Early in her life, Maitland became interested in local community government, and has served on many boards, including Totem Pole Restoration, the Library Board, the Wrinch Memorial Hospital Board, regional health boards, the local museum board, and, more recently, the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine and, until its dissolution, the Heritage Trust of British Columbia. In her early thirties she ran for municipal office and successfully was elected to the council of the Village of Hazelton, where she served for three terms. After a break of four or five years, Maitland ran for the office of Mayor and has occupied that office for more than thirty years.
　　Alice was born into a family of nine children, and most of her living siblings still live in the Hazelton area. She has four adult children and four grandchildren. Her life is filled with family and community, and her concerns are building both into sustainable and prosperous entities which value a strong connection to the beautiful piece of Canada in which we live.