Houston Canoe Club
Board Meeting Minutes
May 6, 2026
Officers in attendance: Natalie Wiest, Commodore; Christy Long, Vice Commodore and Website Master; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor; Tracy Caldwell Becker, Purser; Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman; and Mike Grove, Recorder.
Officers absent: Tyrone White, Boatswain; and Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain.
Commodore Natalie Wiest called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:01 pm and addressed the following preliminary items:
- Natalie mentioned a few corrections for names misspelled in the draft minutes for the April 1 Board meeting as well as a correction for a name misspelled in the draft minutes for the April 8 General Membership meeting. Mike thanked Natalie and acknowledged that he would make those corrections.
- Natalie then asked Tracy whether there have been any developments on the need for updated bank signature cards. Tracy responded that she had checked with the bank, who said that everything remains fine with the signature cards notwithstanding the election of some new club officers, since Tracy continues to be the Purser/treasurer. Tracy also said that she would address the renewal of the club’s certificate of deposit in her Purser’s Report.
- Natalie asked Harmon whether Chuck Falk has agreed to write an article regarding his alligator attack, to be included in an upcoming edition of the Newsletter. Harmon said that he had not yet approached Chuck about that, but that he would do so.
- Natalie said that she will prepare an article for the Newsletter regarding the opening for non-motorized boating of the John Paul Landing Park in Cypress, Texas.
- Natalie asked Christy about an article addressing their impromptu trip on the San Bernard, which was not an official club trip. After discussion it was decided that Natalie would write that article and Christy would supply pictures.
- Natalie reported that she will be out of state and unable to attend the June 3 Board meeting and the June 10 General Membership meeting.
- Natalie next asked the officers present to make their brief officer reports.
Mike Grove presented the Minutes for the April 1 Board meeting for Board approval, as they were published in the Club’s May Newsletter, subject to the noted spelling corrections being made. Following a motion and second that those minutes be approved, all present voted to approve them.
Tracy Caldwell Becker gave her Purser’s report:
- Tracy asked Christy to post a copy of Tracy’s financial report on the Zoom screen, which Chisty did. The report reflected no unexpected expenses or unanticipated revenue. Tracy pointed out the details of the renewal of the Club’s certificate of deposit. She summarized that the club’s financial position is sound and within expectations.
Harmon Everett next gave his Newsletter Editor report:
- Harmon said that the monthly Newsletters continue to go along smoothly. He said that Ken Anderson called to ask whether the articles he has submitted to the Newsletter are of interest to the Newsletter readers, and Harmon told him that they are certainly of interest. Ken mentioned that he had built a Wherry (a lightweight, traditionally wooden rowboat or shallow-draft sailing vessel designed for speed, cargo transport, or passenger ferrying) and that he has been rowing it around waters in the pacific northwest where he sometimes encounters surfaced submarines (from the nearby submarine base) and Orca whales from a pod that lives in the area. Harmon is going to ask Ken to submit something for the Newsletter addressing his Wherry travels, along with pictures.
- Harmon said that he might request a humor article from Kent Walters. He also said that the field for Newsletter articles is wide open and that he continues to encourage people to submit those articles.
Christy Long gave her Vice Commodore’s Report:
- Christy noted that she purchased new koozies with “Houston Canoe Club” printed on the side, and that she plans to give them to Tyrone to use as hand-outs on behalf of the club and to also give one-each to club members who attend the Swap Meet on May 13th. She said that she purchased those koozies, initially at her expense ($40 for 50 koozies) pending board approval. The board members present unanimously agreed that it is a beneficial club expense and that Christy should submit the receipt to Tracy for reimbursement.
- Christy reported that she does not yet have a program committed for the June General Membership meeting, but she is considering options and open to suggestions. She said that she intends to follow up with TEXSAR (Texas Search and Rescue) regarding their possibly making a presentation.
- Mike mentioned that at a past Greens Bayou Regatta he had encountered a member of the HPD Explorer Program, along with a student participant in that program, who were participating in the Regatta on behalf of the HPD Explorer Program. Mike said that he thought that a representative of the HPD Explorer Program might be interested in making a presentation to the Club, and that he would contact them and report back to Christy regarding their interest level and whom to talk to if they are interested.
- Harmon mentioned that when there is emergency interaction between canoe/kayak association folks and local police or sheriffs’ organizations, there needs to be understanding and coordination between them so that water rescues do not fail as a result of conflicting approaches or techniques to their water rescue efforts. Christy noted that area police organizations might be able to make a presentation on what swift water rescue courses they take, and what canoe/kayak organizations should know about police responses to a water rescue emergency.
- Christy then mentioned another possible program by Chris Arseneau regarding kayak fishing, and in that regard, Tom mentioned PACK (Paddling Anglers in Canoes and Kayaks) as a possible source for a presentation. Christy and Tracy said that they believe Greg Fan is also involved with PACK.
- Tom told Christy that if we are in a bind for the club’s June meeting presentation, he might be able to report on an article that he wrote nearly a year ago, regarding why almost all of our primary, regional bayous flow from West to East. Tom said that his schedule is tight through the beginning of next month, so he would have to check to see if he has time to prepare for a June 10th presentation. Christy asked Tom to check that out and said that his presentation would be very welcome, but that in the meantime, she will also check on the other possible options that folks have mentioned.
Tom Douglas gave his Conservation Report. He noted that he cannot be at the Swap Meet on May 13th so he will not be available to give his Conservation Report there. Christy said that we are not intending to make extended reports at the Swap Meet, so that would not be a problem. Tom put his Conservation Report on the Zoom screen and briefly went through the power point slides. He said that it would be important for those in attendance at the Swap Meet to at least be made aware of the upcoming events covered in the slides. Christy said the she would have those slides at the Swap Meet and that they would be brought to the attention of those attending, including: Flood Resilience Strategies Virtual Workshops on May 18 and 20, Spotlighting Exploration Green Spring Symposium on May 13, Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions in Houston on May 14, Greens Bayou Partnership Virtual Meeting on May 14, Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on May 15, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Open House on May 16, and Greens Bayou Cleanup on May 16.
Tyrone White was not available to give his Boatswain’s Report.
Bruce Bodson was not available to give his Fleet Captain Report.
Old and New Business.
- There being no more old or new business, Natalie adjourned the meeting at 7:47 PM.
Recorder,
Mike Grove
Houston Canoe Club
General Membership Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2026
Officers in attendance: Natalie Wiest, Commodore; Christy Long, Vice Commodore and Website Master; Tyrone White, Boatswain; Tracy Caldwell Becker, Purser; and Mike Grove, Recorder.
Officers absent: Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor; and Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman.
Swap Meet: Due to this meeting being planned as a Swap Meet rather than a customary General Membership meeting, those in attendance were bringing kayak, canoe, and camping items into the meeting room for sale or trade for several minutes after 7:00 pm. Christy also brought light refreshments for those attending.
By 7:20 pm all equipment and gear was laid out for display and all those attending had arrived. There were 10 members in attendance. In addition, a former club member, Kelly Clark, had arrived at the beginning of the meeting to say that she and her husband, long time canoers, were moving from the city and they had decided to contribute all of their accumulated canoeing, kayaking, and camping gear to the Swap Meet, free to all. The gear that Kelly left was useful and varied, and substantially all of it was claimed by those in attendance.
Many thanks to Kelly for taking the time to think of the Club, gathering up all of the gear that she and her husband wanted to contribute, and making the trip to donate so much useful gear to the Swap Meet. And thanks to all others in attendance for the gear that they brought, traded, sold, and/or bought.
Although there was no formal business conducted at the Swap Meet, Vice Commodore Christy had committed to Tom Douglas, our Conservation Chairman, that she would ensure that the upcoming events covered in his May Conservation Report would be reported to those attending the Swap Meet. Constantine Platon agreed to read the Power Point slides of those events to those present. The items covered included: Flood Resilience Strategies Virtual Workshops on May 18 and 20, Spotlighting Exploration Green Spring Symposium on May 13, Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions in Houston on May 14, Greens Bayou Partnership Virtual Meeting on May 14, Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on May 15, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Open House on May 16, and Greens Bayou Cleanup on May 16.
By approximately 8:15 all Swap Meet items had been spoken for. Those in attendance concurred that the Swap Meet had concluded, and everyone packed up the gear they had spoken for and any that had not been claimed, and the meeting adjourned.
Recorder,
Mike Grove
