Dan,

Love the idea of a raft and duckies. More than willing to put in some additional time to help repair those duckies and offer some storage if needed.

I have some spare gear to throw in the beater box.

I’d also love to help coordinate an additional smaller scale clinics for those needing additional instructor opportunities. I even might have some MWA contacts for coordinating events the Springfield, MO region. We would need an instructor for those events, though.

Can’t wait to see MWA thrive!

Great that there’s enthusiasm for new efforts.
Can we please proceed without disparaging anyone’s volunteer efforts, current or past? Can we keep it positive (or say nothing)?

Hope, as the new MWA board considers ways to invest MWA club resources, they’ll be guided by the club’s mission,
https://missouriwhitewater.org/about/ “The Missouri Whitewater Association is a public organization which exists to encourage the growth of paddling as a beneficial recreational sport and a recognized competitive sport, to teach paddling skills, river safety techniques, first aid, and outfitting, to sponsor river trips and other outdoor activities, and to educate club members and the general public about the sport and about river conservation.”

I don’t see how the acquisition of expensive boats sufficiently advances the mission to merit the investment. If folks want to donate more boats, great. OR partner with retailers to allow people to try out boats (e.g. like NOC rents gear).

I and many others are passionate about creating more training opportunities.
Years ago we had tried to advance a mentorship initiative for MWA members to partner with new Team River Runner veteran boaters.
Eager to be a part of considering new training options.
Sally

Hello President Dan Prater,
Good job setting out goals and ideas for the growth of the MWA.
You have a few good ideas that could be developed.
In terms of member benefits, the picnic used to be a reward for paying MWA dues.
The club would pay for meat and drinks,(kids & adult beverages)-
the rest of the meal was a large pot-luck dinner.

In terms of club gear, storage will be a HUGE deal.
Somebody will have to store it, check it in & out, clean and repair as needed.
That sounds like a lot of work for somebody that might not even get to use the gear.
-plus the logistics of being able to meet with who ever may need to use it.

In terms of the “beater box”, some of he same issues would apply.
I have some gear that could be put in for emergency use.
If the campground is open, they may be willing to help with the storage.
there is also the issue–
“hey, this loaner gear is better than what I left at home, I might have to keep it.”

In terms of ‘scholarships’ for training events,-great idea- how do I apply?
in terms of the newsletter-digital- the old timers have the Greatest stories.
(you will be a more respected President, if you could provide consistent water for the Saint)

MWA has offered 2 scholarships per year to the clinic for anyone in TRR interested. I’d like to see that continue . I really like the reimbursement program we have to help reimburse for expensive ACA classes, providing that participant teaches or serves as a safety boater. I think a fleet of cheap/free duckys would be great if there is storage and a procedure for checking them out. Some of the boats used in the classes At Melville HS are pretty beat up, and maybe better used ones could be obtained. But must be left in pool or have some way of guaranteeing their return if taken out of the pool. TRR lost boats that way . I would like to see better cooperation with St Louis Canoe Kayak Club. So many of our current and past members came from SLCKC. ( I’m the main recruiter ). A few have MWA members have paddled with SLCKC. I always recommend that newbees don’t wait for the day of the clinic for their first paddle, as you never know what conditions it will be that day. I suggest they get on the water , asking for support of MWA members on a good water, weather day , if they have the chance. Many of us have been open to helping others do an informal mini clinic , prior to our official clinic . Our picnic this year was a lot of fun, following the guidelines Jerry mentioned. We had too much food, but it was shared by all who wanted it. I really enjoy being a member of MWA and $15 is a small price to pay. So many new energetic paddlers have joined last few years, largely because of the pool classes offered. This is a very positive direction. Kathy Pszonka

Just remember Kathy, the pool class boats do not belong to the MWA, have have been made available to students for the clinic.
Would love to see the MWA help purchase new used boats sometime.
While not the only feeder of new members to the MWA, the classes have been a big one over the years.

Mentorship was very helpful for me to continue paddling after the clinic. However this is not a cheap sport to decide if it’s something you’re to invest in.

I have hoped/ desired to establish a rental program for newbie to get a better taste of boating economically. Like John Foster has pointed out the boats at the Mehlville aren’t own by the MWA. So as much as I desire this program I’m fined it hard to navigate.

This is a great group of people, and I enjoy and learn something every time I paddle with members. I would love to be able to expand that opportunity to more.

I am open to suggestions on how to implement a program to get boats to people.

I like your idea, but would worry about liability if we start renting.
I would not want to rent to a complete unknown, however boats can usually be found fir people who have taken the class.

Could there be a lifetime membership option like American Whitewater has?

I was happy to give them $500 and never think about it again.

Raymond