Chattanooga Hiking Meetup
Requirements for Trip Leaders

• Trip Leaders must be responsible, knowledgeable, dependable, excellent communicators, and trustworthy.
  
• To be considered for trip leadership, you must have attended hikes and other events with Chattanooga Hiking Meetup to "see how things work."
  
• At least one of the existing Trip Leaders must recommend you for trip leadership.
  
• Experience with group leadership or event planning is desired but not required.
  
• Trip Leaders, like all members of Chattanooga Hiking Meetup, must be familiar with and abide by our Code of Conduct.
  
• It goes without saying that you must have Internet access at home to be able to monitor event RSVPs and email attendees.
  
• Trip Leaders must display a recent, accurate photo of themselves in their account area on the Meetup site.
  
• Attend the infrequent Trip Leader meetings.

• It is strongly recommended that you have hiked a route prior to leading that hike.
  
• Work with the Organizer or an Assistant Organizer to post your event on the Meetup site. You will be given "event host" privileges on the site, which means you'll be able to email attendees, change the event's description, and cancel the event if necessary.
  
• We share many parks and natural areas with hunters. Be sure to check state or federal websites for schedules for hunting seasons which might close trails to hikers.
  
• Clear, frequent communication with event attendees is critical if you're leading something more than a regular local hike. The organizer will email event reminders to the "yes" and wait list folks, especially if the event has a long wait list. We typically don't email event reminders for local hikes unless something has changed about the event. Proper spelling and grammar in emails and on the site is required.
  
• Monitor the discussions and questions that may appear under "Talk about this meetup" on your event page and respond quickly to questions. Post any information that would be beneficial to more than one person on the event page under "Talk about this meetup" or in the event description itself.
  
• Monitor weather forecasts on a frequent basis leading up to an event. It is your call as a Trip Leader if an event needs to be cancelled due to bad weather, but be sure to cancel it at least two hours ahead of the event so that members have time to receive the cancellation email.
  
• If you have to cancel an event for whatever reason, you must cancel it on the meetup site and send an email notice to attendees. Also let the Organizer know by email. If you're away from a computer, you must call or text the Organizer or an Assistant Organizer to have them cancel the event on the site, and you must get confirmation from that person that they are able to cancel the event.
  
• Be sure to have contact info for at least one other responsible person going to your event just in case you are running late and need to let them know.
  
• Print out maps and the Emergency Contact and Release form (for non-local hikes) prior to an event. Sign in sheets are not required for local hikes.
  
• Carry with you, or store in your mobile phone, contact information for the ranger's office for the park you will be hiking.
  
• If you're leading an event that requires a fee such as overnight stays or event tickets, work with the Organizer to set up and monitor payments. Be aware of refund policies for your event in case you get questions.

• Show up at the meeting place a few minutes early, with directions and map of the hike.
  
• Welcome members and have everyone sign the Emergency Contact and Release form (for non-local hikes). Sign in sheets are not required for local hikes.
  
• Communicate clearly to the group about what they can expect from the hike in terms of time, distance, degree of difficulty, overview of the site, etc. Lay out the goals and expectations of the hike.
  
• Assign a competent person to walk in the sweep position. Make plans to check in at designated points.
  
• Remind people to wait at every trail junction for the whole group.
  
• Maintain the safety and well-being of your group. If it is a hot day, make sure your group is drinking water.
  
• Create a quality experience for the people on your trip. Stop and smell the flowers. Don’t be in such a rush that you miss pointing out the unique sights and sounds of your hike. Have fun!
  
• Stay on course…you are responsible to keep your group from getting lost.
  
• Be ready for emergencies. Carry a first aid kit.
  
• Check in with your group from time to time to see how everyone is doing. People have different physical limits that you want to press but not exceed.
  
• Make sure everyone is back at the end.

• Get the sign in forms to the Organizer. Sign in sheets are not required for local hikes.
  
• Monitor the event reviews on the site and let the Organizer know of any out of the ordinary comments.
  
• Let the Organizer know by email how the event went and any bad behavior.
  
• Edit the online attendance list and move anyone out who was a no show.