Berkeley Ski Club Member Guide

A. Service to the Club

The BSC is a member run organization with a member maintained lodge. It is therefore expected that each member contribute their unique talents and skills in support of the club and the lodge. The BSC Service Requirement Policy was enacted on March 31, 2015 and then amended on Aug. 25, 2015. A list of board and non-board positions is listed below. Smooth operation of the club depends critically on member participation!

Board Positions:

• President
• Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• VP Membership Records
• VP Publicity/Recruiting
• VP Social
• Media Content Manager (Newsletter Editor)
• Lodge Maintenance Manager
• Prior Year's President
• Member at Large (optional)

Appointed Non-Board Positions:

• Lodge Supply Manager
• Webmaster

1) Board and/or committee positions are subject to change based upon club need and board vote.

2) The outgoing Board of Directors may vote upon compensation for the incoming Board and non-board positions.

3) The Constitution allows certain positions to be split (Art IV Sec. 2) and allows the President to designate a Board member to act in their stead as Prior-Year President. (Art IV Sec. 3). However, the position of Prior Year President may not be “split,” except when the position of President was also split, and each of the Members plans to split Prior-Year President (no designee). When the President serves a second (consecutive) term as President, or when the President declines to serve as Prior-Year President but makes no designation of a replacement (Constitution Art. IV Section 3), the position of Prior-Year President is empty.

A1. Service Requirements

1) With the number of members in the Club and the number of Board/Appointed positions to fill, you should serve in such a position every 6-8 years.

2) If you don't obtain a position within 5 years of joining the Club (10 years for existing members on 3/15/15), or within 10 years of your last Board/appointed service, (or within 5 years of your last Board/appointed service for Seasonal Lodge Supply Manager and "shared" Board positions during fiscal year 2021-22 or thereafter), your annual active dues increase by a $150 Service in-lieu fee until you serve.

3) If a member attempts to satisfy the service requirement and is not successful in securing a position, they can receive a one-year waiver of the $150 dues increase during the next club year. Active members can satisfy this requirement by notifying the club president of their interest in serving prior to the election to select board members for the next club year. Members can specify one or more positions that they are interested in filling. However, the president can offer the member a position other than the one(s) that the member requested in order to fill all open positions. The waiver will only be granted if no board or appointed position was offered to the member. A waiver can be granted to a member in multiple consecutive years if the above conditions are met.

4) Inactive members do not pay the annual Service in-lieu fee during the time they are inactive, but will upon their return to Active status. Since only Active members can run for an elected position or be appointed to an appointed position, the waiver provision described in the prior paragraph is not available to a returning Inactive member.

5) The time from joining the Club and last Board/appointed service is not tolled during the time a member is Inactive. It is possible, then, for a returning Inactive member to incur the Service inlieu fee on their return.

6) To encourage consecutive-year Board Service, any Board member serving two or more consecutive non-split Board terms will be first subject to a Board Service in-lieu fee 15 years (rather than 10) following the last year of the consecutive terms.

B. Work Weekends

1) Each active member is obligated to either participate in one work weekend per year or pay an in-lieu fee (currently $125).

2) A work weekend must be completed during the time interval of the current BSC year, defined as beginning on October 15th and ending the following year on Oct. 14th.

3) Inactive members are not required to participate in a work weekend, nor are they required to pay the work weekend in lieu fee. However, members switching from active to inactive status are required to perform a work weekend during their final year of active membership, or to pay the work weekend in lieu fee.

4) No extra credits will be given for work weekends performed during previous years, or if a member participates in more than one work weekend per year.

5) The Board will select a minimum of four work weekend dates per season. These dates will be published in the newsletter and on the BSC website.

6) A maximum of 15 members will be allowed at each work weekend.

7) The Lodge Manager will set up a numbered sign up list for each work weekend (no limit to number of members on list), with spots open on a first come, first serve basis.

8) A member can sign up for only one of the four weekends at a time. If a member wants to switch to a different work weekend, he/she must forfeit priority on the old list and are added to the end of the list for the newly scheduled weekend. The work weekend leader will attempt to fill vacated positions by making them available sequentially to others on the same sign up list.

9) The Lodge Maintenance Manager can approve a work weekend credit for comparable work done at the Lodge, if the work is approved by the Manager before being done. This approval can include a meal and stay allowance, if included in the advance approval.

10) The VP Social can approve a work weekend credit for hosting a Club Social event (Holiday Party, Summer Picnic, etc.) at the member's home, if the credit is approved before the event.

11) The member can choose to take 10 vouchers instead of the work weekend credit.

12) The Board can extend or withdraw work weekend credits for good cause shown.

C. Fees, Dues

1) One time, refundable security deposit (currently $200).

2) One time, new member non-refundable initiation fee (currently $150).

3) Annual Membership dues: amount decided each year by board (currently $150).

4) All membership dues, work weekend fees and all outstanding debts are to be received no later than October 15th. Dues or fees received after Oct. 15, will be subject to a LATE FEE of $25.

5) A member will be dropped from the club if all fees and outstanding debts are not received by Nov. 15th. Reapplication or membership is subject to board approval.

6) Lodge Fee for members: $14 per night (or by use of voucher).

7) Lodge Fee for all guests (adults and children): $42, or three vouchers paid by a BSC member, for people over the age of 18. $28, or two vouchers paid by a BSC member, for people 18 and younger.

8) Work weekend fee: $125 for those who did not participate during the current season's scheduled work weekends.

D. Lodge eVouchers

1) eVouchers are good for one night's stay at the lodge by an active member and may be purchased year round at a discounted rate (currently $120 for 10 eVouchers).

2) eVouchers must be purchased in advance.

3) eVouchers are non-refundable.

4) Three eVouchers may be used to pay for each night for a guest, or two eVouchers for a child 18 or younger.

5) Transfer or sale to other active members is allowed.

6) eVouchers do not expire and retain their value despite any subsequent rate increases.

The lodge is run on a cooperative basis. In order to run smoothly, everyone's participation in its operation is required. Equally important is adherence to the lodge rules. Knowing how the lodge works helps everyone have a good group living experience. Everyone's assistance keeps things running smoothly.

A. What to Bring

The club provides many items for your convenience, but you need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow case, towel, flashlight and earplugs (if you're sensitive to noise/snoring). Don't forget your username/password to CheckIn.

B. Check in Procedures

1) Upon arrival, all members and guests must sign in using our (new in 2019) computer-based CheckIn system. You must sign in even if you don't know how many nights you are staying; you'll just check out when you leave.

2) Your guests will electronically sign a liability waiver when you sign in (so your guest needs to be with you when you are signing in). This is the same liability waiver you signed when you joined.

3) Two additional forms are found on the bulletin board. One is for bed assignment and the other is for a daily housekeeping chore. The lodge has four bedrooms (five double beds and fourteen single beds). Double beds are reserved for registered couples. All rooms and bathrooms are co-ed.

4) If your car is blocking someone in the driveway, put your license number next to your bed assignment so others will be able to find you in the morning.

5) Payment for lodging is made by eVoucher, or by one credit card. If you have guests, they can be the one to use the one credit card. If you wish to share payment, settle that up with cash between you and your guests.

C. Parking

Since we have limited parking in front of the lodge, we request you park as close as possible to the house and to the other vehicles to maximize parking space. Do not park on the street—there are big fines! If you are blocking another car, please identify your car on the bed assignment board.

D. Kitchen

1. Members are welcome to use the kitchen for personal food preparation. The club provides coffee and tea, some kitchen supplies for general use (foil, plastic wrap, sandwich bags) and some condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing).  All members are expected to clean up after themselves in a timely manner.   This includes that all dishes/glassware/silverware/cooking implements are to be rinsed and placed in the dishwasher or washed by hand.  No dirty dishes are to be left in the sink, on the counter, on the table, or in the living room.   The first person up in the morning should not have to process a sink full of dirty dishes before he can make breakfast.   Be particularly mindful after making dinner.  The next person who wishes to cook her dinner will need access to the sink, and perhaps the pot that you've used to cook yours.  The last person to cook should not have to be the only one to wipe down the butcher block, counters, table, or stove.   Lodge users may store personal food in the refrigerator(s), freezer, and the white food locker in the garage. Tape and a marking pen are provided on the side of the refrigerator to label your personal food. Remember, unmarked items may be considered community property!
2. Any food items left behind when you are not staying at the lodge, even if marked with your name, may be used or thrown out.
3. When the lodge is busy, please note there is a white food locker in the garage for personal food. Please clean out your personal items every time you leave. Again, anything left behind may be used or tossed.
4. Please remember, this is group living and at busy times the kitchen is used by many people. Be considerate, and we'll all get along.

E. Bedrooms

1) All bedrooms are coed.

2) Quiet time is between 10PM and 7AM.

3) If you arrive after 10PM, do not turn on the bedroom lights! Use a flashlight.

4) All double beds are reserved for registered couples (two people as indicated in the comments section of the reservation page). You must move out of a double bed if you are single or an unregistered couple and requested to do so by a registered couple before 10 p.m. and no other lower double bed is available.

5) Snoring: Everyone snores. Yes, you. That is why you bring ear plugs. But Members who know that they are problem snorers are asked to do one of the following: a) sleep in the loft area or living room b) create a designated room with other known "snorers" c) when asked, leave the bedroom if your snoring is disturbing the sleep of others.

F. Lodge Supplies

The club provides paper products and cleaning supplies for the lodge. Extra paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs, etc. are stored in the closet at the top of the steps. The lodge manager maintains a locked cabinet in the garage with additional supplies.

If a member notices that supplies of a particular item are running low, please notify the lodge manager when you return home. He/she can restock the item. A note can be left at the lodge, but this may delay replacement.

G. Chores

With so many people using the lodge, it is required that each person perform a daily clean-up chore. Chores are listed on the Daily Lodge Maintenance sign-up sheet found on the bulletin board. Remember, if we all pitch in to help keep our club clean, it will run smoothly.

H. Storage

Skis are to be stored in the garage. Use the garage door, do not carry skis through the lodge. Ski boots are not to be worn in the lodge. A boot rack is provided in the lower hallway. Keep personal items in the bedrooms. Please keep the communal areas tidy.

I. Lost and Found

A lost and found box is kept on a shelf near the drying machine in the garage.

J. Garbage and Recycling

There is a large bear-resistant garbage container located outside of the garage. The garbage people do not remove the garbage cans from the dumpster - they only pull out the tied plastic garbage bags. Any loose garbage is left behind. Make sure anything put into the dumpster is in one of the large plastic bags provided.

Also beware that black bears are once again becoming a problem in the Tahoe basin and in our own neighborhood. DO NOT leave food items or garbage lying outside the lodge or in your car! Place all garbage securely in the bear-resistant container.

Assorted recycling containers are located in the garage. Please deposit your recyclables into their respective marked containers, or take them home with you!

K. Getting Along With the Members

1) You will find the lodge is very low-tech. This is by design! We intentionally do not have a community TV. Members are encouraged to bring personal entertainment apparati with earphones.

2) Remember, this is communal living with people of diverse interests. Consideration of all present should be the guide. Tahoe City provides alternate entertainment for those of you looking for a more lively social scene.

3) Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 PM until 7:00 AM.

4) The last person to bed, closes the curtains, locks the front door, checks to see that the gas fireplace is turned to the proper setting (directions are posted at the thermostat), and turns off all lights, except the light over the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairway and the light on the sign in desk. The furnace is on an automatic timer and should not need adjustment.

5) The club has a no-smoking policy. This policy applies inside the lodge, and includes the garage, and the front and side porches. Use or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited on the premises.

6) No pets or animals allowed in hte lodge or on the grounds.

L. Conflict Resolution

Members are encouraged to resolve issues between themselves in a civil manner with the least amount of disturbance to other members and guests. They are encouraged to contact the Board on an informal basis to seek advice and mediation assistance before filing a formal complaint. However, for those issues that have escalated beyond amicable resolution, or for witnessed infractions against the club itself, members can make a formal appeal to the Board.

Code of Conduct
Members are responsible for the well-being of the club. This includes responsible usage of the property and consideration of other members and guests. Membership is a privilege, not a right. Members who conduct themselves in conflict with these values will be subject to sanction.

Offending Behaviors include but are not limited to:

• violating a provision of the Constitution, Membership Guide, or Bylaws;
• engaging in conduct the Board deems inappropriate for a member;
• disturbing the order, peace, or harmony of the Club;
• impairing the Club’s reputation;
• theft, vandalism or non-payment of nightly lodge fees;
• failing to contribute duties including lodge chores, work during work weekends, or periodic service to the club in proportion to use of the lodge, including Board membership or serving on committees and other non-Board positions.
• a member is responsible for their guest’s conduct and any resulting damages;

Sanctions: Failure to adhere to the conditions and rules outlined here may result in disciplinary action. Depending upon the severity of the violation, consequences may include a warning, suspension, or expulsion from the club.

M. Bathrooms

The lodge has three bathrooms: one upstairs and two downstairs. To avoid congestion, showering in the two large bathrooms is permitted in the PM hours only. The small shower room downstairs is available between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM. If the outside bathroom door is closed on the large bathrooms, please knock and ask to enter. Please refrain from locking these outer doors. The inner shower/toilet door can be closed and locked, which still allows access to the sinks for others.

Wipe the sink with a paper towel after use. Please don't leave your personal items cluttering up the counter top. And remember, if you have stayed at the lodge for more than one night in a year, and haven't cleaned a bathroom yet, it's your turn.

N. Opening and Closing the Lodge

Procedures for both opening and closing the lodge are posted on the bulletin board and on the back of the front door. Please read and follow them carefully. The current combination for the front door lock is given to each member when their dues are paid at the beginning of the membership year. The membership vice-president (records) can supply the current combination. Do not give out this combination to anyone including guests. (See Guest Protocol section.)

The lodge's main furnace is set on an automatic timer. It should not be necessary to make adjustments to the thermostat, unless you are the first person to arrive or the last one to leave the lodge. In that case, see "opening and closing procedures " instruction sheet posted on the bulletin board (or the back of the front door). When the cabin is unoccupied, the thermostat control is set at a lower minimum and maximum temperature of about 55 degrees.

The lodge also has a secondary heat source, which is the gas fireplace, that is operated by a control located on the wall behind the sign-in desk. Instructions are posted beside the fireplace control . Be sure the control lever is turned to the lowest position before retiring, even if it appears the that fireplace is not coming on. Otherwise, the fireplace will cycle on as the lodge cools down in the night.

O. Telephones/ Computers/ Internet Access

1) The club provides a telephone located just outside the main lodge door on the porch, and a second located on the mezzanine level.

2) Please be courteous of others at all times and do not monopolize the phone!

3) Cell phones are allowed in the lodge but should not be operated in the main living areas (living room, dining room, kitchen).

4) The club now provides wireless internet connectivity for our members. We don't provide the computers, but just about any wireless-equipped laptop will get you going.

5) When using lap top computers in the lodge, we ask that you be respectful of other's space (e.g. don't set up your office on the dining room table, and don't play music or videos in a way that might disturb others.).

P. Miscellaneous Items

A washer and dryer are provided for the members. The washer is located in the downstairs hallway and the dryer can be found in the garage.

The club arranges for snow and ice removal from the parking lot area. Members are asked to remove snow, ice, and icicles for safety wherever needed. Equipment can be found in the garage. If a member staying at the lodge notices that the driveway has not been plowed by the contractor after more than 8 inches of snowfall, please contact the Lodge Maintenance Manager. If he/she is not available, inform a board member. Do not contact the snow removal operator directly.

Club members are encouraged to take care of small maintenance and supply problems on the spot. Other problems and supply shortages should be reported to either the lodge maintenance manager or the lodge operations manager, respectively, when you return home to the Bay Area.

Q. Maximum length of stay

Members can use the Lodge for a maximum of 15 nights per calendar month.

A. Guest Protocol

You are responsible for your guests. You are not to leave your guests unattended at the lodge for more than 1 1/2 hours.

Like Members, Guests need a reservation. See Reservations, below.

The lodge combination is not to be given to guests. Ever!

Guests are responsible for chores too.

Guests must sign a waiver upon arrival.

Keep in mind that you are not to leave your guests unattended at the lodge so that they become the responsibility of another member.

Even though guests are the responsibility of the member who brought them, all members should be prepared to offer courteous guidance in the usage of the lodge.

B. Children Policy

On Fridays, Saturdays, holidays and the night preceding holidays during the high season (Nov. 16 - April 14), the lodge is reserved for adults 18 and over. Children from 5 to 17 may stay at the lodge at other all other times. Children under 5 are not allowed at the lodge. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children.

C. General Meetings

We traditionally have at least four general meetings per year between October and April. General meetings are announced in the newsletter and are posted on the club's web site: www.berkeleyskiclub.org. Our general meetings are held at convenient location in the East Bay. (See the Calendar for more details.) Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and include snacks; feel free to pick up your own beverage at the bar.

D. Social: Parties, Picnics, Outdoor Activities

The BSC offers a variety of year-round activities in the Bay Area and in Lake Tahoe. Information about upcoming parties, picnics and other activities can be found in both the newsletter and web site. The locations for these events are usually established one month or more in advance. Traditional BSC activities include:

Christmas/ Holiday party (December)

Annual Banquet/Awards Ceremony (April)

Summer Picnics

Various outdoor events (organized ski trips, hiking, biking, wine tasting, etc.)

Members are strongly encouraged to attend these events and to offer their home or services when possible.

E. Newsletter

A monthly newsletter is distributed to all members. Significant issues regarding club policy are discussed and described in the newsletter. The newsletter is also available to you to list items for sale, articles that may be of interest to other members, and to provide you the opportunity to write about your skiing or other outdoors experiences. It is sent out monthly with a calendar listing upcoming club activities.

F. Web Site

Check out our web site at www.berkeleyskiclub.org. The web site contains the BSC calendar, photos, new member information, membership guide/policies, the BSC constitution, and other interesting ski related links.

G. Reservations

Members must make reservations (accessed within the members-only section of the website) for themselves and their guests. During the high season (11/15-4/15), each member can make a reservation for 1 guest, and for up to two additional guests if guest space is available (determined after noon the day before the first day of the reservation). During the high season, a maximum of 8 guests are allowed in the lodge at any one given time. A member can bring up to 15 guests during the low season. Board approval is required to bring more guests at any time.

Reservations are required for each night. If you wish to extend your stay, you must make a reservation for each additional day. If reservation space is not available, you cannot remain at the Lodge.

H. Car Pool

Our parking facilities are very limited and all members are encouraged to car pool whenever possible.

I. Dismissal from the Club

Membership may be revoked by a 2/3 vote of the board for any of the following reasons:

Misconduct

Failure to obey rules or accept/perform assigned tasks.

The good of the organization.

If a member is dismissed from the club, they can only return as a guest with the approval of the board.

J. Inactive Membership

A member may choose to become "inactive" by notifying the VP Membership Records before October 15th. An inactive member will pay annual inactive dues (currently $40 per year) which entitles him/her to continue receiving monthly newsletters and attend club parties and functions. If the member did not perform a work weekend during their final year as an active member then they must pay a work weekend in lieu fee (currently $125) when switching to inactive status. However, the member will not be required to perform work weekends or to pay an in lieu fee during for years spent on inactive status. The BSC will hold the inactive member's security deposit (currently $200) during this period. If an inactive member wishes to drop out of the club or does not renew their yearly inactive membership, the security deposit will be returned. Inactive members may only visit the lodge as the guest of an active member.

If an inactive member wishes to re-activate their membership, and notifies the Club in writing before October 15, they will be placed with the other returning inactive members at the head of the waiting list for admission. Readmission is still subject to space availability.

K. Leaving the Club

If you wish to resign your membership, contact the Membership Records officer prior to the October 15 deadline to pay dues for the new club year. You can resign via an email message or a letter. Please state your reason for leaving the club for record keeping purposes. The Membership Records officer will remove you from the list of active members, calculate the refund owed to you (the security deposit you paid upon joining the club less any fees or dues owed), and will ask the Treasurer to send you a refund check. The Membership Records officer will also notify the Publicity/Recruiting officer of the new vacancy so that it can be filled by a new member.

Note that you are responsible for performing a work weekend or paying the work weekend in lieu fee during your final year of active membership. If you do not participate in a work weekend in your final year in the club then the current work weekend in lieu fee will be deducted from the security deposit. For example, if you paid a $200 security deposit when you joined the club, and if the work weekend in lieu fee is $125, then you will receive a refund of $200 from the club if you completed a work weekend during your final year or $75 if you did not complete a work weekend.