Summary of the 25th Annual Kipawa River Rally

Thanks to Wayne Donnison for once again organizing an extremely fun rally. The paddling and scenery was better than expected. The Ottawa and Montreal kayak clubs had an amazing time.

One thing planned is to convert the www.kipawariver.ca website int a 'contact management type' system to give everyone access to the website. Our website may get a lift from volunteers as a student project.

We might be better to engage the locals through a family walk day and fish fry and the local kayak shop at first. First and foremost this is a paddling weekend too.

The intended location of a new fish derby may be in Laniel, to attract locals. Danny from Esprit my help with a work party to fix the Hollywood trail; Scott has all materials prepared and ready to go.

The exact release volumes that we received from Hydro Quebec need a formal thank you letter - best to come from a French speaking member of our group to establish a future relationship with the dam operator.

We had a total of 61 people register for the rally and 8 people paid for the day use of the takeout, for a total of 69 people officially registered this year.

The executive now stands relatively unchanged:

Francois Diebolt Treasurer
Peter Karwacki - President
Rick Issaacson - Vice President
Wendy Sladen - Secretary/Membership Chair
Wayne Donnison - Rally Coordinator
Sandra Kiviaho and Annie Valale agreed to assist with next years rally along with Philip Lavalee. Phillip suggested we consider organizing a Fish Derby along with the rally to entice local interest.


We need to update our Website to a content management system so that we can more easily update the content. Web content was not updated quickly enough leading up to the rally. People need to have more information about Scott's place, about the Kipawa River Trail, and about the rally itself. Another raised the possibility of promoting sea kayaking as well during the rally.

Jim Coffey made the point that organizations such as Les Amis sometime experience an ebb and flow and that we are presently in a low cycle. Is it important to increase the numbers attending the rally? The number that can be comfortably be handled at the lodge is about 70 from what I could tell. Any expansion would have to take place in Laniel.

Jim raised the prospect of running raft trips from Laniel to the Park for $25 or so to increase participation.

I have names and contact information from those attending our AGM

JD will send you the membership lists and so forth. Perhaps some of the new bodies will come through for us during the preparations for next year and beyond.

Financial information Francois provided:

April 2010 through March 2011

starting balance 1342.

Income
Donations $775
Memberships $40
subtotal 815

Expenses
Web hosting 153.
Quebec Registration fees 36
Les amis income tax report 51
subtotal 239

closing balance 1918

Tommy Allan did install some new portage signs. We are waiting for the invoices but I believe these were about $200.

Sandra Kiviaho has offered to help us to upgrade our website content, something that is much needed. As mentioned either a CMS system or something like "wordpress" would help. We should try to start work on this ASAP.

Something that was not mentioned but is in order is to try and organize a work party to fix up the Hollywood portage. This would likely be in the fall and we'd have to make it so we coordinate it with weather, the Sorenson's and try have some fun as well as get the work done.