The 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bluewater Cruising Association was held on December 5, 2024. The meeting was hosted online by BCA Event Co-hosts Heather Marshall and Kevin Swanson and was supported by 112 members in attendance and as represented by BCA Proxy Forms. Having met the quorum of 10% of the total paid membership, Commodore David Mitchell welcomed attendees and declared the AGM open to proceed.
Business of the AGM
This year’s AGM included the acceptance of the Minutes of 2023 AGM and the 2023-2024 Financial Statements. Members can find AGM minutes (once you sign in), financial reports and policy information here (or from the home page click on resources –>knowledge-AGM-finance).
BCA Commodore Report
Our Commodore provided an overview of the club’s mission and vision statements, as framed by BCA’s values. He then highlighted how BCA has been steadily moving forward on the objectives initiated after the 2022 BCA Strategic Planning Session. David put forth a pitch for new volunteers to step-up, particularly to contribute to developing our five strategic objectives:
- Area 1: Mobilize more members as volunteers and leaders.
- Area 2: Promote environmentally and socially responsible cruising.
- Area 3: Grow and update the value of our educational offerings.
- Area 4: Grow an active and engaged membership
- Area 5: Optimize operational and promotional communications.
Areas 4 and 5 are especially in need of volunteer leads to get kick-started. Any members interested in becoming a lead, a co-lead or a team member for the Strategic plan is invited to contact their Chapter Vice Commodore.
Membership levels in the BCA Chapters remain solid at 692 paid members, although there was a drop of 5% since the previous December.
BCA Treasurer Report
Our Treasurer, Darryl Lapaire, reviewed BCA’s status as of 2024 financial year-end (June 30, 2024) and presented the Financial Year End Statements. “Overall BCA remains in a good position with Net Worth closing at $150,488 and healthy level of cash at $136,606. As compared to the prior financial year our Net Worth showed a slight decrease of 2%….”
Going forward, Darryl recommends that BCA continue to “keep an eye on costs” to avoid cutting into the membership benefits. He noted that not all BCA Central costs can be offset with direct revenue but that Chapters are doing a remarkable job to offset BCA expenses.
Treasurer’s report of expenses, as presented at the 2024 AGM
Since 2014, inflation has averaged 2.5% annually for a total of 28% increase in prices, Darryl concluded that:
While we have controlled costs through changes to our services and benefits, we have seen an increase of approximately 10% in our expenses since 2014. Projections for the 2024/25 fiscal year suggest that without an increase in revenue, we will be facing ongoing losses of approximately $8000 annually.
As a result of cost pressures and financial performance over the past 2 years membership dues will be changing effective March 1, 2025, as follows:
- Increase to $150 for regular annual dues
- Discounts for multi year renewals – 2 years for $280, 3 years for $430
- Increase to $160 for non-Canadian renewals
- The 2025 schedule will offer new multi-year discounts for members to lock in pricing for up to 3 years and the Board continues to look for maximum value for the membership.
BCA Secretary Report
BCA Secretary Denise (Dee) Logan reported that BCA remains up to date on its requirements as a Not-For-Profit Organization under the BC Societies Act. Dee also provided a short review of significant motions which were passed in 2024 by the Board of Directors, which included:
- Formation of BCA Pledge “Promote Environmentally and Socially Responsible Cruising”
- Changes in BCA Membership Dues
- New BCA Policy #9: Access to Information (included in the updated Policy Log)
- Adoption of 2024-25 BCA Budget
- Changes to BCA Bylaws
As noted above, policy documents, like the updated BCA Constitution and Bylaw Manual and the Policy Log can be accessed by members here.
Board Elections – Introducing your 2025 Board of Directors!
During the AGM, the floor was opened to receive nominees for each Board position and the following members were elected by acclamation:
BCA Board of Directors (Central)
- Commodore: David Vincent
- Treasurer: Kevin Swanson
- Secretary: Denise (Dee) Logan
- Vice Commodore: Vacant
- Past Commodore: David Mitchell (ex-officio)
Chapter Vice Commodores
- Vancouver Island: Scott Crawshaw
- Vancouver: Allison Hall
- Calgary: Doug Cole
More details about these awesome volunteers and their roles can be found in this Currents article.
Commodore David Mitchell thanked all board members and supporting teams who reported to the 2024 Board for their dedicated support of BCA.
Additional Thanks
Past Commodore Leslie Hansen warrants a special shout-out for coordinating the 2024 AGM and Awards Presentation (which was held after the AGM).
Thanks also to BCA Administrator Amanda Lance and the AGM Event co-host team Heather Marshall and Kevin Swanson for working behind the scenes to manage membership accounting, the live AGM polling and member feedback and questions on the chat line!
Finally, thanks to all BCA members who attended the annual AGM event and the 2024 Awards Night.
Currents PDFs
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