CHARTER

1. Organisational Structure and Decision Making
2. Purpose
3. Goals
4. Membership and Benefits
5. Participation Requirements
6. Communications
7. Finance and Sponsorship
8. Insurance
9. Affiliations

 

  1. Organisational Structure and Decision Making

Name: Thetford Improved Mountain Biking EnviRonment

Acronym: TIMBER

The organisation is composed of a chairman, secretary, treasurer and members.  Additional positions may be created as needed, and members are appointed to positions through a vote taken collectively in open forum at monthly meetings.

All organisational decisions are made collectively in open forum meetings, without an appointed committee. Decision will be voted on by members in attendance at monthly meetings, without formal notice given of voting dates.

An annual general meeting will be held every January, at which organisational structure and decision-making policies will be considered and amended, if agreed by the membership.

Monthly meetings will be held on a date announced on the TIMBER website calendar at a venue to be determined informally by members.

  2. Purpose

TIMBER is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving mountain biking in the Thetford Forest for riders of all levels. TIMBER members and volunteers build and maintain trails with the cooperation and support of the Forestry Commission of England.

  3. Goals

TIMBER’s organisational goals include the following:

• Repair existing trails that have been damaged and eroded by over-riding.
• Expand the network of trails and cycling routes throughout the Thetford Forest.
• Maintain and improving the quality of trails.
• Develop trails and routes for riders of all levels, including experts, intermediates, beginners and families.
• Improve mountain biking in the Thetford Forest with due care to the environment.
• Promote mountain biking opportunities that are environmentally sound and socially responsible.
• Build a positive and cooperative relationship with the Forestry Commission and its representatives.

 

  4. Membership and Benefits

Membership is open to mountain bike enthusiasts of every discipline and their families and friends. Applicants under the age of 18 must join with a responsible parent or guardian. Only members age 18 and over will be allowed to use power strimmers and other tools (after being appropriately certified) in order to comply with the health and safety restrictions specified by the Forestry Commission and the organisation’s group insurance coverage.

Members pay an annual membership fee per person of £15.00 (£7.00 for under 18's), which is due at upon membership and is then paid annually.

Members benefits include participation in a range of organisational activities, including but not limited to volunteer events, group rides and socials. Members also have access to discounts on products and services provided by sponsors and affiliates.

  5. Participation Requirements

To be eligible for sponsor and affiliate discounts, members must be paid in good standing and have attended at least one volunteer event in the previous quarter (3 months).

  6. Communications

Formal organisational communications will be conducted at monthly meetings. Meetings dates and venues, as well as volunteer events and social activities, will be posted on the TIMBER website calendar. Members may also be notified informally by email of meetings and events, but members are individually responsible for checking the website calendar.

Informal communications will also be conducted using the TIMBER website forum as a means of contact and correspondence between TIMBER members, Forestry representatives, sponsors, affiliates and other organisations.

  7. Finance and Sponsorship

A bank account will be maintained in the name of Thetford Improved Mountain Biking EnviRonment. All membership dues, sponsor contributions, grants and other organisational funds are deposited in this account. Two signatories are required for any withdrawal.

The organisation’s Treasurer will keep details of all income and expenditures. Statements and accounts will be open for inspection at any time (within reason) by members.

In the event of dissolution the remaining funds shall be transferred to another not for profit organisation whose aims and objectives are similar to those of TIMBER and that the final decision should rest with the three main officers of TIMBER.

  8. Insurance

In the event of injuries or property damage incurred during volunteer events, TIMBER will utilise the insurance provided by its selected insurer. Only insured and certified members will be allowed to use power strimmers and other tools subject to health and safety considerations, as determined by the Forestry Commission and its Thetford Forest representatives.

  9. Affiliations

TIMBER is affiliated as an organisation with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) (membership number - 07/064) and follows the IMBA standards of sustainable, natural trails that cause minimum disturbance to the landscape and provide maximum enjoyment on a bike.

Members are at liberty to become individual members of IMBA, but IMBA membership is not a requirement of TIMBER membership.

TIMBER is also to consult with with the Forestry Commission of England, specifically its representatives who mange the Thetford Forest Park and mountain biking trails throughout the Thetford Forest. TIMBER members abide by the managerial decisions of Forestry management where organisational activities within the Thetford Forest are concerned.