Date: July 7th, 2010
Location: Kevin Jordan's Pad
Attendees: Jared, Vinny, Ryan, Natasha, Lam, Margery, Emilia, Bart, Bart, Sullivan, Shad, Kevin
Meeting called to order at 7:09pm
Trip Reports
John Swett High School, June 19-20, Kings River
Flow was mid-5000cfs
Good river for participant trips!
Emilia led an environmental scavenger hunt
Significant surf and swims at Mule Rock on Sunday
No one was hurt, but many were scared. We continued down river and spirits picked up.
Lengthy discussion about methods to prevent and respond to on-river incidents.
Oakland High School Environmental Science Academy, June 26-27, Trinity River
Flow was 2000 from Lewiston Dam, plus significant side-stream accumulation
ICO volunteers were great. Special thanks to Torn for helping out with food!
Mosquitoes were very bad
Water was cold, but few wore wetsuits.
Swimmers at Hell Hole.
It is not washed out at this flow.
Swimmers were rescued quickly.
Mis-communication and disagreement with Rangers.
Rangers want groups capped at 30, and advanced notice that large groups are coming.
Our group was near 40, so they asked us to split into two flotillas
There were misunderstandings about how the two flotillas worked out.
Kevin called on Monday to "smooth things over."
Trinity Adventure Park (commercially-owned take-out) wants Certificate of Insurance to use the take-out.
Shad attended the National Youth Outdoor Summit in New York City.
Two-day Youth summit to discuss how to get the next generation of Youth comfortable outdoors.
500 youth from across the country
First time event
Information collected was sent to Obama Admin, Outdoor equipment manufacturers, and others.
Standard Operating Procedures
The Steering Committee has been formed. It has 15 members.
Next steps: polish and clarification
Chairs call for volunteer to lead that effort.
Ryan Clark volunteers
Lengthy discussion about how ideas mature and progress.
Specific Policies
Off-river volunteers. Mentioned, not discussed.
Untrained on-river volunteers
SOPs do not directly address this.
Margery, as Volunteer Coorindator, would like to be involved in developing the policy.
There were many concerns (fairness, safety, liability, cohesiveness, cost, vetting, fit, roles, responsibilities) about this among those present.
Chairs are concerned as there is a person (sponsored by a TL) volunteering in this capacity now.
After lengthy discussion, consensus of those present is that he should not continue in this capacity.
Margery will follow up with this person and the Steering Committee.
Guide Application
Some feel process is too cumbersome for well-experienced ATAs.
Difficult to get South Fork check-offs when many Spring trips are away from the South Fork.
Methods to streamline the process
"Trust & Verify" -- commercial method
Significantly expand set of rapids, and require only a subset.
Need to have better mentorship of ATAs
Margery will work with Caroline (Mentor Coordinator) on pairing mentors with ATAs.
Many assert that current process is satisfactory and prudent.
Wide range of skills of ATA applicants.
In the long term, consider per-river checkoffs.
Flip requirement. Safety and practicality concerns.
Intentionally flip with participants?
Demonstrate in moving water?
Swiftwater Rescue (SWR) Update
Right now commercials guides are not required to have SWR
El Dorado County is considering requiring SWR for commercial guides. This decision has not happened yet, but is considered imminent.
El Dorado County is also, separately, considering requiring SWR for institutional guides (that's us).
Fundraiser Trip
“Time to start thinking about a fundraiser trip.” –Jared
Last year we raised over $7000 on two fundraiser trips.
Jared wants to try the FOR model.
Two-day, higher-end trip on the Tuolumne.
Include guest speakers, environmental programs, and trip enrichment.
Jared is looking for ideas for guest speakers, evening programs, and general trip enrichment.
Also offer one-day South Fork trip.
Open Dates: 8/28-8/29, 9/4 – 9/6, 10/2 – 10/3.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.
Post-meeting addendum: We currently have 43 fully-compliant guides!
Notes by Ryan Clark