PRESIDENT’S REPORT - 2023 IN REVIEW
Michelle Steger
2023 was a year of branching out and opening the KC Pink Warriors’ racing world to new challenges. With four racing seasons under our belt, we were ready to enter the international scene in Vancouver. BC, and take on many Breast Cancer Paddler teams in Kentucky. We rose to the challenge, took home gold consistently and, more importantly, created new connections with additional BCP teams.
Not only did we perform abroad, but we also stepped up our community service game in Kansas City with nearly 100 hours of service donated. The KC Pink Warriors helped charities such as Bra Couture KC and Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer to accomplish their missions.
The fundraising front was quiet this year with no big fundraisers planned, but wonderful philanthropic-minded companies like Chicken N Pickle, Needham DBS, Schomburg Heating and Cooling and Nebraska Furniture Mart stepped up their support to help us remain financially sound, not to mention the overwhelming support we received from our friends and family on Giving Tuesday. Thank you to all those who support us so we can continue our mission!
Last but not least, the KC Pink Warriors joined forces with Great White North (GWN) to bring a Major League dragon boat festival to Kansas City!! Teams from near and far will join up at Shawnee Mission Lake on Sep 28 to kick off the inaugural Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival. Watch for more information on this amazing event, as it is surely to make the highlight reel for the entire Kansas City community in 2024!
Let’s take a closer look at the highlights for 2023:
Festivals
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival (Vancouver B.C.) - GOLD
Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival - GOLD
Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash (Fort Dodge, IA) - GOLD
Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival - GOLD
Paddling Camp
Hired Nathan Salazar to host a private training clinic
Practice
Successful practices (three times weekly) with HIGH attendance
58 practices in all!
“KC Pink Warrior of the Year”
Team selected Heather Sebel (VP for Public Relations and Co-Coach) and Denett Costin (Team Captain and Steer) for their undying commitment to the team
Social Happenings
The Social Club continued its mission of providing FUN outings for team members
Dinners, brunches, Curling lessons and aerial yoga at Learning2Fly, along with MANY other fun social opportunities
Fundraising
Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City stepped up to help us fundraise with Give Back Night, Wine Walk and the Pink Cup Fundraiser
Bonfire apparel sales, NFM gift-wrapping and continued donation support from the community also proved to bring in much-needed funds
KU Sports Performance Center
Resumed winter training with Kelsey Ngeh from Jan-Mar
NEWBIES
Gained 8 new paddlers!!
Local Charity Support
Contributed $1000 to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer
Engaged in nearly 100 hours of community service for Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer and Bra Couture KC
President’s Report - 2022 in Review
Michelle Steger
2022 was a year of continued growth and strengthening for the KC Pink Warriors! We buckled down and honed in on our dragon boat skills thanks to the coaching trifecta of Jen Forman-Wright, Betty Welch and Heather Sebel. In turn, we became a more disciplined team, complete with excellent technique, strong endurance and a powerful sense of synchronicity. Administratively, our leadership team locked in a more routine way of running the team business while ensuring long-term success. Fundraising built upon past years’ efforts and knocked it out of the park with the Paddles+Pinot event in August. Putting all of these passions, talents and aptitude for hard work together, there’s nothing this team can’t achieve in 2023 and beyond!
Let’s take a look at 2022:
Festivals
Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival - GOLD
Paddlefest (Oklahoma City, OK) - GOLD & 2 SILVER
Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival - SILVER
Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash (Fort Dodge, IA) - GOLD
Paddling Camp
Hired Connie Flesuras and Kathy Skinner from Dragon Boating Training to host a private training clinic
Perry Yacht Club served as our venue for the clinic
Steering, Drumming and various dragon boat techniques were taught to much of the team
Practice
Successful practices (three times weekly) with HIGH attendance
59 practices in all!
“KC Pink Warrior of the Year”
Awarded to Jen Forman-Wright for her commitment as Executive Vice President, Co-Coach and all-around committed member of the team!
Social Happenings
The Social Club continued its mission of providing FUN outings for team members
Crafting at The Small Hinge, painting at Pinot’s Palette, aerial yoga at Learning2Fly, along with MANY other fun social opportunities
Fundraising
Paddles+Pinot was a smashing success, raising nearly $50K
Bonfire apparel sales, NFM gift-wrapping and continued donation support from the community also proved to bring in much-needed funds
NEW 10-person Dragon Boat
10-person boat acquired from PanAm Dragon Boat to accommodate our growing team and practices
KU Sports Performance Center
Resumed winter training with Kelsey Ngeh in Jan-Mar
NEWBIES
Gained 6 new paddlers!!
Annual Donation
Contributed $1000 to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer
President’s Report - 2021 in review
Michelle Steger
Our third season started off a little slow as COVID continued to throw challenges our way, but by summertime we were able to host a private paddling clinic and race at three regional festivals. Much bonding, learning and fun was had thanks to these events! The evolution of our team continued with the addition of 11 paddlers, beautiful custom competition paddles and the founding of our BIG fundraiser, the Belvoir Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. 2021 was another big building year four our team and we are well-primed for our fourth season!
Let’s take a look at 2021:
Festivals
Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash (Fort Dodge, IA) - GOLD
Dubuque Dragon Boat Festival (Dubuque, IA) - GOLD
Paddlefest (Oklahoma City, OK) - GOLD & 2 SILVER
Paddling Camp
Hired Connie Flesuras from Dragon Boating Training to host a private training clinic at Wyandotte County Lake in June.
High attendance by team and so much learned!
Practice
Successful practices (three times weekly) with HIGH attendance
“KC Pink Warrior of the Year”
Awarded to Cheryl Toub for her commitment both on and off the boat!
Social Happenings
Established the Dinner Club to celebrate monthly birthdays and keep in touch throughout the year
Fundraising
Belvoir Wine Tasting & Silent Auction was a huge success!
Hamburger Mary’s, Bonfire apparel sales, NFM gift-wrapping and Corn-hole raffle also proved to bring in much-needed funds
Competition Paddles
Carbon-fiber paddles with beautiful custom designs for competitions delivered
2023 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in New Zealand
Postponed from 2022 to 2023
Ended 2021 with a full team plus a waitlist for paddlers
27 registered supporters for our team!
KU Sports Performance Center
Resumed winter training with Kelsey Ngeh via Zoom in Dec 2020 thru Mar 2021
NEWBIES
Gained 11 new paddlers!!
Leaving 2021 with 42 paddlers on the team
Annual Donation
Contributed $500 to Supporting Kids Foundation
President’s Report - 2020 in Review
Michelle Steger
Michelle Steger, President and Founder KCPW
Wow, what a year! But 2020 wasn’t all bad for the KC Pink Warriors. Once again, we showed our resiliency through survivorship and didn’t allow challenges to impede our team goals and spirit. In fact, we thrived through 2020! We put our first team-owned dragon boat in the water, trained twice weekly, learned the highly-technical dragon boat stroke, raised funds and built amazing bonds. 2020 will go down in our team history as a challenging, but highly successful year for the KC Pinks!
Let’s take a look at our year:
“KC Rise” Dragon Boat
Paid 2nd installment for our first team-owned dragon boat & trailer
Delivered in March, despite lockdowns for pandemic
Christening Ceremony in June
Practice
Successful practices (twice weekly) with HIGH attendance
NO COVID19 TRANSMISSION!!
Great use of Teamsnap and overall communication within team
Steer Team Development
Awesome volunteers & training
Focus on safety
Fundraising
Hamburger Mary’s, Buff Sales & Krispy Kreme Donuts
Uniforms
“Forever” uniforms delivered
Short-sleeved, long-sleeved & tank tops, jackets, hats
Competition Paddles
Raised enough money to purchase carbon-fiber paddles
2022 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in New Zealand
KCPW was the FIRST team to register
23 paddlers and 20 supporters registered so far
Team Care Committee Established
Accepts donations and supports team members as needed
KU Sports Performance Center
Kicked off winter training with Kelsey Ngeh at the Performance Center in Jan 2020
Resumed training via Zoom in Dec 2020
NEWBIES
Gained 9 new paddlers!!
Team Donation
$500 to Alexander’s Journey Cancer Rehab Foundation