Calgary Outdoor Club - How You Can Help

Donate

The Calgary Outdoor Club is free to join and most of our events are free to attend, however, we still have bills to pay, so we ask periodically for members to make a Voluntary Donation to the club based on (1) their participation in the club (i.e., the value they receive from being a member), and (2) what they can afford. Our suggestion is $2 per event, to a maximum of $20 per year.

Three Ways to Pay

Our preferred method for sending donations is to send an e-transfer to treasurer@calgaryoutdoorclub.com. For the security question, please use:
Q: Calgary what club?
A: Outdoor

If you prefer not to send an e-transfer, you can make a donation via:
Mail a cheque: You can send a cheque to:
Attn: Treasurer
Calgary Outdoor Club
720 3rd Street NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N9
Cash: Some coordinators may be willing to accept your annual donation at an event and submit it to the treasurer on your behalf. It doesn't hurt to ask, but if the answer is 'no', please consider submitting your donation another way. Coordinators are not obligated to handle money on behalf of the club.
Credit Card: At this time we don't have a method for making a donation via credit card.

Keeping Track

The club does not track your donations, nor does it follow up with you when "it's time to for you to make a donation". We will provide lots of reminders about donating, but it is up to you to decide when it’s time. Some folks like to donate at the start of the year out of unfettered optimism for the year ahead, and some folks like to donate at the end of the year once they know how much value they’ve gotten from the club, and some folks just like to donate when the mood strikes them. We are happy with any/all donation philosophies and will leave the decision up to you.

You can further support the club by becoming a Volunteer.

Sponsor

Is your company or organization interested in being a sponsor of the Calgary Outdoor Club?

The COC is actively seeking sponsors to donate on a yearly (or monthly) basis. This allows the club to supplement the "voluntary donations" on which we currently rely to cover our expenses.

Sponsors get:

A banner ad on the top of COC web pages. There are a total of 24 banner spots available, which cost $100/year each. A sponsor may purchase one or more spots - purchasing multiple spots increases the number of times your banner ad appears.
Your banner ad, link, and company description on our Partners and Sponsors page.

To become a sponsor of the COC, or for more information about becoming a COC sponsor, please contact us at partners@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of our Club. We have no paid staff, and function entirely on the personal commitment of these people:

Event Coordinators:
Join our fantastic team of Event Coordinators by leading a COC event! Share with others the activities that you enjoy at times that are convenient to you! For many activities, you need not be an expert to organize something. (We think almost anyone could lead a hike, for instance.) For more information, please review and follow the coordinator checklist.

Executive Committee Positions:
The Calgary Outdoor Club Board of Directors consists of the following positions. These positions are elected at the Annual General Meeting. If you are interested in joing the Board, please contact the Executive at exec@calgaryoutdoorclub.com to apply.

President:
- Attends all meetings of the Society, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Promoting the objects of the Society
- Promoting membership in the Society
- Making policies for managing and operating the Society
- Approving an annual budget for the Society
- Review the monthly bank statement provided by the Treasurer for accuracy
- Supervises the affairs of the Board
- When present, chairs all meetings of the Society, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Is an ex officio member of all Committees
- Acts as the spokesperson for the Society
- Chairs the Executive Committee
- Carries out other duties required by the Board
Vice-President:
- Replaces the President at various functions when asked to do so by the President or the Board
- Attends all meetings of the Society, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Review the monthly bank statement provided by the Treasurer for accuracy
- Chairs Nomination Committee for Annual General Meeting
- Carries out other duties assigned by the Board
Secretary:
- Attends all meetings of the Society, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Keeps accurate minutes of these meetings
- Has charge of the Board's correspondence
- Makes sure all notices of various meetings are sent
- Files the annual return, changes in the Directors of the organization, amendments to the Bylaws and other incorporating documents with the Corporate Registry
- Carries out other duties assigned by the Board
  ** Skills required: Excellent communication skills. strong computer skills with access to required equipment/software to perform duties
Treasurer:
- Attend all meetings of the Society, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Maintain all accounts and financial records of the Society
- Ensure all monies paid to the Society are deposited in a financial institution chosen by the Board (chartered bank, treasury branch or trust company)
- Prepare and manage audited financial statements (according to the Societies Act) of the Society and present at the Annual General Meeting
- Prepare and manage an annual budget
- Manage bank accounts and other financial accounts
- Upload monthly bank statements to the club's designated file repository
- Manage and track all membership dues, voluntary donations and event fees
- Manage and pay all expenses for operating and managing the Society
- Provide a detailed account of revenues and expenditures to the Board as requested
- Answer e-mail inquiries sent to treasurer@calgaryoutdoorclub.com
- Carry out other duties assigned by the Board
  ** Skills required: Some bookkeeping/accounting experience preferred. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel. Must be bondable
Director(s):
- Chair sub and special committees
- Carries out other duties assigned by the Board
- Spearhead the planning and decision making activities for the club
- Coordinate, train and coach members of volunteer team
- Assist in performing duties of open positions as requested
Past President:
- Provide reliable counsel to the President
- Is available to take on special assignments
- Provide history for Society discussions when requested and/or appropriate
- Carries out other duties assigned by the Board

Administrative Positions:
The Calgary Outdoor Club has a number of administrative functions that happen behind the scenes. If you are interested in volunteering on one of these committees, please contact Rhonda Scheurer at exec@calgaryoutdoorclub.com to apply.

Membership Committee

Membership Coordinator:
- Develop rapport and foster a friendly, comfortable atmosphere with people inquiring about Club membership
- Answer all questions posed to membership@calgaryoutdoorclub.com, answering e-mails in a timely, friendly, and professional manner
- Provide support for member requests, such as reinstating resigned members, resetting member passwords
- Adhere to confidentiality agreement with regards to members' personal information
  ** Skills required: Excellent communication skills. Professional yet friendly and approachable manner
Disabilities Ambassador:
- Promote community inclusion in a meaningful and sensible manner for the benefit of the COC, and persons with disabilities

Volunteer Commmittee
- Volunteer Committee Lead:
  - Recruit Volunteer Coordinator team members from the list of active Event Coordinators
  - Coordinate activities of the Volunteer Coordinator team
  - Define Volunteer Coordination policies and procedures
  - Perform quarterly reviews of Volunteer Coordinator and Event Coordinator teams to ensure everyone is current/active
  - Gather and write content for, and distribute the (approximately) monthly volunteer newsletter
  - Perform all Volunteer Coordinator duties if/as required
    ** Skills required: Excellent leadership, coordination and communication skills. Professional yet friendly and approachable manner
- Volunteer Coordinator:
  - Recruit event coordinators from experienced and knowledgeable membership base
  - Train and coach event coordinators on Club procedures for leading events
  - Assist new Event Coordinators with their first events as needed
  - Answer Event Coordinators' questions and/or put them in touch with the appropriate volunteer
  - Monitor events to ensure procedure is being followed properly by all Event Coordinators
    ** Skills required: Excellent leadership, coordination and communication skills. Professional yet friendly and approachable manner
- Training Coordinator:
  - Investigate opportunities for volunteer training and development
  - Evaluate requests for training made by volunteers
  - Maintain volunteer records indicating courses completed and in progress
  - Organize training sessions on Club policy for new volunteers
  - Answer volunteers' questions on training policy and procedures
    ** Skills required: Excellent leadership, coordination and communication skills. Professional yet friendly and approachable manner
Communication Committee
- Social Media Manager:
  - Manage accounts and settings for COC's social media accounts
  - Manage posts and content on COC's social media accounts
    ** Skills required: Strong computer and internet skills. Knowldge of social media platforms
- Club Blog Coordinator:
  - Manage club Blog account
  - Develop and/or gather content for club blog
  - Post articles to club blog
  - Announce club blog posts on club social media
    ** Skills required: Strong computer and internet skills. Strong communication skills.
- Issues Corner Member:
  - Assist in development of club complaint policies and procedures
  - Assess and address e-mails sent to to complaint@calgaryoutdoorclub.com according to the Complaint Policy outlined on our Rules page
  - Liaise with Executive Committee on important moral, ethical, or legal matters relating to the Club
    ** Skills required: Good organizational and communication skills. Previous conflict resolution training would be an asset
- Francophone Liaison:
  - Answer questions sent to francais@calgaryoutdoorlcub.com
  - Develop and translate website content in French (as required)
  - Foster a positive relationship between the COC and Calgary's Francophone community
    ** Skills required: Strong communication skills. Fluent in French
Marketing & Promotion Committee
- Marketing and Promotion Coordinator
  - Seek promotional opportunities for the club
  - Liaise with community partners to establish promotional opportunities
  - Work with the Executive Committee to establish promotional budget
  - Identify advertising opportunities
  - Manage advertising and promotion activities
  - Coordinate promotional events
  - Retain club's promotional materials and assets
- Marketing and Promotion Committee Member
  - Organize promotional events for the club
  - Other duties as agreed with the Marketing and Promotion Coordinator
- Sponsorship Coordinator
  - Works with external partners for sponsorship and advertising opportunities
  - Solicits donations, member perks, and special offers for Club members
  - Oversees all banner ads, and website advertising opportunities
- Partner Data Manager:
  - Use the COC Back Office web pages to enter and maintain data pertaining to COC Partner organizations (ie. media partners, sponsors). For example:
    - Sponsor information records
    - Banner Ad schedules
    ** Skills Required: Strong internet/technical ability
Safety Committee
- Safety Committee Lead:
  - Assist the Board with Safety Policy and procedure changes
  - Monitor COC events, enforcing Safety Policies and following up on Safety Policy violations
  - Oversee Safety Committee activities
  - Answer inquiries about the COC's Safety Policies
  - Answer e-mail inquiries sent to safety@calgaryoutdoorclub.com
    ** Skills required: Knowledge of outdoor safety. Good organizational and communication skills
- Safety Advisor:
  - Provide support to Board and Safety Committee as requested and as applicable according to specialized knowledge or skills
    ** Skills required: Specific to each Safety Advisor
- Event Safety Monitor:
  - Monitor adherence to safety requirements for events requiring elevated risk mitigation. Each Event Safety Monitor is assigned to monitor a specific Event Type based on their knowledge and experience with the Event Type. Duties:
    1. Review events according to the Event Type's "Elevated Risk Management Plan" for assigned Event Type as they're posted to the COC's calendar
    2. Communicate with Event Coordinators regarding minor Risk Management Plan errors or violations to bring the event into compliance
    3. Elevate concerns to the Safety Committee Lead and Volunteer Coordinator
    4. Assist Volunteer Coordinator with interviewing and vetting coordinators to post their assigned Event Type
    ** Skills required: Specific to each Event Type as described in the Event Type's "Elevated Risk Management Plan"
- COVID-19 Advisor:
  - Monitor the GoA guidelines and restrictions for COVID-19
  - Manage and communicate COC's COVID-19 Policy
Technology Committee
- Technology Advisor:
  - Advise Executive Committee on technology decisions, for example:
    1. Website platforms and services
    2. Payment processing services
    3. Others, as required
- Webmaster:
  - Update content on static information pages on website
  - Update website options for site formatting and functioning
  - Update announcements on club home page
  - Update background and slideshow graphics as required
  - Create and update club e-mail addresses/forwarders
  - Update volunteer credentials, photos and bios as required
  - Ensure annual server/domain renewals are completed in timely fashion
  - Answer e-mail inquiries sent to webmaster@calgaryoutdoorclub.com
    ** Skills required: Strong computer and internet skills. Knowldge of HTML, FTP, ASP, and CSS are recommended
- Forum Manager:
  - Manage structure, security and settings of discussion forum(s)
    ** Skills required: Strong computer and internet skills. Knowldge of discussion forums such as Proboards, CreateAForum, etc.
- Content Editor:
  - Static Content
    - Regularly review static website content to ensure it is correct and up-to-date:
      - About COC Pages: All
      - Membership Pages: "Membership Info" and "Rules"
      - Events Pages: "Payment Info", "Paypal Info", "Event Checklists", "Coordinator Checklist"
      - Other Pages: "Links"
    - Send required changes to Webmaster for website update
  - Event Content Management
    - Review Event Details for completeness and accuracy of information. Inform coordinators of errors and/or edit/fix errors directly
    - Review Event Details for spelling and grammatical errors. Inform coordinators of errors and/or edit/fix errors directly
    - Review Event Write-Ups for spelling and grammatical errors. Inform coordinators of errors and/or edit/fix errors directly
    - Edit/fix HTML on Event Details and Write-ups
  - Member Content Management
    - Review Calendar Postings and Classifieds for spelling and grammar. Fix as required
    - Review Calendar Postings and Classifieds for completeness and accuracy. Fix/expire as required
    - Edit/fix HTML on member Calendar Postings and Classifieds
      ** Skills required: Good organizational and communication skills. Excellent written communication skills. Good computer skills
  - Respond to inquiries and comments sent to content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com
- Photo Historian:
  - Photo Album Management
    - Receive photos from event attendees
    - Review all event photos, selecting which ones to post in the photo album
    - Crop and enhance photos
    - Upload photos to Fotki service
    - Manage photo albums in Fotki, for example, rearranging photos to be in logical order as required
  - Slide Show Management
    - Select photos to include on the slide show (on the COC Home Page)
    - Crop photos and resize as required
    - Provide slide show photos to Webmaster for upload to the website
    - Remove old photos over time/as required
      ** Skills required: Good organizational skills and computer/internet skills. Experience with photo manipulation software

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