Highlights of February, March Board Meetings
The CCA Board met in person (!) Feb. 9 and virtually March 16. The full minutes have been posted on the CCA website (Members Only > Documents > Meeting Minutes). From minutes taken by Jen Sass, here are highlights merged together from the two meetings.
Attending Feb. 9: David (Cotton) Cottingham (Chair), Jen Sass (Secretary), Kathleen Sengstock, Diane Hobbs, Gary Quam, Ginny Quam, Risa Shimoda, Lee Prouty, Star Mitchell, Alf Cooley, Gordy Lang, Barb Brown, Lynn Miller. Reporting in absentia: Rolo Arrieta.
Attending March 16: David (Cotton) Cottingham (Chair), Jen Sass (Secretary), Susan Sherrod, Diane Hobbs, Barb Brown, Ryan Morrow, Ed Gertler, Alan Gale, Ginny DeSeau, Lynn Miller, Alf Cooley, Laura Kurup, Hildy Ferraiolo, Gary Quam, Risa Shimoda, Marilyn Jones. Reporting in absentia: Rolo Arrieta, Dean Hawes, Gary Steinberg, Gordy Lang, Kathleen Sengstock.
Chair's Report – Cotton
Three people have rotated off the Steering Committee—big thanks to Rolo Arrieta, Tom Hackman, and Anna Normand for their service. And welcome to our three new Steering Committee members, Ryan Morrow, Laura Kurup, and Peter Ryan (for more on these new members, see Chair's Cockpit in this issue). Thanks also to Grace Hassler for taking over social media outreach for the club, and Laura Kurup for helping Susan Sherrod with our website as assistant webmaster.
Sandrine Deglin is working with current and former USA Wildwater Team members to explore hosting the 2028 Wildwater World Championships (and potentially some World Cup races) in the US. To strengthen their bid, they need to demonstrate the ability to host international events, which may require organizing one or more World Cup races in the coming years. Additionally, professional advertising will be essential for securing the necessary funding. Sandrine is seeking seed funding to support the development of an outreach campaign, which will help attract larger sponsors and apply for grants. To respond to Sandrine’s request, the Board agreed to use the $250 in our racing fund and then close out the account. Cotton will let Sandrine know and will communicate that CCA would like to find other ways to lend a hand as this bid proceeds.
Treasurer's Report - Marilyn
As of March 15, CCA's year-to-date income is $9,151.27. Expenses have been $10,145.95. Our net operating income is negative $994.68. Recently we've seen $585 income from paid advertising and $1500 from downriver race sponsorships.
Membership – Ginny D.
Our average is about one new member per week. About half of the new members from 2023 did not renew in 2024. Sometimes people join for a single event. Ginny will look further into why more people aren't renewing. Our membership overall holds steady at about 500 members.
Safety – Rolo
Pool safety drills: The fourth of four pool safety drills was held March 11; we partnered with SoulTrak for the last two sessions. Thanks to Tom Hackman, Laura Kurup, and Ryan Morrow for leading these safety drills.
SOOT Workshop: Members will have a chance to attend this f x 3 (fun, fabulous and free) river safety event at Carderock. [The event took place March 22.]
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course: Rolo is delighted to share that 19 CCA members, including a SoulTrak member, signed up for this two-day course, to be held April 12-13. While the Profit & Loss report may seem as if CCA received nearly $3,000 in income and expenses, we didn't. The $150 per registration received goes to Campaign Pay It Forward, the organization we hired to do the course, as a "pass-through expense." CPF has received a 50 percent deposit. The balance will be paid after the course is concluded. We rented a classroom at Clara Barton Recreation Center for $400. Some registrants made donations to the Safety Fund totaling $110. The cost to CCA for the WFA course comes to $290. Rolo knows of at least four participants who either joined or reactivated their membership so they could sign up. Thanks to Rolo and CCA for offering this valuable safety course at an attractive price to the club and its members.
With the Board having renewed the $75 payback to members who complete a swiftwater rescue course this year and coordinate at least two trips in 2025, Rolo requested that the Board extend that policy to wilderness first aid courses. ACTION: The Board agreed.
Swiftwater Rescue Courses: The January-February Cruiser included a clearinghouse of all swiftwater rescue courses in the DMV, which Rolo also posted on Facebook. All local schools are offering discounts to CCA members. Members need to mention CCA when they register to get the discount. Rolo will get the list of participants from these schools to verify membership.
Instruction – Gary S.
Gary is happy to report that our Takoma Park pool sessions working with Soul Trak included 13 participants at three sessions, one each in January, February, and March. One notable achievement is that Soul Trak coordinator Junko succeeded at rolling with coaching from Risa, Lynn, and Ryan! Cotton, Tom, and Gary also provided coaching in the pool. Many thanks to all the coaches and participants. The Instruction Committee will work together to develop a next chapter to help our participants continue to develop as whitewater paddlers this spring and summer.
Gary added Philip Eliot to the Instruction Committee to help provide instruction opportunities for CCA members. Philip is certified as an ACA L4 River Kayak Instructor. He volunteered to help after reading about our committee in the Cruiser.
Advertising – Diane
There is a three-person committee, with Pam White and Peter Ryan having joined Diane. The team has added advertising to the website storefront, improved the collection of information, and made things much easier and more efficient for both the advertising businesses and for CCA. There are two Gold and six Bronze race sponsors—no Silver or Platinum Sponsors this year. Total (estimated) sponsorship income will be $1600. Newsletter and Roster advertising income apart from sponsorships is $585.
Trips – Gary Q.
We still need to pay River Riders $350 for access at Bakerton to the Needles section of the Potomac in Harpers Ferry. Last year we had five trips to the Needles with 42 participants.
Conservation – Kathleen
Alf and Kathleen sent a "Dear Legislators" letter to Friends of the Rivers of Virginia, which is coordinating the effort to pass a law that would require a tire recycling take-back program paid for by tire manufacturers and sellers. Kathleen shared the good news that there is hope that it may pass.
Next meeting – Wednesday, April 24.