Once in a Lifetime - President of Whitewater Ontario

I have been president of Whitewater Ontario for about a year and a half. Prior to that I was treasurer of the organization since 1998.

WO has gone through its changes as every organization has done, and is largely a reflection of its keen membership.

During this time I have also been president and vice president of Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa. We've hosted Kipawa River Rallies for almost 20 years - we had to cancel last year because of significant difficulties in working with PWGSC. I have recently been re elected as President of Les Amis.

The time has come to reflect on the need to either stay on with Whitewater Ontario as President or not. There are those who argue against citing a conflict of interest. I do not, personally see a conflict but that is finally for others to judge.

Some of my achievments with Whitewater Ontario include the following:

I worked with a task force to help resolve an issue where fire fighters had been abusing the privilege of using the Minden Training Preserve. We ended up with a new policy and a better working relationship with all parties.

I introduced the use of teleconferencing for our executive members and it has been used regularly during our monthly meetings.

I have petitioned MNR and Ministry of the Environment in an attempt to try and get WO listed as a stakeholder of record for any environmental assessments that deal with our free flowing whitewater resources.

I have given talks at the Canadian Heritage River Conferences, most recently in Winnipeg. I have written papers for the Canadian Dam Association on the subject of navigation of water control structures.

I have worked with officials at PWGSC/Parks Canada concerning the operation of the Minden Dam along the trent severn Waterway.

During my watch the website for Whitewater Ontario www.whitewaterontario.ca has been significantly upgraded thanks to the work of Cam McDiarmid and Bryce Huskilson.

I have ensured that WO is a member of the AWA ensuring member discounts of 10% or more for its members.

I have ensured that WO is a member of the Ontario environmental Network to assist us ensuring that the recreational value of whitewater remains on the agenda of the National Water Caucus agenda of the Canadian Environmental Network.

I petitioned the Minden Township officials for there support of Whitewater Ontario in running the Minden Wildewater Preserve.

I did apply, unsuccessfully for an MEC grant to help implement the new management and marketing plans for Minden.

I organized a Minden Preserve clean up last season '07 where many improvements were made to the training center. A large number of volunteers came out to help.

I facilitated the involvement of Sir Sanford Flemming college Recreation and tourism students in helping to draft business and marketing plans for the preserve.

I have facilitated the hiring of summer students for the Minden Preserve for the past several years.

I have been operating this blog to keep the paddling community up to date on happenings in the paddling community.

I have managed to keep the organization rolling but we have an new and invigorated executive with capable members. Jim Tayler has been instrumental in organizing strategic planning sessions, Steve Pomeroy has been extremely effective on the executive as treasurer, and Claudia Van Wjck has been very helpful on the executive as well due to her long standing and noble career in paddle recreation.

Carole Westwood has applied her expertise in management of instruction to the benefit of the organization and has laid the groundwork for repatriation of the NCCP program and recreational instruction standardized program with WO.

Its a distinguished group and we have accomplished a great deal.

I am greatly appreciative of all the volunteers that I have worked with. I especially want to thank Gary George and his significant other, Cammy for all their help at Minden and best wishes. How could one not be successful with help like that?

However, it may be time for a graceful and dignified exit. My passion with Les Amis will continue. I believe the cause is just. As for Whitewater Ontario, it is a fine and long lived organization and new blood may now be required.

Pete