Eligibility

• As a professional association, membership in the ACMG is open to anyone who has passed one or more of the ACMG-accredited courses offered by Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, British Columbia).
• IFMGA guides from other countries are also eligible for membership.
• Organizations whose business is directly related to commercial mountain guiding and instruction may apply for Associate Membership.

 

 

Benefits

There are many reasons to consider membership in the ACMG.

• Professional Credibility and Representation
  As a professional guide/instructor, your voice to government and industry is amplified by being part of an association dedicated to advocating for the highest standards and best practices of mountain guiding and it’s related activities. In addition, your professional credibility is enhanced by belonging to a respected, self-regulating organization and through the use of its recognized logos.
• Services
  As an ACMG member, you will have access to group liability insurance, group accident/disability insurance, permits for a variety of public land agencies in Alberta and British Columbia, pro deals on equipment from our sponsors and scholarship awards from a variety of ACMG funds. You will also be able to market your guiding services through a shared commercial website: www.acmgguides.com
• Support
  The mountain guiding community in Canada is remarkably supportive. Should you ever have an accident or run into difficulties, the Association can help with financial or advocacy matters while individual members are there for emotional and motivational support.
• Information
  The ACMG provides its members with a plethora of information on topics such as current mountaineering techniques, mountain conditions, outdoor clothing and equipment, land access and news that involves outdoor recreation and guiding. The main venues for this information are the ACMG technical manuals, the ACMG public and members’ websites, periodic professional development seminars, the semi-annual ACMG News and the Quarterly ACMG Bulletin. In addition, affiliation with the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) creates a conduit for the transfer of valuable information from member countries abroad.
• Interaction
  Although ACMG members are often geographically separated, the Association provides opportunities for them to interact at various levels. There is a website forum through which members may ask questions, debate issues and offer or learn about employment opportunities. In addition, there exists a form of Intranet, called the Informalex, which allows members the opportunity to share up-to-date route conditions and information as well as any other topics of current interest. Also, the Annual General Meeting, with its associated professional development seminars and social events, is an excellent chance for face-to-face interaction.
• Inspiration
  The ACMG is comprised of truly amazing people, many of whose personal and professional accomplishments are indeed remarkable. Learning from, speaking to or working with the best this industry has to offer, will only enhance your own excitement for and devotion to the guiding profession.

How to join the ACMG

New Members

If you successfully completed your first ACMG course through Thompson Rivers University LESS than one year ago:

1. Contact Linda Heywood at the Canmore membership office supplying a copy of your current first aid certificate:

   Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
   Box 8341
   Canmore AB T1W 2V1
   Phone: 403-678-2885
   Fax: 403-609-0070
   acmg@acmg.ca

2. You’ll be allowed temporary access to the ACMG members’ website.

If you successfully completed your first ACMG course through Thompson Rivers University MORE than one year ago:

1. Résumé
   Prepare a résumé with the following:

   1. Any pertinent certification you have acquired since you passed your first ACMG course, including all courses/exams you have taken since your last certification was completed and that are related to your ACMG membership and current level of certification. For example: continuing education, technical refreshers, etc. DO NOT include non-guiding/instruction related training or certification. DO INCLUDE COPIES OF CERTIFICATES or other proof of attendance and certification.
   2. Any pertinent personal experience you have acquired since you passed your first ACMG course. Providing copies of activity logs or a résumé-style list is strongly recommended, this is especially important if you have not been actively working as a guide or instructor. List only that experience which is related to your level of ACMG certification. DO NOT include non-guiding/instruction related personal experience. For example, list hiking, backpacking, climbing, skiing, etc. but do not list cycling trips, fishing, hunting, etc.
   3. Any pertinent professional experience you have acquired since you passed your first ACMG course. If you've been working at jobs that are related to your certification, a log or résumé of that work will be required. A letter from an employer would be valuable if you were working for someone; this letter should confirm your period of employment and what kind of work you have done. DO NOT include non-guiding/instruction related professional experience.
2. Copy of your current valid first aid certificate (see First Aid Courses)
3. Reference
   A dated letter of recommendation from a current ACMG member in good standing is required. (Confirmation of membership in good standing in advance is recommended and available through the Canmore office.) This should be someone who knows you, is familiar with your current personal and professional technical standards, and who is willing to recommend you for membership. The hard copy original of this letter with the ACMG member’s signature and address must be sent to the ACMG office in Canmore.
4. Initial payment
   Credit cards are not accepted. An administration fee of $40.00 (contact the ACMG Canmore office) is required before we will process your application. This initial payment is non-refundable.
5. Submit your Application
   Your membership application will not proceed until all the required information and your payment have been received as follows:
   1. Send a letter, fax, or email requesting membership application with the information noted in step 1) – 3) above to acmg@acmg.ca. You are encouraged to send this information by email if possible.
   2. Send to the ACMG Canmore office:
      1. The letter of recommendation noted in step 3) and
      2. * Payment as noted in step 4) above
6. Technical Review
   Once we have received your application, it will be forwarded to the Technical Committee for consideration. One of the following rulings will then be made:
   • Join without further requirements.
   • Require some measure of training or upgrading before joining.
   • Require some measure re-certification before joining.

The Technical Committee are volunteers and active guides so this process can take some time. It may take several weeks before you get an answer. If you want your membership request rushed for some reason, please forward the information requested above at your earliest opportunity, explain the urgency, and your request will be expedited, if possible.

7. Dues and Fees
   Once the technical review is completed and you’ve met any requirements set by the Technical Committee, you will be required to pay all mandatory dues and fees assessed to members of the same category for the current calendar year.

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Dues

The following annual dues apply for 2012 and are subject to change:
Mountain, Alpine, Rock and Ski Guides	$375
Appretice Guides	$235
Hiking Guides	$120
Assistant Hiking Guides	$100
Climbing Gym and Top Rope Instructors	$90

 

  Reinstate: Non-Member for less than 1 year

1. Send your request for reinstatement to acmg@acmg.ca
2. E-mail, mail or fax a copy of your current, valid first aid certificate
3. You will receive notice of your next steps and the required payment
4. Payments include: dues, $40 administrative fee, outstanding balances

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Reinstate: Non-Member for 1 year or longer

1. Send your request for reinstatement to acmg@acmg.ca
2. Include a résumé for the time you were not a member, with the following:
   • All guiding/instructing related training and certification you have completed. Send copies of certificates.
   • Description or activity logs of personal experiences that relate to your currently-held certification.
   • Description or activity logs of professional experiences that relate to your currently-held certification. Send employer letters if available.
3. E-mail, mail or fax a copy of your current valid first aid certificate
4. Send a dated signed original hard copy of a reference from an ACMG member in good standing. This should be someone who is familiar with your personal and professional technical standards and is willing to recommend reinstatement
5. Include payment for the reinstatement administration fee ($40) plus any outstanding balance on your account, as advised. If paying by cheque, a certified cheque will speed up the process. You can also direct deposit to the ACMG’s bank account by making prior arrangements with the ACMG Canmore office acmg@acmg.ca. Credit cards are not accepted for this process.
6. Once all the above has been done, the ACMG Technical Director will do a technical review to determine whether any retraining or recertification is required.
7. Once you have been approved for reinstatement, the ACMG membership office will contact you about paying your dues. You will also be able to purchase liability insurance and permits if needed.

 

  IFMGA Guides

IFMGA Guides
IFMGA/UIAGM Guides wishing to join the ACMG, or to bring clients to Canada, should contact the ACMG Main Office for details on the process.

• See IFMGA Guides Access

Main Office: acmg@acmg.ca