Commodore Harmon Everett called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm. The late start was due to fiddling with the computer trying to get into the Community Center's wireless internet access for the presentation.
Harmon introduced the officers. The club still needs someone to fill the role of Recorder: the job is easy - you just attend meetings, take notes, type them up, and send them to the newsletter editor by e-mail. Frank Ohrt requested that the officers post portrait (face) photos of themselves in the list of officers on the web site, rather than distant boat photos, so that viewers can actually see who they are.
The last meeting minutes from the April meeting were approved.
Honey Leveen gave an update on the planning for the 50th anniversary party, to be held Oct. 11th. Joe Coker is organizing a 50-boat flotilla. There will be catered BBQ for 200 people, members will get two free meal tickets, non-members can buy tickets for $15, and if you join the club on the spot you get a free meal. The party committee is working on getting donations from companies like REI, in exchange for recognition by the club in their marketing. There will be a memorial ceremony for past members who are no longer with us.
The party budget of $3,800 was presented, with the major item being $2,500 for catering the meal. A show of hands of members was done and 16 counted, to confirm that a 10% quorum was present to make a constitutionally legal vote on the party budget expenditure. A vote was then taken, and the budget was passed unanimously, with no dissenters. $5,000 will be taken out of the club investment CD and moved to the checking account to cover the expenses and any contingencies.
Mary Zaborowski will be having a get-together at Huntsville State Park the weekend before the 50th Anniversary party, on Oct. 3rd through 5th.
Bosun Kenny Pape introduced two guests who came to attend our meeting; Dave who moved here from Florida, and Frank.
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| Harmon Everett |
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Honey Leveen |
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Mary Zaborowski |
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Kenny Pape |
Purser Bob Naeger was not present, but John Rich repeated the account status from his Recorder notes from April.
Fleet Captain Dave Kitson stepped to the podium for his trip reporting. The club has collectively already accumulated 1,600 paddling miles this year.
Recent trips, and who talked about it:
- Pickett's Bayou, by Ken Pape
- Turtle Bayou, by Tom Douglas
- Scouting Lake Pass (Lake Charlotte, Miller Lake, Mud Lake), by Joe Coker
- Lake Pass & Lake Charlotte, by Tom Douglas
- Sheldon Lake, by Kent Walters
- Buffalo River, Arkansas, by Robert Killian
- Louisiana Bayous, by Honey Leveen
- Brays Bayou, by Tom Douglas
Upcoming trips, and who talked about it:
- Sabine River, 3 days, led by Phil & Tish Matticks
- Cypress Creek, by Tom Douglas
- Texas Water Safari, by Terri Herdlicka
- Colorado 100, by Will Blumentritt
- Columbus Loop, by Fraser Baker
- Spring Fling (Lake Charlotte), by Joe Coker
- Week of Rivers, by Joe Coker and Frank Ohrt
Newsletter Editor John Rich gave a quick status on the production of the "Waterline" newsletter.
Conservation officer John Bartos was not present, but others pointed out that HCC had five or six members attend the Riparian Workshop, which was an excellent educational event and highly recommended. Another workshop is coming soon.
Paul Woodcock noted that May 17th is "Wear your life jacket to work" day, to highlight the value of a life jacket in boating safety. He encouraged everyone to do so, and to send in photos.
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| Bob Naeger |
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Dave Kitson |
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John Rich |
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John Bartos |
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Paul Woodcock |
Guest Speaker:
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Trudi Smith |
The guest speaker presentation was done by Trudi Smith, the Event Coordinator for Buffalo Bayou Partnership. The BBP is a quasi-government organization, with the board appointed by the Mayor, and funds donated by both government and private entities. Their mission is transforming and revitalizing Buffalo Bayou, Houston's most significant natural resource. Buffalo Bayou is fed by 22 watersheds comprising 2,200 miles of waterways.
For more than twenty-five years, BBP has been actively pursuing plans and programs for a 10-mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou from Shepherd Drive to the Port of Houston Turning Basin. Directed by the Buffalo Bayou and Beyond Master Plan, over the past 15 years alone the organization has raised and leveraged more than $125 million for Buffalo Bayou’s revitalization. Buffalo Bayou Partnership protects land for future parks and trails, coordinates other natural and built bayou enhancements and sponsors wide-ranging events to attract thousands to the banks of the bayou.
Trudi highlighted the many projects, past, present and future, to beautify Buffalo Bayou and make it an enjoyable outdoor experience. They skim trash off the water with a specialized boat, plant trees, build parks, do landscaping and erosion control, create bike and foot paths, build foot bridges over the bayou, and many other activities.
Trudi had boxes full of free Buffalo Bayou Regatta T-shirts to give-away, as well as tote bags. There were many left-over T-shirts and Trudi turned the boxes over to HCC, and they will be brought back to future club meetings so that others may share in the hand-outs.
For more info on the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, click the web link above to go to their internet site.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm, and we stuck around and chatted until about 9:05 when the custodian kicked us out to lock up.