Introduction and Scope
On group trips it is often useful to create a pool of money (a 'kitty' or 'Walter') for communal purchases such as drinks, meals etc. These rules suggest a way of organizing such a kitty in a way that is quick and easy to use, whilst being as fair as possible to all involved. Note that these two aims are at loggerheads, and hence the rules are always a compromise between them.
The rules outlined below constitute the 'special theory of Waltertivity', and apply specifically to the main annual Arrow Trip. We should consider creating the 'general theory of Waltertivity' to cover other activities.
Origin of Term
Walter = Walter Mitty= Kitty. Where a 'kitty' is a colloquiasm for a common pool of money.
Section (1) Creating the Walter
1. At any point the group of people on the current Arrow Trip (henceforth referred to as 'the group' ) can agree to create a Walter. They then all contribute an equal amount of money into said Walter.
2. By unanimous vote of the group, 'payment in kind' can be substituted for cash when contributing into the Walter. This would happen when one member has already carried out a service, or made purchases, for the benefit of the group, prior to the creation of the Walter.
3. The money is placed into a special holder called the 'buck'. This receptacle has to be deemed 'suitable-for-purpose' by the Arrow Technical Committee. (it needs to be secure, difficult to lose by accident, and easy to use).
4. Any contributor can, at any time, pull out of the arrangement and remove their contribution (or whatever proportion remains) from the Walter. Simply divide the current balance of the Walter by the number of contributors: the resulting sum is the repayment. Obviously, such an individual may no longer draw funds from the Walter, and has no interest in or voting rights over it. Having pulled out of the Walter, and individual can then rejoin it as though they where a "late comer", subject to the provisions of rule (5).
5. A "late-comer" can enter the Walter subject to the unanimous vote of the group. The late-comer then contributes an amount equal to the current balance of the Walter, divided by the current number of contributors. Thereafter the 'late comer' is a full member of the Walter, with all rights, protections and limitations accorded by these rules.
Section (2) Carrying the Walter
If we are to have a central fund (the Walter), then it follows that at any one time there needs to be one central authority monitoring and deploying it, otherwise there is no point. Accordingly....
1. At any one time one person is deemed to be the 'Mitty'. The Mitty physically carries the Buck
2. The role of the Mitty is deemed to be a rota-able job, and hence is included in the Rota's along with such things as getting the newspapers in the morning, cooking breakfast, washing up, etc etc.
3. The Mitty has a duty of care for the physical security of the Walter, and of the Buck. The Mitty has only limited liability for loss or damage to the Walter or Buck, however. Only loss arising from reckless endangerment would make the Mitty liable for making good any loss or damage. Even then, the group as a whole has collective responsibility for the welfare of the Walter and Buck. The Mitty is NOT liable for a loss due to reckless endangerment if other group members could be reasonably expected to be aware of such endangerment, but took no action to alert the Mitty or prevent the endangerment.
4. The Mitty must remain within sight of at least one other member of the group at all times. The only exception is when using bathroom facilities. If for some reason a Mitty needs to go beyond visual horizon (except as noted above) then the Mitty must pass the buck, if only temporarily, to the person who is next up in the rotas for Mittyhood.
5. The Mitty is responsible for dispensing funds from the Walter, using the rules outlined in section (3).
6. The Mitty must keep an approximate running total of the Walter at all times.
7. When the Buck is passed, an accurate (to within a pound) total of the Walter must be assessed by the incoming Mitty, and declared to the group.
Section (3) Using the Walter
Its not there for decorative purposes!
1. If goods or services are deemed 'Walterable', then they can be purchased from funds from the Walter.
2. As everyone contributed equally to the Walter, then 'Walterability' can only be conferred by the unanimous vote of the group.
3. For the same reasons, any dispensations from the Walter should be to equal benefit to the entire group. Of course, individuals may choose to waive their personal rights under this rule for any given dispensation, and permit a purchase to go ahead even if it does NOT benefit them equally.
4. It is not necessary that the entire group be present at the point of purchase. Walterability can be conferred in advance of a purchase in accordance with the rules, and then an agent appointed to make the purchase on behalf of, and with the authorization of, the group, employing funds from the Walter.
5. It is permitted that an individual, or a sub-set of the group, may make a purchase and then apply for re-imbursement from the Walter at a later date. Such reimbursement requires the unanimous approval of the group, as per rule (2) above. Note that Retro-Walterablisation should never be assumed by anyone at the time of purchase, and that the initial purchase is entirely at the individuals risk.
Section (4) Fair Play
Sometimes an 'event' may be deemed Walterable, but still allow individuals to be drawing different amounts from the Walter to cover their individual payments within the event. A good example is a group meal. Obviously such an event should be Walterable. However, some people might order a really expensive meal, and others a cheaper meal. This then leads to the result that some members are subsidizing others to an unacceptable level. Accordingly..
1. Where a Walterable event gives rise to variation in individual's liabilities on the Walter, top-up payments to the Walter may be required.
2. The 'top-up' payments are calculated thusly: All individual liabilities within the event (individual bills) are rounded to the nearest pound to make calculation easier. The Median of these rounded liabilities is calculated. Any individual who's liability exceeds this Median must make a payment into the Walter equal to the difference between the liability and the Median.
3. Where a liability is LESS than the Median, no action is taken. (there are no rebates from the Walter). Otherwise the whole purpose of the Walter is lost. (we may as well pay individual bills ourselves).
4. Rounds of drinks constitute a special case. Due to the volume of purchases, a rigid adherence to rule (2) would cause massive complication, with resulting millage and hence thirst. Accordingly, a top-up payment is only required when an individual's liability (a specific drink within the round) is greater than 120% of the Median. As most of our drinks cost roughly the same, it is intended that this 20% spread factor should bring all drinks costs into line, and top-up payments would only be triggered in very special circumstances.
