How I learned to love (or at least not hate) National Leader Standards

Chair, Angeles Chapter Outings Management Committee

As everyone might know, on July 1 the Outdoor Activities Governance Committee approved a set of leader standards that all current Sierra Club outings leaders are required to meet. These new standards were adopted because many chapters had no formal leader training program, and National felt that all outings leaders should meet some sort of current minimum.

Angeles Chapter is unique because we have an outstanding leader training program and a group of the finest outing leaders in the nation. Our safety record is unmatched, and this is quite a statement when you realize we run over 3,000 trips a year and have well over 1,000 leaders. These new requirements may seem frustrating because we all lead safe trips, are very aware of the risks involved, and have trained ourselves accordingly. Also, being mandated to do something by some unknown national entity just doesn't go down well.

When I first heard the news I felt the same way. I jumped around and said, This is B.S.! Haven't I done enough and spent enough over the last 25 years to be a good leader? After I calmed down (a few months later) and took another look at the whole issue, I began to feel that National has a point. The Club insures leaders against claims of negligence while leading Club-sponsored outings. It's understandable that National wants to know that every leader has received some basic standard leadership information and training.

Technically, we all had to be current by April 1, but because of the magnitude of our program, National just granted us an extension until Dec. 31. Not to worry (too much)\this whole issue is not as horrible as it once appeared.

According to National, the leader of any Sierra Club outing must:

Be a Sierra Club member. (Makes sense to me.)

Be at least 18 years old. (Legal adult age.)

Have current first aid certification equivalent to or higher than American Red Cross Basic. (You might be surprised at how many leaders choke up at the thought of evaluating minor injuries because they took their last course 20 years ago.)

Complete Outings Leader Training 101 for day trips or 201 for overnighters. (We have O, I, M, and E leadership requirements which meets or exceeds this.)

Have skills appropriate for the outing towards the advanced end of the scale. (This is a no-brainer.)

Provisionally lead one outing and received a positive evaluation by the Mentor leader. (The Mentor would be your assistant leader.)

Receive approval to lead outings from the Outings Chair or entity sponsoring the outing. (That is your own group/section.)

What does this all mean to the Angeles Chapter outings program? The good news is, because we have such an outstanding outings leader training program, all of our active leaders will be considered current in their training and trip lead requirements for four years after Dec. 31. Of course, the group or section chair has the final say in this.

The only issue left is first aid. Yes, we have to go out and do it. On a positive note, if you have already taken basic first aid or an equivalent, this requirement is retroactive. The American Red Cross offers many first aid classes weekly. Some Sierra Club sections hold free or almost free programs. The Friends of the Angeles Chapter Foundation sponsors a course at the Chapter office on a regular basis. There are several online courses. Many colleges, park districts, and schools offer courses.