Last Meeting Minutes
by Frank Ohrt
Houston Canoe Club
General Membership Meeting
Nov. 8, 2017
Bayland Park Community Center
Recorder: Frank Ohrt
Commodore Honey Leveen called the meeting to order and introduced the club officers. Present were Ms. Leveen, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Webmaster Harmon Everett, Conservation Chair John Bartos, Purser Kent Walters, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Ms. Leveen noted the pre- and post-meeting gatherings at Jax's Grill.
Ms. Leveen called attention to the posting of the minutes of the previous meeting in the current newsletter. The Recorder moved that they be accepted as written, it was seconded, and they were accepted. The Recorder was grateful, as he sure didn’t want to re-type them.
Mr. Ohrt gave the Safety Minute, suggesting that we all note the cooling temperatures, dress accordingly when we paddle, and bring a change of clothes in a dry bag.
Mr. Woodcock announced that we have three new members: Robert Finn, Scott Miller, and Bradley Selke.
Mr. Rich announced a proposed amendment to the club constitution, removing term limits for officers, so he could continue to serve as Newsletter Editor. He explained the process for doing so. A vote was taken and the members present, aghast at the prospect of losing him as Newsletter Editor, voted unanimously to approve the amendment.
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Christy Long |
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Natalie Wiest |
Christy Long offered a slate of candidates for club officers for the coming year. They were the same as for last year, except that Alice Nissen replaced Ann Derby as Vice Commodore. A vote was taken and all were elected.
Mr. Walters announced that we were within $1.37 of our proposed budget for the year.
Ms. Wiest listed the recent club trips:
Oct. 14, Trinity River (Kent Walters);
Oct. 29, Spring Creek, held by County Commissioner Jack Cagle;
Nov. 4, Greens Bayou Regatta (David Portz).
(A freestyle canoeing demonstration at Huntsville State
Park on Nov. 4 was cancelled due to weather.)
Upcoming trips were announced:
Nov. 12, Village Creek (Christy Long),
Nov. 18, Turtle Bayou (Tom Douglas),
Dec. 3, Lake Charlotte (Tom Douglas).
Christmas Bay, date to be announced (Mark Andrus).
Malcolm LeFevre announced that he teaches canoeing to special needs children and asked if we’d like for him to give a presentation in the future. We would.
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Kent Walters |
Ms. Leveen introduced Mr. Walters, who spoke on paddling Boquillas Canyon of the Rio Grande, and how he organizes and prepares for his trips there. There were many questions, and much discussion. It was a very good program.
Ms. Leveen adjourned the meeting.
Houston Canoe Club
Officers Meeting
Nov. 1, 2017
Bayland Park Community Center
Recorder: Frank Ohrt
Commodore Honey Leveen called the meeting to order. Present were Ms. Leveen, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Recorder Frank Ohrt, and Purser Kent Walters (by telephone).
Mr. Walters gave the monthly financial report, stating that we are slightly ahead of the projected budget. Ms. Wiest asked if the club would be on budget for the year, and Mr. Walters said we would. Mr. Rich suggested we have the webmaster update the "Next Meeting" note on the website home page.
Ms. Wiest reported on recent club trips, some of which were cancelled because of weather and water conditions.
Mr. Woodcock reported that we have three new members: Robert Finn, Scott Miller, and Bradley Selke.
Ms. Leveen announced that we need a candidate for Vice Commodore, to arrange monthly speakers. Otherwise, we’d all have to share that duty. Ms. Wiest said that Malcolm Lefevre would be willing to give a talk on paddling in Scotland. It was suggested that we contact Linda Gorski for a talk on area archeology. Ms. Leveen said Paul Comstock would give a talk on paddling Lake Champlain, in February.
Mr. Walters and Ms. Wiest announced that the ACA now wants everyone on club trips to be an ACA member, or pay $5.00 for insurance coverage. No exceptions. There was much discussion of how to manage non-ACA participants. It was suggested that the club pay the $5.00 fee for non-members. Mr. Walters suggested that he include his trip leader preparation in his presentation at the next membership meeting.
Mr. Ohrt offered to give a brief reminder that air and water were both getting colder for the next meeting’s Safety Minute. He’s going to give another one, too, but he hadn’t thought of it yet.
It was unanimously decided to propose to the membership a change to the club constitution, removing term limits for officers, so Mr. Rich could continue as our irreplaceable Newsletter Editor. Mr. Rich suggested we amend the constitution first, then vote on the next year’s officers. You have to get up pretty early to get by Mr. R.
Mr. Rich asked whether all the officers were getting the Club Express updates, and noted that all officers should be “club administrators”. The officers said yes to both.
It was reiterated that we need a candidate for Vice Commodore. There was brief discussion on who should do what at the Holiday party in December.
It was moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn, and agreed by acclamation.
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Recorder,
Frank Ohrt
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