November 2025 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes and Activity Reports
MORE – Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2025
Virtually present at meeting
Casey Anderson – President
Jali Fernando – Executive Secretary
Alison Wells – Administrative Assistant
David Beugelmans – Secretary
Rob Lowe – Membership Director
Neil Blake – Treasurer
Maris Finley – Activities Director
Dave Magill - MD Advocacy Director
Not present
Michael Ullmann – VA Advocacy Director
Kathy Mihm – Ride Programs Director
· Executive Director Report (Jali)
o MoCo Epic
§ We allowed people to defer to the following year due to rain date. This was after significant discussion with core group and some board members. Still believe it was the right decision.
§ Many lessons learned, including being clear internally and with vendors when the last time is we can make a call. Some were unhappy.
§ For people who did show up, people had a great time. Connected with all of the aid stations. Everyone was happy that it was moved.
§ First time doing the 20 miler adaptive ride, which was popular. On the first weekend of the MoCo Epic, we had reps of MoCo and DNR attend, and they seemed impressed with event.
§ Working with Neil to finalize accounting so we should have that in the next few days.
§ Dave M
· Saturday was one of the best we’ve ever had.
§ Maybe 10-15% less showed up on Sunday due to the rain date.
§ Casey
· Need to document how many people camped so we can show county that it was popular.
o IMBA Trail Care School
§ Allison applied for this grant and got a lot of the logistics off the ground.
§ We got a grant for IMBA for a Trail Care School. Focusing on drainage issues and “trail eyes” to look at land and assess what can be built. Two-day training. Saturday is a classroom session and Sunday is out on the field. Going to be at Mt. Vernon District Park.
§ Saturday is open to liaison and any land managers/park rangers from trail systems that want to attend. Good place to get knowledge and demonstrate that we take training seriously.
§ On December 13 and 14. Should have enough people to fill the 20 spots.
§ We are required to match about $2.6k of cost, but it’s not until next year.
§ Also wanted to encourage women trail liaisons to attend.
· Board Elections (Jali)
o Announcement of open positions: November 12
o Nomination period: November 16 to 28
o Elections: December 3 to 15
o Announcement: December 17
o General agreement from board to move forward.
· President Update (Casey)
o We had a meeting with new Park and Recs director in Prince George’s County. He has an open mind.
§ The county has funded and hired a couple of professional trail builders. The first new project is happening at a park that abuts Rosaryville. Trying to identify other parks where there are opportunities to build trail. Would like to focus some advocacy and support what they do in the next year or so.
o Jali: Next season there will be a Prince George’s NICA team, which will help with advocacy.
o Participated in a ribbon cutting at Beverly Farm in Potomac. There is five mile of natural surface trail, which is not particularly interesting, but is good for beginners.
· Financial Update (Neil)
o ($9.6k) net general decrease
§ $39.2k general revenues
§ $26.1k MoCo Epic
§ $5.5k memberships
§ $5.0k fall camping trip
§ $1.9k interest
§ $0.6k other
o $48.8k general expenses
§ $42.8k MoCo epic
§ $4.6k fall camping trip
§ $1.4k other
o ($20.1k) net restricted decrease
§ $1.6k restricted revenues
§ $0.5k Gunpowder falls
§ $0.4k SGBP
§ $0.3k Eastern Shore sMOREs
§ $0.3k other
o $21.7k restricted expenses
§ $19.6k Waterworks
§ $1.1k SGBP (shed)
§ $0.9k Bacon Ridge
§ $0.1k West MoCO
o Casey:
§ Due to hit on local economy, we should give some thought to make sure we can weather a downturn. Need to determine what a worst-case scenario would be and how to plan.
· Neil: In the past, we’ve had at least a year of general funds available to support operations, and we have more than that. Thinks we could weather two years without no income at all.
· That said, should be prudent with expenditures and spend strategically to grow membership.
· Still a concern that we aren’t spending all the money. We are building up too much and aren’t spending it on areas we should be.
· Membership Update (Rob)
o October 2025 was a good month – one of the better Octobers we’ve had. Was worried at the start, but it picked up, and we picked strong at over $12k before IMBA, and just over $10k after fees.
o Our joins weren’t at strong, with 28 this year, our renewals were stronger for those renewing under 15 days.
o The concerning point where we are seeing some softness, is the expiring member number – 202 this year, and 162 last year
o Wasn’t as active about sending out renewal reminders, which possibly had an impact
o Felt like were seeing some weakness in August and September but then caught up. We are $68 ahead for the year as of the end of October.
o Joins are a little higher right than 2024.
o As long as we continue to bring people in, get new folks to join, and get the word out, we will get new people.
· Trails
o Virginia (Michael)
o Maryland (Dave)
§ Dave M Motion to transfer 50% of MoCo Epic proceeds into West MoCO trail fund.
· Neil:
o Need to determine what the amount is. Right now the net is only $13k
· Motion withdrawn. Will discuss further.
· Events Update (Maris)
o Wanted to thank everyone from work at MoCo Epic. Wasn’t able to be there for the second weekend.
o Excited for holiday light ride in November. Excited to keep events going and to keep people engaged. Keeping opportunities going year round and keeping the events fresh. Don’t want things to become stagnant and boring for people.
o I am going to the Hawasha gratitude ride. Have call with Ken to promote event. Want to turn Hill Yea event into a whole weekend, will include camping, etc. Have a great buy in from the land manager.
o Want to make winter meeting more interactive.
Activity Reports
· President – Casey Anderson
· Montgomery Parks
o Capital budget hearing
o South Germantown shed
o MOU
· Prince George’s land for trails advocacy (Albion Road property, etc.)
· Fairfax trails status
· Jali Fernando – Executive Director
- MoCo Epic, rain date, wrap up
- Represented MORE at the M-NCPPC budget forum for Prince George's County
- Set up registration and sponsorships for MORE Holiday Lights Ride
- Attended meeting with PG Planning Director Darius Stanton
- Attended Frederick Watershed happy hour and fundraiser
- Attended thank you event for MoCo volunteer trimmers and sawyers
- Regular email, newsletter, and social media communications
· Secretary – David Beugelmans
o Coordinated board meeting and finalized minutes
o Finished project and attended ribbon cutting for Annapolis Flow Trails
o Identified and initiated new Bacon Ridge liaison team; attended kick-off meeting with Bacon Ridge rangers
o Attended status call re: Crownsville Hospital trails and BR/WW connector
o Worked with Dave M. on final CHMP trails MOU with Anne Arundel County
· MD Advocacy Director – Dave Magill
o Held thank you event for MoCo area trimmers and sawyers
o Continued work on Rosaryville grant, signed a right of entry agreement with DNR to work on the Rosey trails
o Call with SHA folks to hear why Pax Phase 2B was not funded this year, clarified what has to happen for it to be funded in the future
o Work days on Pax 2A
o MoCoEpic volunteering 5 days
o Working with Dave B to negotiate an MOU for Crownsville Hospital trails
· VA Advocacy Director – Michael Ullman
- Walked Locust Shade with Martin and John S. From Prince William County. Moving along the plan for an addition to the 95th street line as well as a reroute for the black line
- Call with Prince William county Janet B. To discuss various PW trails but specifically Locust shade. New MOU will be distributed for review once I receive it
- Attended trail and roadway master planning meeting in Manasass for PW count on 11/5
- Attended a trail work day on 11/8 at Locust Shade
· Membership Director – Rob Lowe
o MoCo Setup and Support on Oct 11, Oct 18 and Oct 19.
o Normal Membership Activities for IMBA Membership Drive Month
o Reports - Pending completion, I'm way behind due to Moco 2nd weekend and then the Bikenetic CX the weekend after that. May not be done till after board meeting, initial report will be shared for sure.
§ Post IMBA Processing Estimate for Neil - APPX 10,100 based on my current best numbers. $12,454 before processing.
· Ride Program Director – Kathy Mihm
o Prepared files for MoCo Epic registration
o MoCo epic set up, take down, and registration
o Conducted two clinics at MoCo Epic Family Day
o Lead Thursday night rides, Wed beginner ride
o Worked out final details for the shed to be delivered at SCBP
o Set up miscellaneous rides in Golden Volunteer and MORE Calendar
o Prepared and edited trail map for Emmitsburg Trails
o Communicated with Town of Poolesville on potential pump track
· Communications Director – N/A
· Treasurer – Neil Blake
o ($9.6k) net general decrease
§ $39.2k general revenues
§ $26.1k MoCo Epic
§ $5.5k memberships
§ $5.0k fall camping trip
§ $1.9k interest
§ $0.6k other
o $48.8k general expenses
§ $42.8k MoCo epic
§ $4.6k fall camping trip
§ $1.4k other
o ($20.1k) net restricted decrease
§ $1.6k restricted revenues
§ $0.5k Gunpowder falls
§ $0.4k SGBP
§ $0.3k Eastern Shore sMOREs
§ $0.3k other
o $21.7k restricted expenses
§ $19.6k Waterworks
§ $1.1k SGBP (shed)
§ $0.9k Bacon Ridge
§ $0.1k West MoCo
· Activities Director – Maris Finley
o MoCo Epic Support
§ Friday - Event Setup
§ Saturday – Event & Jump Jam support
§ Sunday – Oversaw breakdown of event setup
o MoCo Area Sawyers Event
§ Attended thank you event for volunteers
o SCSP Holiday Lights Ride
§ Event preparation & walkthrough with City of Gaithersburg