Highlights of June 29 Board Meeting
The CCA Board met virtually June 29. 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), Ginny DeSeau (Membership Director), Marilyn Jones (Treasurer), John Snitzer, Alf Cooley, Barb Brown, Tim Lapham, Grace Hassler, Risa Shimoda, Ed Gertler, Ryan Morrow, Rolando Arrieta, Peter Ryan
Chair's Report – Hugh
• Webmaster transition [see separate item in this Cruiser].
• Discussion about our website platform, ClubExpress, including considerations of cost and ease of use: We pay about $3,000 annually for Club Express, which includes monthly fees and transaction costs. ACTION: A subcommittee will research both ClubExpress and options, with consideration of costs, functionality, and our needs from a website, to include Risa (Chair), Marilyn, Grace, Rolo, and others. Risa will reach out to Susan and Laura to include them.
• Potomac Interceptor spill: [see separate item in this Cruiser] Hugh and Grace meet in a coordinated fashion with local groups under the umbrella of CLEAR Potomac.
• Proposed CCA Finances Policy: Hugh solicited input on the Board's proposed Finances Policy, which would:
- Raise membership dues [see separate item in this Cruiser].
- Establish that costs for specific classes or pool rolling should be lower for members than nonmembers.
- Encourage donations to support the general fund, costs of specific functions, or club priorities.
- Establish that the core purpose of our existing investment account be to serve as a reserve account to prepare for extraordinary events. The amount of reserves generally should be about the same as annual revenues/expenses.
Discussion was short and supportive.
• Great Falls Festival: The festival is Aug. 8. Volunteers will staff a CCA table, maybe with some outdoor games and activities. We will coordinate with Great Falls Foundation. ACTION: Risa, Ginny, and maybe Susan will lead our participation.
• Roster - Shout out to Dean Hawes for completion of the Roster!
Blockhouse Point update – John
[See discussion in the Chair's Cockpit in this Cruiser.]
Treasurer's Report - Marilyn
As of June 29, CCA's operating account has a balance of $10,915.15. Our bank savings account is $1,107.38. The balance of our brokerage account is $34,927.31. This fiscal year to date, the club's income has been $16,450.19. Expenses were $18,607.42. Net operating income is negative $2,157.23. Outside of normal operations, as of May 31, 2026, the brokerage account has earned $1,494.20 this fiscal year, and CCA has made $2,075 in donations. Our net income, which includes income and expenses related to club activities plus investment income and donations made by the club, is negative $2,738.03.
Trips and Events – Ryan and Rolo
Trips to the Upper Yough June 12, the Lower Yough June 13, and Stonycreek June 14 made for a great weekend for the participants.
In the diversity paddling program, BIPOC Breaking Barriers, we now have 12 participants for this introductory class scheduled for Aug. 8-9. Instructors are Courtney Smith (from North Carolina), Cortez McBerry, Ashley McEwan, and Rolando.
The Board approved Rolo's request that CCA contribute a total of $500 above the grant that Rolo secured for the program. The $500 CCA contribution is up from the previously approved $200 for the program's cost covering Courtney's travel expenses to DC and food for the two days. Additionally, CCA had also previously approved $100 for a scholarship to someone from City Kids; but City Kids responded saying they don't have the capacity to administer the scholarship application process so they asked if we could defer to next year. Therefore, the current request was for an increase of an additional $200 (for food) over the previously approved total of $300 (travel + scholarship), for the new total of $500.
Safety Committee – Tim
Tim is putting together a list of safety courses that are offered in the area. [See Tim's safety column in this Cruiser.] Tim is interested in putting together some "quick hit" scenario practices to take place at the end of trips. Everyone agreed this would be of great benefit and great fun.
Spring Fling – Lynn
The first annual Spring Fling was held on June 7 at Riley's Lock. It was a huge success. Over 50 people joined the CCA to celebrate summer, including many folks from Team River Runner. Many folks who haven't been seen in a while joined us along with a large number of kids. Games were enjoyed (rope toss, slack lines, cornhole, and others) along with family paddles in various watercraft on Seneca Creek. The event came in under $200 for the CCA, and many delicious dishes were contributed by spring flingers. Picnicking at the state park worked well. This event is a keeper. Notes for the future:
• Include a registration suggestion (not a requirement per se, but it would have been nice to have a feel for participant interest).
• Suggest food categories by last name alphabetically (reduce the cookies and watermelon contributions, though I do believe every last slice of watermelon was eaten).
• Either bring a grill or two or find a way to create air flow in the park grills for better cooking.
Next meeting: Aug 31.