About Us

Brief Description of the Wasatch Mountain Club
The Wasatch Mountain Club (WMC) was incorporated in 1920 by an informally organized group that had been hiking together for several years. The original Club charter listed the purpose as
The Wasatch Mountain Club (WMC) is an outdoor recreation club for adults. Club activities include
Activities are not limited to the above list, but are dependent on volunteer organizers to form the activities and programs.
Activities are listed on the WMC Calendar and in the WMC publication The Rambler. The Rambler is published monthly and mailed out to members by the beginning of each month.
Most activities are free as there are no costs associated with them. In general, activities with costs are figured by the activity organizer and divided by the number of participants. Activity organizers and Club Officers are all volunteers.
WMC members organize scores of activities each month. Activities are open to all members. Some activities require advanced sign-up while others just state a date, time, and meeting place. Activity may range in length from a few hours to several days. Most activities are centered in or around the Wasatch Front. Occasionally there are activities to other regions of Utah, neighboring states, and international.
The WMC provides a social vehicle to the outdoor enthusiast who seeks others of similar interests while providing an opportunity to develop organization skills and knowledge of the various outdoor sports. Whether you are a novice or an expert, there are activities for you. If there is some question about the difficulty of the activity, a call or email to the activity organizer will fill you in on more information.
Membership requires a sincere interest in outdoor activities. Applications may either be submitted online or mailed to the Membership Director. Annual membership dues are $35 per individual or $50 for couple. In addition, there is a $5 processing fee for mailed in applications.
The WMC is run entirely by volunteers. Participants are expected to help with the organization and formulation of each activity. A great experience can be had in the outdoors. Your experience with the WMC will be as great as you make it.
Club members are responsible for their own safety. Every new member and renewing member must sign a form acknowledging that risk is involved with outdoor activities and that they release the club from liability. Members should be prepared for activities by carrying The Ten Essentials (10Es).
The WMC is governed by the Board of Directors, consisting of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, various Directors, and four Trustees. The Board meets each month to discuss policies and activities, pay bills, and manage the Club. Board meetings are listed on the Calendar, and members of the Club are welcome to attend board meetings.
Members of the board are elected by the general membership of the club annually.
President
The President is the main contact for outside organizations and individuals who interact with the Club. The President acts as the chief executive officer of the club, makes up the agenda for the monthly board meetings, presides over the board and general membership meetings, and provides continuity for club affairs. The President is also an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
Vice President
The Vice President is elected by the board from the members of the board and fills in when the President is unavailable.
Secretary
The Secretary takes minutes at each board meeting and maintains records of correspondence, minutes, financial reports, and other miscellaneous records and official Club documents, including the Constitution, Bylaws, and Policies.
Treasurer
The Treasurer presents the bills to the Board of Directors for payment each month, maintains financial and tax records, and presents financial reports to the board and general membership.
Bicycling Director
The bicycling director directs and coordinates the mountain and road biking program and enlists Club members to organize bike rides and related activities and socials.
Boating Director
A very active boating program keeps the boating director busy on several fronts: encouraging members to post activities, encourage members to get safety training, socials, and maintaining the boating equipment. The boating program has several coordinators to manage the rafting, sailing and canoe programs and to keep up the equipment. The Club owns several rafts and related equipment for daily and overnight trips. Boating equipment is rented to members at rates which pay for replacement costs. The boating program is self-sufficient and offers activities that cater to novice and intermediate boaters.
Climbing Director
The Climbing program includes climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, and safety workshops. The Climbing director maintains ropes, safety helmets, and ice axes used in workshops.
Conservation Director
The conservation director is responsible for coordinating the Club's environmental protection programs and for officially representing the Club's position on major environmental issues.
Hiking Director
The hiking director and his or her committee encourage organizers to organize hikes, backpacks and car camps. Hiking is the predominant club activity.
Information Technology Director
The IT director is responsible for the development, enhancement, and maintenance of club's automated systems including the WMC web site and WMC email systems.
Membership Director
The membership director is responsible for processing of new and renewal membership applications.
Public Relations Director
The PR director acts as the Club's media director, coordinating publicity and producing and distributing Club brochures and other media.
Publications Director
The Rambler is the monthly publication and the flagship of the Club. As editor of The Rambler, the director of publications is responsible for assimilating, interpreting, and editing the information submitted each month.
Social Director
The social director organizes and manages a wide array of social activities throughout the calendar year, including the annual Awards and Nominations Banquet, and the two General Membership meetings.
Winter Sports Director
The winter sports director directs the winter outdoor activities and works with coordinators for skiing and snowshoeing. In addition, The Audrey Kelly learn to ski clinic, an intermediate/advanced telemark clinic and the Robert Frohbose Avalanche Clinics are annual activities.
Trustees
Trustees function as the Club's institutional memory. There are five trustees: the President and four elected members who serve staggered four-year terms. Trustees must approve any board expenditure of over $1000, make sure an annual audit is performed, and monitor the Board's adherence of the Club's Constitution, Bylaws, and Policies.
Coordinators & Committees
Coordinators are selected as required by the responsible director, with selection ratified by the Board. The coordinators report to the Board through a sponsoring Board member as follows:
Sponsoring Director  Coordinators
Boating Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, Sailing, Equipment, Instruction
Climbing Canyoneering
Winter Sports Snowshoeing, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing
Biking Mountain Biking
Conservation Trail Issues
Publications Commercial Advertising, The Rambler Mailing
Finances
With about 1200 members, the Club's financial operations are not simple. Some bills are monthly, such as office rent and The Rambler printing. Others are occasional reimbursement, such as expenses associated with running the office or providing refreshments at membership meetings. An annual audit is overseen by the Club's Trustees.
Revenues & Expenditures
Revenues are acquired mainly through annual membership dues. Expenses entail IT (website hosting, office computers, software), office administrative (rent, phones, etc), costs of publication of The Rambler, and Conservation.
It is the philosophy of the Club that activities are financially self-supporting. Besides paying for ongoing operations 10% of membership dues are allocated to Conservation.