The future of the club

I am delighted to see younger people expressing an interest in this amazing club. November is going to bring a very interesting meeting. From my experience, I recommend in-person attendance rather than Zoom
to anyone who can make it.

I'd like to know more about what VP role entails. It breaks my heart to think that the club would fold right now...I just started making friends with everyone! However, I completely understand that the existing leadership is likely fatigued from carrying the torch for so long, and it isn't fair to keep asking that of them.

My concerns about stepping into a stronger leadership role within the club are:
1. My lack of experience as a paddler. While I likely have the skills, experience, tools/techniques to help run the club, I think my credibility as a leader would suffer due to not having nearly enough time behind the paddle. There are some seriously big shoes to fill in that respect!

2. Time commitment. I have to travel occasionally for my work, and sometimes I have unexpected work pop up in the evenings/weekends. This could cause me to have to bail on events at the last minute - which could lead to a perception of the club being "flaky", which I wouldn't want. I also have two young teenagers - so you can imagine that also adds some complexity to my schedule.

3. Lack of stronger relationships with existing club members. If I were to become a leader within the club, how would that be received? Would it be a case of "Who is this guy?" Being able to ask fellow club members to help volunteer with event tasks goes a lot smoother when people know me and have paddled with me before.

If anyone in current leadership wants to discuss more, I'm happy to discuss here or take it offline and maybe meet at Simpson/Creve Coeur lake and talk more. Otherwise, I will try and make the November mtg. Closing thought is this: A club that doesn't do as many events as it does right now is better than no club at all.
Regards,
Ollie

One more thing... I had intended to go the meeting last night, but ended up spending the night taking beer showers in the Bevo Bud plant trying to fix a production line that was acting crazy. And, my machines were causing the problem...

I think the club has gotten too ACA-centric. I'm not a big fan of ACA. It also seems to have splintered up into different sub-groups such as Mississippi water trails. I haven't been able to kayak much lately due to my bad knee and associated pain makes it impossible to brace properly in my sit-in kayaks. And, because of my knee, I can't go on camping trips, etc. I would not vote to dissolve and move to the Mississippi Water Trail group. That seems to be centered on a single purpose. I would vote to have less meetings, especially in the winter. I, for one, am not at all interested in rolling kayaks and other aerobatic maneuvers, or paddling in freezing cold water in the middle of winter. I recently joined a kayak meet-up group that likes doing boring floats. One where it is better to chill while floating, than being pumped full with adrenaline.