This is the President’s Report to be delivered at the AGM Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Doukhobor Discovery Center, Castlegar, B.C.

I served as President of the former Doukhobor Heritage Retreat from 1981 through 1999. There were a few years, during the time of Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999, that several Directors undertook this elected position. Now that I am voluntarily stepping down, I can vouch that the position is very challenging. I wish Jim Laktin, as incoming president, all the good wishes that can be provided.

In the end, it is the Directors and the members that require their entire commitment to ensure that this Society to continue as a success.

We can take brief snap shots at our successful history:

  • Financial contribution from fifteen families in the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) in 1980 to support a loan of $150,000 to pay for the two parcels of land now owned by the DHRS #1999
  • The orderly process to selectively log the large parcel that retired the loan completely
  • The founding of Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society (DHRS) in the early 1990s by a portion of the early DCA and supporting individuals to conceive the concept of a Retreat
  • The cash contribution of 7 members to pay the $1,400 Building Permit fee for the Retreat Building
  • The contribution by the DCA of 3 loads of logs to initiate the cash for start up funding
  • The long list of Donators of materials, equipment and labor to build the Retreat Building
  • The entry of Allan Markin and his contribution of $1 million (and subsequent donations) to establish the basis for the current Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 (DHRS #1999) in 1999
  • The approval of charitable tax status by the CRA in 1999
  • The continuing process of construction that followed in this order:
    • Start Retreat Building in 1995 and completion in 1999
    • Cabins 1 through 5 inclusive along with the Whispering Pines Center in 2003
    • The Volunteer Campsites in 2003
    • Cabins 6 through 8 inclusive and the stage in 2004
    • The Care-Taker / Office building in 2005
    • Wells #4 and #5 and water distribution system in 2006
    • Well #6 and the Fire Suppression System in 2014

All this was achieved by exceptional cooperation of all Funders and Volunteers who had a vision that attracted their attention. I am proud to have been associated with all this these 46 years!

As I look around this room, I see some of you who have been with me all this time. There are many more who are here in sprit only but continue to support from where they are.

If I begin to thank each of you individually, I would miss one or more of you. You were all fundamental to the success. Yes, we had fun as we worked. The saying that “whatever happens in Whatshan stays in Whatsan” is our secret. Those who want to know, will need to find out for yourselves when you able.

As the Founders age, we are being supported by enthusiastic Supporters. We can now support paid staff that was once all volunteer but today is impossible to achieve that way. I want to congratulate:

  • Nona Kucher, our Rental Coordinator and Caretaker Contact
  • Tamara Verigin-Burk, our CEO

The day to day operations are continuing to become “business as usual” and do not require emergency trips to Whatshan by the President to resolve site issues.

The financial statements show that all bills are being paid with a reserve funding at this time. This is a vast difference from when the project was started and there was no money for a keg of nails. The principle and policy is that there will not be an mortgages nor debts created for the DHRS #1999.

What is in the future? The CEO and RC will report what is taking place and some of the objectives for the future include:

  1. Refund the Markin invested funds in the Vancouver Foundation ($180,000) which is underway
  2. Use this funding to initiate the Society entry into Bulk Water Sales
  3. Complete the zoning application to permit Bulk Water Sales
  4. With Bulk Water Sales revenues, reduce dependence on donations to balance the books
  5. Once all the above is established, search new ways in which the objectives of the Society can be directed.

Whatshan has been my life as well as that of many of my contemporaries, I wish Jim Laktin and the new Board every success to achieve greater heights of success.

Elmer Verigin