Governance
The Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance (IPWA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1985, with no paid staff and is managed by an elected board of directors from within our volunteer base.
Our Board of Directors oversees all aspects of the governance and operations of the IPWA to serve our mission to preserve and protect the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas. The board is responsible for strategic and operational planning, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, financial management, interfacing with the Forest Service, partner groups and the public, and much more! The board meets for regular monthly meetings and also meets for special sessions, committee meetings, training events, and volunteer appreciation events. All board members contribute as ‘working’ members by leading at least one committee, team or project. The board of directors consists of 4 officers (Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) and additional members-at-large, as well as an advisory group (non-voting). All officers and members are elected by current board members to new or recurring terms and must sign and adhere to the IPWA Board Code of Conduct.
If you have questions, please contact us at hikers@indianpeakswilderness.org.
Our Articles of Incorporation:
Our organization, originally known as the “Indian Peaks Working Group”, was incorporated to provide the following services:
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Provide a forum for discussion of issues regarding the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area
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Provide a volunteer clearinghouse to work with the USFS to coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers working in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area,
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Provide a forum for information exchange among the USFS, local government, and interested citizens,
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Assist in developing a process for identifying and solving problems for the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area,
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Establish an ongoing public education program regarding the Indian Peaks Area, its ecology, its popularity, and techniques to minimize the impact on it, and
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To undertake, sponsor, encourage and publish research on the natural sciences and management problems of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and adjacent areas.
2023 Board of Directors
Board Officers:
Fiona Garvin - Chair
Andy Gup - Vice Chair and Winter Patrol Coordinator
Serge Goldberg - Treasurer
Emily Herrington - Secretary
At-Large Board Members:
Aaron Swain - Summer Patrol Coordinator
Alexa Carollo - Volunteer Services & Data Analysis Coordinator
Danny Dawidowski - Fund Development Coordinator
CJ Gup - Quartermaster for Uniforms and Gear
Faith Overall - Training Coordinator
Peter Fellenz - Mentoring Coordinator
Reghan Gillman - Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Yonah Cohen - Webmaster/IT Services
Supporting and Committee Positions (Non-Board):
Greg Sakowicz - Training Committee
Melinda Bise - Handbook Editor
Patrick Lienin - Research Grant Committee
Advisory Group (Non-Board):
Board Advisors: Kelly Prendergast, Stuart Dodd, Matt Peck, Jan Robertson
USFS Liaisons: Mary Kalendovsky, Matt Henry, Brenda Ramirez Romero, Lyle Skaar, Roneva Keel
Questions or comments? Contact us!
The IPWA is a gold-level GuideStar participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency.
