Minutes 2025
Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association
Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association April 2, 2025 RICKA Board Meeting Held via Zoom videoconferencing
Present: Skye Pechie, Steven Pechie, Aaron Rouby, Erik Eckilson, Frank Cortesa, Mike Hazeltine, Sharon Dragon, Cheryl Thompson, Peter Hill, Paul Leclerc, Chuck Horbert, and Richard Coupland
Meeting called to Order at 7:03 by Erik Erik welcomed new members at large, Mike Hazeltine and Aaron Rouby
Approval of Executive Board Meeting minutes from March 2025: There was a motion made by Steve, seconded by Frank, and there was a unanimous vote to approve.
Approval of treasurer's report: March report will be presented next month
Old Business:
ACA Insurance Update Frank will send a check to ACA to cover this directly Pool Session Wrap-up Rich said there were 4 good sessions, 33 attendees in total (20 unique). Rich said he thought that the reason there were cancellations for some sessions was because people could sign up at once ahead of all 4 sessions, so he might go back to separate sign ups for each, so that there is more of a commitment not to make other plans. Aaron said the sessions were very helpful and he was glad he was able to roll in the third session. Mike asked about prepayment to hold a slot, and Rich said that illnesses, injuries, and potential refunds might make this problematic. Mike said that other groups let you prepay and then you can sell your slot if something comes up. Rich said having to charge people online ahead of time is another challenge. Website/Newsletter design - Erik said he put something in the Paddler asking for someone to work on this and on Publicity, and will do this again next month. Rich said that a RI Central, a RI newspaper clearinghouse, is interested in writing an article on RICKA. RICKA Wilderness patch, other swag? Danny was not present. Spring Soiree tomorrow at 6:00 at Chelo's - Sharon said about 30 people are signed up and everything is set. 2025 Officer Election at the Spring Soiree Chuck will run the elections, and Sharon said she would take minutes. The slate of officers being presented is as follows: President: Erik Eckilson Vice President: Steve Pechie Secretary: Skye Pechie Treasurer: Frank Cortesa
Ongoing Updates
Practice Group Updates Flatwater/Paddle Club Planning Meeting - Cheryl said this is April 12th at River Bend Farm; the turkey and swallow paddles are already scheduled. Flatwater Training Mike said he was interested in taking this over, but has a commitment in June, and will get back to us on a date. He is considering making this a ACA level 1 class, but this would be around 6 hours. Chuck said that this is usually 3-4 hours and includes a lot of basic safety and gear instruction. Mike said he might bring a Pungo with float bags for demonstration. Rich said this would be a good event to advertise and write up in the newspapers, so we can bring in new members. Mike said he might add another session on a Wednesday night in July to practice rescues when it's warmer. Sea Kayak Paddle, Planning Meeting and Potluck - Rich said this is at his house in South Kingstown on May 3, 2025. He also said that June 14 may be a Level 2 training, but this is not confirmed. Mike said the March 29 navigation training went well. Whitewater: Paul said trips are coming up thanks to dam releases. Wilderness Poling Session: Chuck said the forecast is not looking good, especially for instruction. He will make a call by tomorrow night. He is considering a local overnight trip in April or May.
Membership Gary sent an emailed report including the following: 2024-25 Season 238 members (compared to 6-year average of 239) with 45 new and 128 joint BVPC/RICKA. 2025-26 Season 81 members with 23 new and 41 joint BVPC/RICKA through 3/31/25
Upcoming Member Meetings
Upcoming Member Meetings May Members Meeting - Erik about having a joint meeting with SNEP. Steve said there is a lot of crossover between membership in the two groups. Frank asked if the flatwater training would be a good way to encourage SNEP members to join RICKA. Erik asked for suggestions for a meeting topic. Chuck mentioned training on rules of navigation, right of way, communications, and other introductory sea kayaking topics. Cheryl asked about having Mark Marosits do this. Erik said he would ask about this when he saw Mark tomorrow. June, July and August Meetings on the water - Erik asked Rich if we should do one as a joint sea kayak/flatwater trip and Rich agreed, probably out of Wickford or Tiverton in July.
Minutes submitted by Skye Pechie
Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association March 5, 2025 RICKA Board Meeting Held via Zoom videoconferencing
Present: Skye Pechie, Steven Pechie, Erik Eckilson, Frank Cortesa, Cheryl Thompson, Ron Entringer, Peter Hill, Paul Leclerc, and Richard Coupland Meeting called to Order at 7:01 by Erik Approval of Executive Board Meeting minutes from February 2025: There was a motion made by Steve, seconded by Frank, and there was a unanimous vote to approve. Approval of treasurer's report: There was a motion made by Steve, seconded by Cheryl, and there was a unanimous vote to approve.
Old Business: ACA Insurance Update Erik said he needs to call on this, and will have Frank send a check in for the rolling clinics. Pool Sessions Rich said one session remains; there were 10 participants in the most recent session and everything went well. Website/Newsletter design compatibility with mobile devices, ease of use - Erik said he is not sure he is up to tackling this as we go into a new season. Frank pointed out that testing this during the busy season would not be ideal anyway, and suggested putting it off. Erik said he would table it until fall, and may also put something in the Paddler seeking a volunteer for this. Steve suggested we thank Cheryl for all of the work she has been doing on the website for so many years. RICKA Wilderness patch, other swag? - Danny was not present. New Business: 2025 Officers ideas for new Members at Large - Erik said everyone currently serving has agreed to be nominated for 2025. He sought suggestions for more members at large and said he has put this in the Paddler. Erik mentioned Aaron Rouby as a candidate and others agreed this was a good idea. Ongoing Updates Practice Groups Flatwater/Paddle Club, Sea Kayak, Whitewater, Wilderness - Cheryl said she was working on the calendar and needed ideas for flatwater training. Rich said that level 4 would likely be offered this year; the planning session is May 10, and rescue practice is usually in June. Paul said they await dam releases. Membership 212 members through November with 116 joint
BVPC/RICKA. Gary sent an email including that membership renewals are
coming in. Upcoming Member Meetings March 20th Get to Know RICKA Night at the Kayak Centre - Erik said this is confirmed, and the Kayak Centre has started promoting it. Erik said he is considering livestreaming this on Facebook. Rich suggested other avenues of advertising to non-members, such as his local paper, the South County Independent which offers free online notices. Rich will attempt to add this event to their event listing for next Thursday, and Erik will do so for the Valley Breeze. April 3rd Spring Soiree at Chelo's. Sharon sent an email confirming that this is all set.
Frank said he thinks the Kayak Centre may be looking for more people to run tours and the like, if anyone is interested, they can ask during our event on March 20. Erik adjourned the meeting after a motion made by Steve and seconded by Cheryl, and a unanimous vote, at 19:25. Minutes submitted by Skye Pechie Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association February 5, 2025 RICKA Board Meeting Held via Zoom videoconferencing
Present: Skye Pechie, Steven Pechie, Erik Eckilson, Deb Britt, Jen Stanton, Frank Cortesa, Sharon Dragon, Peter Hill, Paul Leclerc, Cheryl Thompson, Pat Lardner, and Richard Coupland
Meeting called to Order at 7:03 by Erik Approval of Executive Board Meeting minutes from January 2025: There was a motion made by Steve, seconded by Jen, and there was a unanimous vote to approve. Approval of treasurer's report: Tabled until next month due to difficulty with the file itself
Old Business: Pool Sessions: Rich said these are going smoothly and have been well attended. There are ten participants plus alternates signed up for the next two. Website/Newsletter design Erik said we will have to figure this out RICKA Wilderness patch, other swag? - Danny was not present Preventing spam emails - Erik said we have gotten a new round of these and there was discussion on ways this could be fixed. It was decided that we would start by removing email addresses and phone numbers from the Paddler, except for one contact person and contacts for paddles and events Ongoing Updates Practice Groups Cheryl said that the Flatwater/Paddle Club planning meeting is April 12. Rich said that the Sea Kayak planning meeting is at Jon Sharlin's house on May 3. Erik asked about hosting 2-star training Rich said that this may happen in future years, and perhaps we would have more rescue practice such as one we have had in Weekapaug Pond. Paul said that dam releases are coming and he'd like to put up whitewater trips. Erik said that he and Chuck went to a wilderness tripping seminar in NH run by AMC, and it was valuable Membership Gary sent an emailed report including 212 members through November with 116 joint BVPC/RICKA
Upcoming Member Meetings
March: Erik said this was to be an introduction to RICKA, and Pat said the West Greenwich Community Center was not going to work for an in-person meeting. Erik said the Kayak Centre hadn't replied to an email about doing it there, and so we could postpone this to when people are thinking more about starting to paddle anyway. We will aim for May 19 and will not have a March general membership meeting April Spring Soiree - Sharon said she would call them for the date of Thursday, April 10. Open discussion: Erik adjourned the meeting after a motion made by Steve and seconded by Jen, and a unanimous vote, at 19:36 Minutes submitted by Skye Pechie
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