The standing committees, under the guidance of the committee chairs selected by the Board of Directors, execute the strategic plan of the Association. The Board of Directors hands projects down to the committees, at which point the working committees make a plan, gather data and complete each task. The committees then hand their work back to the board for approval or recommendations. From there the board moves it forward or hands it back with recommendations. Using this strategy ensures that the membership is able to take part in the implementation of the strategic plan.

Consider contributing to your organization by serving on one of the committees here or other ad hoc committees as needed. See more about our service opportunities here.

The committees and working groups are as follows:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Charge: To advance a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive space within the WEA and the outdoor industry as a whole, for all who seek to become outdoor educators, regardless of background.

Objectives:

• Educate about DEI by offering training, education, and outreach related to wilderness leadership.
• Identify inequities that exist within the outdoor industry in order to provide accessible opportunities for all.
• Commit to diversity by working to bring people of all backgrounds to our organization.
• Seek guidance and education from other venues/organizations to aid in our diversity education and awareness.

In addition to creating the DEI Committee, the WEA has signed The Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge.

"The outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge connects leading outdoor brands with inclusion advocates to advance representation for people of color across the industry. We're focused on enhancing representation across staff and executive teams, media and marketing, and athletes/ambassadors. By building a relationship of support, empathy and understanding, versus external skepticism and internal stress, we're moving the outdoor industry toward authentic inclusion." -InsolidarityProject.com/the-pledge

Curriculum and Standards

Charge: To develop and conduct oversight of evidence-based curriculum that enhances professional preparation.

Objectives:

• Maintain and review student-learning outcomes,
• Review and highlight best practices in assessment methods used by the WEA organizational members.
• Work with the Commission on Outdoor Education and Leadership to ensure quality control of student learning outcomes.

Special Events

Charge: To plan special events in conjunction with the National Office and the Promotions and Outreach Committee.

Objectives:

• Manage the awards process and ceremony.
• Review the scholarship selection criteria and process. Review applications and recommend recipients to the Board of Directors.
• Plan events such as keynote addresses, symposiums, evening socials, and other events prescribed by the National Office.
• Recruit Service Crew Manager, and supervise service crew application and management.
• Develop alliances with like-minded organizations for cooperative colloquia.

Promotions and Outreach

Charge: To design and execute essential promotions for the association in order to increase visibility and serve the membership.

Objectives:

• Promote, recruit, and manage professional colloquia.
• Secure sponsorships for key components of colloquia
• Evaluate and recommend improvements for communication throughout the association including website and social media.

Research & Publications

Charge: To promote and support scholarly endeavors of importance to the professionalism of outdoor education and leadership.

Objectives:

• Work with the Curriculum Committee to further the validity of outdoor leadership educational practice by providing evidence-based resources.
• Manage internal and partnered publications. (JOREL)
• Manage and host the Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium.

Executive

Charge: To ensure that the Association's business and priorities are properly carried out.

Objectives:

• Act as the creators, editors, and work disseminators of the strategic plan.
• Communicate as necessary with the Executive Director regarding the day-to-day functions of the association.
• Run all meetings in accordance with the WEA bylaws.
• Run the Board of Director elections in accordance with the WEA Bylaws.
• Develop and maintain mentorship opportunities for membership growth.

Presidential Council

Charge: Catalog the history of the Wilderness Education Association to maintain organizational memory. Explain in as much detail as appropriate and practical; the central concept, themes, and decisions that have shaped the Wilderness Education Association. The Presidential Council will also act as a resource to the current President in times of needed counsel.

Membership:

In order to be a part of this elite counsel of association members, you must be current in your membership dues and have served as the president of the Wilderness Education Association or have received the Frank Lupton Service Award.

Members of the council may serve as long as they would like and in whatever capacity they are comfortable.

Get Involved

The Association is always working and there are many projects to support. Consider how you can contribute to your organization.

See more about Service Opportunities here.