Held at Nanci Sundel’s Home | 8116 Cindy Lane, Bethesda, MD
November 9, 2025 | 1:00 PM
Submitted by: Kara Permisohn, Secretary
Held at: Nanci Sundel’s home, 8116 Cindy Lane, Bethesda, Md. Nov. 9, 2025, 1 p.m.
In attendance: Cathy Gainor, President; Tom Denes, Head Coach, Nanci Sundel, Julie Goldberg, Marci Goldberg, Dave Harmon, Sangeeta Bhargava, Chris McPhaul, Sandy Kweder, Dottie Buchhagen, Kara Permisohn, SecretaryCathy Gainor called the meeting to order at 1:23 pm.
1. Reading and approval of the minutes of October 27, 2024, annual meeting.
Nanci Sundel motioned to approve the minutes; Sandy Kweder seconded the motion. Kara Permisohn noted that Leon Wells is listed twice under At Large Board Members. The motion passed with changes.
2. Cathy Gainor reviewed current Board members and their task descriptions; she noted that Tom Denes has been serving as interim Registrar since Peter Johnson stepped down, and he has agreed to continue serving in this role.
Nanci Sundel motioned to nominate Tom Denes to become Registrar. Kara Permisohn seconded. The motion passed and will be formally voted on at the end of the meeting with all officer positions.
The nominations of officers for the 2025-2026 season were as follows:
- President – Cathy Gainor
- Vice President – John McCaffrey
- Treasurer – Martin Lespada
- Secretary – Kara Permisohn
- Newsletter Editor – Julie Goldberg
- Webmaster – Cathy Gainor
- Registrar – Tom Denes
- Head Coach – Tom Denes
- Record Keeper – Jeff Roddin
- Albatross Open Meet Director – Kara Permisohn
- Bulletin Board – Marci Goldberg
- Social Chair – Nanci Sundel
- At Large Board Members – Nominated to remain as at large board members were Jeff Dubin, Dave Harmon, Dottie Buchhagen, Jody Gan, Sangeeta Bhargava, Chris McPhaul, Leon Wells, James Van de Griff, Sandy Kweder, Joe Redmon, and Julie Goldberg was added.
3. Tom Denes gave the Registrar’s report.
- ANCM currently has 220 paid members.
- Composed of 120 women, 100 men.
- The 50-54 age group represents the largest number of members with 35 swimmers.
- There are only 11 swimmers 30 years old and under.
- Concerns with the average age of membership was discussed but tabled until new business.
4. Old business – Cathy Gainor stood in for Martin Lespada, who was absent.
A: FY 2025 financial reports – As of 8/18/25 the team has assets in the amount of $58,828.87
B: FY 2025 budgeted v. Actual expenditures – There were a few questions about items.
- As of October 19, 2025, the Net Operating Income of the team demonstrates that we were under budget across the year and the cash basis is in good shape.
- 55000 – $1140.05 is this the cost of 1099s + QuickBooks ($881.02)
- 58010 – $166.89 ask Martin is this was flipped with 58040 Team Breakfast cost $93.06
- 58050 – Pool Specific Outings – One was held after Bethesda practice during the summer.
5. New business
A. The Coaches report was presented by Tom Denes. 115 swimmers have registered for the fall session. 50% of those swimmers only attend one day per week. Winter/Spring Session was down by 15% since the KSAC pool closed.
B. Kara Permisohn reported the challenges of getting a response from the Germantown Indoor Swim Center (GISC) regarding pool space for the Albatross Open. She asked if the board of directors is in support of having the Albatross Open meet in 2026. Discussion was divided about the need to wait until KSAC reopens vs. trying to host the meet and keep it alive during the renovations at KSAC. Kara motioned that the team will only pursue having the Albatross at GISC in 2026 pending pool availability. Sandy seconded; the motion passed 6 votes in favor, 4 votes against.
C. Cathy Gainor offered that Marc B. said the renovations at KSAC are on track for the facility to open in fall 2026. Mark B. expects that there will not be any formal programs until January 2027. Practice schedules will be pending completion. This timeline should not affect the ability to host the Albatross Open at our home pool in 2027.
D. New policies to discuss – 10 minutes. Tom Denes
- 1.Pay half USMS registration for swimmers under the age of 30
Tom Denes proposed; “As an incentive to recruit more team members ages 29 years old and younger; Montgomery Ancients Mariners will cover $40 of a swimmer’s $75 U.S. Masters Swimming registration fee. If the fee rises above $75 the team will cover 50% of the fee. Swimmers must register with USMS as an Ancient Mariner and sign up for the Ancient Mariners’ master’s program with the Montgomery County Recreation Department (MCRD) at the KSAC pool to be eligible for this discount.” It was discussed that Swimmers may submit their receipt to the team for reimbursement. We need to use our website, social media and flyers on our team bulletin boards to market this incentive. Tom motioned to accept his proposal; Julie Goldberg seconded, the motion passed.
- Stipend for treasurer
Tom Denes proposed the idea that the team Treasurer should receive a $500 stipend for serving in the position because of the extensive time involved. Board members discussed allowing the Treasurer to choose a charity to donate the money to if the Treasurer chooses to decline the stipend. Tom Denes made the motion, Nanci Sundel seconded, the motion passed.
- Endowment fund
Tom Denes proposed that the team explore establishing an Endowment Fund into which swimmers could donate if they wish. The purpose of the endowment fund would be to give the team firm financial footing to continue long into the future. The team gave Tom approval to explore and report back to the team.
E. Nanci Sundel updated the board about team social events.
- The winter party is usually the first Saturday in January but that falls immediately after New Year’s Eve. It was suggested that we should make it on January 10, 2026. Nanci volunteered to be the host.
- Nanci recommended that there be a spring event such as a happy hour after Friday night practice in April. It was suggested to consider 4/17 or 4/24/26.
- Timing of the team summer breakfast should be earlier than later. Nanci will aim for the end of June 2026.
- Kara Permisohn has offered to host the fall picnic. Everyone enjoyed it being a little warmer in September or early October. Date is TBD.
6. Cathy Gainor reviewed the proposed FY 2026 budget.
- A.Master’s program registrations increased by 3%.
- B.Tom Denes proposed that the coaches’ salaries be increased by $1/hour from $32/hr. at pools other than Silver Spring and $33/hr. only at Silver Spring (helps cover parking) to $33/hr. at pools other than Silver Spring and $34/hr. at Silver Spring (ANCM will continue to help cover parking). This is approximately a $645 increase to the budget. Tom Denes motioned, Nanci seconded, the motion passed.
7. Julie Goldberg gave the Newsletter update. The electronic emailed version will continue to be sent out twice a year and remain free to team members. The fall winter issue went out recently and has been very well received.
8. Cathy Gainor reported on Website updates. It’s going well. Much easier to manage now. There are upcoming costs for Host Gator, and Cathy will need to renew with Network Solutions as presented in the budget.
9. Marci Goldberg gave an update on the Bulletin Board. Olney has given the approval of the location but there is not currently a board hanging in that spot. She will continue to follow up with the staff at Olney.
10. Election of officers
Nanci Sundel motioned to nominate the existing officers to continue serving in their rolls and Tom Denes was nominated to become Registrar. Kara Permisohn seconded. The motion passed.
11. Meeting Adjourned at 3:27 pm
Nanci Sundel made the motion, Sandy Kweder seconded, the motion passed.