Last Meeting Minutes - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
March 6, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Commodore Bob Naeger called the meeting to order. He introduced the other officers present: Vice Commodore Dan Roy, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. (Purser Kent Walters arrived late.) Also present were Sergeant-at-Arms Ann Derby, Webmaster Harmon Everett and Conservation Chair Bruce Bodson. Mr. Naeger reported that members had dined at Cafe Piquet before the meeting, and that members who were still hungry would meet at Jax’s Grill after the meeting.

Mr. Naeger gave the Purser’s report in Mr. Walters’ absence. Same old story - we’re doing fine.

Bob Naeger

Mr. Ohrt gave the Safety Minute. (OK, two.) He noted that hats and long sleeves are cheaper than skin cancer, and reported on a drowning of an experienced kayaker when her safety vest tow line snagged in a strainer. It was a freak accident, but she’s still dead. Don’t let things dangle from you, or your boat!

Frank Ohrt

Mr. Woodcock gave the Boatswain’s report. We had one visitor, Sid George, and we have two new members, Ronald Muery and Russell Vowell. The club currently has 136 members.

Paul Woodcock

Ms. Wiest gave the Fleet Captain’s report. She first presented Brent Hwang with his 100-Miler award, and recognized Tom Douglas for having led the most trips in 2018. Recent club paddles and coordinators were:

March 2: San Marcos River Clean-up; Frank Ohrt;
March 9: Buffalo Bayou Regatta; David Portz (sweep/safety boaters).

Upcoming events and trip coordinators announced were:

March 30: Trash Bash, Armand Bayou; Christy Long;
April 25-30: Buffalo River, AR; Kent Walters.

Becky Begley, the regional coordinator for the 2019 25th Annual Trash Bash, spoke on the origin and aims of the Trash Bash. There will be 16 locations across Texas this year.

Becky Begley

Mr. Roy introduced the evenings speaker, Bob Spain, author of the recently published “Canoe Trails of Texas. He spoke on the history of canoes and canoeing in North America, and about the Texas Canoe Trail system.

Bob Spain

Mr. Roy announced next month’s speaker, Dr. Antonietta Quigg, (TAMU-Galeston), who will speak on the importance of phytoplankton in the marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico.

Dan Roy Antonietta Quiqq

Mr. Naeger adjourned the meeting.

General Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
March 6, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Commodore Bob Naeger called the meeting to order. Present were M. Naeger, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Recorder Frank Ohrt and Purser Kent Walters (by telephone). Vice Commodore Dan Roy arrived late, due to traffic. Mr. Walters said he would probably not be able to attend the membership meeting the following week.

Mr. Naeger asked for ideas for the 2019 Christmas Party. Mr. Ohrt suggested the Red Cross building on the southwest Freeway. Mr. Naeger suggested possibly meeting at a restaurant, or at some Harris County space, without alcohol. Mr. Rich said we might meet at a pavilion in a park somewhere. We decided to keep looking.

Mr. Naeger mentioned that, so far, only Paul Woodcock had volunteered to set up an HCC booth at the end of the Buffalo Bayou Regatta, and that he (Mr. Naeger) would try to be there also.

Mr. Naeger suggested that we write up a schedule for HCC activities for the year. All agreed.

Mr. Ohrt asked about our registry with the Texas Secretary of State, and there was discussion of what, exactly, we were registered as, and with whom.

Mr. Naeger announced that Christy Long would lead a crew at Armand Bayou for the 2019 Trash Bash. He added that Fran Wilcox would lead a Memorial Day weekend trip on the Columbus Loop.

Mr. Roy said we definitely had Bob Spain scheduled for the speaker at the March membership meeting, and mentioned the speakers that he has scheduled through August. The officers discussed places to eat before the various meetings.

As the aforementioned discussion reminded the officers that they were hungry, the meeting was adjourned, and those who hadn't eaten yet departed for Jax’s Grill.

Board Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt