Highlights of March 4 Board Meeting
The CCA Board met virtually March 4. The full minutes have been posted on the CCA website (Members Only > Documents > Meeting Minutes). Here are some highlights, from minutes taken by Secretary Jen Sass:
Present: Hugh Hilliard (Chair), Jen Sass (Secretary), Ed Gertler, Gary Steinberg, Ryan Morrow, Laura Kurup, Ginny DeSeau (Membership Director), Marilyn Jones (Treasurer), Susan Sherrod, Alf Cooley, Lynn Miller, Barb Brown, David ‘Cotton’ Cottingham, Tim Lapham, Keith Edmondson, Grace Hassler, Peter Ryan, Risa Shimoda
Potomac Interceptor Sewage Spill – Hugh, Cotton
Hugh and Cotton updated the Board on club members' activities related to the spill response. (See article and Chair's Cockpit in this issue.)
Potomac Downriver Race – Risa
Sycamore Island has been in touch with several CCA folks to keep lines of communication open regarding potential continued sewage contamination. CCA has rented Carderock Pavilion as an alternative end point for the race; it can be cancelled two weeks before the race without losing the payment already made.
Conservation Donations – Hugh, for Kathleen
The Board approved $2,250 in donations for FY 2026. These are the same as our FY 2025 donations, except for an additional $100 for Alice Ferguson and an additional $300 for PRKN to help with their work on the sewage leak. We already made a $250 donation to WVRC in honor of their 35th Anniversary celebration, which is part of the $300 total.
• Anacostia Watershed $250
• American Rivers $250
• American Whitewater $250
• West Virginia Rivers Coalition (WVRC) $300
• Alice Ferguson Foundation $350
• Goose Creek Association $100
• Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) $600
• Bens Creek Canoe Club $150
Pool Rolling
The free rolling lesson for new members promo ends March 31. So far, of the 15 new CCA members since the start of this year's pool rolling, eight have taken advantage of their free rolling lesson. At least half of those nailed their roll in that first session. A heartfelt thank you to those who either supported the program, volunteered, or offered to volunteer their time and expertise to make this possible.
Treasurer's Report – Marilyn
Our year-to-date operating income is $8,054.05, and our expenses have been $9,119.51, resulting in operating income of (-$1,065.46). Our expenses include $2,000 for the summer clinics, which don't have registrations yet. Right now, pool rental expenses are about $1,200 more than we've collected in signups, but there is another month to go. Marilyn expressed concern that this year we have received almost no ACA insurance premiums for pool rolling; CCA might be on the hook to pay ACA even if we did not collect them from the participant.
BIPOC Whitewater Course – Hugh, for Rolo
CCA joined with Calleva and Soul Trak to apply for a grant from ACA and L.L.Bean to support BIPOC outdoor activities. If we get the grant, Hugh and Rolo will report back.
Trips – Ryan
Ryan is looking at extending trip outreach through WhatsApp. They are encouraging all folks that come on trips to become CCA members. The river releases are on the CCA calendar. Huge thanks to former Trips Co-Chairs Ginny and Gary Quam for their years of hard work. Peter has proposed a Tuesday Training and Taco Day (TTTD) to be held every Tuesday, with sessions alternating between morning and afternoon start times to accommodate both retirees and working folks.
Safety – Tim Lapham
Tim has developed a list of safety classes available in the DMV area and is developing ideas for CCA safety classes, including classes/lessons imbedded into regular trips.
Instruction – Gary
Gary reported that CCA will work with Jordan Taylor/Paddlesports Institute (PSI) for a third year to conduct three day-long clinics for CCA members. The Board approved the contract, and a deposit was made in February to reserve the dates. Both the programs and finances mirror what we did together in 2025, with a few differences in how the finances are structured. Programs include trips on the Lower Yough for kayaking and for open boating, and an open boating trip on the Potomac. CCA will charge members $150 to participate in each one-day clinic. PSI Fees and Expenses: $600 per day for each clinic (total of $1,800) to cover professional fee and insurance costs, and $200 in travel expense per round trip to and back from the Lower Yough. CCA has paid a $1,000 deposit, 50% of the anticipated costs. Savings come from CCA members willing to volunteer their time as instructors, on administration, and on securing a nonprofit group rate with PSI. Many thanks to Susan, Marilyn, Risa, Mark, Hugh and others for your work on this!
Lynn and Mark have been working with Gary on a poll to find out what CCA members would be most interested in. Peter Ryan is working on some skills building courses. Risa is considering doing her very
popular event for women who are "over it."
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 22