Seeking Board Members for the Wilderness Education Association

The WEA is a member-based, volunteer-driven association. The following candidates have been nominated for election to the Board of Directors.

Mission of the WEA

Advancing professionalism of outdoor leaders through standards, training, and credentialing

General Board Members:

The WEA Board serves as the steward of the WEA mission. To review the eligibility requirements, position description, and steps to apply, please visit our Volunteer Page here.

This is a three year term: June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2027

Student Representative

The Student Representative on the Board of Directors serves as the voice and advocate for students and student issues. 

This is a one year term: June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025

Board Responsibility 

To review the most recent accomplishments of the WEA and the Board, please review the 2019-2020 Annual Report.

The WEA is seeking the following skills, talents, or expertise to complement the current board: 

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expertise

• Member engagement

• Marketing and promotions skills

• Communication (newsletters and social media)

• Finances

• Business Entrepreneurship

• Fundraising

• Legal expertise and nonprofit Leadership

• Curriculum development/delivery

• International relations

• Outdoor industry expertise

• Conference/Event Planning

Important Dates

Elections	Open until May 17, 2024
New board member announcements	May  18, 2024
New board member onboarding/training	May 2024

 VOTE HERE 

The voting form has been emailed to all active members.
Please follow the link and instructions in your email or cast your vote here.

You may vote for each applicant (yes, no, or abstain).

If you encounter any issues or have any questions, please contact the National Office.

Applicant Bios for Member at Large

Ryan Butler

“My professional journey in outdoor education has always been intertwined with WEA involvement and awareness. Since my first conference attendance in 2010, I've been routinely reminded of the alignment of goals and see the opportunities the organization bring to our industry. I have seen the WEA evolve over the years and am eager to contribute to the developing needs of the membership and our profession as a whole.”

Terri Zhu

“The WEA has been an important part of my life ever since joining in 2019 and attending my first COL course. As one of the first organizational members in China it has brought a level of professional to Indier and helped benefit the outdoor industry in China. Joining the WEA board will allow me to learn more about the WEA and continue to advance as a professional, as well as contributing towards the mission of advancing outdoor professionalism.

I have over 12 years experience as the owner and founder of Indier Outdoor Education in China. I have attended numerous WEA courses including OLE, OLTC, COL in both China and Taiwan. I am also a ACA Lvl III Kayak Instructor and hold a Wilderness Advanced First Aid certificate. My experience running a large outdoor company in China has given me professional business skills which I believe will be valuable to the WEA."

Dan Rogan

Dan Rogan holds a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from

Northern Michigan University, but his abilities have been molded through a myriad of

experiences working and playing in the outdoors. No stranger to hard work, Dan has led

conservation crews, served as an EMT, worked in commercial kitchens, operated

Zamboni machines, and even participated in the world’s longest paddle race, the Yukon

1000.

His passion for teaching and working with others, however, has allowed him to make a

career out of connecting people with the outdoors. He has guided canoe expeditions in Maine and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, led dog sledding adventures and winter camping trips in northern Minnesota and run backpacking trips in the desert southwest. As a certified Wilderness-EMT, Dan also serves as a wilderness medicine instructor for

NOLS. He also holds certifications in swiftwater rescue, LNT trainer, and Certified Interpretive Guide.

As the Katahdin Region Coordinator for the Outdoor Sport Institute, based in Millinocket Maine, Dan brings a holistic perspective to outdoor access and education. His comfort teaching and supporting others allows him to instantly serve as an ally and advocate in building local capacity for outdoor recreation and education. Whether it’s designing youth programs, supporting community gear libraries, or teaching volunteers to build trails, Dan is able to humbly and effectively provide the knowledge and skill needed.

Applicant Bios for Student Representative

There is no Student Representative running in the FY 2024 Election.

Vote Here