Last Meeting Minutes
by Dutch Becker
April Membership Meeting 4-9-2025
Meeting held between 7:10 and 8:52 with 16 participants in attendance.
AI Summary
The meeting covered financial updates, including deposits, expenses, and interest earned. Safety concerns were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of wearing PFDs and being aware of water temperatures. The club’s upcoming events, including a clean-up event and a birthday celebration, were also discussed.
A fundraising breakfast for the Houston Flood Control District will be held at the Greens Bayou Coalition. The event will feature informative speakers and provide an opportunity to learn about the district’s ongoing concerns of water quality Additionally, there will be a discussion about the potential flood control mitigation employing a new tunnel system.
The 2025 Buffalo Bayou Regatta had the largest turnout to date with just over 400 participants including outfitters and safety volunteers. The event was fun, and incident-free. Upcoming trips include a week-long Buffalo river paddle and a Whitewater school in Arkansas.
Our monthly presentation, presented by Joe Coker, delved into alligator behaviors during spring. This presentation was prompted by a recent incident involving a gator attack on a HASK member in Florida. This incident underscored the significance of knowledge, mindset, and preparedness for trip leaders and participants. The attack, which occurred in a known gator habitat, highlighted the need for awareness of potential dangers, such as nesting sites and aggressive behavior. Trip leaders should be well-versed in navigation, emergency procedures, and the local environment to ensure the safety of their groups.
A review of safety protocols and preparedness for outdoor activities, including first aid training, emergency communication, and navigation, was conducted. The importance of being aware of potential hazards, such as snakes and dangerous terrain, was emphasized. Additionally, the use of technology like GPS and satellite communication for emergency situations was discussed, highlighting the need for self-reliance in remote areas.
April Board Meeting 4-2-2025
Zoom meeting held between 6:59 and 8:37
AI Summary
The clubs’ purser, Tracy presented the club’s financial report, highlighting a total member dues of $16,835 and expenses of $513. Despite a negative cash flow of $671 for the year, the club’s savings account balance remains healthy at $20,838. The newsletter was published, and the club welcomed a new family member/ship by Wendy Kamacho while 11 members renewed their memberships
The club discussed the trip calendar, mentioning the need for more individual trips and the availability of float plans for members to use. Additionally, they discussed the possibility of ordering additional swag or other items with the club’s logo as giveaways for presentations and awards.
The group discussed upcoming events, including a trash bash and a plastic fusion symposium. They also addressed a request to track and announce the number of events attended by members, potentially rewarding those who reach a certain threshold. Additionally, they discussed the need to announce speakers for meetings and utilize AI for note-taking and summarizing meetings.
The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a project to restore Keller Bay near Port Lavaca by building breakwaters and an oyster reef to prevent erosion and protect beds of sea grass. The proposal aims to stabilize the shoreline and preserve the bay’s habitat. While the project is already underway, the request is for Tom Douglas to write letters of support to persuade legislators and funding entities.

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Recorder,
Dutch Becker
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