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Board of Directors and Volunteers Needed For 2020

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rfolster

The NSPN Board of Directors is the decision-making body of the club, and much of what we do is reviewing ongoing club business (finances, membership, website, etc.), managing workshops and club events, creating policies, and discussing the overall direction of the club.  Aside from three officer positions, there are no set duties associated with individual BOD positions, but instead tasks are undertaken on a volunteer basis.

Currently, the BOD meets in Reading once a month on a Tuesday night from September to May, taking June through August off to enjoy the summer.  We try to keep the atmosphere relaxed and conversational, so probably not what you think when you imagine a corporate Board Meeting.  Our terms run from January through December, and we have a fair number of current Directors not returning next year for various reasons, so would like to extend an invitation to any current NSPN members who would like to be considered for a position on the Board.

We are also reaching out to the NSPN community for individuals who might not want to be a Director but would be interested in assisting the Board and the club by volunteering to assist with some of the many activities the club organizes over the year.  There is the annual winter party, pool sessions, workshops and various other outreach programs, and trips that often need some people working in the background to help make things happen.

Historically, NSPN has been founded upon the concept of "Pay It Forward", where those who have grown with the club over the years turn around and offer what they can to newer paddlers.  There is some confusion that the Pay It Forward model is supposed to be an educational system, with peers teaching peers, and many people find that intimidating.  Really, it is supposed to be more of a mentoring system where members offer whatever they can to their fellow paddlers, which might include sharing of knowledge, or just being an emotional support for someone practicing a new skill or technique.  This model has produced an active community of sea kayakers with diverse interests, whether it be those who enjoy relaxing day trips to more exciting adventures, weekend camping trips and international adventures.  We have managed to produce some pretty good paddlers, but more importantly, a strong community based on the shared interest of being out on the water.  One of the biggest benefits to being a member of NSPN is the willingness of others to help the community to continue to grow.

This winter, like many in the past, we will be offering workshops and events at no cost to members only because other members volunteer there time to make them happen.  However, in order for that to work, we need volunteers to step up and Pay It Forward to the community that has helped them get to where they are.  We expect to have a schedule of events posted soon, and hope to see both long time members and new members involved.

If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please send me or any of the other Directors a Private Message or email robert@NSPN.org.  Please include a quick paragraph stating why you want to be a Director or volunteer.  Any member of NSPN will be considered, no matter how long you have been a member of the club.  Please have any nominations submitted to me no later than December 1st, and feel free to ask me or any other board members if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Robert Folster PRESIDENT (rfolster)
Mike Habich TREASURER (mhabich)
Sue Hriciga (SueH.)
Nick Pearson (NPearson)
Jane Cobb (JaneC)

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