ACTIVE LEADER PROGRAM
The definition of an Active Leader to be certified leader in good standing who leads an official trip/activity scheduled in the CMC Activity Schedule each CMC fiscal year from October 1 to the next September 30. The definition of an Active Leaders includes Denver School Senior Instructors who lead a field trip annually between October 1 and the following September 30. Those leaders/instructors not leading a trip annually will be classified as Inactive Leaders.
As of January 2018, CMC leaders are required to hold a current, two-year wilderness first aid (WFA) certification. The Denver Group offers one-day recertification classes for members who hold a current certification.
Winter leaders are required to maintain their avalanche skills through the AIARE course or Avalanche Terrain Avoidance Seminar (ATA). AIARE must be renewed every five years. ATA must be renewed every three years. For more on this policy, see this document.
INACTIVE LEADER STATUS
Any Denver Leader not leading a trip annually shall be classified as Inactive and the leader’s name removed from the dropdown leader list on the CMC website which will not allow the leader to schedule trips. If a leader has been injured or ill in the 12 prior months and is unable to complete a trip the leader may request a waiver from DS&L to be moved from INACTIVE LEADER status to ACTIVE LEADER status by leading a DG trip listed in the CMC Activity Schedule. The medical waiver for injury or illness is extended for 12 months only.
If a leader has been on INACTIVE LEADER status for more than 12 months but less than 24 months and wishes to return to ACTIVE LEADER status, the leader may request to lead a DG trip with a coleader who is an Instructor Leader who has a trip classification equal to or greater than that of the Inactive Leader. A list of Instructor Leaders is available by request from DS&L or the Trip Leader School Director.
If a leader has been on INACTIVE LEADER status for more than 24 months but less than 36 months and wishes to return to ACTIVE LEADER status, the leader will be requested to read the on-line Leader Manual and lead one trip with a co-leader who an Instructor Leader who has a trip classification equal to or greater than that of the Inactive Leader. A list of Instructor Leaders is available by request from DS&L or the Trip Leader School Director. It is recommended the leader attend WFA School if has been more than 4 years since completion of WFA, or Wilderness First Aid Refresher if it has fewer than four years since the leader completed WFA.
If a leader has been on INACTIVE LEADER status for more than 36 months and wishes to return to ACTIVE LEADER status, the leader will be requested to complete DG Trip Leader School, complete a LIT field trip and complete WFA School, or WFA Refresher as applicable.
FORM TO RETURN TO ACTIVE LEADER STATUS
LEADER EMERITUS PROGRAM
When the definition of Active Leader was changed in 2013 those leaders who were included in the current Leader List but decided they did not wish to lead in the future were classified as Leader Emeritus. This classification allowed leaders to opt out of Active Leader status and not be subject to the requirements/recommendations for skills updates e.g., WFA re certification, etc.
Those who elected Leader Emeritus status retained all leader discounts offered at local retailers, remain entitled to a complimentary drink at the Annual Dinner and have Leader Emeritus status indicated on a their CMC card.
A CULTURE OF SAFETY
The DS&L committee believes requiring leaders/instructors to lead one field trip annually and requiring Inactive Leaders returning to Active Leader status meet specific requirements results in more knowledgeable leaders exhibiting a greater level of skill, safety and awareness while leading our members in their pursuits of outdoor recreation.
