ACCVI Leadership Development Subsidy Policy (*New – Updated May 2026*)
The ACCVI Leadership Development Subsidy Program is intended to encourage member leadership, support skills development, and strengthen the section’s capacity to organize safe and engaging mountain activities. Through this program, ACCVI recognizes that section trips are what sustain the club. To this end, ACCVI may reimburse eligible members for a portion of the cost of qualifying mountain skills courses, guiding programs, and leadership training.
The program is designed to recognize and support members who actively contribute to the ACCVI section through trip leadership, instructional workshops, and mentorship.
Level 1: Basic Course Subsidy
Eligible applicants may receive reimbursement for up to $500, subject to the reimbursement limits and conditions set out in this policy.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a Level 1 subsidy, an applicant must:
- be a member in good standing of both the Alpine Club of Canada and ACCVI Section at the time the courses are taken and when the application is submitted;
- have signed the current ACC online waiver as of the date of the application; and
- have led at least:
2 ACCVI trips in the last 12 months.
Eligible trips may include either single-day or multi-day trips.
Applicants must verify qualifying leadership activity through:
- a short trip report; and/or
- a photo essay posted on ACCVI Discourse
Level 2: Advanced Course Subsidy
Eligible applicants may receive reimbursement for up to $750, subject to the reimbursement limits and conditions set out in this policy.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a Level 2 subsidy, applicants must:
- be a member in good standing of both the Alpine Club of Canada and ACCVI Section at the time the courses are taken and when the application is submitted;
- have signed the current ACC online waiver as of the date of the application; and
- have led in the last 12 months:
○ at least 3 day trips, or
○ at least 2 multi-day trips.
Applicants must verify the qualifying activity through:
- a short trip report; and/or
- a photo essay posted on ACCVI Discourse
Additional Requirements:
Level 2 applicants must also submit a brief written statement, not exceeding two paragraphs, outlining:
- how the applicant intends to apply the course or skills acquired on future ACCVI trips; and/or
- how the applicant intends to contribute to member education or leadership development through future workshops, mentorship, or club activities.
Eligible Activities:
For the purposes of this policy, eligible trips and activities may include a range of core club activities, including:
- hiking;
- scrambling;
- mountaineering;
- rock and alpine climbing;
- ice climbing;
- backcountry skiing;
- ski touring;
- snowshoeing; and
- member-led instructional workshops, including skills clinics such as:
○ crevasse rescue,
○ avalanche skills refreshers,
○ rock climbing instruction,
○ glacier travel instruction, or similar educational events.
Please note the following activities are ineligible:
- social events;
- slideshows or presentations; and
- organized climbing gym sessions.
To qualify under this policy, an eligible trip or activity must include at least:
Minimum of 2 participants in addition to the trip leader, both of whom are not members of the trip leader’s immediate family (spouse/partner, parent, child, sibling)
Eligible Courses and Workshops:
Eligible courses and workshops may include any core alpine skills, including but not limited to climbing (top-roping, sport, multi-pitch, trad), mountaineering, crevasse rescue, avalanche skills, search and rescue, first aid, skiing, or leadership development programs offered by:
- IFMGA-certified guides;
- ACMG-certified guides;
- AMGA-certified guides; or
- other comparably accredited professional guides, guide services, or instructional organizations.
Courses may be offered by local, Canadian, or international providers, provided that the Leadership Committee is satisfied that the provider is reputable and professionally qualified.
Reimbursement Limits and Conditions:
All subsidies are subject to a maximum reimbursement of 75% of eligible course costs.
Accommodation, transportation, meals, and other incidental expenses are not eligible for reimbursement and remain the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Examples:
- A $650 course may qualify for reimbursement of up to $487.50.
- A $1,200 course may qualify for reimbursement of:
○ up to $500 under Level 1; or
○ up to $750 under Level 2.
Funding Availability:
Subsidies:
- are subject to available club funds;
- will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis;
- may be reduced, suspended, or cancelled at any time by the ACCVI Executive Committee; and
- If the applicant is denied a subsidy due to lack of funds, the applicant may reapply in the following calendar year
There is no annual subsidy cap per member. Members may apply for both Level 1 and Level 2 subsidies within the same calendar year, provided that the eligibility requirements for each level are independently satisfied.
For clarity:
An applicant seeking both subsidies must separately meet the applicable leadership requirements for each level
Application Procedure:
Applications must be submitted to the ACCVI Leadership Committee at:
Applications must include:
- proof of course completion and payment receipts;
- the applicant’s ACC membership number;
- a list of trip attendees for qualifying trips;
- links to relevant ACCVI Discourse trip reports or photo essays; and
- where applicable, the written statement required for Level 2 applications.
Following approval by the Leadership Committee, reimbursement will be issued directly to the applicant by interac e-transfer through the ACCVI Finance Lead.
*For the purposes of this policy, a “member in good standing” means a member who:
1. holds valid ACC national and ACCVI section memberships; and
2. has signed the current online ACC waiver as of the date of the application.