Chicago Outings Leadership

Sierra Club Outings Groups are formed by volunteer leaders within each of the local Illinois Chapters. Their efforts provide the organization needed to offer a variety of safe outdoor adventures in the Midwest area. As intended by Sierra Club founder, John Muir, outings groups provide low-cost environmental experiences that will hopefully make participants better appreciate the value in preserving the natural resources that make up a richer world in which to recreate, work and live.

Qualified volunteer leaders organize and run all outings. They are in charge of both pre-trip planning and decisions during the outing itself. They depend upon the cooperation of all participants in making the outing run smoothly and creating an enjoyable event. Sierra Club leaders must first obtain experience as an assistant leader. Essential leadership training and requirements for the Outings Group of Chicago include the following:

• All leaders and assistant leaders must be Sierra Club members.

• Leaders and assistant leaders must have an interest in sharing outdoor interests and skills with trip participants. Current types of acceptable outings include: canoeing, biking, hiking, backpacking, orienteering, birding, cross-country skiing, educational clinics, and clean-up events.

• Assistant leaders qualify for acceptance as a leader after assisting on at least three outings with an experienced Sierra Club leader to learn organizational and outdoor skills. It is best if the potential leaders assist in the type of outings that they intend to lead to learn to screen participants for appropriate skill level and negotiate with outfitters who provide trip facilities (such as canoe equipment or campgrounds).

• Assistant leaders must also attend a leadership training class that covers safety, tips for running a successful outing, and understanding Sierra Club policies. At least one training session is scheduled and advertised in Sierrans Outdoors each year.

• Leaders must maintain personal First Aid and CPR certification, which must be renewed every three and two years respectively. First Aid and CPR training is usually offered annually through one or more of the local outing groups at a discount to Sierra Club leaders.

• First Aid requires having an appropriate kit handy for that hopefully rare emergency. Even non-members would benefit from including the recommended First Aid Kit Essentials on any outdoor trip, whether with Sierra Club or on their own.

• Qualified leaders must obtain approval for their trips from the Outings Group Chair by submitting them via the Outings Calendar database. The Chair will then request clarification and/or approve the outing which is then immediately published to the Sierrans Outdoors Online Website and automatically included in the quarterly Lake & Prairie print issue. L&P requires outings to be approved via the outings database two months prior to the next quarter.

• Leaders must require participants to sign a waiver when they arrive and prior to the start of a trip. The sign-in waiver form (PDF format - Word Format), along with trip fees are sent to the outing chair. 

Outing Groups are always looking for new assistant leaders who may be interested in helping leaders and/or gaining the experience to eventually lead trips themselves. If you would like more information or are ready to volunteer on outings with the Chicago Group, contact Outings Chair, George Kollar via email or calling 773-935-3058.