2023 President’s Welcome

May 2023

Paddling season is here, and we are emerging from the COVID blues. So far, our events are well attended and there are lots of new paddlers enjoying our sport.

PNWORCA has been busy with the onboarding of new officers. Drea Park has accepted an offer to join the Officers as Sergeant at Arms. Her appointment requires Board approval and that will be on the next Board meeting agenda.

We have hired a new web administrator, Kjirstin Bentson, to assume the role that Kate Goudschaal filled along with PNWORCA Secretary, for the last four years. Due to a resignation, she has agreed to also assume the Secretary role as a contractor. We continue to seek members to serve as Secretary and can elect an incumbent at our Fall meeting.

Three Member Grants were approved and funded. Hui Heihei purchased a portable public address system for use by all clubs. The unit is the size of a suitcase and is completely self-contained. Contact me if your event can benefit from this new equipment. Kikaha’s request for huli safety training was also funded. The event was held in April with eight clubs and a hundred paddlers enjoying the waters of Mt Tahoma High School pool. Finally seed money was provided to Zamboanga for a Kalama Heritage Days canoe race to be held August 5th.

Finally mark your calendar for our Fall annual meeting on November 4.

IMUA
Andy Michels, President
PNWORCA