Backpackers, hikers, trail maintainers, map nerds, campfire storytellers: if you love the Great Divide Trail, this is for you.
- Do you want to help shape the future of an iconic Canadian wilderness trail?
- Do you want a front row seat into the inner workings of the GDTA and trail development?
- Can you spare 6–10 hours a month?
If you answered yes, we’d love to hear from you.
The GDTA is looking for people who care about this trail and want to help steer the organization forward. You do not need to check every box or have extensive experience in any particular area. We’re an approachable group of people who value new perspectives and idea and everyone brings something different, whether that’s formal experience in charity governance, boots-on-the-ground hiking experience, or a skillset you’ve developed through work/hobbies that can apply to the huge variety of work we do.
Enthusiasm, good judgment, and a willingness to show up and contribute are the most important qualities. We would love to connect with you!
What the Board Does
The GDTA is a registered charity, and the Board is accountable for making sure the Association is run in line with the law and our members’ wishes. As a group, the Board:
- Keeps an eye on GDTA’s finances and performance
- Sets strategic direction aligned with our Mission, Vision, and Values
- Oversees risk management
- Works on improving how the Board itself functions
- Champions the Association and its members, and supports our Executive Director & staff.
What this really means:
Each month we have a virtual board meeting, which starts off with representatives from each committee providing updates on everything going – which is our favourite part (trail maintenance, fundraising, events, outreach, policy reviews, etc.) We review year-to-date financials (our Treasurer makes it easy to understand!), and discuss any other topics that board members add to the agenda (progress towards strategic goals, proposals for improving our operations, upcoming projects, etc.)
What We’d Love to See (No Need to Check Every Box)
Experience or a strong interest in any of the following is welcome. Nobody is expected to bring all of it, and if you have experience in a different area entirely that you’re excited to contribute, let’s connect!
- Prior involvement with the Great Divide Trail Association is a great place to start (Have you done trail maintenance? Volunteered at our events or on a committee?)
- Interest or experience in fundraising, familiarity with grant-writing
- Financial management/budgeting
- Legal & governance
- Strategic planning
- Indigenous relations
- Event-planning, community building
- Policy, HR, operations
- Hiking or thru-hiking experience
This round, we’re also looking for a new Board Secretary
Our amazing current Board Secretary has served their term but is committed to fully training their successor and supporting a smooth handover — so you won’t be figuring it out alone. If you like taking notes, staying organized, and the odd filing of paperwork, this could be a perfect role for you!
What We Ask of Individual Board Members
- Help create a positive, open culture
- Follow GDTA’s bylaws, policies, and procedures
- Attend monthly Board meetings by virtual conference (3rd Tuesday, 7–9 pm MST)
- Sit on one of GDTA’s 7 committees, or a working group for specific projects
- Make decisions with the Association’s best interests in mind
- Share your ideas and perspectives, and speak up during discussions
Term: Three (3) years, 6–10 hrs/month
Compensation: None — this is a volunteer position, but it’s a meaningful way to give back to a trail you love.
How to Apply
We’re accepting applications until August 31, 2026.
Send an email to agm@greatdividetrail.com, attention: Nomination Committee, and tell us:
- What interests you about joining the board
- Any GDTA volunteer experience you have, and/or experience in the relevant areas listed above
- Anything else that makes you a good fit
The Nomination Committee will reach out to you to set up a brief meeting to get to know you further, and will present qualified candidates to the membership ahead of the AGM. The membership will vote for board members at the AGM on September 28, 2026.
Not Ready for a Board Role? There Are Other Ways to Help
If a Board position isn’t the right fit but you’d still like to get involved, there are lots of ways to help, including remotely and outside of peak hiking season. Even a few hours can make a real difference.
Whether you’ve hiked every inch of the GDT or you just care about protecting the wild spaces it runs through, we’d love to hear from you and explore where your passion aligns with our work so you can have fun while giving back.
