Membership
Introduction and Application Procedure
The club is open to climbers and mountaineers of all abilities, new members are welcome irrespective of their previous experience. Prospective members are advised to attend at least one organised meet and introduce themselves to as large a cross-section of the club members as possible. Our current membership covers a very broad spectrum of age and mountaineering experience, so it is worth taking the trouble to attend a variety of meets to see which best suit your ambitions.
Membership Application Forms can be obtained from the Chairman or a committee member. Applications for membership are discussed at the next committee meeting, usually within one month. If the application is approved, and after recieving the appropriate fee, the Treasurer will issue a membership card and add the new member's details to the membership list. New members pay an enrolment fee of £1 plus the full membership fee, if joining before the end of August. Members joining after the 31st of August are charged a reduced fee.
Membership Renewals
Calendar year membership fees are due on the 1st of January and must be paid by the 31st of January to remain current with the British Mountaineering Council for insurance purposes. Members who pay later than the end of January will be required to pay an additional administration charge of £5. Lapsed members who re-apply for membership in another year will be required to pay the full year fee plus the £1 enrolement fee.
Current Membership fees
Adult Membership £25
A reduced rate for Family Membership (Man & Wife) is also available.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)
St. Helens Mountaineering Club is affiliated to the British Mountaineering Council. A portion of your membership fee (approx.£10.00) is paid to the BMC for services to the general mountaineering community. These include negotiations on access to crags and the ethics of climbing, third party liability insurance for club members, equipment testing and approval, and general advice on mountaineering related problems. Details of these services can be obtained from the Secretary or by contacting the BMC.
The Committee
The members elect a committee consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and six Committee Members at the Annual General Meeting in October each year. The committee attends to the general running of the club and arranges the programme of meets for the year.
Club Newsletter
The club produces a newsletter which is posted to members three or four times a year. It contains news and reports of official meets and members own trips, and also includes the current membership list. Send articles for the newsletter to news@sthelensmc.org.uk