Commodore:

The meeting was called to order by Commodore Harmon Everett at 7:01 PM.

Harmon introduced all Board Members and briefly went over the evening’s program.

The HCC Team to try and win the Buffalo Regatta for the upcoming Saturday was outside discussing their strategy: Terry Herdlicka & John Ohrt.

Harmon suggested that anyone interested in providing safety issues or concerns will be appreciated.

Some great things happening for HCC website page; Keeping track of members paddle miles, accessible to the fleet captain. Still in the works.

Discussing including Non-HCC trips in the HCC Newsletters. Can’t be counted for the 100 miles, but still include them on the Newsletter. Many people go on non-HCC Trips. So please take pictures, write up stories so that John Rich may publish that information for our viewers. Regardless where the non-HCC trip takes you, please share with the rest of us.

Discussion of purchasing apparel with HCC logo for the members to order at HCC cost.

A reminder that 2014 will be the HCC’s 50th Anniversary. Ideas are welcome. The 30th & 40th Anniversary the club held a picnic and a special Newsletter. Memorabilia, old pictures, stories, old members, etc. Please share!

Vice Commodore: Philip Matticks

Philip introduced tonight’s guest speaker; Tom Kartrude: Executive Director of “Armand Bayou Nature Center” Philip later presented Tom with the most recent autographed book by Louis Aulbach.

Recorder: Tisha Matticks

A Reminder as to where the minutes are posted (HCC Newsletter) and a brief discussion of what we did during our last General Meeting. Motion passed to accept the minutes.

Conservation: John Bartos

Bayou Preservation Association; Good local Houston/Harris County area resource for mapping trips, establishing paddle trails; Buffalo Bayou & cleaning up streams, etc.

John spoke briefly regarding the Aransas Project; Whooping Cranes. For now it was a victory. Cindy Bartos works on the Brazos River Conservation & John Bartos works on the Trinity and San Jacinto and Galveston Bay conservation along with other associations.

Legislatures are in session!

Fleet Captain: Dave Kitson

Dave placed an order sheet for anyone that would like to order a cap, shirt, etc. with HCC logo.

Trip Reports:

 

• San Marcos; Clean up with Christy. Frazier shared their experience of approximately
  10 boats. Good food and paddled on Sunday. Banned beer cans, less tubing due to the ban.
  Less trash.
• Lake Pass; Original trip was changed due to the water level being only 6’. Paddled to Mud Lake.
• Goose Bayou; many side trips were taken.

• Trinity Bay; north wind, low tie, low water…yet a good paddle with owls.

• Neches River; one member paddled 8 miles, then two weeks later paddled an additional
  16 miles of a 45 mile trip.

• An Austin paddle had also taken place by another member.

• Terry & John had been practicing on the Buffalo Bayou, not past Allen Landing and getting
  ready for the Regatta.

Webmaster: Greg Walker

New changes and ideas in the making.

Financial Report-Treasurer: Bob Neager

Expenses for the month of February was $1,090.00. Income was $450.00, all the expenses are within the planned budget so far. The bank account currently contains $3,800.

Joe Coker asked what is in the Training /Education funds?

Training / Education Funds was not placed into a separate budget. Per Bob, the funds have already been spent. Per Joe & Harmon, HCC should have at least $800 in the educational funds. The budget calls for approximately $250 and so far this year, two members have taking wilderness training based on that subsidized budget.

Per Frazer Baker; Is a financial accounting system being run for HCC? Yes, it is now by Bob Neager? Per Harmon; Previous years, it was being run on a spreadsheet.

Boatswain: Honey Leveen

 

Meet and greet guest and members; G-Diana, G-Miles, M-Doug, M-Mark,
Information available; business cards, decals, dinner before the meeting at the Roadster Grill.

Seeking volunteers for the HCC tent at the Buffalo Bayou Regatta event. Please sign up for either time between; 10:00 am till 2:00 PM. Philip & Tisha Matticks already agreed to be there all day.

Several boxes of brochures available to drop them off at local retail shops.

Newsletter: John Rich

Harmon spoke on behalf of John; Waterline reports on many other important information, topics and pictures. Please don’t forget to share your stories, trips and pictures. John has been finding articles to share on the Newsletter.

Please send in articles; Suggested PowerPoint presentation and picture with a sentence or two. Or videos may also be posted. Several ideas and ways to share your topics, pictures and stories.

Safety Minute:

 

Bob Neager; HCC has several posters that were provided by ACA for being a member of ACA.

Today’s safety minute is based on one of those posters; “Defensive Boating” Whenever other crafts are sharing the same waterway as the paddler, make sure you are visible to other crafts. When selecting your PFD, the color can make a difference for other crafts to notice you, especially when sitting low in the water, perhaps use reflective tape.

Coastal area; waves can hide you and make you harder to see to power boats. If the sun is behind you, the oncoming power craft will have the sun in their eyes and may not see you. River’s or Intercostals, going around a bend; don’t change sides of a waterway on a curve/bend. A non power craft does have the right of way, but ultimately, it’s our responsibility to avoid motor crafts. Not all power boaters will follow the rules. If you find yourself approaching head on to a power boat; immediately paddle to your right. Both crafts should always steer to their right. So paddle defensively for your safety.

If anyone would like to borrow the Safety Posters, just get in touch with Bob Neager to make arrangement for the use and return of these Safety Minute Posters.

Upcoming Paddle Trips Discussed:

• San Marcos Clean Up (Mar. 2)
• Regatta (Mar. 16)
• Cagle-Lake Stubblefield (Mar. 20)
• Trash Bash at Texas Wide Rivers & Bayou’s (Mar. 23) Armand Bayou,
• Demo Paddle-Ben (April 06)
• Beginners & Level 2 training at Higaldo Falls-TRPA (April 20)
• Buffalo River-Ken Anderson (Full)
• Spring Fling-( April 27 & 28)
• Sabine Annual Labor Day Weekend (May)
• Woods Project (Jun)
• Summer Fling-( Mid July)
• Sabine Annual Memorial Weekend (Sep)
• October Paddle Fest (Oct)
• Week of Rivers; Lakes of North Carolina .

Open Floor Discussions:

 

• Fraizier shared a caution paddle story that occurred in Lake Summerville.

• Fraizier also resurrected his old newsletter on his website;

• Lots of information shared with HCC Newsletters.

• Joe will speak to Patty about additional training to HCC members.

• Harmon requested additional snacks for those participating in the paddle at the Regatta Event.
  Tisha & Honey will get together on that special request.

• John Bartos; has a sign-up sheet to help at the Armand Bayou, clean and have lunch.

• John Bartos; Sign up to show your interest in the return of bottle recycling refund program.

• Mary Zaborowski will have her Cagle run set up starting Wednesday, March 20th through
  Saturday for those who wish to join. Camping is free is helping with clean up. Food menu and
  paddling information available on the website.

Meeting called to a close: 1.43 hours