Governance | Alberta Whitewater Association

AWA Vision

Exceptional Whitewater & Paddle Sports Experiences

AWA Mission Statement

The Alberta Whitewater Association connects, develops and advocates for whitewater and paddle sports across Alberta.

Board

The Board of Directors blends both Operational and Governance styles to fulfill their mandate to manage the affairs of the Association. Meetings are held via electronic mediums once a month or as necessary for the committees.

The AWA maintains a balance of revenues to fund its operations. Government funding accounts for 35% of the annual operating budget of $150,000. Casino revenues and donations make up 30% and program fees and memberships account for the remaining 35%. The disciplines of slalom and canoe polo have similar financial profiles.

The AWA’s membership consists of individual paddlers that can join the Association independently and members that join through a paddling club. Only paddling clubs have voting rights within the AWA. There are 18 paddling clubs in Alberta scattered from the Crowsnest Pass to the Slave River and Grande Prairie to Lethbridge across all 8 zones.

Sport Governance Model.pdf

AWA & Discplines v2015.pdf

AWA Board & Staff

AWA Board

Board Roles

President
Sara Jordan

Sara surfing skookumchuck

Vice President
M atthew Corbet

Treasurer
Jamie Hennessey

Secretary
Darrel Wiebe

Director of Facilities & Environment
Andrew Dowman

Director Marketing & Communication
Simon Gibson

Director of Paddler Development
Mark Taylor

Director - Recreation

Director - Safe Sport
Jocelyn Peters

Discipline Chairs

Slalom Representative
J effrey Boyd

Freestyle Representative
Brandon Willms

Canoe Polo Representative
Brad Stone

AWA Staff

Executive Director
Michael Holroyd

Mike at Harvie

ASCK (Alberta Slalom Canoe Kayak) Head Coach

Jordi Cadena

Safety and Welcome Coordinator
Lori Davis

Profile Pic - Lori / Canoe Polo

River Safety Program Coordinator

Elissa McColl

Elissa Kayaking

The AWA Annual General Meeting is held in February. Check the Events calendar for the exact date or email for more information.The AWA Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month, via e-conference / phone. If members have anything they would like brought up at a board meeting, please email Mike Holroyd, Executive Director.

Meeting Minutes

Monthly meeting minutes will be posted here once approved:

May 17, 2021

Bylaws

The Alberta Whitewater Association was incorporated on June 6, 1972 and has been an active Not-for-Profit Society in Alberta in good standing since that time. Attached are the most recent bylaws of the Association that govern the Association's activities.

ByLaws - AWA 2014 filed.pdf

AWA Bylaw cover page.pdf

Some of the highlights from the Bylaws:

There are 3 classes of membership (Clubs, Individuals, Commercial Enterprises) The Clubs are the only voting members
An Annual General Meeting must be held before March 30 each year. Notice of the AGM must be sent out 21 days prior to the members.
Quorum at the AGM shall be 25% of the Voting Members. If Quorum is not present within 60 minutes of the set time, the meeting will proceed with the members present.
The Board of Directors govern and manage the affairs of the Society. The Board includes the Executive Committee:
- President (elected in even years)
- Vice President (elected in odd years)
- Secretary (elected in even years)
- Treasurer (elected in odd years)

and the Directors responsible for:

Communications and Marketing (elected in even years)
Facilities and Environment (elected in odd years)
Education and Leadership (elected in even years)
Recreation Development (elected in even years)
Director at Large (elected in odd years)

and a Discipline Director from:

Canoe Polo (appointed by Alberta Canoe Polo Assoc.)
Freestyle (appointed by Alberta Freestyle Kayak Assoc)
Slalom (appointed by Alberta Slalom Canoe Kayak Assoc)

Board Meetings shall be held each month at a time and date determined by the Board
Meetings may be held by conference call or in person
A majority of Board Members or Committee Members present at a meeting constitutes a quorum
Meetings are open to any Members of the Society, but only Board members are eligible to vote. Members are only permitted to participate in a discussion when invited to do so.

Vision and Mission Statement

Vision

Exceptional Whitewater & Paddle Sports Experiences

Mission Statement

The Alberta Whitewater Association connects, develops and advocates for whitewater and paddle sports across Alberta.

Current Strategic Plan

As part of our responsibility as a Provincial Sport Governing Organization (PSO) the Alberta Whitewater Association generates an annual 3 year Strategic Plan each year.

AWA 2021-2026 Strategic Plan

AWA SP 2019-2021.pdf