Concept for NACK
The concept for the NACK came from recognition that Long Island has amazing natural resources for a variety of types of paddling and a wide range of interests and skills among its population. NACK was founded by a group of highly trained local instructors with a diversity of certification backgrounds including the American Canoe Association, the British Canoe Union and the American Red Cross. All had a desire to bring the fundamentals of paddling safety to the community at large as well as provide for a program of continuous improvement in skills for paddlers at all levels.
Inception of NACK
In the late-spring of 2005 the founding directors and leaders of NACK realized that Eastern Long Island with its wealth of shoreline and freshwater resources needed a paddling club dedicated to training and safety. We began working to formulate the basic tenets of what we considered be a premier paddling club.
In order to provide the best resources to all members we determined to incorporate the club as a Not-For-Profit corporation under New York State Law. This allows us tax deferment on club purchases and activities and makes our dues and donations legitimately tax deferred. There are other advantages that being part of a NFP Corporation offers its members that we hope will be evident in the future as the organization grows and can assume more responsibility.
We also decided it was important to provide for liability insurance for club activities in order to manage the risk to all members in the remote case of a serious accident. We found the best resource for this was to work through the American Canoe Association as a “Paddle America Club”. This allows us to access some of the best “Sports Oriented” insurance available with the bargaining power of a National Organization. We further determined that the goals and principles of the ACA are eminently consistent with our own.
The bylaws of any club define its scope, purpose and how it will conduct its business. The bylaws may be as simple or as complex as necessary depending on the nature of the structure and goals. The bylaws of NACK have grown with the added complexity of becoming a Not-For-Profit Corporation and an ACA Paddle America Club. In addition, the bylaws are a reference by which founders hopes to guide our membership as we grow and advance as a strong well-run organization.
Much energy was invested in selecting a name. We decided that we did not want to limit the scope of our organization either in terms of the type of craft or interests of our members or in terms of the area we serve or can paddle in. The name North Atlantic Canoe and Kayak seemed to fit our goals well, and led directly to our humorous but well meaning slogan.
We agree that training must be fun, enriching, challenging, and adventurous to be enjoyable. We each agree that we will never stop learning. As much as we want to share good skills with our friends in the paddling community, we also want to continue growing ourselves.
Goals and Purposes for NACK
In the Articles of Incorporation the stated purposes for which NACK has been formed are educational and literary. Specifically: “NACK will promote ongoing education in safe and responsible canoeing and kayaking – for paddlers of all skill levels – on the rivers, lakes and coastal waters of the Northeastern United States. The Articles of Incorporation may be reviewed by clicking on the link below that will provide a copy in PDF format.
In addition, the bylaws include a series of more specific goals that are consistent both the the requirements of an ACA Paddle America Club and the basic goals of the founding members. These may be reviewed by clicking on the link below that will provide a copy of our Bylaws in PDF format.
As the club grows, the Board of Directors continues to formulate and publish policies on various aspects of club governance. The first policy issued is the NACK Work Policy detailing the requirements and guidelines for the member work commitment. This is followed by a variety of other policies as shown in the links below: