Last Meeting Minutes - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Alice Nissen

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
February 14, 2024
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Alice Nissen

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Officers in attendance were Greg Fan, Vice Commodore; Tyrone White, Boatswain; Bob Nager, Purser; Christy Long, Fleet Captain; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor; Alice Nissen, Recorder; Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman. Sixteen attendees in person and 10 attendees via Zoom for a total attendance of 26.

The January general meeting minutes were approved.

Tyrone gave the boatswain report. He stated there were five new members, 13 renewing members for a total membership of 145 and 984 Facebook members as of the end of January. He welcomed guests and new members.

Bob gave the purser report and stated at the beginning of January we had a balance of $7,278. As of the end of January we had income of $314 (mostly from membership dues) and a debit of $572 (mostly from annual insurance) for a balance of $7019.

Tom gave the conservation report. Detailed information is in the conservation forum on our website.

Harmon gave the safety report and talked about the importance of emergency GPS devices for trips and the different kinds of available devices.

Christy gave the fleet captain report. Last month there were several trips: Kent’s two trips in Arkansas, Christy’s trip to Florida and Bruce’s Trinity River bird counts. Upcoming trips in February: Turtle Bayou, DeGray Lake, and Caddo River. Upcoming trips in March: San Marcos River rendezvous and cleanup, Armand Bayou/Horsepen Bayou, Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Armand Bayou trash bash. Total mileage to date is 275 miles.

Christy talked about the upcoming 60^th anniversary party. The tentative date is October 5, and the tentative location is the Bay Area Community Center, which is the same location as the 50^th anniversary party. The event will include paddling, dining, and socializing activities.

Tom Goynes was introduced as tonight’s speaker. Tom is a well-known and respected long-time member of HCC. His presentation was accompanied by a slideshow, where he took us back to the beginning of his love affair with canoeing, the Safari race and how his passion for river cleanup began way back in 1972. TRPA (Texas Rivers Protection Association) was formed in 1989 with Tom as president. TRPA has accomplished many things in protecting Texas rivers such as river cleanups on most major rivers, instigating a bill banning four-wheel vehicles on rivers, raising funds to buy Hidalgo Falls and recently succeeded in having an ordinance passed for a can ban on the San Marcos River but only in city limits. He urged us to write letters expanding the ordinance to cover more of the San Marcos River as well as the need for a ban on vapes. His protection of Texas rivers is appreciated by all.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40.

General Meeting Recorder,

Alice Nissen

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
February 7, 2020

Recorder: Alice Nissen

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. after enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Brent. Officers in attendance were Brent Hwang, Commodore; Bob Naeger, Purser; Tyrone White, Boatswain; Christy Long, Fleet Captain; Alice Nissen, Recorder; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor; and Tom Douglas, Conservation. In attendance via Zoom were Greg Fan, Vice Commodore, and Natalie Wiest, Ex-Officio. The last board meeting minutes were approved.

Tyrone, Boatswain, stated that our membership increased in January with five new members and 13 renewals for a total membership of 145. He stated that Facebook has 984 members. He has sent welcoming emails to all the new members.

Bob gave the purser report and stated that as of January 31, we have a checking account balance of $7019; income was $314 (from membership dues) and expenses were $572 (includes insurance expense of $503, website fee and speaker dinner). Our CD balance is $22,262. He has filed periodic reports: E990N with the IRS, and 802 with the Texas Secretary of State.

Harmon, newsletter editor, stated that he is getting more accustomed to setting up the newsletter. He stated he will talk at the next general meeting about using GPS for safety.

Christy gave the fleet captain report and stated that she has reached out to members who have coordinated trips in the past and encouraged them to coordinate trips this year. She has received several positive responses.

Greg stated the February speaker will be Tom Goynes.

Tom gave an overview of the conservation topics that he will discuss at the general meeting next week.

The 60^th anniversary party was discussed. Bob stated that the 50th party cost was around $3500. Christy will arrange a meeting with the 11 people who volunteered to help. For the date, the first choice is October 5 and the second choice is October 12. Several venue sites were discussed: the lodge at Champion Lake was ruled out because it does not have electricity; Walter Hall at Clear Creek; the 40^th was held at Huntsville; the 50^th was held at Bay Area Community Center. It was suggested that we invite long-time inactive members. The board decided it would be a nonalcoholic party.

The Charlotte Challenge was discussed. It is supposed to take place on April 1 or 6. Decisions about the race need to be resolved.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30.

Board Meeting Recorder,

Alice Nissen