Minutes – GLSKA AGM 2025

by

Great Lakes Sea Kayaking Association
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on
Saturday November 22, 2025

Port Credit Memorial Arena
40 Stavebank Road N., Mississauga ON L5G 2T8

 

Board Members Present: Ralph Gardave (Chair), Victoria Best (Treasurer), Ken Chorel (Director and Membership Co-ordinator), Wolfram Esser (Director and Trip Coordinator)

Absent Lori Clancy (Secretary)

10:30 – 12:00 a.m. -Pre-meeting Social.  Twenty -six GLSKA members and the guest speaker, Al Pace attended. Jon Brouwer from TRAK Pilot assembled a TRAK 2 kayak.  

12:30 p.m. Al Pace Presentation – Al gave a presentation focussed on changes that he has observed in his 40 years of guiding trips in the Arctic.  

1:15   General Meeting was called to order and Ralph Gardave welcomed participants to the 2025 GLSKA GM on behalf of the board. 

Review of the minutes of the 2024 AGM meeting and business arising from these minutes

Review of an action item to explore marketing opportunities at outdoor adventure shows. This was reviewed but cost of getting a table or booth at such shows was found to be expensive and not worthwhile for a club our size. Previous participation in such shows has not attracted a significant number of new members.

Motion to accept minutes of 2024 AGM … Jean-Louis Poulin, seconded by Fayyaz Mahmood.

Presidents Report – Ralph Gardave

Ralph mentioned that membership had grown and highlighted that the club is in a solid financial position. Rendezvous at Killbear was successful.  On the whole, club members participated in a variety of trips.

Treasurer’s Report – Victoria Best

Victoria presented GLSKA’s Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Accounting is done on a cash basis, so the balance sheet only shows assets.  Liabilities are not reported.  Income and expenses both increased and net loss of $712. Loss is attributed to unexpected expenses for Rendezvous at Killbear. There were also unfilled spots in the Barrie Pool sessions. Web cost expenses also increased due to a domain name registration fee (which occurs every 3 years). Closing bank balance for the year was $9,977.  

The statements were reviewed by Jack Stoddart. A motion to approve the statements as presented was made by Marci and seconded by Jean-Louis Poulin.   

Membership Committee – Ken Chorel

Membership increased by roughly 15% in 2025, closing at 140 memberships and 161 total members, versus 122 / 138 in the prior year.

Of the 122 memberships in 2024, 27 (22%) did not renew for 2025. This turnover is lower than typical, and was more than offset by 34 new memberships as well as 10 returning memberships. Roughly half of GLSKA memberships reside in G TA. An additional 30% (36) residing in remainder of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Only 20% (24) reside further away.

Rendezvous Committee – Victoria Best

The new campsite booking process for 2025 resulted in some extra costs as compared to 2024. Skills workshops were led by instructors from Ontario Sea Kayaking Centre. Due to park rules, no professional entertainment is allowed, however, a member-led jam session was very entertaining and successful. Anticipated dates for the2026 Rendezvous are June 5-7, 2026. The system for booking of campsites will be similar to 2025.

Georgian Bay Report – Victoria Best

Victoria commented that GLSKA continues to offer financial support to the Outer Island Project by donating to the Georgian Bay Biosphere Charity.  A map is available that illustrates locations of thunderboxes: 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1_XiOaAbyut-ryCDZwY4HzZ1OUhwH_0k&femb=1&ll=45.325778856222676%2C-80.51971639043512&z=9 

Trip Committee – Wolfram Esser

There were 14 multi-day trips, and 2 day trips completed in 2025, with an additional 4 trips cancelled for various reasons. These trips accounted for 69 offered days on the water; 290 participant days (excluding pool sessions). Recognition and thanks to all 2025 trip organizers, with special shout-out to 4 new trip organizers in 2025: Caroline Rogers, Dmitriy Levchenkov, Sergey Strakhov and Tracy Cook. 

An updated float plan, in Excel format, is available on the GLSKA website.  New procedures in 2026 require trip organizers to submit participant names and cancellations after each trip. GLSKA is always seeking more trip organizers and finding ways to encourage new trip leaders to organize trips possibly with an experienced trip organizer/leader to get comfortable. 

Web Site Update – Fayyaz Mahmood

Website forms are now used for all financial transactions with members including: membership payments, pool session payment, and Rendezvous payments. The process for posting trips and issuing trip announcements is now more efficient and easier. The following functions are now automated:

  • Email blast for trip announcements
  • Posting of trips/events to website
  • Addition of trips to the Google Calendar.

There are two ongoing expenses to maintain the website.  The hosting company is on a 3-year contract cycle, and domain registration is on a 2-year cycle.

There was some discussion about some members not receiving any communications from GLSKA — no acknowledgement of having joined/renewed/making payments.  They also did not receive any trip announcements. It has not determined whether the issue lies on the sending end or the receiving end.

Social Media report – Jean-Louis Poulin 

GLSKA has had a Facebook presence for some time and is developing a presence on Instagram and YouTube, through certain members. Facebook and Instagram can be used to direct traffic to the website. Facebook can also be a way to allow communication between members.

General

There was discussion of the possibility of delivering club communications by SMS (text) in place of, or in addition to, email. An option could be presented to members when they join/renew, as to their preference. Dmitriy and Fayyaz agreed to look into what might be possible. Fayyaz and Dmitriy have set up and run trials since the general meeting.  Their success and progress was sent to board members via email. SMS services would incur a cost of approximately $20 per month and a telephone number.

Election Of New Directors – Ralph Gardave

Ralph confirmed that he was standing for re-election, but announced that this would be his final term. Ralph asked if any members present would be interested in joining the board. Karol Kisielewski indicated his interest. Ralph announced that Karol Kisielewski would therefore stand for election in place of Ken Chorel, and called for a vote. Members voted in favour of the new board:

Raph Gardave – Chair.                       Wolfram Esser – Director and Trip Co-ordinator

Karol Kisielweski– Director               Victoria Best – Treasurer

Lori Clancy – Secretary                       Lisa Li – Director 

Adjournment

At 3:08 Jean-Louis Poulin made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Fayyaz Mahmood seconded the motion.  Ralph thanked the members for their attendance.

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.