Because requests for outings exceed our capacity, ICO has a continuing need for new leaders. A leader can sign up just to be available to lead or co-lead scheduled hikes, but usually leaders also act as a liaison with a school or agency, staying in touch with the school or agency about when they would like hikes and helping to prepare them for hikes.

Your energy and imagination can help create exciting opportunities for the people ICO serves!

Become a Leader

There are a few simple steps to becoming a leader:

1. Join the Sierra Club.
2. Be at least 21 years old
3. Become a volunteer by emailing us. You will be asked to complete: ICO Volunteer Application, and ICO Code of Ethics.
4. Pass a Criminal Back ground Check and a Ca DMV Driver License check. Cost paid for by ICO.
5. Attend a monthly ICO General Metting preferably before proceeding with ICO-specific certifications.
6. Participate on at least five Sierra Club sponsored outings. These must include 3 ICO outings.
7. Obtain current First Aid and CPR certification. The Red Cross and American Heart Association are the only two providers certified by the Sierra Club for First Aid classes unless the free classes held by the Angeles Chapter are attended (check with the Leadership Training Committee).
8. Attend an Angeles Chapter Sierra Club leader training. A one-day leadership training workshop is held twice a year (spring and fall). The Leadership Training Committee has details posted on their website.
9. Complete an online Mandated Reporter class for Child Abuse recognition and prevention. [If you are a teacher or medical personnel, you may show us your certificate]
10. Plan and lead a provisional hike: You plan a hike with an experienced certified ICO leader (a mentor) along to evaluate you and ideally a coleader to serve as your sweep. You will need to prepare a Safety management plan and a timeline of your hike 2 weeks before the hike and submit to the Certification Manager and your mentor. You will need to order the bus at least 4 weeks before the hike. 1 week before the hike you will need to ensure that the proper 2 forms are signed for each participant and at least 20 students are likely to board the bus (accounting for potential attrition), and prepare an introduction to the students outlining safety, plan of the day, and land recognition. You will also need to complete Provisional Hike Review forms by both prospective new leader and an ICO evaluator and submitted to the Certification Manager. NOTE: the Provisional Leader outing must be announced in the ICO Take a Hike list at least 4 weeks before the outing takes place. After the hike, complete the Trip Followup Report.
11. Receive ICO Chair approval that your provisional was conducted safely and appropriated once the provisional hike review forms are completed and turned in.
12. Receive Sierra Club Leadership Training Committee and Safety Committee approvals for leader certification. NOTE: these are Angeles Chapter level groups, not ICO.

To Stay a Leader

1. Every 2 years, renew your First Aid. If you did it in person, then your renewal can be online.  If you did it online, your renewal must be in person.
2. Every year, renew your Mandated Reporting.
3. Every 4 years, renew your background check.
4. Every 4 years, renew your leader training either by attending an in person seminar with the Leader Training Committee or by re-reading the Leader’: Leader’s Reference Book

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