Mentorship and Continuing Professional Development Committee

Mission

The Mentorship and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) is committed to fostering a culture of lifelong learning, professional excellence, and community support within the guiding profession. Through mentorship, education, and structured CPD opportunities, the committee empowers ACMG members to develop their technical skills, leadership abilities, and decision-making in dynamic mountain environments. The committee’s mission is to facilitate knowledge transfer, promote industry best practices, and uphold the highest standards of risk management, professionalism, and environmental stewardship. By strengthening mentorship networks and CPD initiatives, the committee ensures that members at all career stages have the resources and support needed to grow, adapt, and excel in their profession.

Structure

This staff committee includes the ACMG Director of Member Services as chair, ACMG Director of Operations, ACMG Technical Director, and three or more ACMG members in good standing, and one or more members of the public. Committee Members who fail to attend monthly meetings will be removed from the committee at the chair’s discretion. The ACMG President and Executive Director are ex-officio members.

Authority

The committee is authorized to collaborate with the ACMG Technical Committee and ACMG Training and Assessment Program (TAP) to establish and sustain high-quality Robson Gmoser Mentorship and CPD programs that support the professional growth, knowledge transfer, and skill development of ACMG members while upholding the highest standards of safety, ethics, and guiding and climbing instruction excellence. The committee is authorized to administer and maintain the Robson Gmoser Mentorship Fund.

The committee reports directly to the Executive Director concerning program activities and initiatives, and to the Board of Directors regarding proposed policy changes. The committee has an Active Agent level of authority, granting it broad power to act without requiring immediate approval from the Executive Director or the Board for every decision. However, the Executive Director or Board remains ultimately responsible for their actions and must provide oversight.

The committee’s annual financial plan and budget, including sponsorships and cost-sharing models for the Robson Gmoser Mentorship and CPD programs, must be approved by the Executive Director and the Board.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Robson Gmoser Mentorship and CPD programs
• Develop and implement a long-term funding strategy for the Robson Gmoser Mentorship Fund
• Collaborate with TAP to deliver field-based mentorship and CPD opportunities and integrate mentorship and CPD into broader professional development initiatives
• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of structured mentorship and CPD initiatives, events, workshops, training sessions, webinars, and networking opportunities
• Develop mentorship and CPD programs that meet the needs of ACMG members of all designations and geographical regions across Canada
• Oversee the Robson Gmoser Mentorship and CPD programs to ensure that all participants – both mentors and mentees – engage in safe, respectful, and productive relationships, develop a mentorship code of conduct, work proactively to prevent misconduct, respond swiftly to concerns, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards
• Ensure mentorship and CPD activities align with ACMG certification requirements and industry best practices
• Identify emerging trends, technologies, and safety practices to integrate into mentorship and CPD offerings
• Work with subject matter experts to create high-quality educational resources
• Foster partnerships with industry stakeholders, training organizations, and sponsors
• Promote mentorship and CPD opportunities to ACMG members at all career stages while fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment
• Recruit and support qualified members to serve as mentors and instructors, providing resources, training, and guidance on effective mentorship and CPD
• Act as a point of contact for mentors and mentees, addressing challenges and providing solutions
• Recognize and celebrate the contributions of mentors within the ACMG community
• Match mentors and mentees based on skills, experience, and career goals
• Support mentees in setting goals and navigating their mentorship experience
• Provide resources and guidance to help mentees maximize their professional growth
• Advocate for mentee needs and ensure accessibility of mentorship opportunities
• Monitor the progress of mentorship engagements and provide ongoing support
• Develop assessment tools to gather feedback from participants, measure the impact of mentorship and CPD initiatives and track participation and outcomes of programs
• Compile reports and recommendations for continuous program improvement
• Report to and advise the ACMG Executive Director and Board of Directors when requested to do so
• Recruit new members as necessary