Last Meeting Minutes - Houston Canoe Club

Last Meeting Minutes

by Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

General Membership Meeting
September 11, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

Bayland Community
Center Entrance Paul runs the
welcome table

A table full of HCC library materials was laid out for free give-away, and many members perused the selection and scored some nice books and DVD's. The remainder will be discarded or donated to the Bayland Community Center's library.

Library give-away Ann sets up the
presentation equipment

Commodore Bob Naeger called the meeting to order. He introduced the officers present: Vice Commodore Dan Roy, Newsletter Editor John Rich, Fleet Captain Natalie Wiest, Boatswain Paul Woodcock, Purser Kent Walters, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Also present were Sergeant-at-Arms Ann Derby and Webmaster Harmon Everett.

Commodore Bob Attendees

Mr. Naeger mentioned the pre-meeting dinner at Charlie’s Barbecue and the usual post-meeting assembly at Jax’s. He then reminded the members of the club picnic in Sugar Land the following Saturday.

Mr. Walters gave the Safety Minute, on proper lighting for paddle craft after dark. He then gave the Purser’s report. Same old same old. His “Send-the-Purser-to-Lake Charles” fund is doing fine.

Mr. Woodcock gave the Boatswain’s report.

Ms. Wiest gave the Fleet Captain’s report. Recent trips and trip coordinators included:

Aug. 17 - Kanoe Classic, Colorado River
Aug. 22 - Concert paddle (5), Lake Woodlands; Kent Walters
Aug. 24 - Colorado River, Bastrop to Smithville; Bruce Bodson
Aug. 31 - Colorado River, 100k race; Bruce Bodson
Sept. 7 - Neches River Rally, Neches River; Fran Wilcox
Sept. 8 - Miles and Mussels (16), Brazos River; Bruce Bodson.

Upcoming trips announced were:

Sept. 14 - HCC club picnic, Brooks Lake (Sugar Land)
Sept. 21 - Concert paddle (6) - Lake Woodlands; Kent Walters
Sept. 28 - Greens Bayou Regatta (safety boaters needed); David Portz
Oct. 4-11 - Upper Canyons, Rio Grande (trip full!); Kent Walters
Oct. 3-6 - Octpaddlefest, Huntsville State Park; Paul Woodcock
Oct. 20 - Rotary Regatta, Clear Creek

David Portz led the club, with 387.4593 miles paddled, give or take an inch or two. Bruce Bodson was a close second, with 293.26. The members were exhorted to get out and paddle.

Frank promotes the
HGAC Trash Bash Kent on night
lighting David gives a trip
report for Natalie Paul gives the
membership report

Mr. Roy introduced the speaker for the evening, Phil Salvador, Safety Officer of Houston Area Sea Kayakers, who gave an excellent talk about boating safety.

HASK's Phil Salvador Dan & Phil

Mr. Naeger then adjourned the meeting. Those who wanted to, went to Jax’s.

General Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt

Houston Canoe Club

Board Meeting
September 4, 2019
Bayland Park Community Center

Recorder: Frank Ohrt

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

All officers present stated that they would attend the general meeting Sept. 11th. Mr. Walters offered to give the Safety Minute on proper use of lights when paddling at night. Ms. Wiest related a news story about an unnecessary drowning on Galveston Bay that afternoon.

Mr. Naeger said he would promote the club picnic at the next meeting, and discussed orders for club t-shirts. He noted that their design would not denote any particular occasion. He then noted that HASK members who were also HCC members could come to the next meeting and participate in the dissolution of the club library. It was agreed that the picnic would allow boating but not require it, and that there would be no need for a safety officer, since most members were not complete idiots.

There was discussion of whether to continue moderation of Forum postings. Some members had complained about the time it took for moderation, and several officers expressed a distaste for the idea in general. It was therefore resolved to end the moderation. Mr. Naeger offered to ask the Webmaster if some frequent trip leaders could be allowed to post trips on the Trip Calendar directly, without going through the Fleet Captain.

Mr. Naeger asked if the officers were interested in creating a “Meetup” group online, to try to attract younger members. It was pointed out that such “Meetup” groups had no leaders or organization, that there would be no way to control who came or what skills they might have (or not have), and that the club would not be able to get insurance coverage through ACA. There was little enthusiasm.

There was discussion of the new club t-shirts. Mr. Naeger said that Club Express would allow us to set up online purchasing by credit card, and that he would investigate fabric options (synthetic versus cotton).

There was much discussion of the nominations for next year’s officers. Since the nominating committee hasn’t reported, it was decided that further discussion was pointless.

Concerning the calendar for the coming months, Mr. Naeger reminded the officers that we had decided not to renew our participation with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, on the grounds that we should support organizations that were directly related to paddle sports. The only other issue was whether to apply for an L.L. Bean grant for a stewardship project. No one had any ideas for such a project.

It was moved that we adjourn. It was seconded, approved, and we did.

Board Meeting Recorder,

Frank Ohrt


Frank promotes the HGAC Trash Bash		Kent on night lighting		David gives a trip report for Natalie		Paul gives the membership report