Green Mountain Club
Section Leaders' Handbook

First Edition, June 2001   (adapted for the Web July, 2004)

Acknowledgements

Presidents' Messages

Introduction

Chapter 1: How a GMC Section Works

Functions ~ Bylaws ~ Volunteers

Chapter 2: How to Be a Good Section Leader

Responsibilities and sample job descriptions for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair ~ Other officer responsibilities and sample job descriptions

Chapter 3: Profile of a Healthy Section: Leadership Recruitment and Transition

A healthy section ~ How to attract and develop section volunteers ~ Grooming section leaders for succession

Chapter 4: Communications

Section newsletter ~ Internet ~ Media ~ Traveling display

Chapter 5: All about Meetings

Potlucks ~ Formal business meetings ~ Section annual meetings ~ Section-sponsored special events ~ James P. Taylor Winter Series events

Chapter 6: Finances

Nonprofit status ~ Vermont sales tax exemption ~ New member and renewal dues payments ~ Tips from a veteran section treasurer

Chapter 7: Membership

Strategies for recruiting new members ~ Membership assistance from the GMC office ~ Welcoming new members ~ Transfer members ~ Membership renewal process

Chapter 8: Outings

Role and responsibilities of activities coordinator ~ Developing a method for coordinating a schedule ~ Developing an outing information form for trip leaders ~ Guidelines for rating outings ~ Publicizing the schedule ~ Leader replacement and trip cancellation policy ~ Developing trip report forms ~ Recruiting trip leaders and recognizing volunteers ~ Observing group size

Chapter 9: Trail and Shelter Maintenance

Set-up and responsibilities ~ Job basics ~ Planning and running a work outing ~ Trail ownership and regulations ~ Safety ~ References

Chapter 10: Section History and Archives

Why keep a section history and archives ~ Roles and responsibilities of section historian ~ What should be included in the section archives ~ Where to find historic information on a section ~ How to continue section history once it is compiled