Last Meeting Minutes (Copy) - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
April 14, 2021
Online

Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Officers present were Ms. Wiest, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Fleet Captain Bruce Bodson, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present was Conservation Chair Tom Douglas.

Ms. Wiest announced the sad news that Newsletter Editor John Rich had resigned his position after 11 years. Everyone was sorry to hear it. She then announced a club paddle and picnic in his honor, at Marshall Lake, on June 20th. She added that Tom Douglas would speak on Houston Paddle Trails at the May meeting, if no other speaker were found. Ms. Wiest said she will be absent, as she celebrates her Mom’s 100th birthday. (Hooray for Natalie’s Mom!)

Mr. Bodson gave the Fleet Captain’s report. There were three trips since the last meeting. Trips, and leaders, were:

March 26: Trash Bash, Green’s Bayou, Tom Douglas;

April 4: Champion’s Lake, Natalie Wiest;

April 10: Brazos River, SH 21 to FM 60, Bruce Bodson.

Club mileage leaders are: Brent Hwang (132 miles paddled), Constantin Platon (62), Bruce Bodson (57), and David Portz (43).

Upcoming trips and leaders announced were:

April 10-17: Buffalo River, AK, Kent Walters (in progress);

April 17: Brazos River, US 79 to SH 21, Bruce Bodson.

Ms. Nissen gave the Boatswain’s report. There are three new members: Cameron Cozac, Scott Andrews, and Kenneth Pape (renewing).

Ms. Wiest asked that the previous meetings’ minutes be approved. and they were.

Mr. Douglas gave the Conservation report. He led a small group of members on a “do-it-yourself” Trash Bash clean-up on March 27th. He announced that the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership had set a timeline for implementing its its watershed protection plan. He then noted that the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Houston Public Media have produced a “Birds and Plants of Buffalo Bayou Park” audio tour. He added that there would be banding of Red-cockaded Woodpecker nestlings at Jones State Forest on May 11th. He then reported that he had given a talk on Houston Paddle Trails at the Sierra Club meeting April 8th, and that Brazoria City was taking comments for an update of its parks master plan. He ended by noting the Boy Scout “Powderhorn” canoe and kayak instruction session.

Ms. Wiest announced that the club would continue to meet on Zoom for the coming month, at least. She asked what we could do to continue posting a newsletter without Mr. Rich. It was decided to simplify it and continue, with each officer posting his or her reports.

She then introduced Carl Franklin, of Texas Turtles, who spoke on, well, Texas turtles. It was an entertaining and educational presentation. There were many questions afterwards.

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

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
April 7, 2021
Online

Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Officers present were Ms. Wiest, Vice Commodore Christy Long, Purser Kent Walters, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Fleet Captain Bruce Bodson, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present was Conservation Chair Tom Douglas.

Ms. Long reminded the officers that there would be a presentation on the turtles of Texas at the upcoming general meeting, but that she did not have speakers for May or June. She added that she was trying to find someone involved with wildlife rehabilitation for the July meeting. She asked whether the board should approve paying $250.00 to the Texas Wildlife Center for a speaker from that organization. The board decided to think about whether we could pay them that much, and give other speakers gratitude and a plate of Cuban food at Cafe Piquet.

Ms. Wiest asked who would pretend to be “Kent”, and run the general meeting on May 12th, as she would be out of town. Ms. Long offered to do so. Ms. Wiest added that she might be able to attend the meeting, but couldn’t commit to running it.

Mr. Bodson reported one club trip, to Champions Lake, led by Ms. Wiest, on April 4th. He then suggested we ask Brian Blakely to serve as newsletter Editor, and offered to give a Safety Minute on alligator safety at the general meeting.

Ms. Nissen reported two new members, Cameron Cozac and Scott Andrews.

Mr. Walters said that we had $40.00 more than last month. The officers broke out in spontaneous cheers.

Ms. Long, acting Webmaster, said she didn’t have anything to say.

Mr. Douglas reported that several HCC members went to Green’s Bayou for the “distanced” 2021 Trash Bash, and collected 95 lb. of trash. The Spring Creek Watershed Partnership was meeting April 8th, and the Sierra Club was meeting the same evening, when he would speak on Houston area paddle trails. He announced that the Buffalo Bayou Partnership has published three pamphlets on the Buffalo Bayou ecosystem, and reminded the board of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker banding on May 11.

There was discussion of who we might ask to be Newsletter Editor. Mr. Bodson was asked to contact Mr. Blakely, and Alice and Christy offered to try to get the job done if he is uninterested.

Ms. Wiest said the Ms. Long and Mr. Walters would be out of town, paddling the Buffalo River, and would not attend the general meeting April 14th. She added that she has told the management of Bayland Park that HCC would not be using a room there for the meetings in April or May. She then suggested we organize an event to honor John Rich for his many years of service as Newsletter Editor. The board decided to hold a picnic at Marshall Lake, at some future date. It was also suggested that the club buy him a nice paddle. It was decided to try to find out what type and size he uses.

Ms. Wiest adjourned the meeting.

Recorder,

Frank Ohrt