Meet The Team

The Collingwood Paddling Club is a community-driven, not-for-profit organization steered by a passionate team of volunteers dedicated to the growth of our sports.

Organization

100% Volunteer-Run Not-For-Profit

Elections

Board members are elected annually.

Open Positions

Yes! We are currently looking to fill several vital roles.

Steering the Club Forward

As a not-for-profit community organization, the Collingwood Paddling Club relies entirely on the hard work and dedication of our volunteer Board of Directors.

Our board oversees every aspect of the club’s operations – from ensuring our programs meet Canoe Kayak Canada’s strict safety standards, to managing the maintenance of the historic Watts Boathouse, to organizing community regattas and fundraising events. Each member brings a unique set of skills, but we all share one common goal: to positively impact Collingwood by promoting safe, inclusive, and competitive paddling on the South Georgian Bay.

Discipline Representatives

To ensure that every type of paddler has a voice, our board includes dedicated “Discipline Representatives.” Whether you are a sprint kayaker, a long-distance marathon paddler, or part of the Sidelaunchers dragon boat crew, you have a specific representative on the board advocating for your program’s needs!

Each summer, positions are hired for a General Manager and Camp Counsellors to support the delivery of our seasonal programs and daily operations. These roles are responsible for managing summer programming, including the Youth Racing Program and Summer Paddling Camps, supervising operations at Watts Boathouse, maintaining equipment, and assisting with the promotion of programs and community engagement initiatives.

Current Board of Directors

Executive Board

Position	Name
Flag Officer / Commodore	Laura Clemenhagen
First Vice Flag Officer	Doug Moles
Second Vice Flag Officer	VACANT - We Need You!
Treasurer	VACANT - We Need You!
Secretary	Betty Farquharson
Registrar & Safe Sport Director	Carrie Dyson
Communications	VACANT - We Need You!
Equipment & Facilities Director	VACANT - We Need You!
Sponsorship	Peter Hodgson
Fundraising	Sharon McCormick
Vice Commodore	John Millar

Discipline Reps

Program Represented	Representative Name
Dragon Boat Representative	Amy Shannon
Marathon Representative	Peter Braul
Sprint Representative	Peter Hodgson
Masters Representative	Kelly Dory

Step Up and Shape the Club's Future

Notice a few “VACANT” tags on our roster? We are actively looking for passionate community members to fill these vital roles!

You do not need to be an Olympic-level paddler to serve on the board. We need people with skills in finance (Treasurer), organization (Equipment & Facilities), and marketing (Communications). If you want to make a lasting impact on youth athletics and community health in Collingwood, we would be thrilled to have you on the team.

Board of Directors FAQs

Are the Board of Directors paid?

No. The Collingwood Paddling Club is a not-for-profit, and our board members are 100% unpaid volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise to keep the club running.

How do I contact a specific board member?

You can reach the board by emailing our general inbox at cdbccinfo@gmail.com. Just put the position title (e.g., “Attn: Registrar” or “Attn: Commodore”) in the subject line, and we will ensure it gets routed to the correct person!

How often does the board meet?

The board typically meets mostly virtually once a month to discuss club operations, finances, event planning, and program developments.

What does a Discipline Representative do?

Discipline Reps act as the bridge between their specific program (like Dragon Boat or Masters) and the executive board. They ensure their athletes’ needs regarding equipment, coaching, and regatta scheduling are heard and addressed.

How do I apply for paid summer position with the club?

Applications for summer positions are typically accepted early in the new year. Please check the website regularly for posting dates and application details.

We hire for positions including General Manager and Camp Counsellors. Applicants should ideally be at least two years older than the campers they would supervise, and at least 80% of staff at each program site must be 16 years of age or older.

Preferred qualifications and experience include:

National Lifesaving Society Lifeguard certification
Boat Licence
Kayak experience
NCCP coaching experience
Camp experience
Strong swimming ability and first aid qualifications

Applications without lifeguarding qualifications may still be considered if applicants can demonstrate significant on-water kayaking experience along with strong swimming and first aid skills.

Interested in Joining the Board?

Think you would be a great fit for one of our vacant positions, or want to shadow a current board member to see what it’s like? Reach out today!