MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last Revised: January 2, 2024

WELCOME

These Membership Terms and Conditions (Terms) govern your membership with the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association (SPFGA) and use of any property or facility (Property) owned or operated by SPFGA.

ADMISSION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership is available to any person who wishes to support the conservation of our fish, wildlife and natural resources and their management of the future and subscribes to the policies, principles, objectives and rules of the Association.

BYLAWS

It is the responsibility of every member to review and abide by the SPFGA Bylaws when they first become a member and to review them periodically for any changes.

FACILITY RULES

It is the responsibility of every member to review and abide by the SPFGA Facility Rules when they first become a member and to review them periodically for any changes.

PRIVACY POLICY

It is the responsibility of every member to review the SPFGA Privacy Policy when they first become a member and to review it periodically for any changes.

CLUB COMMUNICATIONS

The SPFGA uses email as the primary method of communication. The use of email greatly cuts down on expenses while also providing a quick, reliable, and traceable form of communication.

The SPFGA maintains three streams of communications to ensure members stay informed:

• Range of Thoughts: quarterly club e-zine
• Bullet Points: semi-monthly newsletter
• Safe and Sound: facility safety and system messages, sent at need

Each member is encouraged to obtain their own personal email address, to ensure that this address is included in their member record, and to subscribe to all three of these streams of communication to stay current and informed on club matters. Of the three, receiving, opening, and reading Safe and Sound by email, acknowledging receipt of the message within 14 days, are compulsory conditions to maintaining an active gate access card, due to the important system messaging these emails provide.

While it is a member’s legal right to unsubscribe from all three streams of communication, or to not use email at all, the gate access card of primary members who do not receive Safe and Sound by email will be deactivated. These members are still able to access the property, they simply need to call the office at 780-467-0085 during office hours in advance each time they wish to do so. This is necessary so the member can be informed of any closures, or whether there are any specific conditions, concerns, or hazards they should be aware of. Once this is done, the member’s gate access card will then be reactivated for a 72-hour period.

Electronic transmission via email of these three communications streams is included in the annual membership fee. Members who wish to receive club communications in print via Canada Post can, for an additional charge of $75 per year, arrange this by contacting the office at 780-467-0085 during office hours.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

A member in Good Standing shall have the right:

1. To access the Association's facilities as provided by the member's membership classification.
2. To one (1) vote on matters of the Association during General Meetings and Special General Meetings.
3. To become a member of the Board if so elected by a majority at the Annual General Meeting, or if appointed by the Board.
4. To receive communications from the Association.
5. To inspect the Association's books and records as outlined in Bylaw Article 5.4.

OBLIGATIONS

All members shall be obligated:

1. To comply with Association rules, policies, and procedures, as established, posted, or published by the Board.
2. To participate in ensuring that other members also comply with Association rules and policies, particularly the Facility Rules, as safety is a shared responsibility.
3. To accept, open, and read Safe and Sound emails (facility, safety, and system messages) in a timely fashion, acknowledging receipt of the message by confirming that they have read and understood it within 14 days of receipt, doing so being compulsory to maintaining an active gate access card. And to indicate if they wish to also receive Bullet Points (semi-monthly news and information) and Range of Thoughts (club e-zine) emails, which are optional but strongly recommended.
4. New members are required to complete the Level 1 Orientation prior to receiving an electronic gate access card to access the property. Members with active memberships will be required to repeat an orientation every three years. Lapsed members (i.e. members who do not renew prior to the conclusion of their membership on December 31) will be required to repeat the Level 1 Orientation prior to reactivation of their electronic gate access card.
5. To maintain accurate and current contact information within their member portal by updating it as needed by either editing it directly via the SPFGA website or by contacting us.
6. To provide the Restricted Firearms License Number (RPAL) for all members that hold this license type. SPFGA is required to collect this information and make it available on request to the chief firearms officer as per section 14 (1) of the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations.

CODE OF CONDUCT

This code of conduct applies to all members, who enjoy diverse interests and outdoor recreational pursuits. As individuals, we are privileged to hunt, fish, trap, and shoot in Alberta’s outdoors. These privileges are not rights. 

Each member has an obligation to observe this Code of Conduct and abide by its Core Values. Violation of this Code of Conduct or the Facility Rules will be referred to the Member Discipline Committee for investigation in accordance with item 2.5 of the Bylaws. 

Five core values and common-sense codes follow. 

Core Values 

1. Honourable Behaviour
2. Responsibility
3. Proficiency
4. Involvement
5. Respect for:

• Law, Rules and Property
• Fish, Wildlife and the Environment
• Others 

Honourable Behaviour 

• Follow and obey the law. 
• Respect the right of others to use the outdoors recreationally even if their views differ.
• Conduct and practice safe firearms handling always. 
• Conduct and practice ethical hunting and fishing and know the applicable regulations. 
• Waste no animal or fish: “use what you take” and “take what need.” 
• Be respectful to others both in word and deed. 
• Ensure that your activities leave the environment in pristine condition. 

Responsibility 

• Obey all firearms storage and transportation laws. 
• Comply with all Facility Rules always. 
• Respect the efforts of the SPFGA and its volunteers to maintain and improve ranges for your enjoyment by using the appropriate firearms and ammunition designated for each range; and refraining from abusing facility amenities, including targets, target stands, and gongs. 
• Follow responsible firearms handling practices at all times. 
• Respect other members and treat them with dignity in both conduct and language. 
• Obey the directions of enforcement officers and acting enforcement officers. 
• Teach guests or other members as appropriate. 
• Observe the rules of safe litter disposal at the range regarding ammunition. 
• Clean up after yourself. 

Proficiency: 

• Know the limitations of your equipment.
• Develop proficiency in the use of your equipment in a safe manner regardless of equipment type and function.
• Know the limits of your proficiency. 

Involvement 

• Develop your inquisitiveness about the environment, fish and wildlife. Learn about the game and fish you pursue, their habitats and life cycles.
• Share information regarding your outdoor recreational passions as the opportunity arises.
• Volunteer on reclamation, remediation, and habit restoration projects.
• Examine and support conservation efforts by participation, sharing experiences and teaching others.
• Advocate for the environment, fish and wildlife at risk; share your concerns with the Association and in writing to the applicable advocacy organizations.
• Promote responsible recreational shooting and be an ambassador of the shooting sports to new and young club members, and the public (guests).
• Participate in SPFGA sponsored events and competitions.
• Communicate your observations in the outdoors to the applicable advocacy organizations and the Ministry of Environment and Parks about fish and wildlife species at risk, over harvesting of fish and wildlife, and environmental degradations of water, land and forest. 

Respect 

Respect for Law and Rules 

Provincial regulations govern every aspect of our outdoor recreational activities, including archery, shooting, hunting, fishing, and trapping. These regulations exist to maintain public safety and to ensure that our fish and wildlife are managed and conserved. 

• Act with integrity, obey all laws and regulations regardless of personal views.
• Report poachers, offenders and lawbreakers of Fish and Wildlife Acts and Regulations.
• Follow all Facility Rules governing the use of the Association’s facilities. 

Respect for Land and Property 

• Use the outdoors responsibly. Clean up after yourself, take out what you take in. 
• Leave the area you use in better shape than when you arrived. 
• Abide by any recreational land use restrictions and act prudently when out on the land or water. 
• Respect the environment. Where possible use existing trails and be conscious of the potential of causing damage using equipment.
• Respect private property. A license to hunt or fish is not a license to trespass. Landowners are justified in expecting lawful and responsible behaviour from our hunting, angling, and trapping members.
• Seek permission, well beforehand if possible, to enter the landowners’ property to hunt, fish, or trap on their private lands.
• Abide by any conditions the landowner stipulates.
• Respect all private property and do not damage or harm buildings, fences, crops, livestock or other property.
• Develop positive relationships with the landowners. 

Respect for Fish and Wildlife 

• Follow all applicable laws and regulations for the harvesting of fish and wildlife.
• Practice ethical harvesting of fish or wildlife using “fair chase”.
• When harvesting an animal or fish, treat it with respect.
• Avoid all callous displays of harvested fish and wildlife, or any part thereof.
• Seek quality outdoor experiences over quantity of game or fish harvested. 

Respect for Others 

• Exercise a personal code of behaviour that reflects favourably on you as an Association member.
• Treat others, whether fellow Association members or members of the public, with respect and dignity. 

Future Updates to this Code of Conduct 

• Updates to this Code may be recommended by any member of the Board or the general membership.
• Updates will be examined by the Board and presented to the general membership for feedback.
• Implementation of such recommendations noted above must be done through a 75% majority vote of the Board in attendance at a duly called meeting of the Board. 

MEMBERSHIP TYPES

Regular - This membership is for adult individuals 18 years of age or older on the day of purchase. Includes access to the Association’s recreational facilities and the archery range.

Family - This membership is for families whose head of household is 18 years of age or older on the day of purchase and includes their spouse/partner and dependant children under 18. Includes access to the Association’s recreational facilities and the archery range.

Regular with Range Privileges - This membership is for adult individuals 18 years of age or older on the day of purchase. Includes access to the Association’s recreational facilities, archery range, and firearms ranges.

Family with Range Privileges - This membership is for families whose head of household is 18 years of age or older on the day of purchase and includes their spouse/partner and dependant children under 18. Includes access to the Association’s recreational facilities, archery range, and firearms ranges.

Youth - This membership is for individual children under the age of 18 on the day of purchase. Includes access to the Association’s recreational facilities and the archery range. Also includes access to the firearms ranges; to be accompanied by an adult Member with Range Privileges if required by the Facility Rules.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES

Memberships are from January 1st to December 31st of the current year in which the membership is purchased. There is an annual membership fee for each Membership Classification. Membership fees are established in accordance with the SPFGA Bylaws.

WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND OF FEES

A Member may withdraw from the Association tendering a written resignation to the Secretary of the Association or cease to be a member through expulsion. The membership fee of such members, or any part thereof, shall not be refunded except with the express written authorization of an Officer of the Board or the Executive Director.

LIABILITY WAIVER

By accepting these Terms, all members are stating that:

1. I understand the risks and hazards involved in participating in activities, performing work or conducting other business, on my own or at events organized by SPFGA. I recognize that serious and potentially life-threatening injuries can occur while shooting a firearm or participating with others who do, either in a club sponsored program, or on my own at the Property or by simply being at the Property while others are present.
2. I understand that it is my responsibility to consult with a physician prior to and regarding my participation in any activity on the Property. I represent that I am physically fit, and I have no medical, psychological, or other condition which would prevent my full participation at the Property. I further represent that I am under no kind of restraint against the possession or use of a firearm, including any sort of domestic violence restraining order and that I am legally free to own, possess or handle firearms
3. I realize that my liability may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the person or entities being released, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained or controlled by them or because of their possible liability without fault.
4. In consideration of being permitted to participate in the activities and/or programs at the Property, I agree to assume full responsibility for any and all risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, of whatsoever kind and nature, which I might incur as a result of participating at the Property.
5. In further consideration of being permitted to participate at the Property, I knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly waive any and all claims I, or my estate, my heirs, or any person claiming under me completely and without reservation that I may have against SPFGA, its agents, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, instructors, volunteers, or representatives from any and all injuries or damages that I may sustain as a result of participating in any activities at the Property. Also, I, my heirs, executors, administrators, next of kin, successors, or legal representatives forever release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue SPFGA, its agents, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, instructors, volunteers, or representatives for any personal injury, death, disability, property damage, property theft or acts and/or omissions of whatsoever kind and nature including, but not limited to, those caused by its negligence or other acts including, but not limited to, those acts and/or omissions of other participants or persons at the Property.
6. I understand that photographic, video and/or sound recordings may occur during my presence at SPFGA events and as long as I am in the general area, I may be incidentally included in such recordings. Should I wish to be excluded from such recordings, I understand that it is my responsibility to be aware of the making of such recordings and remove myself from the area or events being recorded. Absent such action on my part, I hereby grant the SPFGA, its sponsors and beneficiaries, the right to use these recordings of me in the promotion of the shooting sports or the organization in general, in accordance with accepted journalistic practice.
7. I hereby consent to receive medical treatment, which may be deemed advisable in the events of injury, accident and/or illness during the activities at the Property.
8. This release shall remain in full force and effect so long as I am a participant of any event on SPFGA Property, a user of its facilities, or a guest at its events with no expiration for time or other reasons. I have read the above release and waiver of liability and fully understand its contents. I voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions stated above.

CHANGES TO OUR TERMS

SPFGA reserves the right, at our discretion, to make changes to these Terms at any time. These changes will take effect immediately after giving notice thereof, which notice may be made by revising the date of last revision set out above and by including such changes on the SPFGA website (or by any other means as we deem reasonable). Your continued use of your membership after such changes are made constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms. If you don’t agree to abide by these Terms, or any changes to the Terms made in the future, you shall not access, or continue to access, any property owned or operated by SPFGA and you will return your access card(s) along with a notice of resignation of your membership. It is your responsibility to review the SPFGA website to determine if changes have been made to the Terms and to review such changes. We shall not be liable to you for damages that might result from changes to the Terms, if any.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or concerns about the SPFGA’s Terms, please email us at memberservices@spfga.ca.