LVKCC Minutes – November 4, 2021
Place – Wildlands Conservancy
General Membership Meeting
Executive Committee Members:
President – Pat Beltz Vice President – Dan Morton
Recording Secretary – Mike Swartley Treasurer – Rita Snyder
Membership Secretary – Jill Evans
Members at Large – Gery Kirkner & Sheldon Linn
Non-Executive Members
Webmaster – Dan Rempp
Educational Instruction Coordinator – Scott Douglas
Total members present: 20
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The meeting opened at 7:03pm with a most enjoyable presentation by Dave Dawson on Building Your Own Kayak. Dave described how to build different kinds of kayaks. One was a kayak made of plywood, fiberglass, kevlar and epoxy. Another kayak design was traditional Greenland Kayak which was skin on frame with no metal parts. Another was a fuselage frame kayak built from plans or a kit. There was also a bidarka which is a native traditional skin-on-frame which is built on body dimensions (like length of the boat is 3 times arm reach).
Dave gave lots of advice on building kayaks to ones’ personal taste.
Daves’ talk finished at 7:42PM.
Pat Beltz called the general membership meeting to order at 7:55pm.
Secretary’s Report
A motion was made to accept the October 14th, 2021 general membership meeting minutes as posted on the club website.
MP – Gery MS – Bob P – All O – None
Treasurer’s Report
A motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s report.
MP – Bill MS – Mike P – All O – None
Membership Report
Jill Evans provided the following membership statistics as of November 4th ,2021:
Memberships for 2021
Total Members 2021: 378
Total Individual Memberships: 170
Total Individual Lifetime 4
Total Family Memberships 69
Total Family Lifetime 1
Total Memberships: 239
Total Lifetime: 5
2480 members of the Facebook group
1434 subscribers to Meetup
Webmaster’s Report
Dan Rempp reported we need to pay for our domain name. No problems with the website since last report.
Survey for Holiday party did not work properly so it was re-done. It now seems to be working properly.
Education Report
Scott reported: Generally done for the year. This was a successful year.
Introduction to whitewater, Recreation kayaking, Coastal kayaking, and other member provided instruction on other trips.
There is a large public demand for classes.
Education committee meets once a year. Next meeting is November 12th 6:00pm at Braveheart at Hellertown.
A motion was made to pay for dinner only for those instructors who taught this year.
MP – Joann MS – Jill P – All O – None
Main Topics
Old Business
Pool Update
Linda reported on the availability of Lafayette. Lafayette mandates masks. Proof of vaccination in the form of a PDF each week and a test within 3 days. Everyone was in agreement not to pursue Lafayette this year.
We are working on the schedule at Cedar Crest.
Classes start sometime in January 2022 for 10 sessions. Moved to Saturday morning 9:30am to 1:30pm.
Two or three sessions are for Recreation classes. Rest for rolling or whitewater.
All participants probably have to be vaccinated..
Pat reported the 10 sessions would include the use of the entire facility of 2
pools, class rooms, showers and bathrooms. Rodale Susan Danish said there should be a plan in place in December. We still need a lifeguard who is a Cedar Crest College employee. .
Boat Trade
Motion made to rescind the Facebook offer of the two boats made last October and recreate a new offer to Club members only.
MP – Pat MS – Gery P – All O – None
Motion made to sell the two play boats to Club members only. Minimum of $300 bid or to highest bidder. Bids go to Pat and Scott. To be offered by email. A seven day time frame for bids.
MP – Pat MS – Rita P – All O – None
Larry March Slalom 10, 11, 12th of September
Dan Rempp reported this was a successful year. Dan thanked the many members who helped. There was a morning and afternoon session.
Income of $1229 from registration, sponsors and donations. The expenses were $783.33.
There were 31 participants.
This is Dan Rempp’s last year. He has offered to provide his notes and experience to whomever picks up the assignment.
All showed appreciation for Dan’s dedication over the years.
Fall Trip
Successful trip with 39 paddlers. Lots of good trips in the Rehobeth Bay area.
Walnutport Canal Festival
Bob Brunda reported that the Walnutport Canal Association Festival was held on October 17 . There was great participation from the Club and Wildlands Conservancy. Over 136 people got rides in canoes.
The Club canopy got damaged in a microburst. There might be consideration for a new canopy.
Holiday Party
December 4th is the date for our Holiday Party at the East Bath Rod and Gun
Club. Note: Start time will be 5:30pm. After a social half-hour dinner will follow at 6pm. BYOB.
Food is provided by Fairview catering. Margaret G has created a menu survey which has been emailed to members.
– There is a Paypal Button so members can pay when they sign up. Note there is a separate survey for the menu choices.
Club will provide the table covering, water/soft drinks & dessert possibly from Costco.
Cost per person is $20. Members pay $15 and Clubs funds cover the rest.
We need to give Fairview Catering 2 weeks notice for menu selection and headcount. November 15th is the deadline for responses. 50 signups minimum.
Raffle tickets will be handed out for the door prizes. We are soliciting door prizes from businesses and donations of equipment. Discussion on thanking businesses on public media that donate.
Paddler of the year for 2019 to be announced.
February and March 2022 meetings
These will be at the Wildlands Conservancy. MASKS must be worn.
New Business
Club Survey
To determine who is interested in running for offices. Why people don’t want to be involved? What holds people back.
Paddler of the Year
The prior maker of the plaques has left the area. Need to restart this award. Nominations for 2021 Paddler of the Year are to be submitted by March 15, 2022.
2022 Nominations Committee and Elections
Linda Martin reported the following nominees:
President – Dan Morton
Vice President – Rachel Connolly
Recording Secretary – Mike Swartley
Treasurer – Rita Snyder
Membership Secretary – Jill Evans
Member-at-Large – Gery Kirkner and Dave Dawson
Motion made to approve the above slate
MP – Bob MS – Scott P – All O – None
Tohickon Fall Release Fest
Dan Morton asked about reaching out for ideas to increase Club membership at this event.
Current Committees
Policy Committee
Continuing work on Instructors and Trip Leader criteria. Most is done. Policy for trip leaders unresolved. Committee includes Dave as chairperson, Dan Morton, Rita Snyder, Pat Beltz, Sheldon Linn, and Scott Douglas.
Spring and Fall Trips
Dave Dawson: TBD
Program Committee
Gery Kirkner and Dave Dawson are working on getting a speaker or video for March 2022. At the February 3rd meeting Scott and Pat are to show pictures of their Galapagos trip.
Hospitality Committee
Need a chairperson. Bob Brunda and Rita Snyder are current members. We are seeking additional members.
Upcoming Meetings/Events
December 4th 2021 Holiday Party East Bath Rod and Gun Club. Saturday Dec 4th. Doors open 5:30pm
January 8th 2022 Executive Board Meeting. At Linda’s house on Saturday the 8th at 5:30pm
February 3rd 2022 Wildlands Conservancy Scott and Pat to talk on the Galapagos.
March 3rd 2022 Wildlands Conservancy Speaker?
April 2022 Ice Breaker Location? Spring Trip
May 2022 Ledges Paddle Lehigh Gap Nature Center
June 2022 Ledges Paddle Lehigh Gap Nature Center
July 2022 No meeting
August 2022 No meeting
September 2022 Ledges Paddle – Lehigh Gap Nature Center Pizza? Swap Meet? Slalom race
October 2022 List of Nominees due
November 2022 Election of Officers
December 2022 Holiday Party
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
MP – Gery MS – Linda MP – All O – None
The meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm.
Respectfully submitted: Mike Swartley– Recording Secretary
