Fortune Bay Expedition Team – Membership Levels

Membership is free.   There are two levels of membership, General Members and Professional Members. General members participate in activities and trips.  Professional members are trained and certified to participate in advanced activities and supported as an outdoor professional who is paid for their services.

General Members

Public Members

Public members attend classes, participate in discussions and forums, attend workshops, trips, etc.

General Members

General Members are invited to expeditions and participate in multiple activities.

Advanced Members

Advanced Members participate in working expeditions and are included in activities as mentors and are sometimes asked to assist in an official capacity during activities.   They also serve as volunteer assistant instructors and occasionally join us for a “working expedition”.   In return, they participate in courses and activities at reduced cost.

Professional Members

Instructors

Instructors teach our courses by virtue of their certifications.   Instructors share a percentage of the courses according to the course profits.  Instructors are encouraged to author courses to be offered as part of FBET’s curriculum.  

Expedition Leader (Basic)(BEL)

BEL’s lead smaller expeditions primarily to serve retail outlets, youth groups, scout groups, and other community forums and groups of beginners.  They may also participate in map making projects, working expeditions, and lead professional projects.  BELs are skilled in the outdoors and possess basic leadership skills.  They are typically certified in first aid/CPR, as operational level responders, professional memberships, or basic SAR certifications.

Expedition Leader (Advanced)(AEL)

 AEL’s lead the more advanced public expeditions and working expeditions – they are considered a highly skilled outdoors person and hold advanced certifications and have a strong background in the discipline.  

Master Expedition Leaders (MEL)

MEL’s are among the highest qualified individuals in the outdoor industry.  MELs are highly trained and lead the most advanced and complicated expeditions.  They have a number of certifications including (but not limited to), advanced wilderness medical certifications, SAR certifications, technical rope work certifications, elite military experience, swift water certifications, NOLS instructors, AMGA professionals, BCU or ACA certifications, and a number of years of professional experience.   MEL’s organize and plan the strategic assets and strategic plans for the group and are responsible for training, mentoring and supervising AELs, BELs and Instructors.  MELs typically hold leadership positions in other groups.  They are also responsible for ensuring the groups remains solvent, profitable and grows. 

Professional members are independent contractors and are supported by FBET with insurance, advice, equipment, advertising, etc.   They organize their own expeditions and classes and have a profit sharing arrangement with FBET.