Oct 2022 Last Meeting Minute - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Alice Nissen

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
September 14, 2022

Chris Arceneaux, Commodore of HASK

Our September general meeting was a combined meeting with HASK and HCC. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bayland Community Center by Natalie Wiest, Commodore. HCC Officers in attendance and introduced were Bob Naeger, Purser; Alice Nissen, Recorder; Tim Brooking, Boatswain; Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain; Christy Long, Newsletter Editor and Ann Derby, Sargent at Arms. Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman, was present via Zoom. Chris Arceneaux, Commodore with HASK, introduced his officers in attendance. The last HCC meeting minutes were approved.

Fleet captain’s report: Trip on Champion Lake. There are 10 miles of trails but only 4 ½ miles traveled due to vegetation in the water. It was a beautiful trip but very difficult to paddle. Thirteen people attended, 10 boats. A trip on the Columbus Loop of the Colorado River, 16 people attended. It was low water with lots of ripples. Tim gave the fleet captain’s report for Bruce. There were seven events last month with 29 participants, for a total of 49 ½ miles and 575 miles for the year.

Tim gave the Boatswain report: There are three new members, two renewals for a total of 142 members and 859 Facebook followers. New member Maria Lowry was introduced: she stated she needs advice on what boat to purchase.

Bob gave the purser report: He stated our income to date is $1725 versus $2000 budgeted. Our expenses through August were $1609 versus $1800 budgeted.

Tom gave the conservation report. He encouraged us to attend the Clear Creek Watershed Project meetings, which are for discussions of sources of pollution in our water. The final episode on flooding in Houston was August 29 on KUHF. Hill Country Water Talk at Roughhouse Brewing was on August 27 re/protection of streams in Texas. The final episode of “Below the Waterlines,” on how Houston has changed five years after Hurricane Harvey, flooding effects on individuals and structures, on KUHF Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. or on podcasts. Sacred Springs Kite Exhibit at Austin Central Library. Swift Water Rescue Workshop September 17 and 18 at San Marcos, a course specific for paddlers. This is an ACA course with a $100 fee. Detailed information for all of the above is posted on the conservation forum.

Christy stated the newsletter is looking good. Reminded us to send her pictures and art.

Natalie brought up new business: our tee-shirts. Ann showed us the prototype. She stated the short sleeve shirts are 100 percent cotton and the long sleeves are SPF50. An email went out. Mail check and order form by October 31. This is a one-time deal. No refunds or returns and no sales tax.

Natalie stated that our elections will be held in November. She reminded us that we are also looking for a webmaster.

Chris announced upcoming HASK trips and events: On September 17, trip on Double Bayou, Beason Park to Trinity Bay. On October 1, HASK annual picnic at River Grove Park in Kingwood. On October 2, Constantin Platon will lead a trip on Galveston Bay to the Selma shipwreck from WWI.

Texas Coastal Program Coordinator for the American Bird Conservancy, Kirsten Vale, was introduced. The population of beach birds is declining. Birds nest in big groups or rookeries, sometimes in mixed species. Nesting time for sea birds is February through August; peak nesting time is mid-May to mid-June. Threats to birds are hunting, pesticides, habitat loss, island erosion, human disturbances, oil spills, chemical pollution. The Reddish Egret is threatened. The Black Skimmer is the fastest declining bird on the coast. The American Oystercatcher nests alone and are early nesters. Their population is declining. In the 1960s, the Brown Pelican was endangered with only 16 birds remaining due to hunting and pesticides. By 1980-1995, they had recovered. In 2009, the pelicans are off the endangered list. The Laughing Gulls are on the rise. They are aggressive and eat chicks and eggs of other birds. There are several breeding islands along the coast: North Deer Island, owned by Audubon Society, is 120 acres, which is the most important breeding area. Chester Island, which is manmade, is 200 acres. Matagorda is 73 acres. She reminded us that if the birds lift off when we approach an island, we are too close and we should back off as they may be nesting. It is safe to go the islands late September through December. It’s helpful if paddlers pick up fishing gear when found. If you hook a bird when fishing, don’t cut line, bring bird in, hold it, cut hook, and pull out. Galveston Animal Control is 409-765-3702 and Angleton Wildlife Rescue is 979-849-0184. There will be a trash cleanup in December; contact Kirsten for arrangements if you would like to participate. We learned a lot about breeding costal birds from Kirsten and thanked her for the interesting presentation.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45.

Kirsten Vale

Lot of Smiles from the Gallery

Happy People Talking about Paddling and Birding.

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
September 7, 2022

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Officers in attendance via Zoom were Natalie Wiest, Commodore; Alice Nissen, Recorder; Bob Naeger, Purser; Tim Brooking, Boatswain; Christy Long, Newsletter Editor. Also present was Ann Derby, Sargent at Arms and Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman. The last board meeting minutes were approved.

Bob stated we spent more on software this year than we had budgeted; our software subscription was several hundred. The total cost of the picnic was $325, which was only $25 over budget. Bob will have a new budget ready next month. He also stated we have an obligation to get an inventory done and present it to the members. He suggested we get rid of old equipment we are no longer using. He asked Christy to bring a copy of Natalie’s book to the general meeting for Natalie to sign to give to the previous speaker, Amber Leung.

Christy stated the newsletter has been running smoothly.

Tim stated we have three new members and two renewals, for a total of 142 members. Facebook has 859 followers. We need to be more critical about new members from Facebook and check their profiles. Christy stated if a post is not appropriate, tag it and report it to Christy, Natalie or Tim. Members can be blocked from our website.

Tom encouraged us to attend the Clear Creek Watershed Project meetings for discussions of sources of pollution in our water. The final episode on flooding in Houston was August 29 on KUHF. Hill Country Water Talk at Roughhouse Brewing was on August 27 re/protection of streams in Texas. The final episode of “Below the Waterlines,” on how Houston has changed five years after Hurricane Harvey, flooding effects on individuals and structures, on KUHF Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. or on podcasts. Sacred Springs Kite Exhibit at Austin Central Library. Swift Water Rescue Workshop September 17 and 18 at San Marcos, a course specific for paddlers. He will put on forum. Christy will talk to Susan Eda and will place on event calendar. This is an ACA course with a $100 fee.

Natalie asked about the nominating committee’s progress. Tim answered for Bruce who was not in attendance at the meeting and stated that we have had several negative responses and nothing definite has been decided yet.

Tee-shirts were discussed. It was decided that collecting money for the shirts at the meeting was not a good idea. Forms should be filled out and mailed to the PO Box along with payment by the deadline of Halloween. If there are not enough orders, deadline will be extended to Thanksgiving. Bob will send form and information email after the meeting, first to the board for approval and then to the membership.

Bob brought up the Christmas party. Alice said she would be happy to be in charge again this year. Christy said she would help.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Recorder, Alice Nissen