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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:

  • Provide a forum for discussion of issues regarding the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

  • Provide a volunteer clearinghouse to work with the USFS to coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers working in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area,

  • Provide a forum for information exchange among the USFS, local government, and interested citizens,

  • Assist in developing a process for identifying and solving problems for the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area,

  • Establish an ongoing public education program regarding the Indian Peaks Area, its ecology, its popularity, and techniques to minimize the impact on it, and

  • 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. 

    Gold Seal of Transparency with Guide Star
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