Last Meeting Minutes - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
August 14, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Commodore Bob Naeger called the meeting to order. He introduced the officers present: Vice Commodore Dan Roy, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Purser Kent Walters, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present was Sergeant-at-Arms Ann Derby. Mr. Naeger moved that the minutes of the last month’s meetings be accepted. They were.

He then gave the Safety Minute, on knowing how to tie a quick-release knot. He demonstrated one type, the “mooring hitch”.

Bob Naeger

He announced the Nominating Committee for the coming year’s officers: Bruce Bodson, Amy McGee, Tom Douglas, and Alice Nissen. He then discussed the upcoming HCC picnic on September 14, on Brooks Lake in Sugar Land. The plan is to eat supper, then have an evening paddle. Food will be provided by the club, but bring something if you want.

Jordan

Acting as Boatswain for the night, Mr. Naeger introduced two guests, Spencer Gerondale and Jordan Kiefer, of the Green’s Bayou Corridor Coalition, who announced a seven-mile race on Green’s Bayou on September 28, from Brock Park to Thomas Bell Foster Park.

Christy

As the Fleet Captain was absent, the indefatigable Christy Long gave the Fleet Captain’s report. Recent trips and their leaders included:

July 21: Brazos River - “Miles and Mussels” (Bruce Bodson);
July 28: Brazos River - “Miles and Mussels” (Bruce Bodson);
July 28: San Marcos River - San Marcos River Retreat to Scull’s Crossing (Christy Long);
Aug. 1: Lake Woodlands “concert paddle” (Kent Walters);
Aug. 4: Neches River - Neches River Race;
Aug. 10: Champions Lake (Natalie Wiest).

Upcoming trips announced were:

Aug. 17: Kanoe Klassica, Colorado River - !8-mile race on the Colorado River;
Aug. 22: Lake Woodlands “concert paddle” (Heart/Joan Jett) (Kent Walters);
Sept. 7: Neches River Rally and fundraiser (Fran Wilcox);
Sept. 14: Brooks Lake, Sugar Land - HCC picnic;
Sept. 21: Lake Woodlands “concert paddle (Peter Frampton) (Kent Walters);
Oct. 1-9: Rio Grande, Upper Canyons (Kent Walters);
Oct. 3-6: Huntsville State Park: “Octpaddle Fest” - camping and paddling (Paul Woodcock):
Nov. 2: San Antonio River (Goliad Paddle Trail).

For the year, HCC members have paddled 2339 miles on 28 trips. Mr. Naeger also noted a film at the Rice Media Center on Aug. 21, about a butterfly refuge on the Rio Grande in South Texas, and the impact of the border wall on it.

Kent

Mr. Walters gave the Purser’s report. Same old same old. We’re fine, or so he says.

Mr. Roy introduced the evening’s speaker, David Heinicke, head naturalist at Brazos Bend State Park (and many other things). Mr. Heinicke spoke on paddling opportunities at several of the lesser-known state parks. It was a good talk, and there were many questions.

David Heinicke

Mr. Naeger adjourned the meeting, and those who were hungry went to Jax's.

General Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
August 7, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Commodore Bob Naeger called the meeting to order. Present were Mr. Naeger, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Purser Kent Walters (by telephone), and Recorder Frank Ohrt.

Mr. Naeger confirmed the next general meeting’s speaker, David Heinicke, head naturalist at Brazos Bend State Park. As Ms. Wiest would be absent then, he offered to give the Fleet Captain’s report.

Mr. Naeger asked for suggestions for a nominating committee for next year’s officers. He stated that we needed three people, preferably not current officers. Offices needing to be filled were Vice Commodore and Boatswain. All other officers agreed to serve for another year. Several names were suggested, and Mr. Naeger said he would contact them about serving on the committee.

Mr. Naeger asked if anyone knew how to delete extra membership listings of members who had been enrolled more than once. No one was sure how to do that, but everyone agreed to try to figure something out.

Mr. Naeger raised the topic of a club picnic, saying that it was provided for in the club budget.He said that HASK had had one along Oyster Creek in Sugar Land, with catering by a nearby hotel. He suggested that we do the same, on Sept. 14. All agreed to the time and place.

There was a discussion of how to change the Club Express permissions so that members could post trips on the club website. Ms Wiest shared a protocol for posting trips without having to go through the Fleet Captain. There was discussion of how to ensure that ACA would be notified of upcoming trips (so that the club would be covered by its ACA insurance policy), and that the Fleet Captain would know that the ACA knows. As Fleet Captain, she was given the power to decide who was qualified to post trips, then have the Webmaster assign permissions.

There was discussion of access and the logistics of getting people and food to the site of the Christmas party at the South Texas College of Law building. Mr. Ohrt said he would ask Liz Dennis (our gracious hostess) about it.

Mr. Naeger raised the issue of what to do with the club library. Mr. Woodcock said that no one ever used it. It was decided to offer the library contents to the members, then to donate the remainder to the Bayland Community Center library.

Mr. Naeger called our attention to the planning calendar. The only thing coming up was the formation of an officers’ nominating committee. He then asked whether the club should have 55th Anniversary t-shirts made up, by subscription only. It was agreed.

Mr. Rich awarded Mr. Ohrt his choice of Tootsie Pops, on the occasion of Mr. Ohrt’s having finally submitted club meeting minutes that needed no revision.

Mr. Naeger adjourned the meeting.

Board Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt