PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS – Prospective members may try out three local Group events before joining. All participants are responsible for informing the IOG event organiser well in advance of all health conditions that may impact or preclude them from taking part in an activity. Some events may be unsuitable for pets or young families; always check with the organiser first. Overnight trips are strictly limited to members-only. Note: the Group’s liability insurance is NOT a replacement for personal insurance which individual members are responsible for arranging when travelling with the Group. Confirmation of personal travel insurance for all attendees is required for overseas Group travel.
JOINING THE GROUP – At all times, our members are personally responsible for themselves and expected to respect the environment, local community, wildlife and other people. To keep our Group safe, discrimination, prejudice, bullying or harassment of any kind is not acceptable or tolerated. Members are expected to behave respectfully across all the Group’s social media and maintain our family-friendly community. Please report any concerning behaviour in the Group’s online communities to our Member’s Representative (membersrep@ipswichoutdoor.org) immediately.
The Group’s membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Those joining before 1 January, will have their membership due for renewal on 30 June. To encourage prospective members, anyone joining the Group for the first time between 1 January and 30 June, will have their membership extended so it will be due for renewal on 30 June the year after.
MEMBERS’ KEY TAGS – Unless opted out, registered IOG members at the start of the IOG year can collect a personalised membership key tag in September which enables various benefits, as detailed here: www.ipswichoutdoor.org/membership-benefits/. On joining, new members can request a generic membership key tag from the Membership Secretary.
MEMBERSHIP FEES – Membership fees can be paid to the Membership Secretary (membership@ipswichoutdoor.org) or Treasurer (treasurer@ipswichoutdoor.org) by cash or a cheque (made payable to Ipswich Outdoor Group).
PLEASE NOTE: If you complete the online membership form (www.ipswichoutdoor.org/membership-form/) there is also the option to pay by bank transfer – when we receive your completed online form the membership secretary will email you the details for the bank transfer.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL – The Membership Secretary emails a reminder in June. Members must return a completed membership form and fee for renewal by 31 July to ensure a personalised membership key tag for next year.
CHILD MEMBERS – Ipswich Outdoor Group members who are parents/guardians can apply for free child membership for children under the age of 18. Anyone over 18 must apply for their own Group membership. Please note when children, named on the front side of this form, participate in Group activities they must be accompanied by their parents/guardians and must be registered as child members. Members are responsible for their children at all times and should carefully consider the suitability of the activity for their child, after consultation with the event organiser.
CONCESSIONARY MEMBERSHIP – Concessionary membership is available to the unemployed (this does NOT extend to retirees), full-time students (member of a National Union of Students [NUS] affiliated students union or holder of an International Student Identity Card [ISIC]) or non-locals whose home postcode does NOT begin with IP (Ipswich), NR (Norwich), CO (Colchester), CB (Cambridge) or CM (Chelmsford) and may only attend a few events from the Group programme. The Group reserves the right to request evidence, such as proof of home address or valid student ID card.
DATA PROTECTION – Ipswich Outdoor Group will hold and process members information as per the privacy policy published and periodically updated online: www.ipswichoutdoor.org/privacy-policy/. Members’ contact and emergency contact details are available to committee members and may be shared with other event organisers, in an emergency.
PHOTOGRAPHY / FILMING – Ipswich Outdoor Group regularly posts pictures from our events onto our Facebook page, on our website and we also use them in our printed programme. This helps to publicise the group and encourage new members to join. If you DO NOT WANT TO BE SHOWN IN ANY PHOTOGRAPHS please inform the event leader BEFORE each event. Ipswich Outdoor Group accepts no responsibility for pictures taken by any of our members that are posted to their personal social media accounts.
GROUP LIABILITY – Ipswich Outdoor Group is a not-for-profit group run by volunteers elected from the membership. Individual members participate at own risk and are responsible for their own personal insurance (e.g. accident/injury or travel), plus ensuring drivers have appropriate vehicle insurance if sharing transport. A parent or responsible adult must accompany under 18s unless agreed in advance. IOG, as far as the law permits, accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury incurred in relation to any group activity or associated travel however caused, other than for death or personal injury caused by negligence for which IOG is liable at law and for which liability cannot be excluded.