Yukon River Marathon Paddlers Association

Vision, Mission and Values

Updated from the YRMPA 2020-2025 Strategic Plan (adopted Feb. 2020 – before COVID-19)

VISION STATEMENT (dream/aspiration)
To realize the full potential of an inspired and involved community, which provides an epic and world-class paddling event in the Yukon.

MISSION STATEMENT (mandate/purpose)
To host a marathon-paddling race on the Yukon River, providing an opportunity for personal challenge and accomplishment, in a unique, Northern wilderness setting.

VALUES (state of being)
The YRMPA has been in operation since 1998. We are made up of a solid volunteer base of people who are passionate about marathon paddling and hosting the longest annual marathon-paddling race, the Yukon River Quest.

We are:
• Adventurous, forward-looking and pro-active

We will:
Strive to instil trust with our stakeholders and within our community – by this we mean:

  • We will do what we say we can do and what our community expects us to do
  • Our actions will be predicable and un-wavering – our community counts on us to behave in a predictable manner
  • We will act fairly, honestly and ethically; we will practice diplomacy
  • We will act in a sustainable manner by building, managing and protecting our resources (Yukon River, time, money, locations, people, influence, etc.) to ensure we adequately address the needs of our stakeholders and our organization (environmental, economic, and social).

We value:

  • Environmental stewardship
  • Indigenous culture
  • Yukon River history
  • Youth engagement
  • Camaraderie and community
  • Physical and mental wellness
  • Accomplishment and hard work

2022 Officers and Board of Directors

  • President: Deb Bartlette
  • Vice-President: Spencer Edelman
  • Secretary: Jason Beinsch
  • Treasurer: Lidwien Hanrath
    Directors:
    Peter Coates (past president, ex-officio on executive)
    Stan Fordyce
    Anne Jessup
    Stephen Mooney
    Krista Mroz
    Christa Van Laerhoven
     
    The above were elected at the November 24, 2021 Annual General Meeting (see YRMPA AGM Dec 10 MINUTES DRAFT). Coates, Edelman, Bartlette, Hanrath, and Van Laerhove have one year left on their current term. Fordyce, Jessup, Mooney, Beinsch, and Mroz are serving 2-year terms.

    Memberships are $20 per year for adults, $10 per year for juniors (18 & under). To become a member click here. 

Historical Life Members (due to new Societies Act requirements, Life Memberships are no longer allowed as of 2021 so those on this list below will have their memberships pro-rated over the next 1-5 years. Contact race office for details. After this year, this list will no longer be posted, but thank you to all who joined as ‘lifers’ and we hope you choose to remain members!)

  • John Firth (2003), Past-President 2003
  • Jeff Brady (2003), Past-President 2006-08
  • Harris Cox (2003)
  • Linda Bourassa (2003)
  • Harry Kern (2003), Past President 2014-16.
  • Ingrid Wilcox (2003)
  • Dianne Villeseche (2003)
  • Al Ekholm (2003)
  • Yvonne Harris (2003)
  • Peter Coates (2003), Past-President 2005, 2019-2021
  • Catherine Pinard (2003)
  • Yukon Canoe & Kayak Club (2003)
  • Stephen Mooney (2004), Past President 2011
  • Valerie Ross (2004)
  • Kerry Newell (2006)
  • Jean-Francois Latour (2006), Past President 2009-10
  • Joe O’Blenis (2008)
  • Ron Bernardin (2009)
  • Daniel Girouard (2011)
  • Joe Evans (2012)
  • Carl Rumscheidt (2012), Past President 2012-13
  • Roger Hanberg (2012), Past President 2017-18
  • Jason Doucet (2012)
  • Tim Hodgson (2012)
  • Patricia McKenna (2012)
  • Claire Desmarais (2013)
  • Linda Rapp (2013)
  • Al Foster (2014)
  • Thomas de Jager (2015)
  • Don Sundquist (2016)
  • Estrada Tan Partners (2016)
  • Allan Martin (2016)
  • Glen Young (2016)
  • David Hutchison (2016)
  • Anne Clark (2016)
  • Emily Matthews (2017)
  • Dr. Wolfram Scheicher (2017)
  • Stan Fordyce (2018)
  • Deb Bartlette (2018)
  • Lidwien Hanrath (2019)
  • Mia Lee (2019)
  • Anne Jessup (2019)
  • Bill Stanzeleit (2019)
  • Carmen Gustafson (2019)
  • George True (2019)
  • Spencer Edelman (2019)
  • Hank Moorlag (2020)
  • Mike De Abreu (2020)
  • Brooke Ramsay (2020)