Last Meeting Minutes - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
August 12, 2020
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Officers electronically present were: Ms. Wiest, Vice Commodore Christy Long, Fleet Captain Bruce Bodson, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Purser Kent Walters, Newsletter Editor John Rich, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present were Sgt.-at-Arms Ann Derby and Conservation Chair Tom Douglas.

Ms. Wiest posted the ACA paddling protocols for the pandemic. (Don’t get careless, folks!)

Mr. Bodson gave the Fleet Captain’s report. There is one member (Brent Hwang) with over 100 miles for 2020. Christy Long led the first “official” club trip on Village Creek. Recent trips and leaders were:

July 18, Brazos River, Hwy 21 to FM 60, Bruce Bodson;

Aug. 1, Neches Wilderness Canoe Race, Bruce Bodson;

Aug. 6, Village Creek, Christy Long;

Upcoming trips and leaders announced were:

Aug. 13, Colorado River/Columbus Loop, Christy Long;

Aug.15, Brazos River, US 79 to HWY 71, Bruce Bodson;

Aug. 22, San Bernard River @ Kendleton (for new members), Bruce Bodson;

Aug. 29, Brazos River, Bruce Bodson;

Oct. 22-26, Sta. Elena Canyon, Rio Grande, Kent Walters.

Ms. Nissen gave the Boatswain’s report. There are two new members, Natalie Pumphrey and Denis Hogan.

Mr. Walters gave the Purser’s report. The club made $0.31 in interest on our CD. Yippee!

Mr. Douglas reported the passage and signing of the Great American Outdoors Act, providing funding for national parks and various conservation projects. He then spoke about the various stream Watershed Partnerships, and the various levels of government that are involved with water quality, from national to local.

Ms Wiest announced that Bob Naeger would head the committee for nominating next year’s officers, and that the nominees would be announced at the October general meeting.

Matthew Taylor said he was trying to re-start the Hidalgo Falls Festival.

Ms. Long led a presentation on places we all might want to paddle someday. Tracy Becker spoke and showed slides on paddling the Florida Keys, and ex-HCC members John and Ann Olden did the same on paddling the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.

Christy Long Tracy Becker John & Ann Olden

There were questions, greetings, etc., and Ms Wiest adjoined the meeting.

General Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
August 5, 2020
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

The August board meeting was held on Zoom.

Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Officers Zooming in were Ms. Wiest, Vice Commodore Christy Long, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Fleet Captain bruce Bodson, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Purser Kent Walters joined later. Also joining were Sgt.-at Arms Ann Derby and Conservation Chair Tom Douglas.

Ms. Wiest announced that the September meetings would also be held using Zoom, and that “official” club trips had resumed. She asked for volunteers to lead trips. Ms. Long and Mr. Bodson discussed water levels in Village Creek and the Neches River, and whether they were good for paddling.

Ms. Wiest then announced that Bob Naeger would head this year’s officer nominating committee.

Ms. Nissen gave the Boatswain’s report. We had a net loss of 5 members, but one new member, Natalie Pumphrey.

Mr. Walters gave the Purser’s report. As he had circulated the monthly financial report earlier, he simply said “All is well.” Rather than show an interest, the board chose to believe him.

Mr. Douglas gave a report on the efforts to reduce the bacterial levels in local creeks, and the organizations trying to do so.

Ms. Derby suggested that, rather than have two logos, we make the “bobcat” logo the “legacy” logo, and the tandem paddlers the “official “ logo. There was discussion as to which logo to use, which to declare the official one, or to just decide nothing, which we did. Or didn’t, depending on how you look at it.

Mr. Bodson asked about the proper way to log trip mileage.

Ms. Long said that the general August meeting would feature slides from members’ various trips and adventures.

There was discussion of how to publicize club trips, meetings, etc., whether by Forum emails or on Facebook, or both.

There being no more business, Ms. Wiest adjourned the meeting.

Board Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt