American Whitewater Regional Coordinator Program

Regional Coordinators are motivated volunteers who formally represent American Whitewater in efforts to meet our mission of river stewardship. Regional Coordinators act as watchdogs who share opportunities and threats on a specific river of interest or several rivers in their region with American Whitewater staff, the paddling community, and partner organizations. The Regional Coordinator program is very flexible regarding the commitments of time and energy, however there are specific commitments involved in the program. Specifically, we ask that you:

  • Monitor and share both threats and opportunities on rivers in your region.
  • Act as a liaison for American Whitewater and the paddling community.
  • Maintain connections with the paddling communities within your region.
  • Respond to American Whitewater staff requests for information, assistance and resources.
  • Stay true to the American Whitewater mission
  • Formally represent American Whitewater only with American Whitewater staff or board guidance.
  • Recognize that American Whitewater board and staff retain decision making authority.
  • Recruit, organize and inspire volunteer activities.
  • Field questions from the paddling community.

Some Regional Coordinator’s dedicate countless hours and are working on multiple American Whitewater projects at any given time, but most offer a couple hours each month and focus on one or two issues or only step up when a need arises. We want being an RC to be a fun and fulfilling endeavor for our volunteers, which is flexible enough to integrate with your lives. Our goal is to help you take care of your back yard rivers and provide you with organizational backing to make your efforts more effective.

Position Description

Accountability

  • To the membership of American Whitewater, through the Board of Directors and the appropriate Program Director(s).

Responsibilities

  • Support the mission and purposes of American Whitewater.
  • Provide leadership and direction on AW activities in the region/watershed in question.
  • Communicate regularly with and take direction from appropriate Program Directors, Committees and AW Board of Directors on AW volunteer activities and relevant developments in the region/watershed in question.
  • Participate as necessary in evaluation exercises with American Whitewater staff and Committees to ensure that regional American Whitewater activities address American Whitewater’s purpose and goals.
  • Recruit, inspire, activate and organize American Whitewater volunteers in the region/watershed.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Passion for whitewater boating and whitewater rivers
  • Working knowledge of regional and/or national whitewater issues
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Willingness to participate in training and development activities
  • Ability to recruit, inspire, activate and organize volunteers

American Whitewater Support

  • Issue research and strategy, activist training and advocacy and limited administrative support from American Whitewater Stewardship Directors and administrative staff
  • Reimbursement for some expenses incurred

Term of Service

  • Two years, with the possibility of succession for two additional years.
Join AW and support river stewardship nationwide!