Commodore Natalie Wiest called the meeting to order. Present were Ms. Wiest, Vice Commodore Christy Long, Boatswain Alice Nissen, Fleet Captain Bruce Bodson, and Recorder Frank Ohrt. Purser Kent Walters “Zoomed” in briefly, but then faded out. Also present was Conservation Chair Tom Douglas.
Ms. Wiest said that she would be out of town for the general meeting the following week, and that Ms. Long would host the meeting. There was discussion of how to do that on Zoom. Ms. Wiest then said that Joe Coker, Tom Douglas, and Bob Naeger constituted the Nominating Committee for next hear’s officers. Hopes were expressed that everyone would serve another year, since we’re all doing such a bang-up job.
Ms. Nissen reported three new members for August, and four for September. There was discussion of how to identify new members who were total beginners, so they didn’t go on trips that were beyond their skill level. Someone asked who was actually in charge of listing new members, and whether being listed depended on the club’s having received their membership payment. We all assumed that (1) it was Mr. Walters, and (2) we didn’t know.
Mr. Douglas gave a practice run of his presentation on water quality in Texas streams.
Ms. Long announced that Trudi Smith would give the next meeting’s presentation, on the efforts of the (Buffalo) Bayou Preservation Association. The October speaker will be Marilyn Kirkus, and we don’t have a speaker for November. There was discussion of when and whether to have a Christmas Party this year. It was suggested that we might be able to “socially distance” if we had it outdoors. No decision was reached, as no one knows what the situation might be come Christmas.
Mr. Bodson reported that there have been five official club trips, and there are four members with over 100 miles paddled. There have been 35 official and un-official trips this year, for a total of 284.5 miles. The details will be offered at the general meeting. Ms. Long asked about waivers and cash (send them to Kent!), and Mr. Bodson reminded trip leaders that Covid-19 waivers must be signed at every club trip. Ms. Wiest announced the Texas River Festival at Hidalgo Falls, and Ms. Long said she would put it on the trip calendar.
Ms. Wiest brought up the issue of whether to donate to the Citizen’s Environmental Coalition. there was discussion, as there was the previous time it came up. Mr. Bodson said it would give the club good publicity. Mr. Ohrt suggested that he could send an email to all the officers, listing who we donate to and who we might add to the list, and ask for yes-or-no votes on each. No more endless circular discussion.
Ms. Wiest adjourned the meeting.