Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling Clubs

From: Mark Zen <canoeist_at_netbox.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 08:43:02 -0700 (MST)
On Sun, 8 Feb 1998, Jackie Fenton wrote:

>>
>>
>>Hi Alice,
>>
>>> From: wildwater <wildoats_at_ionet.net>
>>> 
>>> Hello everyone, I'd like your help....
>>> 
>>> I want to start a local club here in Oklahoma since interest in the
>>> sport seems to really be growing.  
>>
>><snip>
>>
>>> What are those lessons that you or your club have learned the hard way, 
>>
>>
>>> what about liabilities on club sponsored group
>>
>>Use a waiver and go have fun but use common sense.  This concern has been 
>>mentioned many times but I haven't heard of and don't know anyone that is 
>>aware of a paddling club being sued.  It may have happened, but I haven't
>>heard or read of it.  I'd be sure everyone understands that I am a trip
>>coordinator and not a guide or expert and everyone is responsible for their
>>own safety.  Check liability laws in your state.  It might be beneficial
>>to incorporate your club to protect the club and its members from being
>>sued for the negligent acts of a club member acting as a club representative.  
>>I don't know if this is significant if you are not collecting dues. 
>>

by all means, use a good waiver. and then have LOTS of fun!! sadly, the
RMCC club pres, relayed a short story to us, at our winter meeting. he now
lives on the other side of the state, and says there is a club there...
but they never run trips, because someone told them a story about being
sued. now they are looking at adopting our waiver. we have people sign
them to become a member, and then again at the start of each trip. we've
not had any problems at all. we do have a couple lawyers in the club, and
they've reviewed it, and it should stand up in court. we also pray we
never need to find out.

>>> What would you like to see in a club?  
>>
>>Training and trips of all skill levels with the level indicated.

training, training, training, this is the biggest way to attract & keep
members. trips are indeed the next most important thing.
>>
>>> What are the mistakes clubs make?  
>>
>>Not having a regular club meeting place and date and time.
>>

we have 4 meetings a year [we're about 250+ member/families strong]
fall meeting -- potluck dinner/slides from the previous season
winter meeting -- potluck dinner/videos from the previous season
spring meeting -- annual safety fair
summer "rendezvous" a public campground, somewhere near rivers that offer
class I-IV trips, to satisfy most every one. usually 100+ folks attend
this one. and about 75-100 attend all the others...

>>> What are the most useful things a club can offer its membership? 
>>
>>Another paddling friend :-) (besides organized training)

this was listed as the #1 reason for joining the club, by all the officers
at the last officers meeting.

>>
>>> What was your favorite club sponsored activity?
>>
>>Multi-day trips and seminars with boat demos, workshops and training.
same here!!

>>
>>my .02
>>
>>Cheers!
>>
>>Jackie
>>
>>                                 _                        _   _
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>>      / \0/ \                     \\                        "
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>>                               ,sSSs,\,      
>>                  )\w/(       ,sSS..)/{)    
>>                  <<..>       sSSS_v)/ \   
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>>               <(_/_o_o_     'sS[_`-+---+)  
>>           \----+-------+-------'---`-----\-------------')
>> ~~~~~~~ ~~jf ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
>>        o                                   \
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>>
>>
>>
>> 

see the 1997 trip schedule on the RMCC page, to get an idea of the variety
of trips going on for us, during on season.

mark

#------canoeist[at]netbox[dot]com--------------------------------------
mark zen                      o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
po box 474                   </     [\/              [\_|   [\_\
ft. lupton, co 80621-0474 (`-/-------/----')      (`----|-------\-')
#~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~
http://www.diac.com/~zen/cpr   [Colorado Paddlers' Resource]  
http://www.diac.com/~zen/rmskc [Rocky Mtn Sea Kayak Club]  
http://www.diac.com/~zen/rmcc  [Rocky Mtn Canoe Club Trip Page] 
http://www.diac.com/~zen/mark  [personal]
--
Fortune:
Everything is controlled by a small evil group to which, unfortunately,
no one we know belongs.


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Received on Mon Feb 09 1998 - 07:45:12 PST

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