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Robert P. Howell 19 Elkin Court San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 453-7834 |
July 9, 1990 RE: "Yes, it's OK for Sierra Club leaders to carry ropes!!" we are all painfully aware, the Sierra Club's liability insurance excludes coverage for activities that require the use of ropes, ice axes, or other climbing hardware. Recently, some Club members have expressed the view that this restriction should be interpreted to prohibit leaders from carrying ropes or ice axes on an outing. This view is held in spite of Club President Richard Cellarius' March 3, 1989, general memo specifically authorizing leaders and assistant leaders to carry ropes and ice axes as safety measures. In an effort to resolve this problem, I wrote Andrea Bonnette on March 22, 1990, suggesting that the Club's insurance brokers attempt to get the language of Cellarius' memo incorporated in the policy. (I sent several of you copies of my memo.) You will be interested in the attached two letters by our account executive Stephanie Reynolds, Vice President of Johnson & Higgins. Stephanie summarized our position very well in her May 7 letter to the insurance underwriter. I believe the telexed response quoted in her June 27 letter clearly indicates that the underwriter likewise understands and also accepts this position. Note specifically the underwriter's statement, "Believe we are already doing what they want." So let's reassure all hands that safety comes first and that the policy stated in Cellarius' March 3, 1989, memo holds. Attach (2)  cc Karen Short |
| The pre-festivities at the 7th
Argus BBQ in 1988 with our friend Norm Rohn, sipping on a cold one and relaxing
by his tent trailer (filled with everything from whiskey to oatmeal cookies).
Thanks for all the good times!! |
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