How can I start an ACA club in my area?  It’s as easy as saying CLUBS.

heck out what other clubs are in your area, and what they offer.  Find out what specialties they have and when they meet.  There is no point in reinventing the wheel.  Contact information is available through the ACA and most clubs are listed at the ACA Home Page on the internet at WWW.ACANET.ORG.  Once you have checked out the status of paddling clubs in your area and decide to form a club based either on geographical or paddling specialty proceed to the next step.

et everyone who might be interested know of your intention to form a club.  Publicity is the way to gain and build membership.  Let folks know what you plan to do and what the advantages are of joining YOUR club.  Examples of the kinds of benefits that most clubs offer are the chance to meet folks with a common interest.  Most club activities are an informal seminar on the interests and skills that bring you all together.  The newcomer may have no better opportunity to get advice and even try suitable boats and try new techniques under the watchful eye of other paddlers.  Keep the value of publicity in mind even after you have organized.  You will need at least six ACA members

nderstand where your club fits into the purposes of the American Canoe Association.  The ACA is a corporation organized exclusively for nonprofit public benefit under Section 501(c3) of the IRS code.  Its purposes are Safety Education and Instruction, Athletic Competition, Conservation and Public Policy and Recreation.  Any organization such as your club, interested in advancing these purposes may join the organization.  Clubs take many different forms.  Some are informal groups that simply agree to meet for certain activities, others are organized around a mailing list that lets members know what events are scheduled.  Some clubs are incorporated and may even own or rent property.  Many clubs have officers elected in accordance with written bylaws, a treasury, a dues structure and a lot of formal management structure.  Others have very little structure.  All must conduct programs and activities that meet the purposes of the ACA.  Affiliated Clubs generally must number at least six ACA members and receive one membership for the contact person included with the $75.00 fee.  A  PaddleAmerica club is a popular alternative. Under the PaddleAmerica contract all club members must be ACA members, however the club receives insurance for scheduled activities and substantial discounts on ACA membership.  The National Office may even be contracted to handle your entire membership renewal process at no cost to you. 

egin to process your paperwork.  Contact Anne Vetterelein at the National Office for the appropriate forms.   She will steer you through the process as painlessly as possible.  Your local ACA leadership will become involved and may be an invaluable resource.

ubsequent to becoming a club you will want your members to obtain all the benefits of ACA membership.  As an ACA member they will receive a subscription to Paddler Magazine, a quarterly newsletter from the National Office, and a local newsletter is sent to all members in most Divisions.  The National ACA also offers discounts to members on many publications, videos and ACA merchandise.  Membership is required for all ACA sanctioned events.  The sanctioning packet offers tips on how to make your activity safe for all, and shows the way to inexpensive insurance for your events.