Houston Canoe Club

Draft Board Meeting Minutes

April 1, 2026

Officers in attendance were Natalie Wiest, Commodore; Christy Long, Vice Commodore and Website Master; Tyrone White, Boatswain; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor; Tracy Caldwell Becker, Purser; and Mike Grove, Recorder.

Officers absent were Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain;  and Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman.

Natalie Wiest called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:00 pm and addressed the following preliminary items:

• Natalie asked Harmon, who had manned the Canoe Club booth at the Buffalo Bayou Regatta on March 22, how things went at the Booth. Harmon reported that several people had stopped by the Booth during the day and showed a lot of interest in the Club, but that it was pretty slow most of the time.
• Natalie asked whether any of the officers had been able to attend the Club Express webinar on March 18. Harmon reported that he had attended the webinar and that it did not seem like Club Express has changed much in regard to things that impact the Club’s monthly newsletter preparation.
• Natalie then asked if anyone could address a safety minute for the meeting. Harmon reported that care must be taken to avoid drowning due to immersion in cold water, including being aware of the water temperature, and wearing a wetsuit or drysuit to go paddling over cold water. He gave several examples of paddlers who had drowned as a result of falling into cold water, including failure to wear life jackets, failure to properly adjust life jackets, and people who had failed to consider changes in the weather that made accidental immersion into the water becoming more likely.
• In response to a question from Natalie, Tracy said that she would check with the Club’s bank to see if any updates needed to be made on the Bank signature cards or other records as a result of new club Officers serving during 2026.
• Natalie then raised questions for discussion among the officers present regarding several matters, including:·         

o  a request that had been made to certain Club members that the Club post information regarding an issue of political nature,

o  a separate request that Club facilities and/or communications be used to promote the commercial interests of certain other paddling organizations, and

o  yet another request that the Club become involved as a point organization, potentially requiring considerable financial outlay and person-hours, to revive something similar to the Southwest Canoe Rendezvous that was a premier, large-scale paddling event that had been organized by the Houston Canoe Club from roughly 1989 to 2001.

After extensive discussion, the following conclusions were reached by consensus of all officers present:

o  the Club will not engage in communications or activities that are more typically engaged in by political action committees;

o  the Club will not intentionally use or permit the use of its resources or facilities to promote the commercial interests of other organizations; and

o  the Club will not at this time expend any of its revenue or resources or commit any of its members under the auspices of the Club to formulate, organize, or revive an event such as the Southwest Canoe Rendezvous had been, but if an organization is formed or is forming for such purposes and is looking for volunteer support, the Club will be willing to announce at Club membership meetings and in Club publications that such activities are ongoing and provide Club members with information regarding whom to contact in case a Club member is interested in volunteering on their own behalf to become involved in such activities.

• Natalie next asked the other officers to give their reports.

Mike Grove made his Recorder’s report. Mike presented the Minutes for the March 4 Board meeting for Board approval, as were published in the Club’s April Newsletter. Following a motion and second that those minutes be approved, all present voted to approve them. The minutes of the March 11 general membership meeting will be presented for approval at the April 8 general membership meeting.

Tyrone White next made his Boatswain’s report:

• Tyrone reported that there was one new member added during March, and that there were 12 renewing members during March, resulting in 119 current active members. There are also 1068 Facebook followers.

Tracy Caldwell Becker gave her Purser’s report:

• Tracy reported on the financial activities of the Club during March. She noted that as is typically the case, there were certain one-time annual expenditures during March that would not be repeated during the year, there were other March expenditures and revenues that were normal, and the Club’s financial status is sound.
• Tracy also reported that the Club’s certificate of deposit is nearing maturity in April and would need to be renewed if the Club wanted to continue to maintain the CD. Upon motion made, seconded, and carried by vote of those present, it was decided that Tracy should take the necessary steps to renew the CD.

Harmon Everett next gave his Newsletter Editor report:

• Harmon said that the Newsletter was published on time again this month, and Natalie noted that “it looks real good, by the way.”
• Harmon summarized the various articles and mentioned trip reports that appear in the April Newsletter.
• Harmon expressed his hope that people would send in their Newsletter items before the end of each month, so that the monthly Newsletter could be released for publication by the first of the following month.
• Harmon asked whether it would be helpful if he would send out reminders, perhaps by the 25^th of each month, for people to get their Newsletter items in by the end of the month. After discussion it was decided that Harmon would begin to send out such reminders to encourage folks to submit their upcoming Newsletter items into the draft “Newsletter in Progress” by the end of each month.

Tom Douglas was not present to give his Conservation Chairman report, but Natalie noted that he has circulated a Power Point of that report to the Board and that it will be presented at the general membership meeting on April 8^th.

Christy Long gave her Vice Commodore’s Report:

• Christy noted that the programs for the April and May general membership meetings are set, but currently there is nothing yet scheduled after that. Harmon suggested that TEXSAR (Texas Search and Rescue) could be asked to come and make a presentation. Harmon also suggested that a program by the satellite emergency folks might also be a good one. Christy said that she would follow up on those and she is also going to contact Kent Walters about making a program presentation.
• Christy also said that she is going to notify all of the recipients of t-shirts for the 100 Milers and Trip Coordinators so that they can make it to the meeting when the t-shirts will be presented.
• Christy noted that there were about 14 paddlers on her April 1^st trip to Armond Bayou. She said that there was plenty of water, the trip encountered a few alligators, and John Bartos sent a list of about 20 types of birds that were seen. There was no rain while the trip was in progress, and overall the trip was really good.

Old and New Business.

·        There being no more old or new business, Natalie adjourned the meeting at 7:29 PM.

Recorder,

Mike Grove

Houston Canoe Club

Draft Minutes of General Membership Meeting

April 8, 2026

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by Commodore, Natalie Wiest, and Zoom access was granted to members who chose to meet virtually.

Officers in attendance: Natalie Wiest, Commodore; Christy Long, Vice Commodore and Website Master; Tracy Caldwell Becker, Purser; Tyrone White, Boatswain; Harmon Everett, Newsletter Editor (via Zoom); Bruce Bodson, Fleet Captain; Mike Grove, Recorder; and Tom Douglas, Conservation Chairman. 

Meeting attendance: 19 members present in person, and 3 members present via Zoom.

Commodore’s Report: Natalie welcomed everyone to the meeting.

• Natalie first reported that she has been contacted by Lynn Andrus who is interested in setting up another event similar to what October Paddlefest has been in past years. Lynn is looking for assistance, particularly volunteers. Lynn is talking about perhaps targeting the first week in October and she wants to bring in big name instructors and presenters to address canoeing and kayaking. Natalie said that she encouraged Lynn to send in a note to be published in the HCC Newsletter, so that everyone would have Lynn’s contact information in case they are interested in volunteering to assist. There will likely be more information to come regarding this proposed event.
• Natalie then called on the Club’s other officers to give their respective reports.

Recorder’s Report: Mike noted that the draft minutes of the Club’s March 11, 2026, general membership meeting have been posted for members’ review in the April Newsletter. He then asked for a motion to approve those minutes. A motion for approval of the minutes was made and seconded, and the motion was carried by vote of those in attendance.

Fleet Captain Report:

• Bruce first reported regarding Club statistics. The Club has had 5 events since the last monthly meeting, accounting for 66.65 available paddling miles. That results in a total of 21 mileage accruing events so far during 2026. Through the date of this meeting, there have been 47 member participants plus 5 non-members. If someone had participated in every club event available so far this year, they could have accumulated 187.49 paddling miles. Total participant miles are something over 1,500. Bruce noted that Christy is already within 4 miles of 100 for this year and there are several people who are already over halfway to 100 miles!
• Bruce then reported that he has led 7 trips, Kent and Christy have each led 5 trips, and Joe, Natalie, and Tom have each led 1 trip.
• Several club members, including Chris Clodfelter, Tom Douglas, Matt Wong, and Bob Scaldino all provided sweep services for the Buffalo Bayou Regatta. Tom mentioned that there were 730 paddlers and 500-odd boats that participated in the Regatta.
• Bruce then asked Christy and Kent to report on the recent Buffalo River trip that Kent led. Christy mentioned that it was a terrific trip, weather was great, and they saw bald eagles every day, several times a day. Kent mentioned that the group initially camped at Carver, and then went on up to Pruitt for the put-in. The group spent 2 nights and paddled for 3 days and took out at Tyler Bend.
• At Bruce’s request Tom then reported on the Armand Bayou Trash Bash, and Christy reported on the April 1^st trip she led at Armand Bayou with Joe’s assistance. Christy reported that many birds were seen, a few alligators were seen, and one alligator chose to chase Christy and her kayak until Christy outran it with some highly incentivized paddling!
• Bruce then reported on upcoming trips including April 11^th to be led by Chris Arceneau on Cedar Creek Lake on the San Bernard, the Christmas Bay signage replacement event on April 25^th, and Christy’s May 1^st San Bernard River Trip at Bates Allen Park.

Boatswain’s Report: Tyrone reported that during March 2026, one new member, Marsha Kamish, joined the club,12 members renewed, and as of the end of March there were 119 active members. He reported that there are also 1068 Facebook followers.

Purser’s Report: Tracy reported on the financial activities of the Club during March. She noted that as is typically the case, there were certain one-time annual expenditures during March that would not be repeated during the year, there were other March expenditures and revenues that were normal, and the Club’s financial status is sound.

Conservation Chairman Report:

• Tom gave a Power Point presentation of his April Conservation Report, which covered 3 upcoming events, including: Texas Coastal Roundup – Apr 18; Earth Day at Discovery Green – Apr 25; Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day – May 15. Tom’s report also included the Greens Bayou Cleanup – May 16^th.
• Tom’s complete Conservation Report can be viewed at the following link:

https://thcc.clubexpress.com/docs.ashx?id=1728805

Newsletter Editor’s Report: 

• Harmon, who attended by Zoom, reported that the April Newsletter again came out on time in good shape.
• As a safety minute for the meeting Harmon reported that care must be taken to avoid drowning due to immersion in cold water, including being aware of the water temperature, and wearing a wetsuit or drysuit to go paddling over cold water. He gave examples of paddlers who had drowned as a result of falling into cold water, including failure to wear life jackets, failure to properly adjust life jackets, and people who had failed to consider changes in the weather that made accidental immersion into the water becoming more likely.

Vice Commodore’s Report: Christy was introduced to present awards to last year’s trip leaders and 100 Milers:

Trip Leaders Present                       100 Milers Present

• Christy first presented Houston Canoe Club mugs to the following trip coordinators: Bruce – 20 trips; Kent – 12 trips; Christy – 4 trips; Natalie – 4 trips; Tracy – 2 trips; Tom – 2 trips; Joe – 1 trip; and trip coordinator awards were also presented in absentia to Brent, David, and Fran.
• Christy next presented the 100 Miler T-Shirts for 2025 to: Bruce – 420 miles; Gregg – 155 miles; Chris – 147 miles; Kent – 123 miles; Jenny – 100 miles; Doug Fairchild – 100 miles.
• Christy next introduced Joe Coker to do the honors of introducing our principal speaker for the evening:

Joe Coker’ introduction: Joe introduced the Club’s principal speaker for the month, Chuck Falk, who is the Commodore at the Houston Association of Sea Kayakers (HASK). Joe said that Chuck is going to speak on “What to Do When Things Go Right.” But Joe asked Chuck, before beginning his main presentation, whether he would first talk about an event that Chuck encountered on the northern channels at Champion Lake.

Chuck Falk

Principal Speaker: At Joe’s request, Chuck began his presentation by talking about the Champion Lake incident. Chuck said that his trip group that day was travelling with 4 boats ahead of Chuck and 5 behind him. The boat that was 2 boats ahead of Chuck ran into an alligator. The alligator then came up to the surface and grabbed the boat of the woman who was behind that boat that had hit the gator (just in front Chuck’s canoe). The alligator clamped down on the woman’s canoe, missing her leg by inches, and tipped the boat almost all the way onto its side. Trying to distract the alligator and dislodge it from the woman’s canoe, Chuck paddled ahead as hard as he could and rammed the alligator on the side of its head, which made the gator let go. After ramming the alligator to make it let go of the boat ahead of him, Chuck then turned his boat around to get the boats behind him to turn around and go back. The alligator then shot out of the water, made a quick 180, and came at Chuck’s canoe. The alligator’s bottom jaw came up on the side of Chuck’s boat, so Chuck tried to push him away with his double-bladed paddle by jamming the paddle in the gator’s mouth and the blade went the whole way in. The gator then left the side of Chuck’s boat, grabbed the stern, and pulled it under water. Chuck then paddled hard for about 150 feet with his double bladed paddle, dragging the alligator until it let go.

When things settled down and Chuck could check his gear, he saw that the gator’s front teeth had scratched the paddle shaft, indicating that Chuck had shoved the paddle about a foot into the gator’s mouth. This means that the gator was probably 12-13 feet long, because the distance in inches from a gator’s nostrils to its eyes is roughly equivalent to the length in feet of the alligator. Chuck’s canoe also had gator tooth holes below the water line in three places, and the aluminum gunwale was completely bent, and it had a gator tooth hole in it big enough that Chuck could bury his little finger through the hole. Chuck later sold that canoe to someone from out of state, who bought it because the canoe “had providence,” meaning that it was under divine guidance, care, or control!

Having gotten everyone’s complete attention with the alligator encounter at Champion Lake, Chuck moved on to his main presentation. He began by noting that “being prepared is something that we all ought to think about.” Chuck said that he calls his presentation “What to Do When Things Go Right, instead of what to do when things go wrong, because when things go wrong it’s probably too late.”

Chuck emphasized that when we go out on a paddle anywhere, we have to think of what to do if something happens that is the worst case scenario. How do we communicate? Do we know exactly where we are? How do we get out? Where do we go? What is the weather going to do? What are the capabilities of others on the trip? What gear do we bring for survival? Chuck addressed, in detail, each of these questions and others.

Chuck focused on what to always bring with you on a trip and how to bring it. For background, Chuck discussed the background and purposes of a ditch bag, an emergency bag, and an everyday carry bag or “go bag.” He also discussed what he carries in his PFD. He didn’t just mention the items that he includes in his go bag and carries in his PFD, but he went into detail with regard to most of those items, individually. People asked Chuck how he carried so many items in his PFD. He said that he uses a SeaTec PFD that has two pockets on the front, two pockets on the side, and ample storage space, and he said that it doesn’t look any different than a regular PDF even when he has all of his stuff in it. During the presentation Chuck posted pictures (shown below) of a list of items that are: (1) always in his PDF or in his pants pockets, (2) always in or on his boat, and (3) things that he takes on every trip.

Conclusion and Adjournment: At the conclusion of Chuck’s outstanding presentation, he received a round of applause and many exit greetings from folks thanking him for such an informative, useful presentation.

There being no further business, Natalie adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.

Recorder,

Mike Grove