Chapter Handbook for Officers and Committee Chairs

The purpose of this Handbook is to give new Chapter officers and Committee Chairs an overall view of how the Club and Chapter work, the responsibilities of Chapter Officers and Chapter Committee Chairs, and their relationship to the membership, Club Officers and Club Committees.

Because of the differences between the numerous Committee activities and services, each Committee operates in its own fashion which has evolved to suit its particular needs. The intent of this manual is to offer general guidelines for all the Committees and then guidelines for the specific Committees. Being aware of how the Club, Chapter and other committees function, may make your job less intimidating.

HISTORY

        The AMC was founded in 1876 by college and university professors from the Boston area who enjoyed climbing in the White Mountains. Their purpose was to further their outdoor enjoyment and also to preserve the mountains as wilderness. Their efforts helped create the White Mountain National Forest.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

        The government of the Chapter is vested in the Chapter Executive Committee and is made up of the Chapter officers who include of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and three members at large who represent the Chapter Committees. The Club Regional Director, in whose region the Chapter falls, is a non-voting advisory, (ex-officio) member of the Executive Committee.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

        In what follows, "Committee" means any Activity or Service committee listed in the Chapter Schedule of Activities. It does not include the Chapter Executive Committee. Similarly, "Chair" means the Chair(s) of Activity or Service committees, not the Chapter Chair.

GUIDELINES FOR ALL COMMITTEES

        All Chapter Committees have some common functions and activities. The guidelines below apply to most of the committees. Some of the following guidelines are more appropriate for some committees than others, but most of them apply to more than one committee.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB
NEW YORK–NORTH JERSEY CHAPTER

BY-LAWS
(as Amended October 18, 1993)

Article I - Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of the New York-North Jersey Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to promote the purposes of the Club in the New York and Northern New Jersey area.