Changelog

A running record of what's been added, updated, or revised in the handbook. Most recent changes appear at the top.

October 2026

Added 10 Things Sections Can Do — the first article in the new Climate Action section: ten practical climate actions sections can adopt now, organized around the UIAA Four Pillars of Climate Action

Added Top Rope Leader — the ACC Top Rope Rock Climbing Leader Field Handbook, transcribed in full: trip design, group management, technical systems, climbing movement, emergency response, plus the instructor agenda, lesson plans, and instructor assessment form as their own printable articles

Added 2026 Section Forum Workshop Digest — covers Leadership Development, Climate Action, Access Priorities, and Fundraising for Sections workshops from the 2026 Spring Section Forum
Added Hiring Guides, Contracts & Permits — how the ACC helps sections hire guides, manage contracts, and get them onto park permits
Added Student Outdoor Club (SOC) Program — how sections partner with post-secondary outdoor clubs, and what students and participating sections can expect
Added ACC Strategic Plan — the 2025–2028 vision, mission, guiding principles, strategic priorities, and three-year goals, with a retrospective on 2022–2025
Added Volunteer Awards — the awards progression, eligibility criteria, nomination forms, and what sections can do

Updated Trip Planning Overview — expanded with trip coordinator guidance, suggested group size ratios, difficulty ratings, and planning best practices
Added Waivers and Hazards — what makes a waiver valid, how to check a participant's status, what to do for minors, and the activity hazards disclosed in the ACC waiver
Added Key Contacts — who to contact at the national office, by topic
Added Your Role as a Volunteer — how volunteering works at the section and national level, and where to start
Added Section Grant Program — eligibility, application process, timeline, and reporting requirements, based on the 2025–2026 Application Guidelines
Updated Brand Guidelines — refreshed against the June 2026 ACC brand guide
Removed Trip Leader Responsibilities — now covered by Trip Planning Overview and Waivers and Hazards
Removed Email and Newsletters, Social Media, and Working with ACC National — retired pages

Added 2025 Section Forum Workshop Digest — covers Pathways to Impact and Leading the Way workshops, including course demand data and section hosting interest
Added Brand Guidelines — based on ACC Brand Guidelines v5, April 2024
Added Clubhouse & Hut Bookings — section booking benefits, procedure, and cancellation policy
Added Pro Deals Program — Outdoor Prolink and Petzl program guidelines 2025–2026
Added Insurance & Liability — based on CGL Insurance Infopack Oct 2024–Oct 2025 (updated version incoming)
Added Avalanche Safety — terrain classification, gear requirements, and leader qualifications
Added Minors on ACC Trips — based on ACC-SEC-004, approved February 5, 2026
Added Trip Planning Overview — full trip lifecycle from proposal to post-trip report
Added Welcome to the Handbook — introduction and navigation guide
Launched ACC Section Handbook v1 on handbook.alpineclubofcanada.ca

Have a suggestion or spotted something out of date? Contact [email protected].