October 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes and Activity Reports

MORE – Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

October 12, 2026

Virtually present at meeting

• Alison Wells – Administrative Assistant
• David Beugelmans – Secretary
• Rob Lowe – Membership Director
• Neil Blake – Treasurer
• Michael Ullmann – VA Advocacy Director
• Dave Magill – MD Advocacy Director
• Kathy Mihm – Ride Programs Director
• Maris Finley – Activities Director

MoCo Epic Update (Alison)

• Rescheduling
  • The event was postponed because of the hurricane, which brought several inches of rain.
  • All permits have been transferred to this coming weekend (October 17–18).
  • Food trucks and other vendors remain available for the new dates.
  • Registration remains open through Thursday.
  • Alison is processing requests from riders transferring their registrations to different distances.
  • Dave M. estimated about 575 Sunday registrations, roughly 50 to 75 fewer than last year.
• Aid stations
  • Three aid station sponsors withdrew or have not confirmed availability.
  • Aid Station 3 (Little Bennett)
    • Sean Purcell arranged mechanical support from Oscar's Bike Shop.
    • Kathy and Dave M. will run nutrition.
    • Dave M. will open the station at 8:30 a.m. and cover it until Kathy finishes at registration.
    • The original sponsor will still provide food. It will be dropped off Saturday and taken to the station with the U-Hauls on Sunday morning.
  • Aid Station 7 (Muddy Branch)
    • Muddy Branch Alliance cannot staff the station but may deliver food on Saturday.
    • AJ Heiner will staff the station while also handling the 100-mile sweep by car.
    • A second volunteer is needed so AJ is not there alone for six hours.
    • David offered to check in on the station on Sunday.
  • Aid Station 2 (Black Hill)
    • The sponsor, Bikenetic, has not confirmed whether it will participate.
    • Alison does not want to replace the sponsor before it declines.
    • Dave M. noted a decision is needed by midweek to leave time to find a replacement.
  • Aid Stations 6 and 9 are covered.
  • Kathy suggested using the upcoming newsletter to recruit volunteers for one- or two-hour aid station shifts. Alison plans to do so.
• Youth clinics (Saturday)
  • Coaches are still needed for the 9:45 a.m. youth beginner clinic and the 10:30 a.m. youth dirt jump clinic.
  • Sean is unavailable, and Justin has not responded.
  • Michael will contact several coaches and will lead both clinics himself if no one else is available. Alison listed him as tentative.
  • Kathy noted the clinics are free and could be canceled if no coach is found.
• Other logistics
  • Bernie will fix the muddy spot on the course before Sunday.
  • David will help on Sunday only because of a previously scheduled trail work day on Saturday. Generators will provide power on Saturday.
  • Maris will pick up the rental vans on Saturday.
• No separate Executive Director report was given because Jali was absent. Alison said MoCo Epic has taken most of her time.

Financial Update (Neil)

• Overview
  • Neil gave a high-level update because MoCo Epic revenues and expenses are only partially recorded.
  • Membership revenue for the month will be about $7,400.
  • Interest income was slightly below prior months. Neil will confirm that the usual adjustment is booked, which should bring it closer to $2,000.
  • MoCo Epic registration revenue continues to arrive through BikeReg.
  • Net general income for the month was about $7,000, driven by MoCo Epic revenue.
• Expenses
  • MORE made its usual annual $500 donation to Gravity Soul.
  • The standard annual venue payment for the fall camping trip was made. Additional camping trip expenses are still to come.
  • MoCo Epic expenses were mostly the Montgomery County permit, about $6,000.
  • Neil has begun reallocating staff costs to MoCo Epic, up to about $30,000. This is a recategorization only, so that the event's net profit is accurately reflected.
• Restricted funds
  • A group (believed to be B Team) donated $4,000 restricted to the Frederick Watershed.
  • Quantico MTB donated $6,500 toward the new storage shed at Locust Shade. Shed costs have not yet posted, so the net effect will be zero.
  • Grants working capital reflects Seneca Greenway trail work. Dave M. estimated about $10,000 will be reimbursable under the grant.
  • The remaining $8,400 of Seneca Greenway work was charged to restricted trail funds.
  • Sean Purcell continues to submit West MoCo trail expenses for equipment, trimmers, fuel, and consumables.
  • Restricted funds decreased by about $14,400 for the month, reflecting a high level of trail work.
  • Board-designated trail funds
    • MORE's accountants advised tracking board-designated trail funds separately from donor-restricted funds.
    • Board-designated funds can be reallocated without contacting donors, so Neil draws on them last.
    • Some transfers this month were needed because certain trail funds are running low.
• Financial position and budget
  • Total assets remain above $800,000, mostly in cash.
  • The budget is on track, with no changes since last month.
  • MoCo Epic revenue has brought the deficit down to about $20,000, which is less than budgeted.
  • The year-end result depends largely on MoCo Epic.
• Transfer of net income from AACo Epic ($3,749.77)
  • The board needed to decide how much of the AACo Epic net income to transfer to a trail fund.
  • David recommended directing the trail share to the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park (CHMP) fund instead of Waterworks, since CHMP is the main active project in Anne Arundel County.
  • David proposed a 50/50 split, with the other half going to the general fund to cover operating expenses.
  • The CHMP fund currently holds about $6,600, not counting the O'Sullivan grant.
  • Dave M. offered to round the CHMP share up. David preferred the even split, noting the contribution should grow as the event grows.
  • Motion (Neil): Transfer $1,875 of the AACo Epic proceeds to the CHMP trail fund. Seconded by Dave M. Approved unanimously.

Membership Update (Rob)

• September results
  • 232 transactions totaling $9,236 (pre-processing), compared with 226 transactions and $9,690 in September 2025.
  • September revenue was down about $450 from last year.
  • Year-to-date membership revenue is about $1,500 behind last year.
  • Rob had expected a shortfall of up to $5,000 this year because of federal workforce impacts and other factors, so results are better than anticipated.
  • Rob expects October may fall slightly short of last year.
• September activity
  • New joins were down by two from last year.
  • Renewals: 85 within 15 days, 13 within 15 days to 3 months, 2 within 3 to 6 months, and 13 after 6 months or more. Rob will double-check the last figure.
  • 18 large donors gave $2,900, compared with $3,550 from 18 donors last year. One donor moved from the $750 level to $250.
  • Joins are tracking last year closely after excluding the January NICA sign-ups and the 92 IMBA members.
  • Total membership is about 2,031, with a number of recent lapses that may still renew.
• Outreach
  • Rob begins mailing campaigns on October 13 to current, past, and long-lapsed members, sent over three or four days.
  • A second round will go out the last week of October.
• IMBA fee change
  • Rob's preliminary analysis indicates the new IMBA fee structure could increase MORE's net membership revenue by roughly $10,000 a year at current levels.
  • On $100,000 in gross membership revenue, MORE would net in the low $90,000s, compared with about $80,000 now.
  • These figures are not final.

Trails

• Virginia (Michael)
  • Prince William County
    • Michael met with the acting director of Prince William Parks.
    • They discussed the Locust Shade O'Sullivan project, which has been held up. MORE hopes for approval before Christmas so work can begin coming out of winter rather than in summer.
    • The county has largely approved the James Long project.
    • They also discussed MORE helping maintain a paved pump track under an MOU, since county maintenance has been lacking. Three or four nearby volunteers could help. Michael is awaiting county feedback.
  • Locust Shade storage shed
    • A 10-by-20 storage shed has been ordered for Locust Shade. Other Prince William County trail groups may also store tools there.
    • The shed costs about $8,000 to $9,000. Quantico MTB contributed $6,500 and will store its tools there as well.
    • Martin raised additional funds, including a donation of $1,000 or more from Tommy O'Sullivan.
    • Locust Shade may later raise funds for a small machine for its jump line, now that it has a place to store one.
  • Quantico Epic (Michael)
    • Members in Virginia frequently ask for a Northern Virginia epic.
    • The Quantico Epic organizers have indicated this may be their last year running it.
    • Their group has enough volunteers and does its own trail work, but lacks capacity for administrative work such as bookings and permits.
    • Michael has spoken with Rob Clements, the group's current president.
    • Michael suggested MORE could handle administration in exchange for a revenue share, possibly branding it as a MORE/Quantico Epic.
    • April 2027 is likely too soon, so 2028 is more realistic.
    • Alison said she and Jali would like to bring back a NOVA Epic and have been researching it, but it is unlikely for 2027.
    • Kathy noted the AACo Epic is also a candidate to grow.
    • David noted the AACo Epic does not serve Northern Virginia. MoCo Epic would remain the main staff-supported event, with the others run mainly by local volunteers.
    • Dave M. supported holding MoCo, Quantico, and AACo epics next year if local partners can provide volunteers.
    • Michael will gather more information and report at the next meeting.
• Maryland (Dave M.)
  • South Mountain connector
    • MORE and a local nonprofit applied for an SHA RTP grant to fund a feasibility study for a 13-mile connector along South Mountain in Frederick County, from Brunswick to Myersville.
    • The application was not funded.
    • Reviewers cited too few letters of support and a cost estimate that was too low. They also no longer want 30% design work included.
    • Dave M. believes MORE is well positioned to reapply next year.
  • Seneca Greenway
    • Much of Dave M.'s work this month was preparing the Greenway and new areas for MoCo Epic, including bridge repairs.
    • Dave M. is still pursuing a large bridge over the Seneca Bluffs stepping-stone crossing.
    • Design funding remains the main obstacle, and TAP funds are hard to obtain. Dave M. is talking with a contractor about lower-cost options.
  • Schaeffer Farm
    • Todd Bauer completed a reroute on the Diabase (Red) Trail that removes a steep, rooty hill just before the Yellow Trail.
    • Adaptive riders can now ride almost all of Schaeffer.
  • Patapsco (non-MORE project)
    • A $500,000 project at Woodstock may finally build a bridge across the North Branch connecting the McKeldin and Woodstock areas.
    • The RTP grant was approved eight years ago but stalled over floodplain permitting.
    • The project will also add five miles of adaptive trail on the Woodstock side.
  • Anne Arundel County (David)
    • CHMP trail work continues despite challenging weather.
    • One work day was canceled. Work days were held on both days of an earlier weekend despite light rain.
    • The next work day is this coming Saturday.
    • David hopes to finish sometime next year.
  • Charles County
    • Charles County park staff asked whether MORE would help with trails there and requested a form MOU.
    • The county has trails that could be converted to bike use and park land suitable for new trails.
    • MORE has some members and bike shop contacts in the area. Dave M. will continue the discussions.
  • For approval: Execution of $199,500 contract for Rosaryville refurbishment
    • Background
      • MORE received a $160,000 RTP grant in 2023–2024 to refurbish the Rosaryville trails.
      • The scope includes making about four miles of trail adaptive-ready, including about 1.5 miles of new trail.
      • It also includes perimeter trail fixes, a new interior connector trail, and rebuilding the jumps and rollers on the Tilly Trail.
      • The grant budget assumed $155,000 for trail construction and $5,000 for signage, with the match covered by volunteer labor.
      • Trail construction costs have risen from about $6–8 per foot to $10 or more per foot since the estimate.
    • Bids
      • Ironwood Outdoors: $199,500.
      • Mike's Dirt Works, partnered with Valerie Naylor: $217,500.
      • High Country Conservation, also with Valerie Naylor: $229,000.
      • All three bidders appeared qualified.
    • Funding gap
      • The low bid is about $45,000 over the grant budget for construction. Dave M. is asking park staff to handle the signage.
      • Dave M. set aside $30,000 in O'Sullivan and GTF funds this spring for a Rosaryville overrun, leaving a shortfall of $15,000 to $20,000.
      • Declining the contract would likely end MORE's ability to obtain future RTP grants, since applications commit MORE to covering overruns.
      • Dave M. hopes MoCo Epic proceeds, additional O'Sullivan support, and a fundraiser can close the gap.
      • He cautioned that Rosaryville lacks a strong core volunteer base, so a fundraiser may raise only about $5,000.
    • Discussion
      • Kathy supported proceeding, noting the shortfall is modest relative to the project.
      • David asked whether the project had a fundraising match like other trail systems. Dave M. confirmed no match has been required or attempted yet.
      • David raised equity with other trail systems that were required to fundraise. He said he could support the contract with a real commitment to fundraise for the shortfall.
      • Dave M. clarified the request is to sign the contract, not to transfer funds now. The contractor wants to start this winter.
      • Dave M. will work with the new Rosaryville liaison, David Radcliffe, to raise $5,000 to $15,000. The adaptive community has not yet been approached.
      • Neil confirmed the contract is fixed price. Dave M. said Ironwood (Brock) will honor its bid and the site was walked thoroughly.
      • Neil suggested exploring adaptive-specific grants. He also noted the value of adding an adaptive community representative to the board. Dave M. suggested David McSpadden.
      • Rosaryville has about 12 miles of trail, which will grow to about 14. About four miles will be adaptive.
      • Neil reported that $98,250 in O'Sullivan funds was allocated, with about $66,000 remaining. Reserving $30,000 for Rosaryville would leave about $36,000.
      • A $10,000 REI grant installment is also expected.
      • Neil said the funds are available, and the main issue is equity among trail networks.
    • Motion (Dave M.): Approve execution of the $199,500 Rosaryville contract, with $155,000–$160,000 covered by the RTP grant. The MD Advocacy Director will work with the Executive Director to develop a fundraising program to raise as much of the shortfall as possible. Seconded by Kathy. Approved unanimously.
  • Patuxent
    • Dave M. had a productive meeting with Senator Hester, who supports pursuing a $270,000 grant for the next phase of Patuxent.
    • Dave M. will update the cost estimate to account for further inflation.

Ride Program Update (Kathy)

• The ride programs are running smoothly.
• Patapsco night riding (Kathy)
  • Several Patapsco night rides are listed as MORE rides on the MORE calendar and Golden Volunteer without park authorization.
  • The rides are coordinated by Eric Crawford with ride leaders such as Dirt Rooster, not by Friends of Patapsco.
  • Eric has been unable to obtain night-riding authorization from the park manager.
  • Rob noted park staff are reportedly concerned about unsanctioned riding outside of organized rides.
  • David said state parks require permission, and unauthorized rides should not be advertised as MORE rides or appear on MORE's website.
  • Dave M. agreed the rides must either be approved or stop using MORE's waiver and website.
  • Kathy will call Eric and have the rides removed from MORE's channels until authorization is obtained. The leaders may still ride on their own.
• Track It Forward
  • MORE has not used Track It Forward, its former volunteer-hours platform, in about three years. MORE's data will be deleted in mid-January.
  • Dave M. said Alison and Jali previously downloaded the hours reports to the intranet.
  • Kathy will coordinate with Alison after MoCo Epic to download and archive any remaining data.

Events Update (Maris)

• Fall camping trip
  • The Big Bear camping trip had great weather and trail conditions, and participants were very happy.
  • Attendance was down from the usual 100-plus. Rain at the past two trips may have discouraged returning attendees.
  • The event is intended to break even. Costs include the campground rental, prizes, and Saturday breakfast burritos. Saturday dinner is a potluck.
  • The breakfast burritos cost about $1,400, the largest expense after the campground.
  • Dave M. asked Maris to review attendance and finances and plan for next year. He suggested MORE's exposure stay around $500, not $2,000 to $3,000.
  • Neil noted registration prices have not increased in a long time and suggested a moderate fee increase. He also suggested finding out why attendance declined.
  • Rob noted weather has hurt event turnout over the past few years.
• Holiday Lights Ride
  • The City of Gaithersburg sent the event contract. The ride is Tuesday, November 24.
  • Promotion and volunteers will be needed, including volunteers to keep riders from re-entering the course.
  • Nearly 200 riders attended last year despite cold, rainy weather.
  • Tom hopes to build the ride into a fundraiser for the S'mores youth program. The goal is to recoup costs and make a donation on top of that.
  • Michael is interested in a similar ride in Virginia. The Bull Run drive-through lights in Centreville could work. The Reston display is walk-through only.
• Winter meeting
  • The winter meeting is scheduled for the first weekend of March.
  • Rob asked board members to start identifying award candidates, including partners and government contacts.
  • Maris will begin that work after MoCo Epic.

Activity Reports

President – Casey Anderson

• [*]

Jali Fernando – Executive Director

• [*]

Secretary – David Beugelmans

• Coordinated board meeting and finalized minutes

MD Advocacy Director – Dave Magill

• Installed temporary bridge on Greenway
• Course marked for Epic
• Received and evaluated bids for Rosaryville Refurb, preparing recommendation to SHA
• Helped install flared railings on a long narrow bridge on the Greenway
• Contacted a bridge builder about costs and approach to putting an 80-foot bridge on the Seneca Bluffs trail. Will meet at the site.
• Ordering more lumber for more bridges for the Greenway
• Phone call with SHA on why the South Mountain trail feasibility study was not selected for a TAP grant

VA Advocacy Director – Michael Ullman

• Met with Janet Bartnik, Acting Director, Department of Parks and Recreation for Prince William County.
• Assisting Locust Shade with the purchase of a 10x20 shed which will serve as a tool storage location for multiple trail systems plus Quantico MTB who made a large donation for the purchase ($6,300)
• Attended gravity social which MORE was a sponsor of

Membership Director – Rob Lowe

• [*]

Ride Program Director – Kathy Mihm

• Set up rides/emails for fall rides
• Secured MoCo night ride permits for 5 parks
• Secured Schaeffer night ride permit
• Prepared MoCo Epic map
• MoCo Epic registration and planning

Treasurer – Neil Blake

• $7.0k net general increase
  • $27.6k general revenues
    • $19.2k MoCo Epic
    • $6.0k Memberships
    • $1.7k Interest income
    • $0.7k general donations
  • $20.6k general expenses
    • $10.6k Staff costs (assigned to the MoCo Epic)
    • $6.5k MoCo Epic
    • $1.6k Camping trip (Big Bear payment)
    • $0.7k IT costs
    • $0.5k Gravity Soul donation
    • $0.4k Postage
• ($14.3k) net restricted decrease
  • $11.7k restricted revenues
    • $6.5k Locust Shade (shed donation)
    • $4.0k Frederick Watershed
    • $0.6k Gunpowder Falls
    • $0.3k Hashawha
  • $26.0k restricted expenses
    • $11.5k West MoCo (Seneca Greenway trail improvement, bridge supplies, equipment purchases)
    • $10.0k Grants Fund (portion of Seneca Greenway work estimated to be reimbursed under the grant)
    • $2.6k Lake Fairfax equipment repair
    • $0.6k Waterworks
    • $0.5k Rosaryville
    • $0.3k Mount Vernon

Activities Director – Maris Finley

• Supported fall camping trip at Big Bear
• Helped prep for MoCo Epic