2026 Section Forum — Workshop Digest
Spring 2026 · Canmore, AB
Each Section Forum brings together section chairs, executives, and trip leaders from across the country for workshops, peer learning, and planning. This digest captures the key ideas, challenges, and actions from the 2026 Spring Section Forum workshops so that all section volunteers — not just those who attended — can benefit from the conversations.
This digest reflects the discussions, ideas, and plans as they stood at the 2026 Spring Section Forum — it isn't updated after publication. For current programs, courses, and contacts, see the relevant sections of the handbook. Past digests are preserved here so sections can track how priorities and programs have evolved over time.
Workshop 1 — Leadership Development
The first session opened with a workshop and mapping exercise led by the Leadership Development Committee (LDC). Kathleen and Morgan asked each group to envision the ideal pathway a volunteer follows from general member to trip leader, then identify the gaps along that journey, the systems that could support it, and the points where the ACC Office and the LDC can step in to bridge those gaps. Despite working in separate groups, participants surfaced remarkably consistent themes and needs across the board.
1. Clarifying leadership expectations across sections
Section reps expressed a strong need for guidelines (not formal policies) from the ACC Office outlining what it means to be a leader. This includes both hard skills (technical competencies, safety knowledge, trip planning) and soft skills (communication, group management, decision-making). These guidelines should apply across all major activities.
2. Reducing administrative burden through IT improvements
IT was identified as a major opportunity to unburden volunteer organizers and leaders. Key tools discussed:
- Trip templating — standardized trip frameworks to reduce repetitive admin work
- Leader and participant history — quick visibility into past trips, experience levels, and patterns
- Participant tagging — notes such as "potential leader," "AST1 certified," or "needs mentorship" to support succession planning and risk management
3. Strengthening post-course follow-up
A recurring issue has been volunteers completing leadership courses but not transitioning into active leaders — a pattern previously seen with TNF participants. Sections emphasized the need for intentional follow-up with section executives after courses to:
- Identify next steps for each participant
- Pair new leaders with mentors
- Ensure momentum isn't lost
4. Addressing the "end of pipeline first" trend
A growing trend is volunteers wanting to jump directly into leading advanced trips without progressing through the traditional development pathway. The ACC Office will explore ways to reinforce the "watch one, do one, teach one" model to ensure due diligence, safety, and skill progression.
5. Earlier promotion of leadership development trips
The LDC acknowledged the need to advertise training trips earlier. Earlier visibility supports:
- Better planning for volunteers
- Higher participation
- Stronger succession planning
- More predictable leader development cycles
6. Recruiting new leaders remains a challenge
Sections noted the difficulty of finding non-leaders who want to become leaders. This challenge is tied to:
- Limited awareness of leadership pathways
- Perceived barriers to entry
- Competing time commitments
- Lack of visibility into what leadership actually involves
7. Improving organization of existing materials
Finally, sections emphasized that better organization of current resources — documents, templates, training materials, onboarding guides — would significantly improve:
- Volunteer turnover
- Onboarding efficiency
- Consistency across sections
- Leader confidence
Next steps
The LDC will take this feedback and continue to work towards filling the gaps in section leadership mapping. They are also planning a series of courses open to volunteer trip leaders from all sections. Sections were asked at the 2025 Forum whether they'd be willing to serve as a co-host or gathering place — there was interest from Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Revelstoke, Edmonton, and others.
Draft calendar as presented at the 2026 Forum — subject to change.
| Year | Course | Ratio | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Ice Climbing | 1:4 | 6 days | Thunder Bay |
| 2027 | Mountaineering | 1:4 | 4 days | West |
| 2028 | Outdoor Leader | 1:6 | 2 days | Canmore |
| 2028 | Rock Climbing | 1:5 | 4 days | East |
| 2028 | Ski Mountaineering | 1:5 | 5 days | West |
Workshop 2 — Climate Action
1. Board updates: setting the stage
The session opened with updates from the Board, grounding everyone in the ACC's long-standing relationship with conservation and environmental stewardship. Why climate action now? The Board emphasized its fiduciary duty: ensuring the ACC stays aligned with its mission and represents member priorities. Members have been increasingly asking, "What is the ACC doing about the environment?" This question has become a major driver for renewed focus.
2. A positive vision for climate action
The Board framed climate action not as a burden, but as a positive force — a way to inspire, mobilize, and strengthen the ACC community.
Educate & Inspire
- Build awareness and deepen connection to place
- Celebrate stewardship in the mountains
- Share stories, knowledge, and lived experience
Steward & Adapt
- Lead by example in club operations
- Commit to continuous improvement
- Build resilience into programs, huts, and infrastructure
Partner & Mobilize
- Work collaboratively across sections and with external partners
- Enable local action
- Strengthen the collective voice of the ACC
Each of these pillars reflects where the ACC wants to focus its energy moving forward.
3. Section breakouts: local observations & opportunities
Sections shared what they are seeing in their own regions — changes in landscapes, shifting seasons, impacts on access, and emerging stewardship needs. They also discussed what actions they can take locally, including:
Section-inspired ideas
- Climate action specific speaker series
- Engraining leave no trace into event outlines
- More emphasis on carpooling
- How-to nights for repurposing gear
- Bring your own cutlery or campware for section dinners
- Hut updates: windows, solar panels, etc.
- Partnering with local conservation orgs (crag clean up days)
- Sign postings at crags and trails
- Updating leadership training to focus on best practices (stay on trail, leave no trace, etc.)
- Partner with community orgs doing the work
- Report routes with significant changes
- Articulate section's stance on climate action
4. What sections want from ACC National
Sections then shared ideas for how ACC National can support climate action more effectively. Themes included:
- Clearer national guidance and resources
- Shared messaging and communication tools
- Support for local stewardship initiatives
- National-level advocacy and partnerships
- More visibility for climate-related work already happening
These ideas will help shape next steps for the national strategy.
Section-inspired ideas for the ACC National Office
- Provide a "top 10 things sections can do to advance climate action"
- Share other sections' success stories
- Provide resources on tick awareness per region
- Create a wag bag policy or best practice document
- Host virtual workshops with knowledgeable guest speakers
- Develop a backcountry air quality map, updated regionally
- Wag bag budget allocation for sections
- Carpool cost + reimbursement calculation tool
- Advocate for access during fire bans/droughts
- Hut sustainability checklist
- Share a "how-to" sustainably heat huts
- Engrain more advocacy into broader communications
5. Commitments to action
To close the workshop, each section made a commitment to one concrete action they will take starting now. These commitments ranged from local stewardship projects to education initiatives to operational changes — all contributing to a stronger, more coordinated climate response across the ACC.
Workshop 3 — Access Priorities and Paths to Change
1. Why access matters now
Access emerged as a central topic because it sits directly within the Alpine Club of Canada's strategic priorities. As stated in the plan: "We act locally to ensure our members can access recreation areas responsibly."
Participants explored how access issues are evolving and why they require renewed attention at both local and national levels.
2. The access landscape: key issue areas
Attendees identified a wide spectrum of challenges that influence how people reach and enjoy recreation spaces. These issues span environmental, social, regulatory, and economic dimensions.
Environmental & land management
- Environmental protection — safeguarding sensitive ecosystems
- Human waste & infrastructure — managing sanitation and facilities
- Environmental route closures — seasonal or permanent restrictions
- Wilderness management — balancing use with preservation
- Park management — capacity, staffing, and planning
- Public access, parking & signage — ensuring safe and clear entry points
Regulatory & legal
- Regulatory and land access challenges
- Permitting hurdles
- Legal risks
Climate & safety
- Impacts of climate change — shifting seasons, unstable conditions
- Reduced safety of access
Social & community factors
- Knowledge & connection — understanding responsible use
- User conflicts — between recreation groups
- Our behaviour — stewardship and etiquette
- Diversity & inclusion — ensuring equitable access
Financial & mobility barriers
- Cost of participation
- Sustainable and affordable travel
3. Ranking the priorities
Participants discussed the many ways the ACC can influence access issues, both locally and nationally. Attendees then voted on which roles they believe the ACC should prioritize:
| Role | Share of votes |
|---|---|
| Convening | 26.1% |
| Advocacy | 17.4% |
| Land Purchase | 13% |
| Direct Local Action | 8.7% |
| Legislative Change | 8.7% |
| First Nations Reconciliation | 8.7% |
| Support/Admin | 8.7% |
| Education | 8.7% |
Convening and advocacy clearly emerged as the strongest areas of interest, signalling a desire for the ACC to lead conversations and represent the community's voice.
4. Next steps
The board will be taking this feedback and making a working plan. As access issues arise within your section or region, members are encouraged to get in touch via [email protected], who will connect you with the right person. If you'd like to learn more or get involved in access-related initiatives, that's the place to start.
Workshop 4 — Fundraising for Sections
"Fundraising gives people the opportunity to invest in something they love."
Donations, grants, and partnerships strengthen sections, support members, and sustain the Club's long-term impact. Fundraising directly fuels the ACC's mission to inspire adventure, advance mountain culture, and steward wild places across Canada.
1. Two ways sections can raise funds
Online donation portal
- Donors give online and direct funds to your section
- Automatic tax receipts issued instantly
- Funds transferred monthly
- Embed the form on your section website
- Members can add a section donation at membership purchase
Grant partnering
- Many foundations require a registered charity to apply
- Section identifies the grant and emails [email protected] with project details
- ACC confirms mission alignment
- ACC partners as the registered charity on the application
- Opens funding doors sections cannot access alone
2. What counts as a donation?
- True donation — a voluntary gift with no material benefit to the donor. Tax receipts are issued.
- Mission-aligned — donations must support projects that further the ACC mission.
- CRA compliant — all tax receipting must follow Canada Revenue Agency rules, no exceptions.
- Portal limits — the portal is for true donations only, not event fees, raffle tickets, or sponsorship.
3. Donation vs. sponsorship
| Donation | Sponsorship |
|---|---|
| Freely given | Tied to benefit or visibility |
| Minimal recognition | Brand exposure or naming rights |
| Tax receipt issued | No tax receipt |
| Use the online portal | Do not use portal |
4. Eligible fundraising priorities
- Subsidized courses — supporting equity-deserving groups and members in financial need
- Scholarships — financial assistance for members who need it most
- Volunteer recognition — celebrating the people who make sections run
- Shared gear — ropes, first aid kits, and safety equipment for the section
- Hut maintenance — upkeep and improvements to section infrastructure
- Skill-building events — social events, workshops, and community gatherings
5. Section-specific donation links
Most sections already have a donation link set up on the online portal. Want one for your section, or not sure if yours is live? Email [email protected].
Questions about anything in this digest? Email [email protected] or call 403-678-3200.