Trip Captain (TC) Information & FAQ
Nothing is more rewarding for a
TC than seeing that all of his
guests have arrived safely and
are enjoying themselves.
TC than seeing that all of his
guests have arrived safely and
are enjoying themselves.
A sense of responsibility, good
organizational skills and
enthusiasm are all it takes to be
a good TC.
organizational skills and
enthusiasm are all it takes to be
a good TC.
Patch Ski Club
We do more than just ski!
|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The Patch Ski Club Trip Captains (TCs) are the cheery and motivated members
who really do the important work for the club – leading our fun and adventurous
trips. Without good TCs, the PSC would be nothing more than a sorry little
social club that sits around and tells lies about their previous adventures. But
with great TCs, our club is a vibrant organization with over 30 different trips
offered year round. The TCs’ willingness to volunteer time, leadership, and
help organize the group is what really keeps our club going. So, now that we
have your attention, here are a few things you need to know about becoming a
Trip Captain and what a Trip Captain’s role involves.
Information is available in the TC Guide
Who gets to be a trip captain?
Every PSC adult member is eligible to be a TC.
What qualifications must a TC have?
Great TCs bring a healthy, flexible, and friendly attitude to club meetings and on
the trip. They are dedicated to ensuring our members have as enjoyable
enperience on the trip as possible. Responsibilty and some organizational
skill is also important.
It isn’t required that TCs have first hand experience of the trip and area that they
are leading, but it does help. TCs will be required to attend a short training
class given by the Trip Captain Coordinator prior to being assigned as an
official PSC Trip Captain. The “bible” for TCs is called the “TC Guide” and it is a
comprehensive document which will help a new TC immensely.
How are TCs assigned to the Trips?
The Board of Directors are given first choice to be the TC on one trip. After the
BOD makes their selections, members may volunteer for the remaining trips.
Final TC assignment is contingent upon attending the training session. TC
assignments go early, so make your choice quickly! The TC Coordinator
makes TC assignments.
Are there Assistant TCs?
Yes, there are, and this is a good way to gain some experience for being a Trip
Captain. Talk to an assigned TC about volunteering to help out by manning the
desk, etc for him or her.
What are the rewards of being a TC?
The rewards include the knowledge that you are sustaining the health and
vitality of our Patch Ski Club, making new friends, and helping everyone
(including yourself) have a great trip. As if that weren’t enough, TCs will receive
a refund for part or all of their trip costs, depending on the number of members
on the trip. See the Trip Captain Guide on the PSC website for more details.
What kind of time does it take to be a TC?
After training, the TC will be given the necessary administrative and
promotional materials for their duties. The TC may also need to seek out, via
the web or telephone, additional information and details about the trip to
answer members’ questions or help prepare the trip flyer.
Trip “sales” start on the trip’s “Opening Night” of a club meeting, which is
usually about 2 months prior to the trip date. TCs will be expected to man their
“trip desk” from 1900 to 2030 during membership meetings leading up to the
trip, or have a designated TC stand-in.
Besides the time spend selling the trip at membership meetings, TCs will have
to spend some time preparing their trip flyer for posting and the website,
corresponding with their trip members, and making arrangements for the bus
to come on base (if necessary). All business arrangements and transactions
with the hotel, travel agency, and bus will be handled by the Club booking
director, not the Trip Captain.
What will your TC do for you?
The TC is in charge of the trip and has the full backing of the Board of Directors
to enforce club policies and rules. If members have an issue with the conduct
of a TC or how the trip was run, they are encouraged to bring it to the attention
of the BOD once the trip is completed.
The TC will have information about the area, the lodging, transportation, trip
cost, and other important details. He or she will effectively communicate with
their trip members and resolve any issues as early as possible. The TC will
establish all bus departure times from/to Patch Barracks, the hotel, and the ski
area. The TC will make all room assignments while endeavoring to
accommodate members’ preferences. Please inform the TC to any special
family, medical, dietary, or other needs when you sign up for the trip.
What will your TC NOT do for you?
The TC will not have the bus and members wait for you if you are late for any
departure. If you are delayed, try to contact the TC or another trip member, but
the bus will normally not wait more than a few minutes!
The TC will not arrange for anything other than what is included and advertised
on the trip. This includes babysitting, ski lessons, taxis, sightseeing, hiking or
cross-country trips, or massages (unless, of course the TC is the masseuse!)
Most TCs will help you find additional arrangements, though, if you are nice and
offer them lots of free beverages and other enticements.
The TC will not watch/discipline your children, carry your luggage and/or skis, or
clean up your messes in the bus. The TC will also not loan you local currency,
forge a passport if you forget yours, or bail you out of the local hoosegow.
The TC will not promise any refund to trip members, because all refunds are
given with approval of the PSC BOD after the trip is completed and reconciled.
The TC will not put up with bad or rude attitudes, inappropriate behavior, or
unreasonable requests. Please remember, the PSC is a volunteer
organization comprised of your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. It is not a
travel agency which makes money and will cater to your every whim.
Where do I sign up?
Please contact the Trip Captain Coordinator, Marty Smith, at
TCC@Patchskiclub.com
who really do the important work for the club – leading our fun and adventurous
trips. Without good TCs, the PSC would be nothing more than a sorry little
social club that sits around and tells lies about their previous adventures. But
with great TCs, our club is a vibrant organization with over 30 different trips
offered year round. The TCs’ willingness to volunteer time, leadership, and
help organize the group is what really keeps our club going. So, now that we
have your attention, here are a few things you need to know about becoming a
Trip Captain and what a Trip Captain’s role involves.
Information is available in the TC Guide
Who gets to be a trip captain?
Every PSC adult member is eligible to be a TC.
What qualifications must a TC have?
Great TCs bring a healthy, flexible, and friendly attitude to club meetings and on
the trip. They are dedicated to ensuring our members have as enjoyable
enperience on the trip as possible. Responsibilty and some organizational
skill is also important.
It isn’t required that TCs have first hand experience of the trip and area that they
are leading, but it does help. TCs will be required to attend a short training
class given by the Trip Captain Coordinator prior to being assigned as an
official PSC Trip Captain. The “bible” for TCs is called the “TC Guide” and it is a
comprehensive document which will help a new TC immensely.
How are TCs assigned to the Trips?
The Board of Directors are given first choice to be the TC on one trip. After the
BOD makes their selections, members may volunteer for the remaining trips.
Final TC assignment is contingent upon attending the training session. TC
assignments go early, so make your choice quickly! The TC Coordinator
makes TC assignments.
Are there Assistant TCs?
Yes, there are, and this is a good way to gain some experience for being a Trip
Captain. Talk to an assigned TC about volunteering to help out by manning the
desk, etc for him or her.
What are the rewards of being a TC?
The rewards include the knowledge that you are sustaining the health and
vitality of our Patch Ski Club, making new friends, and helping everyone
(including yourself) have a great trip. As if that weren’t enough, TCs will receive
a refund for part or all of their trip costs, depending on the number of members
on the trip. See the Trip Captain Guide on the PSC website for more details.
What kind of time does it take to be a TC?
After training, the TC will be given the necessary administrative and
promotional materials for their duties. The TC may also need to seek out, via
the web or telephone, additional information and details about the trip to
answer members’ questions or help prepare the trip flyer.
Trip “sales” start on the trip’s “Opening Night” of a club meeting, which is
usually about 2 months prior to the trip date. TCs will be expected to man their
“trip desk” from 1900 to 2030 during membership meetings leading up to the
trip, or have a designated TC stand-in.
Besides the time spend selling the trip at membership meetings, TCs will have
to spend some time preparing their trip flyer for posting and the website,
corresponding with their trip members, and making arrangements for the bus
to come on base (if necessary). All business arrangements and transactions
with the hotel, travel agency, and bus will be handled by the Club booking
director, not the Trip Captain.
What will your TC do for you?
The TC is in charge of the trip and has the full backing of the Board of Directors
to enforce club policies and rules. If members have an issue with the conduct
of a TC or how the trip was run, they are encouraged to bring it to the attention
of the BOD once the trip is completed.
The TC will have information about the area, the lodging, transportation, trip
cost, and other important details. He or she will effectively communicate with
their trip members and resolve any issues as early as possible. The TC will
establish all bus departure times from/to Patch Barracks, the hotel, and the ski
area. The TC will make all room assignments while endeavoring to
accommodate members’ preferences. Please inform the TC to any special
family, medical, dietary, or other needs when you sign up for the trip.
What will your TC NOT do for you?
The TC will not have the bus and members wait for you if you are late for any
departure. If you are delayed, try to contact the TC or another trip member, but
the bus will normally not wait more than a few minutes!
The TC will not arrange for anything other than what is included and advertised
on the trip. This includes babysitting, ski lessons, taxis, sightseeing, hiking or
cross-country trips, or massages (unless, of course the TC is the masseuse!)
Most TCs will help you find additional arrangements, though, if you are nice and
offer them lots of free beverages and other enticements.
The TC will not watch/discipline your children, carry your luggage and/or skis, or
clean up your messes in the bus. The TC will also not loan you local currency,
forge a passport if you forget yours, or bail you out of the local hoosegow.
The TC will not promise any refund to trip members, because all refunds are
given with approval of the PSC BOD after the trip is completed and reconciled.
The TC will not put up with bad or rude attitudes, inappropriate behavior, or
unreasonable requests. Please remember, the PSC is a volunteer
organization comprised of your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. It is not a
travel agency which makes money and will cater to your every whim.
Where do I sign up?
Please contact the Trip Captain Coordinator, Marty Smith, at
TCC@Patchskiclub.com
| Home | News | About Us | Calendar | Contact Us | Photo Album | Trips | TC Info |
