Preamble

Membership in this organization is open to everyone in the Hamilton College community.  The
community is considered to be the students, faculty, and staff of the college.

Article 1

The name of this organization shall be the Hamilton Outing Club, hereafter “HOC.”

Article 2

The purpose of HOC is to provide members of the college community the opportunity to use
equipment owned by the club, participate in club outdoor activities, sponser on campus events
related to the outdoors, and to provide information concerning equipment,
camping sites, parks and other areas.

Article 3

Membership to the Outing Club is open to the entire Hamilton community.  A person may join the
Outing Club at any time during the year for a nominal membership fee, to be determined on a yearly
basis by a vote of the officers.  A membership card is issued upon payment of the membership fee.
Membership expires on the last day of spring term classes each year. 

Members to the club are entitled to borrow club equipment for a specified period of time at no cost
beyond the initial membership fee (see article 10).  Members are also entitled to participate in Club
organized trips. The Club maintains open hours Monday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Thursday from
7:00-9:00 p.m. The Club is open on the above days while school is in session, unless closed by
decision of the officers (see Article 6).

Article 4

The membership card is required every time equipment is borrowed, and it is retained at the club
while the member has the equipment.  Equipment will be lent only during club hours.  Climbing
equipment will not be lent and will be used only on club sponsored trips.  Borrowed equipment must
be returned on the following Monday (see article 10).  If equiptment is not returned on time, the member will be
charged a late fee per day that the club is open. The amount of the fee shall be determined each year by
the officers. If the member fails to return the equipment after another week the Outing Club reserves
the right to charge the member's account at the Business Office for the full replacement cost of
the equipment.  If the equipment is returned before the end of the year, the
member will receive a refund of 80% of the amount charged.

Article 5

HOC does not allow hazing of any kind for any purposes including, but not limited too, election of
officers or as a condition for membership.

Article 6

The Outing Club is run by a committee of officers of equal rank.  One officer is designated Business
Manager for the purpose of handling all Club financial matters and maintaining the Club's books and
records.  The Business Manager must be at a least a sophomore and have previous experience with
the affairs of the Outing Club.  Members may become officers by contributing a minimum of four
hours of work per month for a semester or the equivalent time period.  Status as an officer is
contingent upon continuous service to the club.  New officers must be elected by unanimous decision
of all current club officers.  There is no limit to the number of officers, the goal being to promote
participation in the direction of the Outing Club.  Decisions on behalf of the Outing Club must be
ratified by consent of more than half of the officers.  These often include budget proposals,
expenditures, procedures, and club sponsored activities.

Article 7

The Advisor of the club shall be whoever is currently the Director of the College’s Adventure
Program.  The Advisor shall be a participant in all meetings of the officers, but shall not have voting
privileges within the organization.

Article 8

There will be no more than five keys to the club.  Keys will be issued to the faculty advisor of the
Club, the Business Manager, and three other officers designated by the Club.  Keys are not to be
loaned or duplicated, unless by a unanimous decision of the officers.

Article 9

General meetings are called as deemed necessary by the officers, usually at least twice a semester to
inform members of planned trips and activities and to discuss suggestions for future trips and
activities.  Officers meet in the Outing Club regularly to plan trips and discuss projects, problems and
ideas.  Trips and activities should be publicized by way of posters, newsletters, and campus
schedules at least one week before the event.

Article 10

Equiptment shall be lent free of charge, except membership fees, unless specified by the club. Certain
equiptment may require a deposit in order to be borrowed. Items requiring a deposit shall be decided
by the officers. Equiptment must be returned by the following Monday, unless otherwise noted. Equiptment
borrowed over a break must be returned during the first open hours following the break. Certain epuiptment
(such as, but not limited to, xc-skis and showshoes) may have different rental guidelines, as
determined by the officers.

Article 11

The Officers of the Club should review this charter every fall.  It may be amended by the unanimous
consent of all current officers.  This charter is available for review by any member of the Hamilton
College community.