Commodore: Harmon Everett

The meeting was called to order by Commodore Harmon Everett at 7:03 PM. Harmon introduced all Board Members & briefly discussed their positions as Board Members. Went over briefly went over the evening’s program.

Harmon explained the purpose of HCC and invited other members to share their water experience or places they would like to paddle to share a new experience.

If ACA dues are paid on line through HCC; ACA requires that we send along with the dues; a signed waiver so that their insurance company will accept the responsibilities of our members water trips.

Vice Commodore: Philip Matticks

Philip introduced Ed Lowe; Founder of Friends of the Brazos River (Came in from Dallas). At the end of his discussion; Philip, on behalf of HCC presented Ed Lowe a copy of Natalie Wiest’s Autographed book in appreciation for sharing his knowledge and thoughts with HCC.

Recorder: Tisha Matticks

Conservation: John Bartos

Fleet Captain: Dave Kitson

Awards presented for the year of 2012; The members that paddled 100 miles plus for trips listed on the HCC Forum.

A total of 2,423 miles were paddle as a whole group for HCC. 100 Mile Paddle Award Presented to; Joe Coker-206, John Rich-109, Harmon Everett-118, Paul Woodcock-101, Philip & Tisha Matticks-101 each, Dave Kitson-140, Mary Z-100 plus.

A total of 26 trips were paddle as a whole group for HCC. (Trips Listed on the Forum) No awards for 2012 were in the budget to present to Leadership Trips. However, the new HCC 2013 Board is considering offering awards for 2013 Trip Leaders.

2012 Trip Leaders were;
1 Trip: Natalie Weist, Frazier Baker, Louis Aubach, Robert Langley, Harmon Everett, John
   Bartos and Ken Anderson
2 Trips: Dave Kitson
3 Trips: Philip & Tisha Matticks, Christy Long, Tom Douglas, Paul Woodcock
5 Trips: Joe Coker

Webmaster: Greg Walker

Financial Report-Treasurer: Bob Neager

Traveling due to work and asked Harmon to report. Currently have $4500 in the account. A proposed budget was presented back in September. Expenses in 2012 were $3353 and the Income for 2012 was $3303. Including major contribution including Bob Arthur Memorial.

HCC subsidized a training course this year and only two members had participated. Education is currently under miscellaneous, but that will be moved up to another category to balance out.

2013 Budget; Donations & Contribution that are set and planned to donate include $100 to Citizens Environmental Coalition Group; they are the same group that manages the Kirby Building that HCC holds their Xmas party. Therefore, HCC has first rights to book the room. Another $100 to the TX River Protection Assoc. and $100 to the Bayou Preservation Assoc. and $100 to the Galveston Bay Foundation and $100 to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Web site fees are collected through Club Express. Motion to accept. John Bartos motioned to accept the budget and Tisha Matticks second the motion. All in favor, unanimous.

Boatswain: Honey Leveen

Honey Leveen introduced our new members, new guest and welcomed the old. ACA waivers available. Honey invites people to join her to eat at a supper before the meeting. And those that can’t meet before the meetings; some of the HCC members meet after the meeting at JAX’s Grill.

New members; Dave, Steve, Keith, Jim all had dinner at Pico’s (Mex. Rest.) Membership applications, business cards and decals available and a limited amount of bumper stickers available.

Introduced New Guest (G) & New Members (M); G-Diane, G-Bob, M-Will, M-Rie

Newsletter: John Rich

John is really needing for people to step up and share more material to add into the HCC Newsletter. Make for putting together difficult without material. With the newsletter, this give other viewers the insights of HCC being an Active Club and makes it appealing to want to join HCC.

Several brief remarks of upcoming events happing around the Houston or Harris County area.

Safety Minute:

Paul Woodcock presented the safety minute. When paddling in any size group, especially larger groups; Try to stay close together. Explained of an experience he when through while assisting a paddler in distress. No one up ahead saw what was going on, no one heard Paul blow his whistle and was on his own to assist and help patch up the other craft and carry some of the other gear from the other craft.

Another example given; on labor day weekend, some paddlers past up the sand bar where they were to camp that night. Until the next day, it was unknown as to where they camped.

It’s a group paddle, stay together for safety reasons!

Open Discussion:

One member asked if their is a budget for the training course? Yes. Dave Kitson; If anyone would like to purchase a cap, the cost is $11 or so, get with Dave to order.

Recent Trip Reports:

Upcoming Paddle Trips Discussed:
• San Marcos Clean Up (Mar. 2)
• Texas Rivers Assoc. Annual Meeting (Mar. 03)
• Regatta (Mar. 16)
• Trash Bash at Texas Wide Rivers & Bayou’s (Mar. 23)
• Beginners & Level 2 training at Higaldo Falls (April 20)
• Sabine Annual Labor Day Weekend (May)
• Woods Project (Jun)
• Sabine Annual Memorial Weekend (Sep)
• October Paddle Fest (Oct)
• Week of Rivers; Lakes of North Carolina

Open Floor Discussions:

All clean-up miles are counted as extra miles.

Christy Long; Moving water and must be able to control your boat on the San Marcus, camping available. Meet at 9:30 on Sat (Safety Meeting). Clean up meeting at Shady Grove. Four campsites available. One can book their own campsite. Wilderness First Aid Course; It is a 2 day course of 16 hours. Not enough medical information. A certification card afterwards.

Honey Leveen; Seeking volunteers to assist to man the HCC information tent.

Harmon Everett; Higaldo Falls is available but it is private property and one must be escorted by a local member. Primitive camping available with restrooms and showers available. Get with Harmon for more information.

John Bartos; looking for volunteers for the upcoming March 23 clean up and passed around the sign on sheet.

Mary Z-Lake Summerville

Guest Speaker:

Meeting called to a close at 1:35 hours: