Last Meeting Minutes
by Frank Ohrt
Houston Canoe Club
General Membership Meeting
October 11, 2017
Bayland Park Community Center
Recorder: Frank Ohrt
Vice Commodore Ann Derby, acting as Commodore, called the meeting to order, and introduced the officers. Present were Ms. Derby, Purser Kent Walters, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Recorder Frank Ohrt, Conservation Chair John Bartos, and Webmaster Harmon Everett. As Natalie Wiest was absent, Christy Long acted as Fleet Captain. She then noted Dave Kitson hosted the pre-meeting dinner at Thai Cottage.
Mr. Woodcock reported two new members, Miah Arnold and Syed Shibli. There were two visitors, Scott Miller and Brian Griffith. He encouraged members to get out and paddle.
Ms. Derby noted that the last month’s meeting minutes were on the website, and moved that they be accepted as written. They were.
Mr. Walters reported that we are doing fine financially.
Mr. Bartos called our attention to the increasing discussion of hurricane defense projects (i.e., the “Ike dike”) in the regional halls of power, and suggested that we pay attention and make our views known when appropriate.Tom Douglas reminded the members of the BPA symposium on October 19th, concerning the future of Buffalo Bayou and flood control.
Ms. Long reported on recent club trips:
White’s Bayou, Sept. 16 (Kent Walters),
Pickett’s Bayou, Sept. 8, (Kent Walters and David Portz),
Champion’s Lake, Oct. 1 (Natalie Wiest).
Total mileage for club paddles was 2076 miles, on 22 trips. Mr. Walters led the club with 147 miles.
Upcoming trips include a trip on Oct. 14, with Kent Walters, location to be decided; Julie Hammond’s freestyle paddling demonstration at Huntsville State Park on Nov. 4; the Green’s Bayou Regatta, Nov. 4, which needs safety boats, and a request for someone with an FOC certification to help with a Girl Scout paddle on Nov. 4..
Ms. Long announced the list of nominees for club officers for 2018. They were the same as last year, except for Ms. Derby. A volunteer for Vice Commodore was requested.
The evening’s speaker having cancelled, there was Movie Night, part 2, with an excerpt from “Nanook of the North” and the second half of “Call of the River”. All was well until the club computer finally went kablooey. It was generally agreed that Mr. Everett should go buy us a new one.
Ms Derby adjourned the meeting.
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General Meeting Recorder,
Frank Ohrt
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Houston Canoe Club
Board Meeting
October 4, 2017
Bayland Park Community Center
Recorder: Frank Ohrt
Commodore Honey Leveen called the meeting to order. Present were Ms. Leveen, Vice Commodore Ann Derby, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Newsletter Editor John Rich, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Purser Kent Walters was present by telephone.
Mr. Walters gave the Purser’s report. We are in fine shape, as usual, unless he’s been lying all this time. He noted that we have to pay ACA dues next month. He added that we need to have our annual inventory of club equipment and the club library. Mr. Ohrt suggested using the club videos for an instructional presentation at a membership meeting.
Mr Woodcock announced two new members, for a total of 154.
Ms. Derby said that our scheduled speaker for October’s membership meeting had to cancel, so we would have movie night instead. She also suggested getting Tom Douglas to give a “river science” presentation at a future meeting. We agreed. Mr. Walters will give the presentation in November, about paddling in Boquillas Canyon in Big Bend.
Mr. Ohrt offered to give a Safety Minute on swiftwater rescue training.
Ms. Wiest asked for more club trips, and more member participation. She reported that members have paddled a total of over 2,000 miles this year. She and Mr. Walters then discussed reporting trips to the ACA.
Mr. Rich asked if the Club Express (our web host) notifications have been getting out to the board. They have.
The list of nominations for next year’s officers was presented. They were the same as this year’s, with the exception of Vice Commodore. Ms. Derby said she’s flat out of ideas. We all offered to pitch in and come up with some ideas for speakers.
Ms. Wiest discussed “improvements” to the club website, courtesy of Club Express.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Board Meeting Recorder,
Frank Ohrt
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