Spencer Muse, President

I have been paddling whitewater kayak since joining the CCC in 1998. I have just purchased an open canoe, and I am excited to join the ranks of whitewater canoeist during the upcoming months! During my ten years of membership I have been both leader and "follower" on dozens of CCC trips, and been both a student and frequent instructor for club clinics ranging from Beginner to Advanced. I have served on a number of Club committees over the years. My day job is being a Professor of Statistics at North Carolina State University. The problem solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills associated with my job will certainly be helpful if I am elected club President. My top priority as President will be to increase member participation by i) increasing the number of available CCC trips- especially novice level trips, and ii) increasing the level of participation in club clinics- especially the spring Novice/Intermediate clinics. In order to address these issues, we will first need to identify the factors that have led to a decrease in member participation, and I will work with the Board of Directors to do so. I recognize that the Club membership includes boaters with a diversity of interests and goals, and I will make sure that the club does not overlook that diversity. However, my stated goals reflect my belief that Novice and Intermediate boaters are the lifeblood of the Club. I believe that many, and perhaps most, club members do not aspire to paddling beyond class III- the joy of boating is not limited to progressing to more and more difficult water. I want to make sure that Club activities ensure that these members have numerous boating, educational, and service opportunities. I will challenge the Cruise Chair to schedule at least one Novice level trip every weekend from May through September, and I pledge to lead trips on as many of those missing weekends as my schedule allows.
I will also work to promote the Club's other interests and purposes. I have been happy to see the increase in flatwater boating opportunities over the past couple of years, and will work to see those activities increase. I will work with the Education Chair to see if there is need and demand for River Kayaking and Canoeing clinics to serve this portion of our membership, including the possibility of shared events with other local and regional clubs. I have been proud of the Club's focus on stewardship, and its participation in river access and relicensing activities, and I will support the Conservation Chair's efforts to maintain the Club's stellar record of achievement in these areas. In a nutshell, a club without active members isn't much of a club. The measure of my success as President will be an increased number of opportunities for members, and a corresponding increase in the participation of members. If we can succeed in revitalizing the club's activity levels, accomplishing the Club's longstanding goals of promoting safe boating through paddling opportunities, education, and river stewardship will be a natural result.