Committee

Here is the current Walking Club committee. Beneath each description you will find a link to that position’s Terms of Reference – a detailed description of the responsibilities involved.

If you would like to stand for Committee, or if you would like to know more about what’s involved, please contact secretary@ouwc.org.


	President Nicola Steinke, Corpus Christi College/ DPhil in Biochemistry Nicola is trying to escape her basement laboratory as often as possible. Exploring new places and meeting new people is a welcome change. She is especially fond of hiking in forests and at the seaside. When not walking, Nicola enjoys cycling around Oxford, playing music and board games and cooking with friends. E-mail: president@ouwc.org The president is in charge of the Club, and is responsible for planning the term’s activities, overseeing any issues that arise, and chairing meetings. President’s Terms of Reference

	Secretary Danica Fernandes, Corpus Christi College/Medicine Danica is a big fan of the Seven Sisters, particularly the café at Birling gap which does the most amazing cakes. She is determined to visit it as many times as possible before it inevitably falls into the sea. When not walking with the OUWC, Danica can be found investigating Oxford’s lesser known coffee shops or chilling in the botanical gardens. E-mail: secretary@ouwc.org The secretary takes minutes at committee meetings, oversees the minibus bookings, and is responsible for the Club’s administration. Please contact the secretary if you would like to stand for committee or drive a minibus for a trip. Secretary’s Terms of Reference

	Treasurer Raphael Forien E-mail: treasurer@ouwc.org Raphael has had the hiking virus for as long as he can remember (we suspect it is a hereditary strain). He particularly enjoys going on treks in the Alps or in the Pyrenees, either camping or staying in huts. When not walking, Raphael passes the time scribbling equations in the Stats department or listening to music. Treasurer’s Terms of Reference

	Trip and Safety Co-ordinator Tom Waksman, St Edmund Hall/Biochemistry Tom loves the mountains and views them as a playground for walking, scrambling and (maybe) climbing. When unable to be in them he may well be found putting off his Biochemistry degree work by planning his next trip, or cycling frantically to lectures because he is always late. When walking Tom will always be on the lookout for wildlife, especially rabbits, and he also believes that long distance walking and camping is the most rewarding way to explore the countryside. Besides this, Tom enjoys playing guitar, table football and eating lots of food. And of course, as secretary, typing frantically. E-mail: trip.safety@ouwc.org The Trip and Safety Co-ordinator’s job is to co-ordinate the running of Club Trips: queries should be addressed either to the Trip and Safety Coordinator or the Trip Organiser. The Trip and Safety Co-oordinator also oversees safety issues such as the Trip Leader Safety Document and the Risk Assessments. Contact the Trip and Safety Coordinator if you would like to organise or lead a trip. Trip and Safety Co-ordinator’s Terms of Reference (including Training Officer – see below)

	Alumni Secretary Anna Sonley Anna hails from the north where she was brought up on long walks in the North York Moors, but also enjoys walking in Scotland, the Lakes and further afield when possible! When not walking, she can be found either working in the Department of Psychiatry or, more likely, in a cafe. E-mail: alumnisec@ouwc.org The Alumni secretary runs our Alumni scheme, keeping in touch with former club members. Alumni Secretary’s Terms of Reference

	Archivist Gráinne Baker, Lady Margaret Hall/Classics Gráinne uses rambling and hillwalking to escape from the library, and when not at Oxford does most of her walking in Donegal and the Sperrins. E-mail: archivist@ouwc.org The archivist co-ordinates the term’s local walks and at the end of the term, plans next term’s local walks. The archivist is also in charge of the Club’s large collection of maps and guidebooks. Contact the archivist if you would like to borrow any of these or if you would like to lead a local walk. Archivist’s Terms of Reference

	Membership Secretary Pankaj Pansari, St. Catherine’s College/DPhil in Engineering Science Pankaj finds hiking the best way to explore the idyllic countryside, besides being a great opportunity to meet new people. After a week’s immersion in lab work, spending time in nature is always refreshing and a welcome change. He is also a fan of tea, podcasts and the visual arts. E-mail: membership@ouwc.org Contact the Membership Secretary if you would like to join the Club, or if your membership needs renewing. Membership Secretary’s Terms of Reference

	Quartermaster Mariia Sedykh, St Peter’s College/Law Faculty The greatest pleasure for me is to explore new amazing places and share my adventures with great people! And the fact that there are still so many wonderful places to go and so many passionate hikers who I haven’t met yet makes me happy! So, if you feel the same way, join the club and never stop exploring 🙂 During the week days I could be found in the law library reading cases or drinking cappuccino in the Missing Bean… E-mail: quartermaster@ouwc.org The quartermaster is in charge of the club’s equipment, preparing equipment for club trips and loaning equipment to members. Quartermaster’s Terms of Reference

	2nd Quartermaster Michael Hopkins Michael’s favourite places to walk include the South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, or anywhere on the coast. Failing that, the countryside around Oxford is a good alternative, and he can usually be found there most weekends.

	Social Representative Simon Lewis, University College/DPhil in History Simon is mainly a local walker, who prefers to leave the more daring stuff to the other members of the club. On the one occasion that Simon did come on a minibus day trip, it rained heavily. Since then, he has been banned from leaving the perimeters of Oxfordshire. E-mail: social@ouwc.org The social rep organises and co-ordinates the club’s programme of social events. Social Rep’s Terms of Reference

	Training officer Jaya John, Physics Inspired by the beauty and variety of the UK’s mountain and coastal scenery, Jaya John is keen on hillwalking and outdoor photography. Like a few others on committee, he particularly looks forward to the immersion of days and nights in the mountains on longer backpacking trips. As Training Officer, he arranges First Aid and map-reading courses, among other training. If you’d like to learn more and improve your skills, including up to Mountain Leader level, please get in touch! E-mail: training@ouwc.org The Training Officer’s job is to co-ordinate the leader training programme and the First Aid training programme.

	Webmaster Matt Brown, Oriel College/DPhil in Atmospheric Physics Studying atmospheric physics means an appreciation for the outdoors and all that it contains is basically part of the job description. It also makes a nice change to sitting at a computer and staring at lines of incomprehensible code that you swore worked when you wrote them last month… I also happen to be somewhat of a rollercoaster and technology junkie. Walking for me is a great way to explore the country, see amazing things and meet amazing people. E-mail: webmaster@ouwc.org The webmaster is in charge of the design and content of this website. Contact the webmaster if you have any suggestions about the website or if you have any photos to contribute. Webmaster’s Terms of Reference

	IT Officer Matt Brown, Oriel College/DPhil in Atmospheric Physics E-mail: it.officer@ouwc.org The IT Officer is in charge of liaising with the University and OUCS about all aspects of the Club’s IT activities that are regulated by the University, including the Club’s Mailing Lists. Contact the IT officer if you’re having trouble with the mailing lists. The IT Officer is a separately elected committee post. This would often be the same person as the Webmaster, but must be a current University member to comply with OUCS rules. IT Officer’s Terms of Reference

	Ex-Officio Ex-President Christian Weinzetl, Oriel College/DPhil in Physics Working all day long in a laboratory without windows, Christian is always happy to grab the opportunity to go on a hike in Britain’s wonderful nature. He is a fan of the Cotswolds and the Chilterns, two beautiful areas right on the doorstep of Oxford. There is nothing better than to go on a hike in good company bookended by stimulating conversations and a picturesque landscape. The previous president assists the committee by passing on the experience that only a term of being president can bring.

	Senior Member Dr Barbara Havelkova, Faculty of Law/Lincoln College Barbara has been with the OUWC since 2008. She enjoys both mountains, Snowdonia being her favourite, as well as local walks. She tries to get away to the Chilterns, Cotswolds or the Malverns at least once a term leading a local walk. Join her! E-mail: senior@ouwc.org Barbara is the Club’s elected Senior Member.