Rapids Riders Meeting

January 8, 2003

Brock Hunter, board member of the Superior Kayak and Outdoor Adventure Club (SKOAC), was a guest speaker.  He provided insight to how incorporation has been for his club.  He stated these points:

-"Being incorporated provides liability protection to officers of the club"

-"You (Rapids Riders) are already doing what is required of an incorporated club" (meaning by-laws, taking meeting notes, etc.)

-In his practice he has heard of "cases were incorporation has covered officers"

-"Incorporation would seem to follow since we coordinate such a significant school" (meaning Canoe U)

-His club is incorporated and "they are very loose and have fun"

-"His club mainly decided to become incorporated because they started teaching classes"

-"He personally feels safer as an officer in an incorporated club"

Other comments from the present Rapids Riders members:

-MCA's insurance coverage comes from ACA

-There has been two dislocated shoulders during classes

-officers also work hard to run club and provide fun for members and should be covered just as instructors are

-due to handling money as a result of classes, we should have the protection of incorporation

**Voting regarding incorporation will be held at the February Rapids Riders Meeting

Treasurer report was given.

Website Update

Forum is up and running.  There has been many hits (including international: Canada).  The front now randomly selects photos from an archive.  Also, updated river levels are available under the rivers link.  The website is looking great!!

Safety & Ed

Safety & Ed team will be meeting every 1st Tuesday of the month up until Canoe U.

Recommendations from the S&E team:

1.  Every Canoe U participant should purchase an ACA and MCA membership upon registration for classes.  The price of membership could be added on to class fee.  There are many benefits to being a member of ACA and MCA: discounts, free HUT which gives you the inside scoop of activities and contacts, free Peddler magazine, etc.

2.  Open registration for Canoe U sooner so that it can be advertised at some upcoming events and classes will fill in time.

Canoe U

Course Descriptions were passed out-no changes were made.  Cancellation policy will be:  Up to 30 days prior to your first class a full refund will be given.  From 30 days to first day of class, half of tuition will be refunded.  Once you have started classes, there will be no refund.  Registration will be open for Canoe U January 15, 2003.

Announcements

CPR Re-certification: Monday, January 27th, 7p-9:30 @ Mike Flanagan's office.  Instructors have first call, but there might be some additional openings.  There may be a second class the 1st week of March.  Contact Dale Eggert for details and/or directions.

Stone Arch Festival will be June 14 & 15.  Midwest Mountaineering has offered to have the Wavebox at this event in hopes to draw participants to the festival and well as help advertise the festival.  Midwest would be staffing the Wavebox.  Dale Eggert will follow up with Midwest regarding the logistics.

Instructors Skills Workshop planned for the end of April.  Liquid Skills.

February 8th is the MCA Paddle Sport Show at the Har Mar Mall.  Rapids Riders is invited to have a presence there, watch the website for details on how to participate.

Minneapolis Boat Show next week.  Several RR members are volunteering.  You can still volunteer, call Jackie Kanthak @ 651-224-4726.

Recorded by Heather Kehn