Submitted by Eric Boros November 23, 2025
I am honoured to deliver my fourth President’s report outlining our achievements of the last year. Capturing the countless hours of thankless work put forth by our volunteer Board of Directors is a challenging task. I continue to be inspired by the thought and consideration that goes into everything we do, and extend my sincere gratitude to:
- Kevin Bradshaw Vice President
- Faroe Des Roches Treasurer
- Danielle Lacasse Secretary
- Nathan Slater Member at Large
- Dan Smetaniuk Member at Large
- Rob Watson Member at Large
- Austin Wilson Member at Large
I would like to thank our Executive Director, Janette Galan, for her ongoing dedication and hard work in keeping our organization afloat and on course, to use appropriate nautical terminology as is customary in reports presented to kayakers. I also thank Amy Stewart for her service as Membership Coordinator; we wish her the best of luck in her future projects and hope to see her out on the water here in BC. Finally, I would like to thank Laurel Archer and the entire Certification Committee for their collective expertise and commitment to navigating the occasionally choppy waters we put them in.
Revised Mission and Vision Statements
Mission: We support sea kayak guides, the guiding profession and community through training, certification, professional development, and professional standards.
Vision: To sustain a community of professionals who build meaningful relationships with people, land, and water by fostering a culture of responsibility, expertise, mentorship, and learning.
Strategic Plan Implementation
These revised statements more accurately reflect our current positioning and align with the goals outlined in our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. This plan continues to serve as a chart to where we are and where we are headed, and we plan to consult with Frank Atnikov of Frank Growth Solutions again in the new year to ensure we meet our objectives as prioritized.
To stratify the goals of the Strategic Plan and build cohesion, the Board continues to organize an annual social in Paris of the Island, Nanaimo. These in-person meetings are crucial for team-building and collaboration, resulting in more effective work on behalf of our organization. I look forward to another meeting this year to discuss the strategic plan's implementation and spend time with this amazing group of people.
Our Board remains committed to training and development, once again participating in courses such as the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning and workshops with Volunteer Victoria.
We continue to engage with our partners, maintaining our membership with the Outdoor Council of Canada, supporting the work of BC Marine Trails by providing memberships to our guide members, and consulting on the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) Whale-Safe Boating Course, which is now available and was featured as part of our Fall Exchange
Exchanges
Our Spring Exchange was organized in the virtual blended format, with online, self-directed, and on-water workshops. Although we had intended to organize an in-person Fall Exchange, we were unable to secure a venue and made the last-minute pivot to a full-online Exchange, providing the opportunity for our members to extend their Ongoing Training credits for two years while expanding our workshop topics. Our goal is to offer the virtual blended format every third Exchange, ensuring that we continue to foster a strong and resilient community while providing accessible and diverse opportunities for ongoing training.
Completed Projects
- Finalization of our Intoxication Policy
- Streamlining our non-compliance reporting process
- Development of resources on the right to refuse unsafe work
- Updating our Low Impact Best Practices, specifically concerning effective food caching and wildlife interactions, as requested by guides and operators working in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
- Raising exam fees to ensure the sustainability and frequency of exam dates
- Formalizing our HR Committee and positions
- Review and decision to forgo corporate membership
- Approving the application for a Yellowknife AOG course
- Participation in a Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park Allies video of support
Ongoing Projects
- Continued updates and additions to the Member Benefits Program
- Revisions to the Guide Days Logging Policy
- Navigating the new WorkSafeBC First Aid regulations
- Implementation of an annual fee payment schedule
Upcoming Projects
- Guide Technical Manual updates
- Reviewing and rewriting written exams
- Development of an AI Use Plan to ensure ethical use and disclosure
- Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan
Once again, I would like to formally extend my gratitude to our Guides, Guide Trainers and Examiners for their professionalism and dedication. I am honoured to be a member of this community and to continue serving our organization.
Sincerely, Eric Boros
SKGABC President