (related to points of interest, the route etc.) if you are not to lead from the front yourself.

·         Reinforce what must happen if anyone becomes separated – ‘remain calm and safe; stay where you are; and blow your whistle to help us retrieve you’.

·         When everyone is ready, count heads and move off.

·         Monitor the progress of individuals and encourage them. Keep the group together. Adjust the pace and have food, water and rest breaks to meet the needs of the slowest walkers. Frequently count heads. If appropriate, adjust the plan for the trip in the light of the progress being made.

·         Take all precautions to manage risks. Identify potential hazards. Assess risks that may result from hazards such as flooded creeks, loose rocks and slippery slopes. Take appropriate action to communicate about risks and to avoid incidents.

·         If there are problems during the walk, remain calm. Call on the skills and experience of others to help you make decisions and take appropriate action.

·         Influence walkers to do the right thing. Model minimal impact walking yourself and, as necessary, remind others.

·         At the end of the walk, make sure that everyone has returned. Thank the participants. Encourage constructive feedback on the walk. As the leader, be the last to leave the venue.

·         Arrange for a voluntary stop for coffee on the way home if members in the group want this.

After the walk.

 ·         Complete the Outing Notes on the back of the Outings Nomination Form and return that to the Outings Secretary at the next club meeting – attendance, travel details, special road directions, access conditions, itinerary.

·         If there were any mishaps or injuries, attach an Incident Report Form that is available from the Outings Secretary or from the Forms section of the club website.

·         Write or arrange for a volunteer to provide a brief report on the trip to the Editor of Footnotes and briefly report on the highlights at the next club meeting.

·         Make personal notes about how the walk went and changes to consider if you were to lead it or a similar trip again.

 

Guidelines for walk leaders.       (in printable MS Word format)

Club Rules -  as as 1 Nov 2008.    (in printable MS Word format)

Guideline document for Club Management & Operations.   (in printable MS Word format)

List of Club Resourses - as at 1 Nov 2008     (in printable MS Word format)

List of individual Safety and Training Articles in 1 word document   (in printable MS Word format)