Here are role descriptions for SKABC club officers. This draft document is only available to Exec members since it is still in development. The descriptions have been pulled together from various sources over the past several years. If you have additions or changes please submit them by email to webmanager2@skabc.org
President
This position is a director position as required by the the SKABC Constitution
Chair Annual Meetings, Executive Meetings, Club Meetings, and Extraordinary Meetings
Direct internal and external inquiries to the appropriate committee chair or Executive
Ensure that Club functions and actions are consistent with the constitution and bylaws
Receive and respond to communiques from the club members and outside parties
Establish Standing Committees or Special Committees as required
Ensure that signed waiver documents are maintained through the club website
Cause a review of official club policy documents in conjunction with the Secretary, Safety Officer, and the appropriate Executive or Committee Chair.
Be present at club functions to greet new members and be available to the membership for questions or discussion
Promote the association
Duties as noted in SKABC ByLaws
42 (1) The President presides at all meetings of the association and of the directors.
The president is chief executive officer of the Association and must supervise all other officers in the execution of their duties.
Functional Duties:
receive receive and respond to inquiries from within and outside of the Association
establish special committees as required to conduct club business
act as point of escalation when club activities or practices appear to conflict, and facilitate resolution that maintains overall association interests
Additional Notes
Initiate and manage strategic planning activities
Vice President
Assist the president as needed. This position is usually a director position, as the Vice-President needs to be able to act as proxy for President.
Secretary
This position is a director position as required by the the SKABC Constitution
Executive Meetings
- Two weeks in advance of each executive meeting, the secretary emails notification of the upcoming meeting and requests that suggestions for agenda items be submitted to the secretary no later than 1 week in advance of the meeting.
- After receiving the new items for the agenda, the secretary prepares a draft agenda based on unfinished business from the previous meeting and the new items received from executive members.
- The secretary emails the draft agenda to the president.
- For virtual meetings, the secretary obtains a link to the meeting.
- The president reviews and modifies the agenda and emails it directly to all executive members. Executive members should receive the agenda at least one day prior to the meeting but, preferably, at least three days prior.
- The secretary sends a reminder of the executive meeting 2-3 days before the meeting. This should include the meeting link for virtual meetings and the agenda if it has been finalized but not sent already.
- The secretary records the minutes of the executive meeting, including all attendees.
- At the executive meeting, additional items may be added to the agenda, at the discretion of the executive members attending.
- After the meeting, the secretary sends a draft of the minutes to all executive members to review and requests that any errors and omissions be reported to the secretary within one week.
- After receiving comments, the secretary amends the minutes.
- The secretary sends the final version of the minutes to all members of the executive.
- After approval of the minutes by the executive (normally at the next meeting), the web manager posts the minutes on the SKABC website.
Directors Meetings
A directors meeting may be called by the president or any two directors, usually for specific purposes.
- The duties of the secretary with respect to a directors meeting are similar to those for executive meetings, except that the secretary would not solicit additional agenda items, unless the initiators of the meeting so requested.
- If a confidential matter is discussed by the directors, the subject should be included in the minutes but no confidential details. If no decision is made, little information need be reported.
Club Meetings (except AGM)
- No duties.
AGM
- About 1 month in advance of the AGM, the secretary requests that annual reports be submitted to the secretary 1-2 weeks prior to the AGM.
- Three weeks in advance of the AGM, the secretary emails notification of the AGM to all members. Include any extraordinary resolutions in the notice. The procedure for emailing all members is described on the SKABC website under Exec: Website Procedures: Sending an Email Blast. By law, members must be given at least 2 weeks notice of the AGM.
- At least one week prior to the AGM, the secretary prepares a draft agenda and emails it to the president.
- The president reviews and modifies the agenda and sends it back to the secretary.
- The secretary assembles the reports and agenda and sends them to the web master, who posts them on the website.
- About 3 days prior to the AGM, the secretary emails a reminder of the meeting to all club members and, if it is a virtual meeting, a link to the meeting.
- The secretary records the minutes of the AGM.
- After the meeting, the secretary sends a draft of the minutes to all executive members to review and requests that any errors and omissions be reported to the secretary within one week.
- After receiving comments, the secretary amends the minutes.
- The secretary sends the final version of the minutes to all members of the executive.
- The web manager posts the minutes on the SKABC website labeled as a draft.
- After final approval of the minutes at the next AGM, the web manager re-posts them on the SKABC website with the draft label removed.
Treasurer
This position is a director position as required by the the SKABC Constitution
Duties as noted in SKABC ByLaws
Prepare annual financial statements for presentation at the AGM
Maintain all financial records of the Association
Prepare annual budget
Filing annual report as per Societies Act
Maintain bank accounts of the Association
Cause financial audits as required
Notes;
- In 2011 the Secretary took over the Societies Act annual report filing (previously listed under Secretary's duties)
- Financial audits, if required, are expensive and should called for by decision of the President or Directors only if irregularities are suspected. A financial overview is part of our standing policies - another club member with financial background is invited to peruse all of the Treasurer's records to see if in her/his opinion the procedures are adequate and business-like.
In 2017 a second position was added as bookkeeper / assistant Treasurer -does monthly bank reconciliation, reports from Quicken, financial statements.
Regular Duties;
Preparation of financial reports for each Exec meeting, including;
Bank reconciliation
Stripe or Paypal account reconciliation, setup, transfers, disputes
Issuing cheques or electronic transfers to reimburse claimed expenses
Depositing funds in the bank accounts
Managing bank funds and term deposits
Preparation of reports for financial statements
Maintain complete paper trail for all transactions
Monitor expenses compared to budget and report any issues
Annual duties:
“Consent to act as director” form – get signatures and personal information from all directors - also required by PayPal from 2019.
Update signing officers at the bank as needed -usually after the AGM- first pass motion to authorize the singing officers and revoke all others, then submit to bank, then significant coordination required for each new signing officer to report in person to bank with ID
Prepare the budget, with input from the rest of the Exec, at or near the beginning of the financial year
Review insurance policy with the Executive, and negotiate changes as required, ensure continuity of coverage, request certificates or other documents to prove insurance coverage for facility rentals.
Report social events to insurer in advance of the event
Pay meeting place rental fees
Financial report for AGM
Co-ordinate the financial review
Duties to get started;
Receive all records, account information, passwords from outgoing Treasurer
Become a signing officer for the bank accounts
Obtain a “deposit only” atm card, bank card
Get set up as new account owner with the club's payment gateway - this is not straightforward with Paypal. We are switching to Stripe in 2019 to hopefully make this a simpler process.
Software used;
Quicken 2009 for accounting (owned by skabc)
Excel spreadsheet for financial reports and Stripe or Paypal reports downloads
Programs
The Programs Coordinator will be referred to as “Programs” in this description.
Functional duties:
1. With input from others, both club members and sources outside of SKABC, Programs sets the content and books presenters for the monthly general meetings in Sept, October, January to June.
2. July and August general meeting dates may be scheduled outdoor events and may include paddles, skill practices and/or picnics.
3. Presentations should be relevant to the activity of sea kayaking and can include information on safety and skills, trip presentations, environmental issues, and so forth.
4. Topics should be of interest to a large proportion of the membership.
5. Programs introduces and thanks the presenter (s).
6. A small token of appreciation such as a card or very modest gift may be given to the presenter.
7. At the discretion of Programs, the club may reimburse the presenter for travel or other expenses incurred for the purpose of the presentation to SKABC.
8. The Board/Executive sets an annual budget with input from Programs
9. A description of each month's topic is provided by Programs for the website and club emails.
10. This can be a shared position. One representative of Programs should be present at monthly Executive meetings, held each month except for December and July.
Membership
Oversee the online registration process
Send out welcome letters
Provide periodic reports to executive
Attend club meetings to answer questions and hand out nametags
Attend executive meetings
Maintain and cause yearly review of membership forms, waiver forms, and association information documents.
Respond to occasional inquiries from prospective members
Coordinate and/or lead initiatives to address membership concerns, and identify opportunities to promote the club.
Social Committee
Organize annual social events for club members. Typically these events include:
- Spring Fling, a social event combined with a day paddle that is coordinated with the Trips Committee
- July Locarno picnic and August Locarno picnic
- Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
- Christmas Party
Tasks include booking facilities, recruiting volunteers to assist, and organizing refreshments. Prepare budget and record expenses.
Announce events at monthly meetings, and provide write-ups for the Communications Officer and Web Committee.
Shop for and provide snacks for monthly club meetings.
Attend monthly executive meetings to provide planning updates and participate in other executive discussions.
Library Committee Head
The librarian arrives early and brings the books from their storage location to the meeting and returns them later, tracks books out and in, updates the records as books/DVDs are added. They select books and DVDs add them to the Library. The librarian will periodically cull out of date books and arrange for their sale or donation. They report to the executive periodically as to the state of the library.
Webmanager
- Partners with the Communications Officer and Social Media Officer to coordinate the different avenues of communication to members (email, social media, website, etc.).
- Updates the website with the latest information on club activities.
- Ensures that the website is backed-up and that all necessary security updates are installed.
- Renews website hosting and domain name annually.
- Manages email forwarding for the executive through the hosting interface.
- Organizes and manages a Web Committee to develop the website and assist the club's executive officers in using the website collaboratively.
- Trains the Communications Officer to use email functions and templates within WordPress.
- Assists the club’s executive officers in posting events and news updates on the website.
- Monitors membership renewal functionality in coordination with the Membership Officer.
- Oversee the member forums on the website.
- This role requires intermediate/advanced skills in WordPress.
Communications
- Partners with the Webmanager and Social Media Officer to coordinate the different avenues of communication to members (email, social media, website, etc.).
- Collects content, organizes and sends out periodic email updates - Monthly Newsletter, Mid-Month Update, Ad-hoc Messages - using a WordPress template.
- Sends out email reminders of monthly and other meetings & events.
- Is a member of the Web Committee
Safety Officer
- Promote safe kayaking practices in the Association.
- Oversee safety procedures for SKABC including First Aid Kit committee.
- Cause review official club policy documents in conjunction with the Secretary and appropriate Executive Chair.
- Receive Trip and Incident reports. Maintain record of Incident Reports.
- Produce or locate safety articles, find safety products, present safety products at club meetings.
- Talk about safety issues at club meetings.
- Encourage safety related training activities.
- Engages with the Training/Workshops Officer to deliver safety related workshops as requested by the membership.
Training Officer
SKABC’s vision for training is to have an effective, consistent and leading edge training system that puts safety first and foremost and ensures enjoyment for all levels while caring for the planet.
SKABC has nine core courses developed by the club and offered each year. Also, members volunteer to deliver specialty topic sessions and from time to time we make arrangements for courses with external providers.
While club members provide the instruction and coordinate individual courses, the training coordinator oversees the budget and the planning, scheduling and booking of courses for the season. Course related responsibilities include ensuring courses are posted on the website and regularly updated during the busy months, identifying qualified instructors, providing the lead instructor with originals of course handouts, ensuring the course coordinator has the necessary information to handle registrations, collecting participant and instructor feedback, approving expenses and monitoring the training budget.
In addition to the monthly club and executive meetings, the time commitment is heaviest from March through early June when most courses are running and may require 2-4 hours each month. The majority of scheduling and bookings is normally completed in January and early February and takes 5-10 hours over that period depending on the courses and options available. During the rest of the year, some off season courses may be offered but the work involved is limited.
Trips Officer
- Oversee the Trip Planning Committee which schedules club trips for the paddling season
- Identify qualified trip leaders and encourage them to lead club trips
- Organize a trip planning meeting ahead of the paddling season
- Ensure trips are posted on the website and regularly updated during the busy months
- Cause annual review of trip policies in the SKABC Policies and Procedures Handbook, and also the trips guidelines posted on the website. Revise as needed in conjunction with the President, Safety Officer and appropriate Executive.
- Attend monthly Club Executive meetings and report periodically.
Calendar of activities:
Ongoing:
- Attend monthly Executive meetings and report periodically.
- Submit Trips content for newsletter. Include a list of upcoming trips where registration is opening soon and that still have space for participants.
- Review "Trips menu" content and Trips "Policies and Procedures" on website annually or as needed in collaboration with appropriate Executive officers.
Winter:
- Recruit Trips Committee. Include a Web Team member who will be posting the trips.
- Initiate Trips Committee meeting. Group discusses goals for the year and plans the first Trip Leader meeting. - Get input on creating a Trip Leader email list for the season (make sure to check the Volunteer list).
- Submit budget requests to Treasurer (pizza, room rental, any campsite subsidies)
- Plan Trip Leader rescue practices for Spring and Fall.
- Email Trip Leaders about the upcoming meeting, rescue practice dates, and also encourage them to submit their trips for the coming season through the Web Form. Ask them to let you know if they'd like to be taken off the email list.
- Initiate In-person Trip Leader meeting. Include planning specific destinations and dates, an education component, and handout Launch Site Checklist laminates (and first aid kits?) to any new leaders.
- Vet the trip proposals as they come in by email. Keep track of any unapproved trips or those who need an assistant leader. Consult or meet with Trips Committee as needed to vet leaders. Trips Committee members follow up with individuals with cautions about destinations or requirements to have an assistant. Goal is for committee members to help volunteers make the proposed trips happen safely. Let Web Team know when each trip is approved and they'll complete the posting process.
Spring and Summer:
- Receive Trip Reports and make notes on anything you'd like to discuss or debrief with individuals or Trips Committee or Trip Leader meetings. Consult Safety Officer or Executive as needed.
- Receive emails about cancelled registrations and changes to Trip listings. Forward to Web Team. Option to have access to make your own updates - discuss with webmaster.
- With help of Trips Committee, organize Zoom Trip Leader meeting in May or June to debrief Spring Trips and try to fill in the calendar for late summer.
Fall:
- Trip Leader meeting to debrief season. Gather ideas for winter goal setting and planning. Could be by Zoom in conjunction with a Volunteer Appreciation event.
- Write up season recap for Annual General Meeting. It is recommended that it include a list of trips that happened and names of leaders.
Conservation, Parks, and Marine Trails Officer
Promotes SKABC's conservation goals. Flows information from outside groups to members via our website, newsletter, and club meetings.
The club's conservation goals are to:
- Promote sound ecological practices by our members and awareness of the impact of our activities on our surroundings.
- Provide information to members to enhance their appreciation of the marine environment.
- Provide input to governments when they formulate environmental, legal or other policies that affect access to or the ecological sustainability of the marine environment.
- Advocate for the protection of existing marine protected areas and for the creation of additional protected areas to ensure the sustainability of BC's unique marine ecosystems
As an open-ended position I have chosen to flow information from the many conservation & marine park groups to members via our web site. I have put myself on the participation lists of relevant groups such as the Georgia Strait Alliance, Nature Conservancy, Shore Line Cleanup, the Vancouver Aquarium, as well as municipal, provincial and federal groups such as the National Marine Conservation Area group, Gulf Islands National Park, the provincial BC Marine Trails Network group, and the district of North Vancouver with the Indian Arm Provincial Park Draft Management Plan in conjunction with the Tsleil-Waututh Band.
Time demands can be flexible but have included, generally, the monthly SKABC executive meetings, and monthly meetings with at least one of the relevant groups such as the BC Marine Trails Team in Nanaimo. One has to be open to about 10-20 emails per month which require some action.
In general it is a wonderful volunteer job which allows one to interface with all members of SKABC and with a wide group of ecology/conservancy-minded groups in BC.
Howe Sound Site Steward
Coordinates efforts to maintain 6 campsites in Howe Sound. Manages annual budget for maintenance and recommends improvements.
Outreach and Promotions
Coordinates club participation in outside events such as MEC Club Night, Paddlefest, Reel Paddling Film Festival and Big Brothers and Big Sisters paddle. Initiates getting an event on the club calendar, getting a committee together, and publicizing it to make it happen.
Member at Large
Attends Executive meetings and assists Executive with projects when needed.
Director at Large
Serves as a Director. Usually a past executive officer and long-time club member. Attends Executive meetings and assists Executive with projects when needed.
Past President
Previous year's president serving as a mentor on the Executive Committee.