Governance and Leadership
The WGA Board
The Board of the Wilderness Guides Association (WGA) is composed of experienced professionals from the wilderness guiding and outdoor education field. Board members are actively connected to the operational realities of guiding, training, assessment and expedition leadership.
This ensures that decisions, policies and standards are grounded in real-world practice and reflect the responsibilities and challenges faced by professional wilderness guides.
Role and responsibility
The Board is responsible for the strategic direction, governance and continuity of the Wilderness Guides Association. It safeguards the mission, values and long-term integrity of the association and ensures that activities align with the objectives as defined in the statutes.
The Board acts in the interest of the association as a whole and does not represent individual commercial, educational or personal interests.
Ethics and professional conduct
All Board members are bound by the WGA Code of Ethics and are expected to act with integrity, transparency and professional responsibility.
- Professional standards and safety culture
- Responsible risk management and decision making
- Ethical leadership and accountability
- Respect for operational diversity across ecoregions and contexts
Legal framework and statutes
The Wilderness Guides Association is a legally registered association under Dutch law. The Board operates in accordance with the statutes of the association and applicable Dutch legislation governing associations, including related internal regulations and governance policies.
Board members carry collective responsibility for compliance with legal, financial and organizational obligations as required by Dutch law.
Independence and decision making
The Board functions independently and collectively. Decisions are taken based on the statutes and mission of the WGA, input from members, workgroups and committees, and the long-term impact on professional standards and credibility.
The Board supports a clear separation between governance, operational execution and external stakeholders.
Transparency and accountability
The Board is accountable to the General Assembly (ALV). Major decisions, policy changes and strategic developments are communicated through appropriate channels to keep members informed and engaged.
Board roles
The Board is structured with defined roles to ensure clear responsibility, continuity and effective governance.
| Role | Name | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|
| President | Richard Griffeth | Governance leadership, strategic direction and representation of the association |
| Secretary and Applications | Maurice van den Boogaard | Board administration, documentation and coordination of membership, accreditation and application processes |
| Treasurer | Peter Blokland | Financial governance, budgeting, reporting and financial compliance |
| Director at Large and Standards | Raoul Kluivers | Oversight of standards development, review processes and alignment across ecoregions |
The Board serves the membership and the integrity of the profession. It operates within the boundaries set by the statutes and Dutch law, and aims to uphold consistent standards, responsible governance and ethical leadership across the WGA community.