Board and Committees
The ACC Board
The Alpine Club of Canada is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of nine positions. Board members are elected for a three-year term with elections staggered such that one third of the board positions are elected each year. A list of past presidents can be found on the Past Presidents page.
Call for Nominations: Alpine Club of Canada Board of Directors Election 2025
The Alpine Club of Canada is seeking nominations for three positions on our Board of Directors for the upcoming election. Each year, three of the nine positions on the Board are elected for three-year terms.
Following the results of the 2024 election announced at the club’s Annual General Meeting in May, we are now preparing for the 2025 election. Positions available for election in 2025:
- President
- Secretary
- Vice-President for Activities
The incumbent President elected in 2022 will be seeking re-election. The incumbent VP Activities was appointed to the position in October 2023 to fill a vacancy and will also be seeking re-election.
This is a great opportunity to deepen your involvement with the ACC and contribute to the club’s strategic direction. We are looking for qualified individuals who are passionate about the ACC’s mission and eager to make a difference.
How to Apply: Interested members should review the Board Member Role Descriptions and complete the online application process by October 31, 2024. Get involved, make a difference, and help shape the future of The Alpine Club of Canada!
Board Responsibilities
The board as a whole is responsible for the following duties:
- Governance and oversight
- Financial management
- Fundraising and development
- Advocacy and public relations
- Program and service oversight
- Risk management
Isabelle Daigneault
President
Board Member Since: 2006
Tim Patterson
Vice-President for Mountain Culture
Kathleen Lane
Vice-President for Activities
Jim Gudjonson
Vice-President for Facilites
Board Member Since: 2015
Keith Sanford
Treasurer
Patrick Murdoch
Vice-President for Services & Athletics
John Andresen
Vice-President for Access & Environment
Richard Campbell
Secretary
Board Member Since: 2019
Emilie Grenier
Vice-President for Sections
Carine Salvy
Executive Director
Board Committees
The Board of Directors of the Alpine Club of Canada can convene board committees on a permanent basis (Standing Committees) or a temporary, ad hoc basis to address a specific, single event or issue. These ad hoc committees meet for a few months and then disband once their task is completed. The Board may decide to change some of these committees into Standing Committees that meet on a more regular basis.
ACC members who have an aptitude for these portfolios, as well as a desire to volunteer for the club are encouraged to learn about the committees below and reach out via the contact information provided to express their interest in being involved.
The ACC sincerely thanks all of the volunteers who make our club successful.
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee will ensure that the Board and its committees are made up of members with appropriate skills, diverse backgrounds, and appropriate regional representation, is driven by the strategic priorities of the Club and ensure that Board composition complies with the Club’s By-Laws and Governance Policies from time to time.
Composition
The Nomination Committee shall consist of a chair, nominated by the President, and approved by the Board, and such other members, appointed by the chair of the committee.
Access & Environment Committee
The purpose of the Access and Environment Committee is to undertake projects and initiatives that:
- Promote low impact self-propelled access and travel in alpine environments to members and the Canadian public;
- Contribute to the diffusion of mountain science and knowledge of mountain environments to members and the Canadian public.
Composition
The Access and Environment Committee shall consist of 3 – 5 members having a strong interest in preserving and protecting the alpine environment. It will be Chaired by the Vice President of Access and Environment.
Audit & Finance Committee
The purpose of the Audit and Finance Committee is to ensure oversight and stewardship of the Club’s financial information, control systems, budgeting, external audit, fund management, and risk management.
Composition
The Audit and Finance Committee shall consist of 3 – 7 members having strong financial skills, and shall be chaired by the Treasurer.
Awards Committee
The purpose of the Awards Committee is to oversee the ACC National Awards Program through supporting solicitation of nominations, evaluation of nominations, and suggesting updates and improvements to the Awards program.
Composition
The Awards Committee shall consist of not less than five and not more than seven ACC members in good standing. The committee will strive for balance by region, language and gender and overall diversity. It is chaired by the Vice-President Services & Athletics, who has a non-voting role in the annual awarding process.
Code of Conduct Committee
The purpose of the Code of Conduct Committee is to ensure that the Alpine Club of Canada fulfills its obligation to provide a safe and welcoming environment for its employees, contractors, volunteers, members, guests and activity participants by outlining acceptable conduct per the Member Code of Conduct and providing recourse for infractions thereof.
Composition
The Code of Conduct Committee shall consist of three members including one Board member, one senior employee and one volunteer having some expertise in human resources.
Fund Development Committee
The Fund Development Committee provides direction and support to help the ACC adhere to fundraising best practices. The Fund Development Committee creates, directs, and monitors a comprehensive fund development plan.
Composition
The Fund Development Committee shall consist of a chair, nominated by the President, and approved by the Board, and such other members, appointed by the chair of the committee.
GMC Committee
The purpose of the General Mountaineering Committee is to provide the expertise to plan and operate the annual General Mountaineering Camp
Composition
The GMC consists of five to seven members who have sufficient knowledge of the GMC history and operations. The Chair of the GMC is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Alpine Club of Canada. Members of the GMC Committee are appointed by the Chair of the General Mountaineering Committee. National Office representation and the Vice President of Activities will also be included as an ex-officio member. The committee membership represents its constituencies, participants, volunteers and amateur leaders, paid camp staff, guides and national office staff.
Governance Committee
The purpose of the Governance Committee is to ensure that the Board fulfills its legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities through appropriate governance, and operational oversight.
Composition
The Governance Committee shall consist of 3 – 7 members having some expertise in Board governance, particularly in the non-profit sector, and shall be chaired by the Secretary.
Leadership Development Committee
The purpose of the Leadership Development Committee is to promote and facilitate the delivery of leadership related training to ACC members across Canada through the Alpine Club of Canada/The North Face (ACC/TNF) Leadership courses, the National Leadership and Technical Training Development (LTTD) program, seminars, written materials and other formats determined by the committee.
Composition
The Leadership Development Committee will be chaired by the Vice President of Activities. The Vice President of Activities may appoint a committee co-chair if desired. The Leadership Development Committee consists of five to seven members and may include a designated representative of the national office as an ex-officio member. The Leadership Development Committee chairperson(s) will appoint volunteer members of the committee from ACC volunteers from across Canada.
Mountain Culture Committee
The Mountain Culture Committee is a project-based committee that works to promote and preserve the Alpine Club of Canada and Canadian mountaineering culture.
Composition
The Mountain Culture Committee shall consist of 4-6 volunteer members having some expertise in and commitment to Canadian mountain culture.
Safety Committee
The purpose of the Safety Committee is to foster and promote safety in the mountain activities of the Alpine Club of Canada. The ACC promotes and organizes mountain activities through the National Office and local sections. For the Club to prosper and grow, diverse mountain activities must be available to the members in a safe and enjoyable manner. A commitment to safety in the pursuit of mountain activities is one of the core values of the Alpine Club of Canada. All mountain activities by their very nature are hazardous, risky and can never be completely safe. Yet it is paramount for the Alpine Club of Canada to strive for a high level of safety in all its activities.
Composition
The Safety Committee consists of five to seven members from different sections, bringing a variety of experiences and skills to the committee and representing a mix of local sections. The Chair of the Safety Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors of the ACC. Members of the Safety Committee are appointed by the Chair of the Safety Committee. Members can be nominated by the committee, individual Alpine Club members or by local sections. The Vice President of Activities will also be included as an ex-officio member.
Legal Committee
The Legal Committee provides direction and support to help the ACC navigate legal matters. This commonly shows up in the form of reviewing contracts, incident reports and legal questions from the ACC Sections and the Canmore office.
Composition
The Legal Committee shall consist of a chair, nominated by the President, and approved by the Board, and such other members, appointed by the chair of the committee.
Forums
Section Forum
The ACC’s Section Forum is comprised of one representative from each Alpine Club of Canada section. The Forum meets in person semi-annually to share their initiatives, create solutions to section concerns, and provide input and feedback to the Board of Directors on issues and policies that affect the membership. The Vice President for Sections ensures Section-to-Board communication.
Section representatives are either the Chair of a respective section or are appointed by their section. Questions regarding a specific section may be directed to its representative. For information on each of our sections visit our Regional Sections page.
Section Representatives:
- Yukon: Rob Cohen
- Vancouver Island: Christine Fordham
- Vancouver: Ian MacNab
- Whistler: Bryce Leigh
- Squamish: Scott MacPhearson
- Okanagan: Dave Henwood
- Prince George: Chris Wagner
- Columbia Mountains: Kirsten Silfvenius
- Jasper/Hinton: Claire Levesque
- Rocky Mountain: Tana Stratton
- Edmonton: Jarett Stastny
- Central Alberta: Keenan Hosking
- Bugaboos: Josh Lavigne
- Calgary: Brett Bilon
- Southern Alberta: Ryan
Leavitt - Saskatchewan: Don Chodzicki
- Great Plains: Mike Wild
- Manitoba: Simon Statkewich
- Saint-Boniface: Trisha Burch
- Thunder Bay: Frank Pianka
- Toronto: Mylissa Prisner
- Ottawa: Bill Barrett
- Outaouais: Francois Bessette
- Montreal: Luc Raymond
- Newfoundland & Labrador: Aaron Casey
