ACCT Committees & Affinity Group Information

ACCT committees, work groups, panels, task forces, and affinity groups provide guidance, research, and work product to assist the Association in fulfilling its mission. For information on a specific committee or to contact the committee chair, click on the appropriate link below.

Members who have an interest in serving on a committee or participating in the Association at a higher level are encouraged to complete a volunteer inquiry and submit it to ACCT.

Click Here to Fill Out the ACCT Volunteer Inquiry



Committee: A group of people who serve the association for a specific function as mandated by the Board of Directors.
Terms of Reference: Determined by Board of Directors.
Membership: Outlined in Terms of Reference. Individual Members are appointed by the committee. Committee roster to be recorded and made public.
Leadership: Chair – appointed by Board of Directors, Vice-chair and Secretary, voted on by committee members.
Committee Duration: On-going.
Term limits for members: As outlined in Terms of Reference. Annual election of leadership.
Reporting: Provide reports to the Board of Directors as instructed.

Staff Work Group: A group of people who assist ACCT staff in carrying out the business of the association for a specific function. Work is directed by staff.
Terms of Reference: Determined by staff person.
Membership: Appointed by staff.
Leadership: ACCT Staff.
Work Group Duration: As needed.
Term Limits: None.
Reporting: Through staff reports as needed

Panel: A group of people organized to achieve a specific work product as determined by a sponsoring Committee.
Terms of Reference: Determined by Sponsoring Committee. Approved by the Board of Directors.
Membership: Elected by the Sponsoring Committee. Panel roster to be recorded and made public.
Leadership: Chair approved by Sponsoring Committee, Vice-Chair and Secretary, voted on by panel members.
Panel Duration: Ongoing.
Term Limits: None.
Reporting: Through the Accreditation & Certification Committee and Technical Information, Research, and Education Committee.

Task Force: A group of people organized to achieve a specific work product as determined by the BOD or a sponsoring Committee.
Terms of Reference: Determined by BOD or sponsoring Committee / Work Group.
Membership: As outlined in Terms of Reference.
Leadership: Chair appointed by BOD or sponsoring Committee / Work Group.
Task Force Duration: Based on Terms of Reference or completion of task.
Term Limits: None.
Reporting: Final Report provided to BOD or sponsoring Committee / Work Group

  • QCP Revision
  • Universal Portfolio
  • Vendor Accreditation Design Enhancement
  • Vendor Accreditation Reviewer Training

Affinity Group: A group of members linked by a common interest or purpose.
Terms of Reference: Developed by the group. Approved by the BOD.
Membership: Self-selected.
Leadership: Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, elected from within the group.
Affinity Group Duration: Indefinite.
Term Limits: None. Leadership to be elected annually.
Reporting: None required.

Propose a New Affinity Group

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Volunteer Group Chairs

  • Kristina Riggs

    Kristina Riggs

    Instructor/Director of Experiential Based Learning

    Academy Development Work Group Chair

  • JJ Stapleton

    JJ Stapleton

    Operations Reviewer, Chair of Accredited Operations Affinity Group

    Director of Operations, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

    Accredited Operations Affinitry Group Chair

  • Jennifer Ottinger

    Jennifer Ottinger

    Executive Director, High 5 Adventure Learning Center, Inc.

    Finance Committee Chair

  • Micah Henderson

    Micah Henderson

    Vertical Solutions Consulting, LLC.

    Insurance & Risk Management Committee Chair

  • Colin Caines

    Colin Caines

    General Manager, Outdoor Specialist Pte, Ltd.

    International Committee Chair

  • Pavel Gaitan

    Internationa l Affinity Group Chair

  • Andrew Brash

    ACCT Qualified Operation Reviewer, ACCT Level 1 Professional Inspector, ACCT CCM

    Director of Training & Certification, Experiential Systems, Inc.

    Membership Work Group Chair

  • Matt Marcus

    Matt Marcus

    Challenge Design Innovations

    Public Relations & Marketing Work Group Chair

  • Dick Hammond

    Leadership on the Move

    QCP Revision TF Chair

  • Ash Dunn

    Ash Dunn

    Trainer, Bonsai Design, LLC

    Queer Advocacy & Support Affinity Group Chair

  • Michelle Hepler

    Executive Director, Vertical Solutions Consulting, LLC.

    TIRE Chair

  • Melanie Wills

    Melanie Wills

    CCM

    COO, Experiential Systems, Inc.

    Universal Design, Accessibility, & Inclusion Chair

  • Mandy Stewart

    Mandy Stewart

    MFCEO, Experiential Resources, LLC (ERi)

    Women of ACCT Affinity Group Chair