2020 Annual General Meeting

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This is the traditional time of year that the Board of Directors would be notifying you of the time and date of our Annual General Meeting. As we all know this past year has been unlike any other. Many activities have been curtailed due to health restrictions and some of those continue today. Pool sessions had to be cancelled this spring. In looking forward it seems uncertain that the club will be able to offer pool sessions again in the spring of 2021. Even the number of trips that were able to occur this year was severely curtailed as many areas were closed for much of the traditional paddling season.

The standard health guidelines that we have been directed to follow have made all of us apprehensive about participating in trips and presented additional challenges in being able to run them. On March 30, 2020 the Ontario Government enacted the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This act permits the suspension of many of the provisions regarding meetings that may be laid out in corporation by-laws. This has allowed other clubs such as The Bruce Trail Club, The Cedar Springs Ski Club, and the Halton Outdoor Club (ones that I have knowledge of) to hold AGMs without the participation of its members. GLSKA also can conduct the business of the AGM in the same manner without the participation of its members. This item was discussed by the Board Members at our recent meeting. Although this is possible there are those on the board that feel that the option of participating in the meeting by the members virtually should be offered provided there is enough interest.Typically there are two items that attending members are asked to vote on. Those are the acceptance of the financial report for the year and the voting of 3 directors to either a new or renewing term of two years.

For the most part these items have already been largely covered. The financials that are presented are the same as those unanimously approved by the board this week. The only significant difference is that by the time of the AGM these financials have been approved by an independent auditor. The current slate of Directors have agreed to have their terms extended by one year. This is very similar to the measure put forward by your Board to extend memberships one year. Therefore there will be no vote on Directors. Offering the AGM via Zoom is possible provided there is enough interest in participation. This years meeting will be simplified in some respects due to the restrictions Covid-19 has placed on all club actives. If the meeting is held with members there will be some distinct differences. As you might expect there will be no physical meeting, no socializing prior to the meeting, and no keynote speaker.

The meeting will be focused on the core business items of the AGM. The AGM meeting will occur on Thursday November 19th at 7:00pm. You are being asked to respond to this email if you wish to participate in a Zoom format meeting of the AGM. Please know that if you indicate that you wish to participate in the Zoom meeting you need to be firm in your commitment to participate. This is due to the fact that the logistics of running the meeting will be different and your board will have to proceed with the preparation of a formal presentation and reports (financial, membership numbers, Rendezvous, and trips).

Please respond to me via email (gardave@sympatico.ca) not via reply to Erwin, in the event that you wish to participate in a Zoom format of the AGM meeting on Thursday November 19th at 7:00pm. Do remember that your commitment needs to be firm otherwise you are subjecting the board to go to additional logistic measures that are wasted if you do not actually participate. The response to this email will be evaluated to determine the final format of the AGM.

Ralph Gardave

GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.