Chattanooga Hiking Meetup Code of Conduct
Revised July 7, 2010

Chattanooga Hiking Meetup (CHM) is a hiking and eco-volunteer group, and as a community-building organization we realize that meeting new friends with like interests is one of the main reasons you've decided to join. However, respect for other people and respect for trails and the environment must never be taken lightly.

We've developed this Code of Conduct to address some of the behaviors that will not be tolerated at our events, with people you meet at our events, and on the Web sites associated with CHM (including but not limited to Meetup.com and Facebook).

CHM takes the well-being of our members very seriously. By using the CHM Web sites (whether or not you choose to become a member) and attending any events organized by CHM, you agree to accept this Code of Conduct. In other words, this is an agreement between you and CHM just like the Meetup Terms of Service (http://www.meetup.com...). To the extent there is any inconsistency between the Terms of Service and this Code of Conduct, the Terms of Service shall take precedence.

You agree that we may modify terms of this agreement from time to time at our sole discretion, which we will do by updating this document. If you do not agree with the terms below, you should stop using our site immediately.

Remember we're a community-building group, not a singles group, so we ask that members only contact people they've already met at an event or already know in real life. That includes e-mails, greetings on the Web site, and the like. Once you've made a mutual connection with someone at an event, take it from there! The exceptions to this would be communication from CHM trip leaders or member-to-member communication about logistics around an event.

At events, we ask that members respect each other and respect other people's boundaries. The same goes for emails and the message boards. Inappropriate, disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated! As moderators of the message boards, we can and will delete any posts that we deem inappropriate, disrespectful, offensive or damaging to the community at large. While the Web properties are "public", that doesn't mean they are a "free zone". Please let the organizer or trip leader know as soon as any member acts inappropriately in any way!

At all times:

• You will show courtesy and good will towards other members and users online and offline.
  
• You will not post content that is offensive to our community, such as photos, videos, messages, or events that promote racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual.
  
• You will not harass or advocate harassment of another person, such as by sending inappropriate messages or posting inappropriate comments.
  
• You will not distribute or disseminate inappropriate, unauthorized or unsolicited advertising or promotional offers including, but not limited to, spam, contests, sweepstakes, barter, junk mail, chain letters, and pyramid schemes.
  
• You will not invade privacy by attempting to collect, store, or publish private or personally identifiable information, including, but not limited to, password, account information, email, credit card number, address, or other contact information.
  
• You will not use the site to obtain personally identifiable information, or to solicit, sell, or promote to any member inappropriately.
  
• You will not impersonate another member, celebrity, or otherwise falsely represent yourself.
  
• You will not copy or reuse other members' content, such as their photos or videos, without their permission.
  
• You will not create "trolling" posts (deliberately posting false or provocative information in order to elicit responses from people who would not respond if they knew the motivation behind the post).
  
• You risk being removed from the group by doing anything illegal.
  

• Do not do anything illegal or do anything against park/trail rules.
  
• Stay on the marked trails at all times. Off-trail wilderness scars easily and can take years to recover.
  
• Always listen to safety rules and event agendas provided by trip leaders.
  
• Do not hike alone and generally stay with the group.
  
• Please drive only on the roads provided; vehicles can damage vegetation.
  
• Fire can cause devastating losses. Please don't throw cigarette butts down. The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden except in the designated areas at the parks or hiking areas.
  
• Please do not litter. There is no one to clean up after you.
  
• To protect our environment we would appreciate if a policy of "whatever you bring in - you take out" was followed.
  
• It is illegal to pick any plant, or to disturb or kill any animal or to remove or disfigure any biological, archaeological or geological material.
  
• Hikers taking deliberate and obvious short cuts when hiking could speed up erosion and damage wilderness. This is a punishable offense at many parks and you are asked to remain on the paths.