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Membership Committee

        The Chapter Membership Committee is responsible for recruiting new members, answering inquiries about membership, encouraging member participation and, in general, seeing to it that all members, new and old, get the services that they are entitled to. With over 14,000 members and thousands of new members each year, sometimes things go "bump" and it really keeps us hopping like that little bunny.

        Please remember that, except for a single, part-time staff person in the New York City Office, all of us leaders, officers and organizers are volunteers. Most of us have another job to do, just like most of you, and we request that you do your best to cooperate with us.

AMC NY-NoJ Members! Help us to get to know you better. Please fill out a Member Profile.

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Membership Assistance

        Here are some of the questions and problems that we are frequently asked about, and that we can help with. Click on these links for the answers.

Is there a meeting schedule, new members parties, get-togethers to learn about the club? How do I Join? I'm a New Member, how do I get started? How can I change my address in Club records? I need a copy of the Chapter Schedule...? How can I cancel the paper copy of the Chapter Schedule...? I did not get my TRAILS & Waves...? I did not get my AMC Outdoors...? I did not get a Membership Application...? I want to renew my membership, but can't find application...?

I want more information before I Join. What do I get if I Join? Can I Join another Chapter? How can I change my Chapter Affiliation? How can I Volunteer for something? I had a bad experience with a Leader, what can I do? I need a password. What do I do? Something's wrong with the website. How do I contact the webmaster? I can't find what I want, what do I do now?

        There are always PEOPLE who can help. If these answers don't fill your needs, please call someone on our New Members Hot Line or contact one of the people below.

Membership Chair (973) 890-9280 < >	Chapter Office Manager New York-North Jersey Chapter Appalachian Mountain Club 5 Tudor City Place New York, NY 10017 (212) 986-1430 < >
If you use E-mail, please include your name, US Mail address and phone numbers.

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ANSWERS

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Question: Is there a meeting schedule, new members parties, get-togethers to learn about the club?

Membership Schedule

        Join us at any of our many meetings. Check our Membership Schedule.

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Question: How do I Join?

Joining AMC

        To become an AMC Member, get a membership application, pay by credit card or fill it in and mail it to us with a check. The amount depends on the membership options that you select. To request any membership option, get a copy of our on-line AMC Membership Applications.

        The application form (see above) includes all the information that you need. You can also read about the membership options.

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Question: I'm a New Member, how do I get started?

Getting Started with AMC

        The first thing that you need is a copy of our Chapter Schedule of activities so that you know what is going on. The Chapter's Schedule will be mailed to you as soon as the Chapter knows that you are a member and that depends on how you joined.

        If you joined by sending an application to a local address, New York City or New Jersey (Little Falls, currently), or paid using a credit card at the NY chapter website, your first copy of the Schedule should be in the return mail, and you should receive it in just a few days.

        In the meantime, there is a partial Schedule on the Chapter's WebSite. It includes activities that are open to the public, and those that you have to preregister for. You can participate in any of those activities that you are qualified for by contacting the Leader and making arrangements to go.

        When you get your copy of the Schedule, please read the material in the front of the booklet about the type of activities that you are interested in. There is a lot of information there that is intended to inform you and to help you become active. Pay particular attention to the activity rating systems used by the committees, and please, do not try to register for activities that are beyond your abilities. If you have any question as to your ability to participate in a hike or other outing, call the leader and explain. He or she will probably be able to help you.

        Many of our hikes, walks and other activities are what we call "show-&-go". Usually the time and place of meeting are specified by a transportation code that indicates a specific bus or train to take and where to get off. These codes are printed in the front of the Schedule and are also online here. Old timers usually buy a one-way ticket, knowing that there will usually be someone on the hike with a car who will bring them back close to home. You are not expected to preregister for "show-&-go" activities.

        Other activities, such as Canoe & Kayak Trips, Backpack Trips or Fire Island Weekends, may have limits on how many people may participate, and may have specific skill requirements for participants. For these activities there are usually specific directions as to how to preregister included in the activity description. Call the leader with any questions. If the leader's contact information is not in the description, contact the Chair of the activity committee that sponsors the activity. The contact information for all the activity committee Chair's is in the front of the Chapter Schedule.

        One final note; Becoming active in the New York-North Jersey Chapter depends on your initiative to get out and do things yourself. If you would like to meet some members and know more about how things work, come to one or more of our New Member Events -- we hold a New Member's Party a couple of times a year, and the "Third Thursday" of every month is a "Orientation for Old & New Members" at the Chapter Office in NYC. Come and join us and get to really enjoy your participation in the AMC as much as we do!

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Question: How can I change my address in Club records?

Changing Your Address

        Are you an AMC member who has recently changed your address, phone number, or email address? Do you want to change your chapter affiliation? AMC Headquarters in Boston maintains the master list of members' addresses. When the Chapter mails things to you, the labels we use usually come from the headquarters list. If your entry in the list is not updated correctly by the time labels are printed, your label is wrong. Most of the stuff that we mail is sent less than first class and often not forwarded. Please change your address by sending a short note to:

Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108

Sample Label

        In your note, please include your name, current listed address, current listed phone, AMC membership number (from an AMC Outdoors label) and your new address and new phone number, if possible.

        You can also fill out the web-based change-address form at our Boston HQ website.

        It may also be possible to change your address by phone or e-mail. Call (617) 523-0636, and be sure to have your membership number available, or e-mail and include your membership number in your message.

NOTE: If you are being mailed material by one of the Chapter activity committees, such as the Canoe & Kayak Committee newsletter , changing your address in the Club database will not change the address that the committee uses. The AMC Headquarters database does not contain information about what activities you participate in and is not the source of activity specific labels. Please also contact your local activity committee to change your address in their records.

NOTE: The Post Office is getting pickier about including apartment numbers in addresses. Yes, your regular mailman knows you - but the temp who's replacing him doesn't. He may find it easier to return the item as "undeliverable" than search for your mailbox. If your apartment number is missing from the address on your mailing label, contact the Club office and fix the omission.

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Question: How can I cancel the paper copy of the Chapter Schedule...?

The Chapter Schedule paper copy

        If you wish to save a tree, you may cancel the paper copy of the Chapter Schedule. You can then use the web-based online version of the Chapter Schedule or your monthly copy of AMC Outdoors. This choice will also save the Chapter printing and postage costs.

Question: I need a copy of the Chapter Schedule...?

The Chapter Schedule

        The main reason why members do not receive their copy of the Chapter Schedule is that they have moved and not updated their address in the Club records. Labels are printed about a week before the Schedules are mailed and all Chapter members of record are mailed a Schedule. Schedules are NOT forwarded because the 3^rd Class rate we use is NOT forwarded. Occasionally there are other glitches.

        The Chapter Schedule is not a benefit of your AMC Membership. It is a bonus, a perk, of your affiliation with the New York-North Jersey Chapter. Club Headquarters in Boston only prints the mailing labels for us. Please do not call Boston if you don't get the Schedule, it is entirely a Chapter project.

        All of the Chapter activities are also listed in your copy of AMC Outdoors. If you don't get our Schedule, you can use that until your Chapter Schedule arrives. And, while you are waiting for your Schedule, try the online version.

How to Get a Replacement Chapter Schedule

If you have not received a Schedule by the first day it covers. . .
Or,
If you received a Schedule that is in some way defective. . .
Or,
If you need to replace your copy of the Schedule for any reason. . .
Mail a note to the AMC NYC Office, 5 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017. Please do NOT call and leave a message, or send e-mail.

In your note:

• Please tell us why you want a replacement schedule (Premature requests will be ignored.)
• Enclose a 4" x 9" Self-Addressed Envelope (without stamps).
• Tell us your AMC MEMBERSHIP NUMBER. If you joined for first time ever within the past 6 weeks, tell us (with approximate date you mailed the application).

• If you moved recently, please change your address in the Club Records.
• If you didn't renew on time, and have just done so, tell us (with approximate date you mailed the check).

A copy of the current Schedule will be mailed to you in your envelope.

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Question: I did not get my TRAILS & Waves...?

        TRAILS & Waves is the Chapter's Newsletter and mailing labels for it are obtained from the AMC Headquarters database. If your address is not correct in that database you will not get your copy. There are usually four issues of TRAILS & Waves each year, Spring (Mar.), Summer (June), Fall (Oct.) and Winter (Dec.).

        If you know that other members have received their copy of TRAILS & Waves and you are sure that your copy is not just slow, call the AMC Office (212) 986-1430, leave a message with your name and address, or send e-mail to with the same information, and a current copy will be mailed to you.

        In the meantime, try the online version.

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Question: I did not get my AMC Outdoors...?

        AMC Outdoors is the near-monthly magazine of the Appalachian Mountain Club and is sent to all members. There are 10 issues each year, 8 monthly and 2 bi-monthly for July/August and January/February. Each issue should reach your mail box near the beginning of the month of the issue.

        If AMC Outdoors stops coming, it might have been lost in the mail, but more likely, your mailing label/address is incorrect. Write to:

Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108

Sample Label

        In your note, tell them that you are not getting AMC Outdoors, and that you would like the current issue. Include your name, address and AMC membership number (from an old AMC Outdoors label).

        It may also be possible to fix the problem by phone, Fax or e-mail. Phone (voice) (617) 523-0636, and be sure to have your membership number available. Tell them that you are not getting AMC Outdoors, and that you would like the current issue. Include the same information in a Fax note to (617) 523-0722, or e-mail .

        There are also copies of AMC Outdoors available at the Chapter Office at 5 Tudor City Place. You are welcome to stop by and pick up a copy, but we can't mail them to you because of the high cost to the Chapter.

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Question: I did not get a Membership Application...?

Membership Applications

        If you have requested a membership application, and did not get it, somebody made a mistake or dropped the ball. Not to worry, you can get one online.

        If you can't print the application, send e-mail to , and ask for an application. One will be returned by e-mail.

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Question: I want to renew my membership, but can't find application...?

Renewing Your AMC Membership

Sample Label

        If you have misplaced your membership renewal form, you can renew on line at: Renew On Line.  If you renew on line, you will need to know your membership number (see below) and you can use a credit card.  Or, if you prefer, you can simply send a note and a check to:

Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108

        In your note, include your name, current address, current phone number, AMC membership number (See sample label). It's a good idea to attach a current AMC Outdoors label. Enclose a check made out to Appalachian Mountain Club. Current renewal prices can be found here: Renew By Mail.

        In the sample label on the line above your name, the highlighted number "28081" is your membership number, "NY" is your chapter affiliation.

NOTE: This is a (2001) sample label, older labels had codes indicating when your membership started. This label has the code "4/02" indicating the your membership expires in April, 2002. This is not really a "label", it is actually printed on the magazine cover.

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Request: I want more Information before I Join.

More Information

        It's hard to find a better source of information about the AMC than right here. Please explore our WebSite and start with our Guide to WebSite. If you can't find the answer to a specific question quickly, you can try searching the site index, or send e-mail to , and we'll get back to you with an answer ASAP.

        Another really good way to find out more about us is to come to one of our New Members' Parties or one of our 3^rd Thursday evening orientations in New York City. Everyone is welcome at these events, so try our online New Members schedule to check them out.

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Question: What do I get if I Join?

Member Benefits

        All members receive 10 issues AMC Outdoors each year, which includes a listing of all the chapters' and Club activities and workshops. Members also are eligible for discount rates at many of the AMC Camps and other facilities. New members are automatically affiliated, unless they indicate differently, to a Chapter that serves the area where they live. Members who are affiliated with a chapter also receive their chapter's mailings, which usually includes newsletters and schedules. Members affiliated with the NY-NoJ Chapter get 3 issues of the Chapter Schedule booklet and 4 issues of the Chapter newsletter, TRAILS & Waves.

        For an additional $10.00, a member can also receive the AMC's bi-annual journal, APPALACHIA, which is the longest continually published mountaineering journal in the US.

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Question: Can I join another Chapter?

Joining/Affiliating with Other Chapters

        Technically, you "JOIN" the Appalachian Mountain Club, you are "affiliated" with a chapter, and the chapter receives a portion of your dues money. You can be affiliated with any of the 12 chapters that you wish, or you can be unaffiliated if you prefer. On the application form simply check the box for the chapter that you want. If you don't check any box, you will be automatically affiliated with the chapter that serves the area in which you live. Then you will receive more information about the activities in your neighborhood.

        No matter what chapter you affiliate with, you can participate in any chapter's activity that you are qualified for. All chapters activities are listed in the Club-wide AMC Outdoors magazine.

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Question: How can I change my Chapter Affiliation?

Changing Chapter Affiliation

Sample Label

        To find out what chapter you are affiliated with check your mail label from a copy of AMC Outdoors. On the right end of the line above your name, your chapter is indicated by these codes: AA - Unaffiliated, BK - Berkshire, BO - Boston, CT - Connecticut, DV - Delaware Valley, DC - Washington DC, NA - Narragansett (Rhode Island), NH - New Hampshire, NY - New York-North Jersey, ME - Maine, MH - Mohawk Hudson, SE - Southeastern Massachusetts and WO - Worcester. If you want to change your chapter affiliation, write a note to:

Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108

        In your note, include your name and AMC membership number. Indicate that you want to change your chapter affiliation, and which chapter you wish to be affiliated with.

        You can also fill out the web-based change-address form at our Boston HQ website.

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Question: How can I Volunteer for something?

Volunteering

        Most AMC activities, events, and administrative duties are done by volunteer members. Examples are: activity (hike, bike, canoe, etc.) leaders, trail maintainers, committee chairs and committee workers - and many more. If you would like to volunteer for some job, we would like to know about it. The best person to contact is the Committee Chair for the area where you would like to get involved. Go to the Guide to WebSite and select the area/page that interests you, most pages have one or more addresses and phone numbers of contact people - many with e-mail addresses. Get in touch and let them know that you are interested in working in their area and what your skills are.

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Question: I had a bad experience with a Leader, what can I do?

Activity Leadership

        Almost all Chapter activities are led by VOLUNTEERS who give of their time to lead activities because they love doing it. Our Leaders are not paid guides who will take care of you, and you should not expect that. Most of our Leaders are very good at what they do; they are knowledgeable about the region, they are skillful in their activity, helpful to participants, and are very concerned about everyone's safety. All of our volunteer Leaders bring their own personal characteristics with them when they lead an activity -- we call it "Leadership Style" -- and it makes for a grand variety of events even within an activity. However, a few members find that they do not enjoy the styles of certain Leaders and they avoid participating in the activities they lead. Before you do anything that might injure the reputation of one of our valued Leaders, please make sure that your difficulty is a real problem and not simply a conflict of style.

        If you think you see a problem with a Leader, you should investigate by discussing your problem with other participants in the activity and with the LEADER. If the problem is your unfamiliarity, the other participants and the Leader may be able to clear it up quickly. Very often problems perceived by new people are just misunderstandings that can be easily cleared by asking questions and getting answers. It is also a very good idea for participants to know what the Club, the Chapter and the Activity Committee expect of their leaders. The Club has very few firm requirements and policies that apply to leaders -- instead, the Club has developed a set of generic guidelines (See Leadership Requirements and Guidelines) that leaders are urged to follow. However, these guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the experience and judgement of the Leaders. Experienced Leaders may well have good reasons for deviating from these guidelines. Activity Committees may also impose additional requirements on their Leaders.

        The New York-North Jersey Chapter has additional policies for trips and leaders specific to our Chapter. These policies can be found in the Trips Section of the Chapter Handbook for Officers & Committee Chairs.

        There are also certain policies that Activity Committees and Leaders must follow to preserve the Club's and their liability insurance protection. (See Recreational Activities and Liability Insurance)

        If your problem is the actions or inaction of the Leader, NOTHING is going to change until someone talks to the LEADER! Speaking with the Leader and explaining your problem is the First Step and the BEST way to resolve most issues.

        If speaking with the Leader was not successful or impossible for you, and you are certain that the Leader has done things that are unacceptable or negligent, as a Second Step, you can call or write and make your complaint to the Chair of the Activity Committee that sponsored the activity and approved the Leader. (The names and addresses of most Activity Committee Chairs are on each Committee's Web Page, and they are all listed in the front of each Chapter Schedule.) Writing your complaint is better than a telephone call because your written complaint is reproducible and documented. The Activity Committee is where any action against the Leader would occur. You and the Leader may be asked to appear at a Committee meeting. Actions that Committee could take include; 1) Fully support the Leader's action, 2) Reprimand the Leader for actions/inactions, 3) Require the Leader to take additional training, 4) Withdraw approval as a Leader for a period of time, 5) Permanently withdraw approval as Leader.

        If you are not satisfied with the action of the Activity Committee, you can appeal the matter to the Chapter Executive Committee. Now you need to write to the Chapter Chair and explain the problem. You, as well as other parties, may be asked to appear before the Executive Committee. The Chapter Executive Committee can agree with the decision of the Activity Committee or direct it to take specific action. In the worst case, the Executive Committee can relieve the Activity Committee Chair and replace that person(s) with someone who will take their required action.

        If you are still not satisfied with the action taken on your complaint, you can further appeal to the Executive Director, or the President and the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Mountain Club in Boston. However, the Club officers and staff rarely disagree with the local Chapter Officers on what they perceive as local matters. All complaints that have gone to this level in the past, that Chapter officers are aware of, have been referred back to the Chapter for resolution.

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Question: I need a password. What do I do??

Passwords

        Some of our on-line schedules are password-protected.

Passwords can be retrieved on the "My Account Page." It may take a few weeks for new members to be put in the database, so please be patient. If you still need the password immediately, you should contact the NYC office, (not the webmaster,) and see if they can help. But first, please read Getting Started with AMC

The password retrieval system will match four pieces of information to verify your identity:

1. Name
2. Member ID number
3. Zip Code
4. Your email address

All these items must match our records exactly, and if so, your password will be emailed to you. If your records have changed in any way, or if your email address is not in our system, you will have to go to the Club website, http://www.outdoors.org, click "Join/Renew" then "Change address", and re-enter your address and e-mail, with any typos fixed. The Club sends us update info for our chapter database around the 16th of the month, so I'm afraid the password routine won't recognize you until our site's updated, about 20th or 21st of each month.

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Question: Something's wrong with the website. How do I contact the webmaster??

        If you can express your problem in a couple of key words, please try searching the site index.
If you need a password, please read Passwords
For website-structure problems only, e-mail the Webmaster, else for all other problems, contact the others on this page.

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Question: I can't find what I want, what do I do now?

Need More Help

        If you can express your problem in a couple of key words, please try searching the site index. You can also call or e-mail experienced AMC Members who live near you from our New Members Hot Line, and of course, you can write, phone or e-mail one of us.

Membership Chair (973) 890-9280 < >	Chapter Office Manager New York-North Jersey Chapter Appalachian Mountain Club 5 Tudor City Place New York, NY 10017 (212) 986-1430 < >
If you use E-mail, please include your name, US Mail address and phone numbers.

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Other relevant links:
Membership Help Other Help New Member Hotline Other Committees Executive Committee Full Site Map