AMGA LOGO '09
American Mountain Guides Association E~Newsletter
July 2009
In This Issue
2009 Industry Award
Renew your Membership
AMGA Low Down
AMGA Annaul Awards
Squamish Mountain Film Festival
Greetings!

Summer is here and the sun is shinning.   Here in Boulder, the flowers are out and climbing season is in full swing.
 
We have a few great updates to share with you in this e-newsletter so please read on and enjoy!
AMGA Presents 2009 Industry Award to BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT
  Salt Lake City, Utah - Black Diamond, the world's premier Black Diamondinnovator of technically advanced rock, ice and snow gear, is the 2009 recipient of the American Mountain Guides Association's (AMGA) Industry Award. AMGA Executive Director Betsy Novak will present the award to Black Diamond at this year's Summer Market Outdoor Retailer Show.  

The Industry Award is presented annually to an outdoor company that has shown outstanding support through scholarships, products, and sponsorships of professional mountain guides. Black Diamond has partnered with the AMGA to provide educational support for the past 17 years and became a Diamond Partner in 2004. Black Diamond is the official sponsor of all AMGA Rock Guide Certification exams, helping to reduce tuition costs.  Black Diamond provides one full-tuition scholarship each year for an AMGA course or exam.  This scholarship provides financial support for mountain guides seeking training and certification in the United States.

"It is a great honor to present this award to Black Diamond for their significant and ongoing support of professional mountain guides in the United States. This award is a small token of our appreciation to Black Diamond for their exceptional and long-term partnership with the American Mountain Guides Association." said Betsy Novak, Executive Director of the AMGA. 
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
joshua tree Renew your membership, maintain your certification, and support your association!

As we all know, times are tough but with all that is going on, the AMGA is growing and thriving.   We are always working to improve your guides association and with new developments comes refined processes, new features and an improved database. 

To take full advantage of your AMGA Membership please make sure you are current and all your contact information is up to date.   And remember  that in order for your certification to remain valid your AMGA Membership must be current.  

Outlined below are our new online database features.  To  access the following membership components visit www.my.amga.com :
 
~Renew your membership
~Update your contact information
~Register for a program
~Download program forms
~Make program tuition, membership, and merchandise payments online (coming soon)
~Review your course/exam evaluation

To update your membership status, please remit payment via check or credit card to:
AMGA Membership Dues
PO Box 1739
Boulder, CO 80306
303.271.0984
(Include Membership level with payment)

OR

Please feel free to call the office and we can process your renewal over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard.  
Ph: 303.271.0984

Thank you for your continued support of the AMGA and guiding and instruction in the US.

 
Updates from the AMGA...

~ AMGA is excited to announce that the University of Utah's Climbing Program was recently granted AMGA Accreditation.

~ Betsy Novak, AMGA Executive Director, recently received some air time on KGNU.  KGNU is an independent radio station in the Front Range.  Betsy was interviewed for a 3 minute section on Colorado non-profits.   Click here to listen:

http://www.amga.com/includes/AMGA_radio.mp3


~MERCHANDISE BLOWOUT -

Attention all AMGA Members - Summer Blowout Sale is here. Renew your membership and receive 10% off total purchase.

Mammut Champ Pants (M 48, W 42) - $70.50
Mammut Courmeyer Pants (M 24,48,50) - $70.50
Mammut Outline Zip (M XL, W L) - $40.50
Mammut Stratus Jacket (M XL) - $55.50
Mammut Women's Pain Jacket (L) - $70.00

Marmot Approach Jackets (M XXL) - $20.00

Call the AMGA TODAY to place your order
303.271.0984
or email Katie - [email protected]
-Shipping will be added-
AMGA Annual Awards
ut photo
The time has arrived to nominate guides worthy for the AMGA's Annual Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Guide Award!  Provided below is a description of the awards and qualifications.  Please submit nominations to [email protected] by August 10th, 2009.   Include a brief description explaining why you think this individual should receive an award.


AMGA Annual Awards 2009

The Lifetime Achievement in Mountain Guiding Award is to honor outstanding Americans, who by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to the profession of mountain guiding, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.

A nominee for consideration for the Lifetime Achievement in Mountain Guiding Award shall:

a) Be a citizen of the United States, who, for at least 30 years, has been actively identified with mountain guiding and has made contributions of significant value to the mountain guiding profession;
b) Have exhibited qualities of loyalty, integrity, and moral courage worthy of emulation; and
c) Be well and favorable known as a person of ability and character.

American Mountain Guides Outstanding Guide Award is awarded annually for the most outstanding mountain guide achievement in the profession of mountain guiding for the year.

A nominee for consideration as an American Mountain Guides Association Outstanding Guide Awards shall:

a) Be an individual, who has made an outstanding contribution or achievement of significant value to the mountain guiding profession in the year;
b) Have exhibited qualities of loyalty, integrity, and moral courage worthy of emulation;
c) Be a member of the American Mountain Guides Association; and
d) Be well and favorable known as a person of ability and character.

Annual awards shall be presented at the Awards Ceremony, which is to take place at the AMGA Annual Meeting in Moab, UT in October 2009.

We look forward to honoring and celebrating the recipients at the Annual Meeting in Moab.
3rd Annual Squamish Mountain Film Festival - presented by Arc'teryx
arcteryxReturning for 2009, the 3rd annual Squamish Mountain Film Festival runs from August 12 to 16th.    Focusing on climbing and its surrounding culture the event also encompasses complementary activities such as yoga, a themed party and its first ever trail run.

The aim of the fesitval is to have veteran climbers and novices come together and share their enthusiasm for climbing and the  mountain realm in a grassroots celebration.

Tickets for the Squamish Mountain Festival can be purchased online at www.squamishmountainfestival.com or at the Squamish Adventure Center.
 
Please call the office with any questions, ideas or suggestions.
 
Happy climbing,
 

Katie Kelly
American Mountain Guides Association