Here is are 3 suggestions for the RPC & RPC clubs to consider

 

1. Emergency & Hiker Safety planning

 

Statement of the Problems:  

 

There is the potential (albeit slight) for a hiker injury to result in an un-necessary death because of several easily addressed factors.

 

Causes:

·        Some hikers are not carrying or cannot find where they are on the guidebook maps.  ATC or its clubs do not provide this type of information to A.T. hikers.

·        Emergency response units are primarily focused on more common problems that occur in urban, suburban, or rural areas.  Additionally, these units do not know who to call to ask about A.T. locations.  This has the potential to delay response.

Evidence of need:

·        The incident last year on the Carolina Mountain Club’s section where a hiker had a medical emergency and it took a while for him to contact the appropriate local emergency services, identify his location, and be reached by medical responders.  He almost died on the A.T. due to a series of issues.

·        In the event of a “preventable” death, ATC or the local club would probably not receive positive publicity.

Background:

·        Hikers are often unaware of exactly where they are in an emergency situation and the easiest way to contact emergency assistance. 

·        Similarly, some emergency response organizations are unaware of the A.T., the locations of shelters, and how to most easily reach places along the A.T.

·        ATC currently has a sign for shelters that list the shelter location, nearest public phone, a phone number for emergency help, etc.

 

Possible solutions:

 

1)      SORO RPC representatives share with each other what they are doing to address this issue on their sections.  If the clubs feel that action is needed, any of the following options may be chosen:

·        ATC clubs complete & install the informational signs at each shelter.

·        ATC and/or its clubs meet with local emergency responders to discuss responding to incidents along the A.T. and deliver detailed A.T. information.

·        NERO ATC & ATP have held Critical Incident Management meetings with local responders in MA & CT.  Bob Gray would be a useful contact person.  Additionally, Matt Robinson provided custom maps.

·        Do nothing.  It is the hiker’s responsibility to be responsible.

 

ATC’s Recommended solution: #1

 

2.     Trail Skills Training

 

Statement of the Problem:    

 

ATC has not been offering club development training (e.g. communications, club leadership, volunteer recruitment, volunteer retention, etc.) for our clubs.

 

Causes:

ATC hasn’t been asking all the right people for training ideas.  Typically, the Associate Regional Representatives send out the training letter to the A.T./Trail Maintenance Supervisor and copy the club president. 

Evidence of need:

At the last SORO RPC meeting, this type of training was requested by 4 out of 5 SORO clubs.

Background:

Typically, A.T. maintaining clubs have requested a narrow range of topics for the training program.  Requested topics have generally included sawyer training and trail skills workshops. 

 

Possible solutions:

 

1)      Associate Regional Representatives send out the training request letter to the A.T./Trail Maintenance Supervisor and the club leadership body.

2)      Along with the club’s A.T./Trail Maintenance Supervisor, ATC staff attends a meeting of each club’s leadership body to discuss in length the club’s training needs.  This would be a “mini” needs assessment type process.

3)      Each club would develop a Training/Education coordination function (e.g. committee or designated person) that would be the main contact for the Associates in planning, scheduling, implementing, and evaluating each training season. Draft Job Description

 

ATC’s Recommended solution: #3

 

3. Alcohol policy for our volunteer trail crews

 

Statement of the Problem:    

 

ATC currently handles alcohol differently for each trail crew program.  This creates confusion for volunteers who work at multiple crews.  A simpler, more uniform policy would be ideal.

 

Causes:

·        Currently, some programs ban alcohol consumption in the field and at base camp.

·        Others ban it only in the field

·        Others allow it everywhere.

·        Additionally, some ATC clubs provide alcohol to crew volunteers as part of their crew support.

Evidence of need:

·        There have been incidences in the past where crew staff and crew members have not behaved responsibly while in the field.  We are addressing the issue for crew staff, but the issue remains for volunteers.

·        Irresponsible alcohol consumption in the field creates potential safety problems.

Background:

·        ATC staff would like to prohibit (or greatly restrict) the program-wide consumption of alcoholic beverages by crew volunteers while in the field.

·        ATC staff are going to prohibit the program-wide consumption of alcoholic beverages by crew staff while in the field.

 

Possible solutions:

 

1)      ATC bans alcohol for all programs at base camp and while in the field.

2)      ATC bans alcohol for all programs in the field and maintaining clubs agree to not provide alcohol to crew volunteers while in the field.  Alcohol consumption remains an option while at base camp.

3)      ATC maintains the status quo and leaves the issue up to each program manager.

 

ATC’s Recommended solution: #2

 

 

 

AT North Carolina License Tag News Update

Third Check Received!

The ATC has received the third check for $10,000 from the sale of the tags. This represents about 1500 tags sold in the first 6 months. If you haven't bought yours yet you better hurry!! 

Half Time Position Approved

The NC License Tag Program Oversight Committee has unanimously agreed that it is ok to spend NC tag funds for a half-time position in our office.  This position would have three main functions, in descending order of priority: 1.  Oversee the NC License Tag Program (PR, coordination, ATC gift memberships, budget, reporting, etc.) 2.  SORO office management 3.  Program assistance/volunteer management for other SORO programs. This is to be a half-time, hourly position.  I would like to develop the job description next week and advertise ASAP.  Ideally the new person will start in early to mid-February. Morgan