COASTERS

WELCOME

Coasters is all about our members, their enjoyment, their positive experiences, and the friendships they take with them throughout life which is something the Leadership Team are very proud of. The Leadership Team and Event Hosts are really excited to hear that our members are enjoying attending events, their interactions within Coasters and then to see them continue to be active and RSVP for upcoming events. It is important we bring our members together with fabulous events and great conversations in a respectful, friendly, and safe environment.

New Members
New members are required to attend an event in the first 2 months of joining otherwise you may be removed. We find that if you haven’t tried to attend an event in this time frame you most likely won’t.

Coasters includes the Geelong, Surfcoast and the Bellarine regions. Some members are new to the area and want to get out and explore the region in good company and yet others have lived in the region longer and wish to increase their social circles. Coasters is for you if you are partnered or single. Partners are welcome as a guest, but we do encourage all to join independently to reap the full rewards of what Coasters offer. This group is mainly for over 50’s age group and Adults only.

Our Leadership Team and Event Hosts are all volunteers and input a significant amount of time organising events and the general running of Coasters so please take this into consideration with regards to management of your RSVP process.

Our events are diverse, we enjoy:
Walks/Hikes/Bike Rides in all different areas usually with a coffee stop
Dining out – Picnics, BBQ’s, Dinners, Lunches, Brunches and Wineries
Park/Street Orienteering
Dancing nights
Movie nights
Trivia and Board Games nights
Movies, Theatre and Concerts
Bowling - Ten Pin and Barefoot Bowls
Adventure Golf/Par 3
Day trips to different regions

We host a variety of events each month, and our aim is to try to keep costs down by scheduling inexpensive or free events where possible.

Members are encouraged to participate as much as they can by RSVPing and attending events. We also encourage members to become involved in hosting events as Event Organisers. You will be fully supported by our Leadership Team to do so. Your help running events is encouraged and appreciated and if you have an interest in becoming an Event Organiser, please speak to the Leadership Team.

At some events there will be a suggestion box on the table for members to write ideas for future events that will be shared with the Leadership Team and Event Organisers. If we can, we will organise those events. If you would like to contribute to a particular suggested event, please write that down.

Hope to see you at a Coasters event soon!
The Leadership Team (Neville D, Co-Organisers Lisa G, Russell and Greg and all Event Hosts)
17/06/2023

The following section details the Coasters Mandatory Policies. Everyone, must read and ensure they accept the policies before lodging an application to join, renewing membership, and participating in Coasters events.

COASTERS MANDATORY POLICIES

1.    Membership Fees

There is a $10 annual fee, and this is collected once per year during May/June. The annual fee is to cover the cost of our Meetup site fee and major functions/events. Annual fee notices will be issued, along with payment details in June.

2.    Behaviour Code of Conduct

This Behaviour Code of Conduct (BCC) has been developed to assist all members by communicating expected standards of behaviour for all members and those who may be considering joining the group.  

Coasters value the positive contributions and conversations brought to our events by members. We respect the diversity and challenges of the lived experiences of our members and recognise that the social engagement that Coasters offers is a beneficial and rich environment for support, tolerance, enrichment, growth, and shared experience. 

Coasters is a no harm group. We are a tolerant group who care about and value our members and the general public who we may interface with during our events i.e., other walkers, café staff, cyclists etc. We encourage the kindness and support our members give to each other and the work they do in the community. We respect others in our communications and ensure we are professional, courteous, and understanding. 

This BCC provides some specific, although not an exhaustive list, of unacceptable behaviours. This BCC should be read in conjunction with the Meetup Rules located within the App under ‘Help’. Any member who does not comply with this BCC and Meetup behaviour rules, risks being removed from Coasters and may be reported to Meetup Headquarters for further action.  

Unacceptable Conduct/Behaviour: 

·      Harassment, bullying and aggression. 
·      Derogatory or critical statements intended to belittle, put down or embarrass others.  
·      Statements intended to deceive, mislead, or misinform others and incite or promote conflict. 
·      Sharing untruths about a member or personal information of a   private nature about a member without their permission/consent. 
·      Judgemental comments or behaviour regarding race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation.  
·      Coasters is not a dating site in any form. Behaviour that involves private unsolicited messaging, inappropriate sexual comments or behaviour/contact, solicitation will not be tolerated.  
·      Promotion of other Meetup Group and Events.  
·      Inappropriate language. No Racial discussions.
·      Promotion of political parties or religious organisations. 
·      Rude and inconsiderate behaviour to other members, venue staff, members of the community. 

Members who have concerns or have been affected by any behaviours that they consider to be unacceptable are requested to contact a member of the Leadership Team. Complainants’ identities will be held in the strictest of confidence.  


THINK AND CONSIDER YOUR ACTION BEFORE YOU CAUSE HARM

3.    Safety, Risk, Liability, and Indemnity

By RSVPing ‘Yes’ to a Coasters event:

a.    You acknowledge and accept that you do so at you own personal risk and accept full responsibility for their own health, safety, and wellbeing.

b.    You accept that the event is within you own physical capabilities. If there is a medical issue that may be an issue or of concern during the event, you must advise the Event Host.

c.    You must not undertake any behaviour during the event that would increase the risk to yourself or others.

d.    In the event of a medical emergency with you and the Event Organiser deems it necessary to call ambulance services, you shall cover all costs associated with ambulance service. You are expected to have valid ambulance cover.

e.    Some events ie Hikes, Bike Rides etc inherently have more risk. Such events will indicate that you must complete a Personal Information Card (PIC) and carry that card with you during the event. The PIC will only be used in an emergency.

Details about the PIC will be provided within the event.

f.     All event participants agree to indemnify Coasters, the Leadership Team, Event Host, and event participants for any injury, loss or damage arising from the event and you agree that this indemnity may be pleaded as a complete defence to any legal proceedings or any right the participant may claim.

4.    Profile Picture

For recognition and safety purposes we require all members to upload and maintain a clear photo (head shot) of themselves at ALL times. Without this, your acceptance/registration will be declined/terminated.

5.    RSVP and Waitlist Rules

Do not RSVP ‘Yes’ to an event if you are not sure of attending.

You will be listed as a NO SHOW If you have RSVPd ‘Yes’ to an event and fail to arrive at the event. Consideration will be undertaken for the following no shows, 1st no show- 1 month break from attending events, 2nd no show 2 months from attending events and If you incur 3 NO SHOWS, you will be removed from Coasters.

Except for genuine emergencies, you must provide at least 24 hrs notice for all Booked/Seated events when you are no longer able to attend. You will be listed as a No Show if you do not comply. 3 hrs notice is required for non booked events and once again a No Show may apply.

If you are on the ‘Waitlist’ for an event you must monitor RSVP changes and be prepared to be automatically moved to YES attendance. Ensure you have notifications turned on so that you are notified as changes are occurring especially on the day of the event.

6.    Events Requiring Deposits or Up-Front Payment

Some events will require a deposit or payment up-front that you will need to pay to Coasters to secure our reservation. This requirement will be advised in the event description and payable before the event. Bank details follow:

Bank - Credit Union Account
Account Name- Neville Denton
BSB – 805-050
Acc. No – 102250820

In some cases, the deposits or payments will not be refundable by Coasters or the Venue. The Event Organiser will organise any potential refunds, or if possible, with members on a Waitlist. Specific details will be posted on the individual event.

7.    Car Pooling

You are expected to contribute towards the fuel and vehicle running costs if accepting carpooling to an event.

8.    Guests

Members are responsible for their guests and shall ensure their guests comply with applicable Mandatory Policies.