2.3.3 Instructor Training

Because it should never be assumed that great climbers make great instructors, instructor training is intended to provide experienced leaders with the skills necessary to teach climbing. An instructor training course or courses must consist of combinations of one or more of the various climbing skill modules, including the instructor skills module.

2.3.4 Leader and Instructor Certification
Certification will be achieved through a combination of training, experience, and demonstrated competence. The Mountaineering Committee will establish criteria for certification of leaders and instructors at various skill levels. Chapters will retain responsibility for certification of leaders and instructors under the direct supervision of a "course director" certified by the Mountaineering Committee. Chapters will not be permitted to set certification requirements below Mountaineering Committee standards. A provision for recertification at three-year intervals for both the "course director" and chapter certified leaders will be required.

2.4 Chapter Certification

Chapters will be certified by the Mountaineering Committee in order to conduct mountaineering outings under the auspices of the Sierra Club. In order to be certified the chapter must agree that (1) training and leader certification programs will be run in accordance with Sierra Club policies, (2) all participants in chapter mountaineering outings will be registered, and (3) data requested on regularly-scheduled mountaineering outings will be expeditiously provided.

2.5 Climbing Safety Policy

The Sierra Club will establish a safety policy for conduct of climbing outings, as a supplement to the general outings policy [Outing Leader's Handbook, pp. 81-84], The "Climbing Code" developed by the Seattle Mountaineers can serve as a model.

2.6 Facilitation

The Mountaineering Committee will be prepared to support climbing development and safety by providing the following resources to chapters: manuals, workshop curricula and ideas, persons identified as trainers, video and other media resources, sample leader certification programs.

3.0 Revenue Generation

The costs of appropriate liability insurance and administration will be funded through a combination of users' fees, chapter contributions, course fees, donations, summer outings fees, and Sierra Club contributions.

3.1 Sierra Club Contributions

It will be necessary to the Sierra Club to budget for and spend an amount sufficient to cover the entire liability insurance premium. The lump sum outlay is necessary because insurance companies require advance payment of an entire year's premium and it is not anticipated that fund raising will return all of the amount in advance.
 
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