DOUKHOBOR CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (DCA)

FINAL REPORT ON WHATSHAN LAKE RETREAT

DCA Annual General Meeting

September 20, 2013

At this final formal meeting of the DCA, it was requested that I report on the Whatshan Retreat for the record.

The history and development of the Whatshan Lake Retreat has already been documented and presented to all the members. There is no need to repeat any of that at this time.

When I thought about what I would report, I asked myself the following questions to determine how I felt about Whatshan in the end analysis. I decided then to answer my own questions and share with you now.

In the end, it will be you who will answer these questions for yourself as a member of the DCA.

A) What was the purpose of the DCA in the first instance?

1. I wanted to research why there were so many different Doukhobor groups and organizations when the Doukhobor precepts were the same for all.
2. I met with many others who were prepared to participate in discussion groups to conduct this research
3. We then met with Doukhobors across Canada and continued with these discussions
4. Some of us decided to experiment with a loosely tied association and named ourselves the Douhkobor Research Committee
5. We were just about evenly split from the USCC, CDS and the SoF
6. We began to associate
7. We registered a non-for-profit organization with the Societies Act as the Doukhobor Cultural Association
8. We wanted to make a difference and influence for a uniting philosophy amongst Doukhobors

B) Why did the DCA purchase the Whatshan Lake Property?

1. From my perspective, I had no specific purpose but I had a dream
2. I dreamt that children from all walks of life and persuasions would be facilitated in this beautiful place at an affordable price
3. I was prepared to work hard to make this dream a reality
4. I was prepared to work with my friends who wished to share this commitment
5. The idea was presented to the DCA by Jim Laktin and I with the result that it became a DCA project
6. We did not know what that would involve at this time but we were prepared to gamble with destiny

C) Why was the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 constituted?

1. It became clear right from the outset that not all members of the DCA were in agreement on a specific project
2. About 50% were convinced that buildings needed to be constructed so that the property could be better used
3. Peter Rezansoff prepared a conceptual drawing of a Retreat Building
4. Many people were drawn to this concept and philosophy
5. It became obvious that a separate society from DCA would be necessary to engage on such a project
6. Some DCA members were joined by other Doukhobors and the DHRS was registered as a non-profit society
7. Twenty-two (22) acres were subsequently leased from the DCA for a project
8. A few years later in 1998 the society became DHRS #1999 under the suggestion by JJ Verigin Jr. who felt that the Whathan Project should be dedicated to the Canadian society as a gift from the Doukhobors to celebrate a 100 years in Canada at the 1999 centennial celebrations
9. A charitable tax number was applied for and granted in 1998

D) What was the purpose of the Whatshan Lake project?

1. A uniting influence for all Doukhobors to work together
2. The idea of building a place that could serve as summer camps for children influenced the designs of the overall Retreat
3. To offer something to the community without personal compensation or reward
4. My underlying motivation was, in part, to improve the Doukhobor image in society

E) What was the idea behind volunteering at Whatshan?

1. To the many who did, being able to work together was to experience the fundamental cooperative spirit of Doukhobors that was able to bring us here to Canada in 1899
2. To be able to create something that would be eternally useful to society
3. A reason to bring people together from Creston, Krestova, the rest of the Kootenays, the Okanagan and the BC Coast for those who were so motivated
4. Cooking and eating together meant talking to each other as well as singing and socializing. This builds community!

F) Where did the confidence and resolution of the members to engage and follow through on the Whatshan Lake project come from?

1. Not every DCA member had confidence that the project would succeed and this was part of their resistance to support the project.
2. Many of us felt the aura of Whatshan that was an intrinsic basis of the history of Whatshan
3. It was the feeling of peace and tranquility that was evident everywhere
4. When there was need, there was always a fulfillment so that the project never ceased
5. This was part of the resolve of all those involved and became a trademark of the Whatshan project
6. People that were never involved before became attracted to the project irrregardless of their expertise, talent or financial capability
7. Eventually, more DCA members came to assist the project as well
8. It became evident that the project was going to succeed and confidence grew with that progress
9. Spirituality abounded everywhere at Whatshan

G) Who participated in the management of the DHRS #1999?

1. At first there was an even split of DCA members along with other Doukhobors
2. This did not change much over the 15 years that the DHRS #1999 existed
3. In 2013 we have now Directors as follows:
   1. Lawrence Popoff, Treasurer, a DCA member and Director since inception
   2. Peter Rezansoff, Chair of the Building Committee,  a DCA member and Director since inception
   3. John J. Verigin Jr. a USCC executive member and Director since inception
   4. Lorne Markin, Secretary and a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years
   5. Nona Kucher, Past President and a daughter of a DCA member and a Director for many consecutive  years
   6. Paris Voykin, a recent Director and a daughter of a DCA member
   7. Lisa Poznikoff, a recent Director and a daughter of a DCA member
   8. Ed Dergousoff, a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years including past President
   9. Doug Ozeroff, a Lower Mainland Douhkobor and a Director for many consecutive  years
   10. Peter Dergosuoff, a  DCA Member, Chair of the Maintenance Committee, and a Director for many consecutive  years
   11. Elmer Verigin, current President, a DCA member and Director since inception
4. We have a strong representation of DCA members and youth remaining in the DHRS #1999
5. Future Doukhobor participation is always a concern

H) Where did the idea of sponsoring Freedom Quest (FQ) come from?

1. One of DCA members daughter, Tamara Verigin-Burk, became the Executive Director of FQ and approached the DHRS #1999 to sponsor Youth Drug and Alcohol Treatment in 2004
2. DHRS #1999 needed to support an active operating group to meet the requirements of the Federal Government in order to maintain the charitable status and number
3. After much discussion, the DHRS #1999 signed its first contract with the Interior Health Authority in 2005
4. The idea was to utilize Whatshan Lake Retreat facilities as much as possible to create much needed income

I) Whatshan Lake Retreat operation today

1. The DCA has completed its donation of all lands to the DHRS #1999 in January 2013
2. Lawrence and Colleen Marshall have renewed their management contract for another three (3) years
3. The operating budget has increased to $135,000 annually
4. 2013 will be the first year that the operation will break even
5. Philantropical Grants continue to fund capital works
   1. A new well, storage tank, Emergency Power, fire hydrants and related infrastructure are being installed
   2. Playground Equipment has been installed
   3. Backfill, irrigation and lawns have been installed behind the Retreat and 5 cabins
   4. A new propane cook stove has been installed
   5. On Demand water for the Retreat washrooms and showers is to be installed
   6. A storage building is under consideration
   7. The facility is in good repair
   8. Business interest continues to rise
6. The DHRS #1999 has no debt
7. Philantropists include:
   1. Allan and Patricia Markin
   2. Keith and Kathy MacPhail
   3. Florence Markin
   4. Peter and Elsie Rezansoff
   5. Donna Hunchak
   6. Annette Barnes
   7. Many others

J) Freedom Quest operation today

1. FQ funded and built the Ropes Course in 2009
2. FQ operates independently as much as possible with a Liaison Director from DHRS #1999
3. All financial transactions of FQ needed signatures from DHRS #1999 Liaison Directors
4. Since John Kazakoff passing, the FQ Liaison Directors are a group that consists of:
   1. Lisa Poznikoff
   2. Paris Voykin
   3. Lawrence Popoff
   4. Elmer Verigin
5. FQ operates offices in the following West Kootenay Communities
   1. Grand Forks
   2. Trail
   3. Fruitvale
   4. Salmo
   5. Nelson
   6. Kaslo
   7. Slocan
   8. Nakusp
   9. Head Office in Castlegar
6. There are 14 Youth Workers
7. Budget is over $1 million
8. Demand for FQ services continues to expand in the West Kootenays which is a “hot spot” of drug addictions and a higher per capita than other areas
9. The intent of FQ is to obtain a greater amount of funding to expand its operations
10. FQ administration is working with FQ to expand funding to increase use of Whatshan facilities into the lest used shoulder seasons
11. The result would be a higher financial budget impact for Whatshan operations
12. Current funding is from:
    1. Interior Health Authority
    2. Ministry of Children and Families
    3. Columbia Basin Trust
    4. School  Districts
    5. Philanthropists
       • Allan and Patricia Markin
       • Other
13. FQ operates with no debt with an approximate surplus operating capital of $60,000

K) Did we as DCA Members, achieve our initial objectives?

1. I personally feel that the DCA has reached and exceeded the initial objectives
2. The potential for greater things are still to come
3. The concern is that Doukhobor Societies and activities have not come to utilize Whatshan no matter how much we have all tried.
   • This needs work!
4. We have successfully associated these 44 years.
5. What is yet to be determined is how many more years will we as members of the DHRS #1999 continue to support Whatshan?
6. Have we established a common philosophy to the future Directors when our senior ones have gone?
   • Reality is that three (3) active Directors have passed on already.
7. We have created a $3 million facility that has no debt and:
   • Approximately $350,000 in Trust Funds deposited at Vancouver and Okanagan Foundations with interest only paid for overhead expenses
   • A surplus budget dedicated to maintenance replacement and reserve funds
8. A Planning Meeting will be held at Whatshan November 09, 2013 weekend
9. You are all  welcome and will be sent a special invitation by Secretary Lorne Markin
10. You will be provided with Whatshan hospitality and accommodation
11. Your counsel will direct the future at Whatshan

L) How do we feel about the legacy we leave to society in general?

1. The name Doukhobor has been misused as associated with violence as this was a dated Press priority and sold papers. This has changed significantly
2. What we have achieved in Whatshan is:
   • Construction and workmanship to the highest standard
   • Ability to preserve wilderness for our future populace
   • A Doukhobor unity that abounded and continues
   • DCA’s objective of unity in action is workabl
     • It replaces  the usual discussion, debates and planning to unite sometimes that continues to fail for some reason
3. DCA has never asked nor did it receive any public credit for “a job well done”.
4. This is part of our Doukhobor philosophy and I am personally satisfied with that.

Elmer Verigin, September 19, 2013