Wagonmaster & Rally Leader
General Duties:
1. Plan your caravan, selecting dates, destinations, campgrounds, rest and refueling stops, and the number of RVs you wish to take: Include group activities such as potluck dinners, social hours, and any other activities that may be of general interest. Reserve campsites and other facilities WELL IN ADVANCE, requesting written confirmation and request that sites be grouped as close together as possible. Estimate total cost per participant, the deposit required, and when final payment is due. Each participating RV must pay a non-refundable caravan fee in an amount set by the Board. Prior to departure, submit to the Caravan Director the caravan fees (payable by check to the 'RV Club of SCW'), along with a copy of each participant's Caravan Application, and a bound or jacketed copy of your Caravan Itinerary, as described below.
2. Prepare the itinerary including the campground address, phone number, arrival and departure times/dates. Prepare a list of participants, with their names, addresses, and phone numbers (include cell phones) along with a detailed trip itinerary with all routes specified so participants can reach your destination should they become separated from the caravan. Allow sufficient time for for fuel, lunch, and rest stops, and perhaps site seeing opportunities. Select departure times, speed (may be delegated to Section Leaders), and length of stops so as to maintain a 20-30 minute interval between sections. Prepare the caravan or rally structure, listing Section Leaders, Shotguns, RV travel order, etc. Include section numbers, type and length of RV, and make/model of tow vehicle.
3. Meet with the members of your caravan one or two weeks prior to departure to distribute the documents mentioned above, review trip activities, expected weather conditions and any special situations that may be encountered. Meet with the Section Leaders and Shotguns to discuss travel speed, intervals between sections and any contingent plans. Provide Section Leaders with numerical position numbers to be affixed to the rear of each rig or tow vehicle. Be sure the Shotgun is equipped with emergency warning triangles.
4. Ensure that each participant on the caravan or rally has signed a release form on the bottom of the application and that you have received a copy of the RV Club's "Wagonmaster or Rally Leader Appointment" letter. Designate the GMRS channel to use and, if necessary, explain how to properly communicate. Indicate the assembly area, usually east of the library, in the RH Johnson Recreation Center parking lot. Comply with the posted traffic laws of each city and state and encourage safety. Upon arrival at the campground you may be responsible for registration and assignment of sites, (depending upon the RV Park).
5. At the conclusion of the caravan, provide the Caravan Director with a written report of any suspensions or terminations of participants, as well as, any suggestions or observations that might be beneficial to the next Wagonmaster or Rally Leader taking this same trip, or another with similar routing. Include a financial report, accounting for all funds collected, expended or refunded. Send a summarized expense report to each participant or couple, along with any refund due.
6. Wagonmasters or Rally Leaders must possess a good working knowledge of the "Rules of the Road" and the duties of both the Section Leader and Shotgun.
Section Leader
General Duties:
1. Must be familiar with routing, refueling, and rest stops designated by the Wagonmaster or Rally Leader.
2. Distributes numerical position number cards to each member of the Section and ensures that all cards are properly positioned.
3. Issues traffic safety-warning triangles to Section Shotgun.
4. Conducts a Radio check with all members of the Section prior to departure.
5. Provides supervision to the Section, adhering to departure, travel, and arrival schedules, unless the safety of the Section requires a deviation, or a traffic detour is required. Rest and fuel stops may be changed to another location if circumstances require it. Informs the Wagonmaster or Rally Leader of any changes made.
6. Leads the Section, maintaining a proper interval between vehicles, at a safe speed for weather and road conditions and within the posted speed limit
7. Occasionally checks for problems (via GMRS radio or cell phone) and warns Section as to traffic conditions, road hazards including children, animals and vehicles near the roadway, lane changes and approaching lane changes and turning maneuvers.
8. Must have a working knowledge of the Section Leader’s and Shotgun’s duties and responsibilities, and should be acquainted with the duties of a Wagonmaster or Rally Leader.
9. Must possess a working knowledge of the Rules of the Road, and be willing to enforce them.
10. Performs all other duties requested by the Wagonmaster or Rally Leader.
11. If the Section Leader has a cell phone, it remains on so that the Wagonmaster, Rally Leader or Shotgun can communicate if out of Radio range.
12. The Section Leader represents the Caravan Wagonmaster or Rally Leader in his/her absence and possesses the authority to perform the duties of a Section Leader, as well as any additional duties imposed or requested by the Wagonmaster / Rally Leader.
13. Collects all issued number cards and equipment at the caravan’s termination point, returning same to the Wagonmaster or Rally leader.
Shotgun
General Duties:
1. Occupies the last position in the Section and keeps the Section Leader informed of the status of the Section.
2. Comes to the aid of any member of the Section and stays with the member until the trouble has been resolved, or other satisfactory arrangements have been made, or until released by the member.
3. Warns the Section of passing vehicles on two-lane roads, and informs the Section Leader when a traffic sign or signal has been cleared; when the Section has completed an entry or exit of a freeway or limited access highway; after clearing or passing any obstructions, or after completing a route or lane change.
4. Assists the Section Leader in monitoring the Section’s spacing and suggests changes as needed. This may require directing participants to close or open intervals between RVs, or perhaps asking the Section Leader to temporarily reduce speed.
5. Reports any RV leaving the Section, and consults with the Section Leader regarding the appointment of a replacement should it be necessary for the Shotgun to leave the Section or be relieved.
6. Perform all other duties requested by the Section Leader, or assigned by the Wagonmaster or Rally Leader.
7. Must possess a working knowledge of the Rules of the Road, and should be familiar with the Section Leader’s duties.
8. Represents the Section Leader in his/her absence and possesses that authority deemed necessary to perform the assigned duties of a Shotgun, as well as any other duties imposed or requested by the Section Leader, Wagonmaster or Rally Leader.