What’s in it for me, an ordinary MCSA member?

President Dave Jones: "A very good question given that a significant

portion of an MCSA member’s annual Cencom Levy goes towards meeting

UIAA subscriptions, payable in Swiss Francs, and virtually all meetings are

held in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the potential benefits are very

real and expanding each year which is why, together with our other lonely

Southern Hemisphere member federation New Zealand, we remain active

and valued members.

While much can be said of the pleasures of being recognized after many

years in the political wilderness and of the opportunities of networking and

of taking an active part in the activities of various UIAA Commissions (The

actual working committees of the organization) this does not answer the

question. But the good news is that the same question has recently been

asked by very powerful federations, two of whom have actually withdrawn

their membership (The German and Austrian clubs with a combined

membership of around 750 00) This was partly because they felt that not

enough was on offer for individual members. This has brought about a

serious re-think and under the forceful leadership of the UIAA President,

Mike Mortimer of the Canadian Alpine Club, the organization is determined

to transform itself and to give better value.

There is still some way to go in this process, but at the 2010 General

Assembly there was the biggest ever attendance while 6 new federations

applied for and were granted membership. A new CEO was introduced

with a strong mountain organizational background and there was a strong

emphasis on more effective and efficient working groups. Perhaps even

more significant, were clear indications that the Germans and the

Austrians will be coming back into the fold. Part of the past slump in UIAA

support has been ascribed to an over-emphasis on the narrow needs of

competition sport while making application for, and being granted

membership and recognition by the International Olympic Association.

Competition Climbers and Alpine Skiers have since hived off leaving only

Ice Climbing still in the UIAA, but no harm appears to have been done. The

UIAA remains part of the Olympic movement and can go back to better

meeting the needs of ordinary mountaineers.

No MCSA member planning a climbing or mountain hiking trip overseas

should consider going it alone but should first see what support and advice

can be given by the UIAA head office or by member federations in the area

they plan to visit. Those going into wild parts of the planet in search of

high mountains should also check first to see what information and advice

is available on the UIAA web site as there is much on offer.

(www.theuiaa.org) At even the most basic level, it is remarkable what

discounts are available to card carrying members affiliated to the UIAA at

overseas camp sites and climbing shops. (See the UIAA sticker on the

reverse side of the official MCSA membership card.)

Ten examples of advantage to individual members, as confirmed at the

2010 General Assembly held in the Italian Alps in October:

1. A feeling of value, as the contributions of the MCSA to UIAA

Commissions are recognised and we are accepted as the voice for Africa

as currently its sole member federation.

2. A network of valuable information available from UIAA web pages and

open channels of communication with other member federations.

3. Useful mountain health advice readily available from the Medical

Commission. Its historic emphasis on high altitude conditions is now being

augmented by sound advice for mature climbers and hikers venturing into

the mountains with pre-existing medical conditions.

4. A growing data base of access and license requirements for high

altitude peaks.

5. Safety standards in mountain training and in climbing equipment are

maintained. All reputable manufacturers of climbing equipment send their

gear for testing by the UIAA Safety Commission. Only gear which passes

this stringent testing carries the UIAA logo.

6. International Training Standards for mountain guides are under constant

review by the UIAA. These are respected by commercial companies which

offers security for their clients.

7. A Mountain Protection label is under development by this Commission

which can be awarded to commercial companies to confirm to potential

clients that they follow a best practice approach.

8. Youth Development funding is available through IOC affiliation of the

UIAA for youth training and development.

9. A Working Group on hut reciprocity has been set up to establish a

uniform system for the reciprocal use of mountain huts by member

federations. This could expand the existing bi-lateral mountain hut

reciprocity agreement which is already in force between the MCSA and the

N.Z. Alpine Club.

10. A Working Group on traditional climbing has been set up to preserve

the historic elements of this approach in parallel to modern sport

climbing.

UIAA COMMUNICATION WITH THE MCSA

With the UIAA Board looking for ways to improve contacts with the UIAA

member federations, the following MCSA members will fill the listed the

portfolios. Members are welcome to take any issues for UIAA attention up

with them.

President: Dave Jones E-mail : (president@mcsa.org.za)

Training officer/ leadership development : Fran Hunziker (hunziker@mweb.co.za)

Communications : Petro Grobler (petrogrobler@telkomsa.net) Webmaster : Roland Magg (roland.magg@kwela.biz)

Environment : Maretha Alant E-mail : marethaa@sanparks.org

Access : Jeremy Colenso (jeremy@ventureforth.co.za) (NOTE : MCSA member of UIAA Access Commission)

Competition sports : Greg Borman (Greg.Borman@af.aurecongroup.com)

Youth : Jennifer Paterson E-mail : jpaterson@iburst.co.za (NOTE : MCSA corresponding member of UIAA Youth Commission)