The Majura Pines Trail Alliance (MPTA) is a volunteer group formed in 2014 to build and maintain the trails within the Majura Pines Recreation Area, Canberra. This page describes how we are structured legally, practically, and financially. This information may be useful to similar groups elsewhere and provides succession planning for future MPTA committees.
ParkCare
MPTA is registered with the ACT Parks and Conservation Services ParkCare program. Importantly this provides registered volunteers undertaking approved activities insurance for personal accident and public liability through the ACT Insurance Authority (ACTIA). The insurance does not cover volunteers for use of any machinery.
Additionally, ParkCare provide us with PPE, some hand tools, some materials such as gravel and ranger support.
It is also possible to gain insurance for voluntary trail building by affiliating your club with AusCycling. You will have to become incorporated (see below) and every volunteer will have to be an AusCycling member.
It should be noted that both of the insurance options mentioned above are only for trail building NOT public indemnity insurance for people riding the trails.
Steering Committee
MPTA is organised by an informal Steering Committee (these are the people in the yellow hi-vis shirts at our trail days). Click here to read more about the roles within the committee.
We do not have a constitution as, under our current framework, there is no legal requirement to do so and we enjoy the freedom. This has worked for us so far.
Periodically we will hold a General Meeting to form a new committee but in reality if someone is interested and has proven themselves useful they can be invited to join at any time.
Finances
MPTA have a bank account and a PayPal account. This is the minimum we require to manage our finances and receive donations. Our bank account is a Westpac Community Solutions One – a no-fee account for not-for-profits that, at the time, was fairly straight forward to open.
Fundraising
Our income comes from donations via our website, TrailForks Karma and QR codes on the trails, selling merchandise and through sponsorship.
Smaller donations and merch sales are spent on hand tools, materials and refreshments for our volunteers. We are fortunate to have several very generous in kind sponsors who provide us with trail day refreshments, which reduces our expenditure.
Out top tier sponsorship (Summit Supporters) is used to bring in professional contractors to maintain the machine built flow trails at Majura. This is work that is not possible to undertake with volunteers and keeps our most popular trails running smoothly and safely.
Incorporated or Not?
MPTA is not incorporated. This is a decision we have made to simplify our administration workload. If we did become incorporated we would not qualify for ParkCare insurance.
However, there are benefits to becoming incorporated. These include protecting members from being sued and increased eligibility for grants. Look up the Associations Incorporation Act in your state or territory for more information. It is possible to auspice with other clubs or organisations to qualify for grants, but this can incur a fee.