October 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

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  1. Call to order (7:15 pm 10/10/2023) In attendance Tamie, Randy, Mark, Nancy, Brenan, Erik, Duane, Jarrad, Jay, Repo
  2. Review minutes and approve
    1. Check previous month’s action items
  3. Review agenda
  4. 140 members (139 members last month, highest ever 167 in March 2020)
  5. Standing Committee Reports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Rebecca/Brenan – Posted pictures of frames to auction. $250 to donate. Zero bids thus far. Article in waterlog.
    1. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Rebecca/Brenan – Posted pictures of frames
    2. River Watch – Rebecca Post – Nothing to report.
    3. Safety and Education – Rebecca Post – Nothing to report.
    4. Communications – Brenan Filippini – Mark, Karie and Jarrad worked on a request for proposal to advertise for a webmaster. Possibly need to do a fundraiser? Budget for new website? How do we move forward? No Club Express!
    5. Membership – Tamie Stonke – Nothing to report.
    6. Programs and Volunteers – Erik Smith – Nothing to report
    7. Mail pickup/Meeting reservations – Nancy Douty – Did not pick up mail. Looking for bill for the Tieton toilets.
    8. WRRR Wear – Rebecca Post – $600 cash, plus 2 $40 Paypal, and a $30 check coming in. Another $100 still with the shirts.
    9. Finance – Brenan:    When the new website or agenda is edited we should add a Finance report each month?
      1. Bank Balance:  $6,867.91, Paypal Balance asset $532.57, Cash in B’s office safe $1,198, Checks to cash in B’s hand $30.00, Checks to cash in Mailbox ?  Don Martin?
        1. Total assets $8,628.42.
        2. There may be some small Credit card charges.
        3.  (We owe for Tieton toilets probably $500-550).
        4. Except for any T-shirt or website work, I don’t expect too much more debits thru 2023’s end.  Estimate end of year balance at $7-8k +/-
      2. Did an audit on the books.   Things seem good but several cells in the discrepancy column are incorrect, usually backwards.  We haven’t utilized this for the past couple years and suggest the next treasurer updates as they see fit.
      3. Onedrive finance tab, I Left notes for “new members” that signed up and did not pay are left in the spreadsheet (on the member income tab.
    10. River Ops – Bob Johnson Memorial Wenatchee run (6/1/2024). 3 Toilets – we have a credit for one toilet. Randy stated that Leavenworth would provide 2 toilets at the put-in, so WRRR will not have to pay for a toilet there.
  6. Events
    1. Tieton Rally (9/16/2023) Potluck was successful! Jarrad got banners made up for the potluck. Jay suggested that we have a membership table set up for people to join at the potluck. Members supplied generators for the bands. Had say in when the bands quit playing. Successful weekend!
    2. Motion made for new banner – “WRRR Potluck” with time/dates blank so we can change dates. Budget of $200. Approved.
    3. Rogue roundup (9/17/2023) Trip was great, total 9 people 6 days.  Brenan hiked most the trail but couldn’t complete it haha!
    4. Gear Swap status (10/14/2023) Facebook posts for the gear swap. Pizza will be provided. At Burn’s house from 11:00am – 5:00pm
    5. Sauktoberfest status (10/21/2023) – Still on. Pray for Rain.
    6. Misc River Ops – Repo was contacted by Greg regarding the Nisqually River Cleanup. Proposed April 6, 2024.
    7. Dates for the White Salmon? Brenan to contact for camping.
  7. Old Business
    1. Ballot should have been submitted by October 1. No new volunteers! VP’s stay as is. Directors at Large – need 2 more!
  8. New Business
    1. Appoint Elections Committee (any current member not running for office)
    2. New Website
      1. How to handle member database and renewals?
      2. Good timing! 🙂
    3. OK to move board meetings to Tuesdays?  Brenan has upcoming conflicts on Wednesday and Friday Evenings.   Thanks to all that have offered to change dates. November 14th in person meeting. Claim Jumpers for 10-15 people.
    4. 2024 dates are in calendar.   White Salmon and Nisqually are pending awaiting dates and info.
    5. Green River Cleanup meeting at Mark Burns house 11/9/2023 @ 7:00pm. Something special for the 40th annual cleanup. Saturday May 4, 2023 40th Annual Cleanup. T-shirt sales?
  9. Waterlog articles needed by 10/20
    1. NOTE: Make sure Jarrad verifies receipt of articles
    2. New Years Hangover Float
    3. January Membership meeting announcement
    4. Tilton Trek teaser
  10. Announcements and good of the order
  11. Adjourn

September 2023 Board Meeting Agenda

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  1. Call to order
  2. Review minutes and approve
    1. Check previous month’s action items
  3. Review agenda
  4. 139 members (149 members last month, highest ever 167 in March 2020)
  5. Standing Committee Reports
    1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Rebecca/Brenan
    2. River Watch – Rebecca Post
    3. Safety and Education – Rebecca Post
    4. Communications – Brenan Filippini
    5. Membership – Tamie Stonke
    6. Programs and Volunteers – Erik Smith
    7. Mail pickup/Meeting reservations – Nancy Douty
    8. WRRR Wear – Rebecca Post
  6. Events
    1. Poker Run roundup (8/12/2023)
    2. Tieton Rally status (9/9/2023)
    3. Rogue status (9/17/2023)
    4. Gear Swap status (10/14/2023)
    5. Sauktoberfest status (10/21/2023)
    6. Misc River Ops
  7. Old Business
    1. Nominating committee status (ballot due by October 1)
  8. New Business
    1. Determine location of October board meeting
  9. Waterlog articles needed by 9/20
    1. NOTE: Make sure Jarrad verifies receipt of articles
    2. None
  10. Announcements and good of the order
  11. Adjourn

September 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

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  1. Call to order  (7:06 pm 9/13/2023) In attendance Repo, Randy, Duane, Nancy, Mark, Jarrad
  2. Review minutes and approve
  3. Review agenda
    1. Repo to add Web Master to Old Business
  4. 139 members (149 members last month, highest ever 167 in March 2020)
  5. Standing Committee Reports
    1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Rebecca still hasn’t posted photos of raft frame for auction. Will do the end of September.  The other frame received a $250 donation for DEI.
    2. River Watch – Rebecca Post – Nothing to report
    3. Safety and Education – Rebecca Post – Nothing to report
    4. Communications – Brenan Filippini not present.  Mark mentioned that he posts to the FaceBook(FB) page prior to upcoming events.  Randy wants to have this blurb emailed out to non-FB users.  No one on the call knows how to send a membership wide email.  Mark to check with Karie.  once its figured out Mark should send his blurb to the Comms Committee and they should send it out.
    5. Membership – Tamie Stonke – Not present, no report.  She needs to bring membership forms to the Tieton
    6. Programs and Volunteers – Erik Smith – not present, no report
    7. Mail pickup/Meeting reservations – Nancy Douty – three items in the mailbox and she will bring to Tieton to hand over to appropriate folks – membership renewal, AW Journal
    8. WRRR Wear – Rebecca Post- we took in about $700 in WRRR wear sales at the Poker Run
  6. Events
    1. Poker Run roundup (8/26/2023) Brenan not present so not report on number of poker hands sold.  Two stations were moved and that seems like a good idea.
    2. Tieton Rally status (9/9/2023) – Potluck 6pm.  Mark posted on FB that potluck is at 6 pm.  He also mentioned that outfitters and a few WRRR members are supporting a live music party Sat.  The issue of late night noise has been addressed and hopefully will not be an issue.  The new signs look great.  Repo to bring over five WRRR stickers for the toilets.
    3. Rogue status (9/26/2023) Brenan not present so no report.  The trip is launching 9/26 and people have signed up.
    4. Gear Swap status (10/14/2023) Mark reports everything is a go.  Mark and Jarrad will communicate about glue and solvents.
    5. Sauktoberfest status (10/21/2023) Brenan not present, no report.  Trip should be a go
    6. Misc River Ops – Randy brought up the toilets at the Leavenworth put in.  He contacted Leavenworth Rec Department and they told him that the city supplies the toilet there.  He wants to know why they cannot supply two toilets.  Repo thinks toilets are a great thing for WRRR to support.  Randy is thinking about saving money because next year we will have toilets and the Dryden facility to rent.  He will check with Leavenworth Rec Dept to see if they can get two toilets at the put in.
  7. Old Business
    1. Nominating committee status (ballot due by October 1) – Repo – There has been zero interest in anyone volunteering or showing a willingness to help out on the board.  ZERO.  That’s a bit frustrating
    2. Webmaster – Repo relayed the problems with publishing the newsletter and her request to David for assistance.  He very promptly helped out but added to his message that he has retired form Webmaster duties, he will be retiring from his job soon and will soon no longer be able to help out with the  website.  The board needs to replace him.  The board discussed the state of the current website and the number of bad links and old photos.  Repo mentioned WKC and Paddle Trails use Club Express but no without problems.  Jarred stated that pushing out a newsletter to 150 people, updating a calendar and updating committee members should be simple.  Jarred has worked with several people who know Word Press. Repo suggested that we just hire someone to develop a new website from scratch.  Mark made the motion to hire a person to develop a new website structure.  Nancy Seconded.  Motion passed.  Jarred will look into the availability of his contact.
  8. New Business
    1. October board meeting will be by phone since Randy and Repo will be on the road.  November meeting will be in person.
  9. Waterlog articles needed by 9/20
    1. NOTE: Make sure Jarrad verifies receipt of articles.  Jarred wants to start a New Member Spotlight.   Repo suggested that the VP Finance send Jarrad an email with new member names and email address.  Jarred can then contact the new members to get info for an article.
  10. Announcements and good of the order – none
  11. Adjourn 8:14 pm

Safety Code of Conduct

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This weekend, I am reminded to keep your eyes on your POD, and continue to keep the safety of your group and others at the paramount.   We had some swimmers this weekend, that would have been in trouble if other members hadn’t reacted quickly.

Here is the American Whitewater code of conduct.  Please take a few minutes a year to reread and make sure you are an asset on the river.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/safety:start

Safety Scholarships

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WRRR has safety scholarship money available! WRRR will pay up to 1/3 of tuition costs for river-related safety classes for our members. NOTE: Classes required for professional guide training are not covered by the scholarship fund.

How can you get in on this action?

  • Be a WRRR member
  • Email or tell a Board member what class you want to take in order to get pre-approved – please allow at least two weeks for approval
  • Attend and complete/pass course
  • Send/give your receipt for reimbursement along with an article about your experience to the Board

Remember these are first come first serve funds, so don’t delay.

Legalities of Risk and Rafting

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WRRR member Mark Trivett has an article in Rafting Magazine about the risks and responsibilities of taking your friends down the river. It’s a great read.

To read the article, click here.

Inflatable Kayaking Self Rescue Hints

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I was going to write a really long article about IK self rescue, but there was just so much to say and it might be boring to a lot of people, so I decided to just give a couple of hints.

I have flipped a lot over the years, and I am not a nimble, athletic person. Getting back in the IK is hard for me, but I have found some things that help.

The main thing I do is to not let go of my boat and paddle. There are two parts to this. First, my thigh straps and footbrace lock me into the boat well enough that when I flip over, I am still in the boat. I have to flex my feet to release them from the footbrace, which allows my legs to come out. Second, when I come out of the boat, I grab my thigh strap in my right hand and hold my paddle in my left. When I come up, I am still holding my boat. I can almost always grab the far thigh strap under the boat, pull with one hand, and push the near tube up with the other. This flips the boat back over quickly, and I’m still holding onto it.

The other thing I do is to practice in rapids. Practicing in flatwater will help you learn some techniques, but flipping in a rapid will teach you how to get in fast and do it right. If you can self-rescue in a class III rapid, you are much more likely to be able to self-rescue in tougher rapids.

In the end, if you have confidence that you can get back in your boat, you can run more challenging whitewater or you can have more fun goofing around on the easier rapids.

Green River Safety Map

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Brenan has put together a great map showing Mercury, the Nozzle, and Let’s Make a Deal. This should help people run this section of the Green Gorge without some of the problems we’ve seen in the past. See you on the river!

PDF: Green River Mercury Nozzle Safety Eddy Map

Here’s a screen capture of the map for people having problems with the PDF. Click the image to enlarge.